Digital SLR Camera Buying Guide
What's your budget?
If you have $1,000 then do NOT buy a $1,000 DSLR! Get a $600 - $700 camera and spend your extra cash to buy the accessories such as new lenses, spare batteries, external flash, high capacity memory, portable storage system, tripod, filters, camera carrying case, lens cleaner, etc. When you start using DSLR you WILL need and want these accessories so it's a good idea so spare some cash to buy them.
What camera features do you regard as important?
- Live View
With live view you no longer need to squint your eye on the view finder. You can see the picture you will be taking right on the LCD. Prosumer cameras with LCD is a given but for DSLR it's not. If you feel comfortable using the viewfinder then you don't need to worry about this feature. - Image Stabilization / Vibration Reduction
These are basically the same. Canon use the term IS and Nikon use VR. This is a very handy feature which can reduce blur when you need to take pictures while in motion. Lenses with this feature is usually heavier than then ones not having it but it's really not a big deal (unless you have a very weak hand). - Anything else?
Write a list of other camera features that you feel essential to have and take that list with you when you go shopping for the new camera. When visit a store ask the salesperson if any camera has all the features you wrote in the list.
Body only or Kit?
When you buy the camera body only you will need to find the matching lens and flash. If you're a novice it is wiser to buy a kit which includes all the important components. This way you only need to "point and shoot"
Which make and model to choose?
For beginners the "safest" options are Nikon D60 and Canon 450D . Canon and Nikon both make great cameras and the accessories available for these two brands are widely available. And since there are lots of people who use Canon and Nikon digital slr it is easy to find support and answers from online communities / forums if you ever run into problems or have some pressing questions.
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