How to Buy A New Camera

Too much choice is never a good thing. 

When it comes to adding a new camera to your kit or buying your first one, how are you suppose to sort through all of the options out there knowing which one is going to be your best bang for your buck?

If you have ever been into a bricks and mortar camera store before, you would most likely been recommended something that sits outside of your budget and has a whole heap of features that you can't even figure out are really necessary..... I will let you in on a secret, most of the time they aren't.

Splashing a heap of cash on a new camera with features that go straight over your head, is like learning to drive in a Maserati. Yeah, you'll look cool and have to dig deep into your savings, but you will get further in a trusty old Toyota Camry. 

Here are the top 3 things to consider when purchasing a new camera. 

1. The most important - BUDGET! 

We all have one and this is going to be the main factor determining what you will realistically be able to buy. Remember to keep money aside for new lenses if you need them and any accessories that are important like UV filters for your lenses to protect them. 

2. Brand

It is much of a muchness when it comes to the quality of cameras between brands. If you already have lenses of a particular brand and you have learnt how to shoot on one type like Canon for instance, stay loyal to that brand. This will save you the cost of buying new lenses down the road and also the time you will have to invest in learning the layout and technical aspects of a different brand of camera. 

3. Full Frame or Crop Sensor

I will keep this decision easy for you! If you are starting out, buy a crop sensor. These cameras are cheaper and easy to learn on as most come with inbuilt guides and preset shooting modes to help you learn your shooting techniques. Go with a full frame if you have money to burn, but as a beginner you won't notice the difference between a crop or full frame camera. 

Now of course there are other features you can consider when adding a new camera to your kit, however consider first what you will be shooting and if it will be necessary. 

Paying more for faster frame rates (how quickly your camera can take a photo) may serve you well if you are shooting sports or fast action, but if you are wanting to create portraits or capture still life, it won't affect you. 

The same goes for the amount of megapixels your camera shoots in. You are more than likely not going to be blowing your images up to billboard size, so anything above 16mp is all you need. 

Photography is about the art. It is how we are able to be more present and express ourselves through creating something beautiful out of the mundane. Good camera gear does not a photographer make. So, save your pennies while you are learning and concentrate on becoming familiar with your more basics camera and understanding light, composition and invoking emotion. Upgrade later, or don't - you may just love the practical little camera that you didn't have to max out your credit card for.  

Would you like an extensive guide to buying camera gear, including lenses? Download your free Camera Buying Guide here.