Selecting a camera

I think that a good number of my students sign up just for help in selecting the "right" camera. So, if you are one of those or are someone who needs some help for yourself or a family member then read on.
The very first thing you need to do is ascertain what kind of a photographer you are or want to be. There is nothing wrong in saying, "I don't know", but there is a lot wrong in saying "I like to take pictures of people" when what you really want to do is shoot sports. The difference is about $500 or more.

So let me help you in getting a handle on what you want to do photographically.

1. Do you think you will want to edit pictures on a computer?
2. Do you think you will be carrying the camera with you most of the time?
3. Do you want something that will fit in your shirt pocket or purse?
4. How much digital photo experience do you have?
5. What about general photographic experience, a lot, some, little?
6. Do you find kids and native people interesting on a trip?
7. Do you go to a lot of family sports events?
8. Do you like scenery and interesting buildings?
   
9. Is this your first digital camera?
10. What is your budget? Remember to add about 30% or more to the cost of the camera for extras.

So let's see how these questions may influence your camera selection.
1. Do you think you will want to edit pictures on a computer- This question helps determine the pixel and perhaps the sensor size you should be looking at. If you don't edit pictures you don't need anything more than a 6MP camera, less if you can still find one.
2. Do you think you will be carrying the camera with you most of the time? - Compact or ultra-compact cameras travel easily. The ultra-zoom and dSLR cameras require more space and are heavier.
3.Do you want something that will fit in your shirt pocket or purse? This is really a variation on question 2. You can carry a dSLR with you but it will not fit in your shirt pocket or most purses. This just helps pin down the selection a bit more.
4&5. How much digital photo or plain photo experience do you have? This is a biggy. Digital cameras,are far more complicated to use than film cameras. However, almost all digital cameras have a simple or Point and Shoot mode. And that mode works well for 80-90% of the shooting. But if you have little experience, the learning curve may be discouraging. If so, start with a compact or ultra-compact camera and figure on buying up.
6. Do you find kids and native people interesting on a trip? Almost any camera with a 3 to 4x optical zoom does well on kid and people shots.
7. Do you go to a lot of family sports events? - This is the determining question on the zoom range you need. If you do a lot of these nothing less than a 6x optical zoom is worth looking at and you may really want to be thinking about a dSLR, depending upon your experience with cameras. There are a number of 12x optical zoom cameras around that may work. I like the Canon S5 IS and some of the Panasonics that look like minature SLR. The Panasonic TZ3 or the Canon SX100 may also be a decent choice as well.
8. Do you like scenery and interesting buildings?- This question was aimed at finding out if a 28mm wide angle end on the zoom is more appropriate. Most zoom ranges start at 35-38mm which means you need to get back, way back on a big building. On the other hand the long end of the zoom helps isolate cluttered scenes.
9.Is this your first digital camera? If so, you may want to focus on cameras at the lower end of the cost spectrum. You can buy a very good 6-8MP digital camera for under $200. Figure on upgrading when you find you like shooting digital images.
10. What is your budget? Remember to add about 30% or more to the cost of the camera for extras. This question is really a reality check. Here is my pricing range:
Compact cameras -from $100-$300.
Sub compact or ultra-compact range from $200 to $400
Ultra zoom - $300-$599
dSLR- $500-to the sky.

Jerry

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