DSLR Buying Guide

DSLR Buying Guide

Purchasing a DSLR camera can be a daunting process for many people. Consumers are bombarded with unfamiliar terminology and it can become a very confusing and complicated experience. However, it doesn’t need to be that way. The information below outlines a few of the key features you should look for when buying your DSLR camera and these simple tips will make the process so much easier.

ISO Levels

Cameras operate with different shutter speeds; these are referred to as ISO levels. Basically, a low ISO level will take photos using a low shutter speed, while a higher ISO level will increase the shutter speed. Different shutter speeds have different benefits. If you want to take photos where there is a lot of movement, such as snapping pictures of your children while they are busy in playground for example, then a higher shutter speed is generally better. This enables you to capture those moments in time quickly. A high shutter speed also avoids the problems with camera shake and blurry images.

However, a high ISO will slightly decrease the quality of the images and it can occasionally cause a grainy effect in your photos in the presence of certain conditions. If you are someone that likes to take a lot of landscape images or images where there is little movement then a low ISO can help create those crisp, clear pictures.

Generally, entry level DSLR cameras have an ISO range between 100 and 1600, with some reaching 3200. Overall, the quality of the images you can produce with these different ISO ranges using a DSLR camera is really good, even at the higher ISO speeds.

Megapixels

It’s impossible to avoid the term ‘megapixel’ when purchasing cameras. However, many people don’t realize that megapixels don’t actually play a large role in the quality of your images. If you compare an image from a 16 megapixel camera with an image from a 10 megapixel camera then you would most likely struggle to see any difference in quality.

Basically, megapixels affect the quality of images when they are printed bigger than standard size. If you print a large image taken from a camera with higher megapixels the image quality will be better than if it was taken from a camera with lower megapixels. Any camera with 6 megapixels or above will easily print everyday photos with good quality. You can even get cameras with 21 megapixels, that would allow you to print a image to cover a billboard without losing image quality.

So, unless you are keen on printing massive sized images, any camera with 6 megapixels or higher will suite your needs perfectly.

Frames per second

If you are someone that likes to take fast action shots then frames per second is something that you should consider. Frames per second refer to the number of images you can capture per second. Entry level cameras generally take three frames per second, while more advanced models, such as the Canon 7D, can shoot eight frames per second. The more frames per second your camera is capable of taking the better suited it will be for capturing images at sporting events or other fast paced environments.

Cost

Obviously it’s important to take into consideration the price of the camera. Sometimes you can find cameras cheaper as part of a deal or different retailers may offer better prices. So it’s a good idea to shop around.

There are some excellent entry level DSLR cameras available and hopefully the information above will help you find the perfect camera for your needs, without any unnecessary stress and confusion.

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Here’s the Top 5 Digital SLR Cameras on Amazon

Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens Average Rating: 491 total customer reviews...

Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens Average Rating: 571 total customer reviews...

Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Sensor DIGIC 4 Image Processor Full-HD Movie Mode Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-inch LCD and and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Average Rating: 658 total customer reviews...

Canon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Standard Zoom Lens Average Rating: 403 total customer reviews...

Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black) Average Rating: 387 total customer reviews...

Bestselling Digital SLR Cameras on Amazon

	Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm IS II Lens and EOS HD Movie Mode (Black)	$459.95
	Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera and DIGIC 4 Imaging with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens	$599.00
	Canon EOS Rebel T4i 18.0 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm EF-S IS II Lens	Too low to display
	Canon EOS Rebel T4i 18.0 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 18-135mm EF-S IS STM Lens	Too low to display

Prices are accurate as of December 28, 2012 9:44 pm. Product prices and available are subject to change. Any price and availablility information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of any products.

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