Photo Tip #108: Understanding DSLR Cameras

Greetings Fellow Photographers!
Many people flock to camera stores this time of year to shop for cameras and camera accessories as holiday gifts. However, choosing the right DSLR camera, or any camera for that matter, can be intimidating. DSLR cameras give you much more control over your photos than point and shoot cameras do, and usually produce better quality pictures. DSLR cameras are also typically more expensive than point and shoot cameras. If anyone in your life has a passion for photography, consider getting them (or yourself!) a DSLR camera this year.

Why DSLR?
Are DSLR cameras really worth the extra money? Absolutely. For first time buyers, the price tag may seem too high. But you are buying more than a camera to take snapshots; you are buying a total camera system. DSLR cameras have the ability to capture images at a much faster rate than point and shoot cameras. Many DSLRs allow you to hold down the image capture button to take several photos per second.

This is especially handy for people who like to take photos of sporting events or other action shots. DSLR cameras are also much more versatile than point and shoot cameras; you can use different external flashes, a variety of different lenses, and other hardware and accessories that are not available for point and shoot cameras.
DSLR cameras give you total control over every aspect of taking photos. They all have an auto mode of course, but they also have the ability to switch to manual mode to control all the different elements like shutter speed, ISO, aperture, white balance, and more (refer to my Manual Mode tip for more information about these elements). If all those extra features seem a little intimidating, don't worry. There are plenty of DSLR camera models designed for amateurs and everyday photographers that are intuitive and easy to use.

Which One Should I Buy?
There are plenty of excellent DSLR camera models to choose from. Choose a camera that fits the shooting style and habits of the person you are giving it to. Avoid the megapixel trap; higher megapixels in a camera usually come with a higher price tag, but are not necessarily the best choice. A higher megapixel camera takes larger size photos, which take up more room on a memory card and computer. All new cameras available today are sufficient in terms of megapixels, so do not let that be a deciding factor. Instead, talk to the salesperson at your local camera store. Describe the type of photography the person enjoys shooting, such as everyday photography, landscape photography, artistic photography, and so on. If the person likes shooting sports or action shots, then a camera with a higher Frames Per Second count is likely the best option. Cameras that have a higher Frames Per Second count allow you to shoot more rapidly than other types of cameras. Lastly, do not forget accessories; spend the extra money on a case to keep the new DSLR camera safe, and buy extra memory cards so the person can begin shooting right after they unwrap it!