Choose the right digital SLR for your needs

Expert reviews say the most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a digital SLR camera is the brand more than the specific model -- that is, the entire system of camera bodies, lenses and accessories. A digital SLR body may be obsolete within two years, but the lens can perform well for decades. You can use some SLR lenses on both digital SLR and film SLR camera bodies of the same brand. And you're almost sure to find one brand more comfortable in your hands than another -- a factor emphasized in expert reviews. If a camera isn't comfortable to you personally, you're apt to leave it at home.

Reviewers also note that even within the same camera or lens model, quality varies. Take time to put a new digital SLR camera and lens through its paces before committing to the purchase. Experienced users sometimes return cameras and lenses several times until they find one that meets their standards. Enlist the aid of an experienced photographer if you're in doubt.

Most digital SLR cameras now come with self-cleaning sensors plus LCD monitors that show exposure and focus changes in live view. Image stabilization is routinely built into the camera body or, for Nikon and Canon cameras, built into the standard zoom lens bundled in the kit. LCD monitors keep getting bigger and often sharper as well (with 920,000 dots instead of 230,000). Both the size and resolution of LCD monitors make it much easier to fine-tune focus manually.

Reviews say the following tips are important in choosing a digital SLR camera:

  • Resolution isn't everything. Unless you plan to print large crops from landscape photos and need all the resolution you can get, don't be swayed too much by megapixels. Image quality depends just as much on several other factors. Lens quality, sensor and focus also matter, not to mention your composition skills. Reviews say that when comparing digital cameras, a difference of 2 megapixels isn't usually significant. Unless the sensor's really big (as on a pro-level camera), cramming on a lot of megapixels tends to generate more noise (graininess) in your photos, which then must be dealt with by in-camera processing or in photo-editing software. Also, the higher the camera's resolution, the more powerful a computer you'll need to process the image files.
  • How much do you want video? This is an important feature for many and can be lots of fun to use, but it adds to the camera's price. Other factors -- a full-frame sensor, fast burst speed for action shots, high resolution for big landscape shots or simply great image quality at a budget price -- may matter much more to you.
  • Choose a digital SLR camera body that feels good in your hands. This is a personal matter depending partly on the size of your hands but also on factors that no one can quantify. Expert reviews recommend comparing cameras in person before buying. Note that a camera that feels too small for your hands may feel more comfortable if you add a battery grip, which holds an extra battery, boosting the number of shots you can take between charges.
  • Size and weight are important if you plan to take the camera and at least one lens with you most of the time. A survey of digital camera owners by the Consumer Electronics Association found that 81 percent chose portability as an important factor -- after their purchase. It's easy to underestimate this when buying. We list size, weight and other specifications in our single-product reviews for each camera to help you compare.
  • Though reviews evaluate digital SLR image quality, it's a subjective matter. Expert reviews suggest looking at lots of sample photos from the cameras that interest you most to find a digital SLR whose images on automatic settings are most appealing to you. Many people prefer the vivid colors and extremely sharp focus that characterize point-and-shoot cameras, but digital SLRs tend to be geared to the more natural-looking colors and focus that many professional photographers prefer. (The softer focus can be sharpened in later editing.)
  • A large, bright viewfinder is important on a digital SLR camera. This matters much more than on a compact digital camera because on an SLR, you're more apt to use the eyepiece viewfinder to compose shots and check focus, depth of field and lighting. Most digital SLRs have adequate diopter correction (an adjustment based on your vision so you don't need to wear your eyeglasses), but if that doesn't' work, or you prefer to keep your glasses on, you may also need an eyecup to accommodate them -- usually an option at extra cost. You can get used to the way controls are laid out on a camera, but if you can't see well through the viewfinder, you're really stuck.
  • The larger, brighter and higher-resolution the LCD screen, the better. Reviews say 3-inch (and larger) LCD screens are much nicer to use than smaller screens. The LCD is especially important if the camera provides live view for composing shots and checking settings. The best LCD screens now have 920,000-dot resolution, making it easier to use manual focus -- selecting focus points -- in live view. Most LCD screens have a brightness adjustment, and newer LCD screens also have wider viewing angles. A tilting and swiveling LCD screen is another plus.
  • Expect features that minimize dust on the sensor. Sensors that repel dust and clean themselves are now a standard feature on most digital SLR cameras. Many of the better cameras also use internal software to delete dust spots from images. You can fix dust spots on an image using photo-editing software, and with care you can clean a sensor yourself (see the Useful Links page), but a camera that takes care of this problem by itself is ideal.
  • Image stabilization makes for sharper shots in lower light. This feature can make the difference between carrying a tripod or leaving it at home. Image stabilization is also a boon for any user who has trouble holding a camera steady. Reviews say image-stabilized SLR lenses are a more reliable but also a more expensive solution.
  • Depth-of-field preview is helpful. This feature enables you to take full advantage of the through-the-lens viewfinder, so you can be sure that the subject is fully in focus while controlling the sharpness of the background for the effect you want. Most brands offer this on entry-level models, but to get it on a Nikon requires moving up to the Nikon D90 (*Est. $900 with kit lens).
  • For action shots, startup time, shutter lag, maximum shutter speed and burst mode are all important. Keep these features in mind if you plan to photograph a lot of moving subjects -- children at play, sporting events, birds in flight, etc. A PCMag.com customer-satisfaction survey finds that one of the primary complaints of digital-camera owners is blurry photos, so it may be more important than you anticipate.
  • A spot meter is necessary for high contrast shots, like a sunrise. For example, it's a challenge to shoot a subject that is backlit (by the sun or other bright light) against a dark scene. To get this on a Canon digital SLR requires moving up to the mid-range Canon T2i, but Nikon offers it even on the entry-level Nikon D3000 camera.
  • For close-ups, product shots and other studio work, mirror lockup and remote control can minimize image blur when the camera is mounted on a tripod. Mirror lockup lifts the mirror out of the way well before the camera takes the picture, so the camera vibration is finished before the shutter opens. A cable or infrared remote control can eliminate shakiness resulting from pressing the shutter button.
  • Choose the retailer with care. Experts advise that if a camera price looks too good to be true, it probably is. Be alert for gray-market cameras (imported, so the warranty is not valid in the U.S.) and extra charges. Make sure you can return a camera or lens without a restocking fee. (Usually this is only possible if you haven't installed any of the bundled software.) See our Useful Links section for more help.
  • Budget for accessories. Think beyond the cost of the camera itself to accessories you may need. At the very least, you'll probably want at least one larger, faster memory card, plus an extra battery so you can use one while the other charges.

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