What is a good digital SLR camera? The best digital cameras offer excellent image quality, perfect ergonomics, suits your photography needs, provides ideal lens choices, and fits your budget. In case you plan to purchase a new camera, consider reading more about the best digital camera.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- A good camera has image stabilization to prevent the camera from shaking when taking shots or videos.
- An entry-level DSLR camera with an interactive LCD guide can help a beginning photographer navigate through the camera features.
- A good camera has manual and advanced controls that can help a beginner grow into their hobby.
What to Look for in a Good Digital SLR Camera
The Purpose of Usage
Are you planning to buy a DSLR for videography, photography, or dual usage? If you want a photography option, it needs to possess different shooting modes, HDR, portrait, and aperture priority, among other key features. A videography option will require good resolution and frame rates, e.g., 1080p at 60fps and not 1080p at 30fps. Higher frame rates deliver smoother videos. You may want to find out what is a good digital camera for vacation if you will be flying out of the country for a vacation.
Insider Tip
A full-frame sensor is great for clear photos, a four-thirds sensor is ideal for videos, and an APS-C sensor offers the best of both worlds.
Sensor Sizes
There are three key different sensor sizes: full-frame, APS-C, and micro four-thirds sensors. A larger sensor captures clearer photos.
Micro Four Thirds
This camera uses a 4:3 aspect ratio and a crop factor of 2x, making it ideal for videographers. In addition, Micro Four Thirds cameras offer faster frame rates and high video resolution.
APS-C Format
Most entry-level cameras like Canon and Nikon use an APS-C sensor with a crop factor of 1.6. The APS-C sensor is ideal for recording distant subjects or shooting wildlife or action photography using interchangeable lens cameras.
Full-Frame Sensor
With no crop factor, cameras with full-frame sensors can capture more color details, less noise, and more light. This is the reason why full-frame DSLRs perform better at higher ISO settings.
The Body
Before you purchase a DSLR, ensure that the camera has great ergonomics. Additionally, check whether the camera has dedicated HDMI and microphone ports. A tilt-flip touchscreen LCD is also an advantage in current DSLRs.
Warning
If you are looking for a camera for your video needs, avoid purchasing a DSLR camera without a dedicated microphone port.
Lenses
Depending on the type of photography you want to pursue, pick the lenses that fit your needs.
- Telephoto lenses are used to show accurate perspectives of faraway objects. Short telephoto lenses are fit for street photography and portraits. Medium telephoto lenses shoot sports, action, and wildlife photography.
- Macro lenses are ideal for very close-up shots.
- Wide-angle lenses are for shooting scenes such as cityscapes, landscapes, and architecture.
- Standard lenses are for shooting street, portrait, and travel photography.
DSLR or Mirrorless
Both Mirrorless options and DSLR cameras use interchangeable lenses, and they also offer a degree of automated and manual control. Mirrorless cameras are lighter, faster, compact, and great for video, while DSLRs have better optical viewfinders and strong battery life. However, mirrorless cameras have the disadvantage of accessing fewer accessories and lenses, while DSLRs have wider lens options. Your choice will depend on your preference.
Digital SLR cameras are more or less the norm these days due to the advantages they have. However, you should know what a medium-format digital camera is, which was quite popular before DSLR cameras.
F.A.Q.
Why are DSLRs cameras costly?
The materials that make camera sensors and processors are expensive. So, the larger the camera, the larger the sensor and processor, which translates to a higher purchasing cost.
What is a good camera for bird photography?
The Canon EOS 5D is a great option because it has lightning-fast autofocus and continuous shooting of 7fps at full resolution.
What is the best Nikon camera for bird photography?
You can go for the Nikon D850. It performs well in low-light conditions. In addition to its fast autofocus lens like the Canon EOS 5D, it has a 9fps higher than the competing brand.
STAT: In 2020, CIPA companies shipped a total of about 2.38 million DSLR cameras all over the world. (source)
REFERENCES:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_single-lens_reflex_camera
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Digital_SLR_cameras
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo-ewOY_Z-g&ab_channel=EzvidWikir
- https://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/Product_Resources/DigitalQuickGuide1.pdf
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6862582_Comparison_of_10_digital_SLR_cameras_for_orthodontic_photography
