Reimundo Garcia Jr.

Very often I am asked what kind of camera I use or for a recommendation of what camera to buy. These days, buying a camera can be quite complicated. There are so many different brands, different megapixel strengths, and different sizes and weights that it can be very confusing to someone new to digital photography.

First, let me say that I am primarily a digital photographer. Although I have used film cameras in the past, all of my professional work has been done using digital cameras of varying types. So, the recommendations I will be making are all in the digital world. As one of my photography instructors said when I asked about buying a film camera a couple of years ago, “Why buy a film camera at this stage when film is becoming more difficult to find and develop on your own?”

Now, there are a few things that are relevant when buying a digital camera. The main considerations are megapixel size, size and weight of camera, price, and flexibility.

Megapixels define how much information is captured in a particular image. The larger the megapixels, the better the quality of picture you will get and the larger you can print it. The key with this is to get as many megapixels as you can afford because you can’t upgrade your megapixels once you buy it. Note: Just because a camera has lots of megapixels doesn’t mean the pictures are sharp. You still have to consider the quality of the image being produced and the settings you use.

Size is an important piece of the camera search. You can get anything from very small, hand-sized cameras to large SLR cameras. It all depends on what your objectives are. Do you want an everyday, throw-in-your-pocket camera? Do you need a medium camera with more features but only one fixed lens? Or, do you need a larger camera will full flexibility and the ability to add different lenses over time? You need to answer these questions before you can decide what to buy. I recommend using a comparison site, like DP Review. DP Review gives you very in-depth reviews, comparison tools, and search tools to find the camera that meets your needs. DP Review can also help you compare cameras based on brands, as each has its strong points and weaknesses. Read the reviews for the one you are considering before taking the plunge.

Price is another driving factor. This is more of a personal decision and depends on your budget. However, you can look at buying a camera like buying a computer. You should buy the best camera you can afford when you buy it because it will last the longest. Gone are the days where you can use the same camera for 10-15 years. Most cameras are good for 3-4 years before they fall way behind the technology curve and you need to upgrade.

Personally, I use two different Canon cameras, Digital Rebel XTi and the Powershot A640. The Rebel XTI is an SLR which gives me the flexibility to buy new lenses while being relatively inexpensive and very fast. The Powershot A640 is my everyday camera. It is always in my backpack ready to use when I don’t have my Rebel. The reason I got the A640 was for its fold-out LCD which allows me to take very unique pictures, such as a shot from over my head that I can still control by using the adjustable LCD screen. Of course, both cameras, while not very old, are already surpassed by newer, sleeker models. That is to be expected in the digital world.

With the information above, you should be able to get your camera search started. Happy camera hunting!