What are the key factors in deciding what DSLR to buy?
I'm thinking of buying a nice DSLR and I need to know the main things that make a good camera. Things like megapixels I know but apart from that, what do Canon and Nikon do which are good buys?
First off, FORGET about MP!
Key factors? How much can you spend? $500 will get you something like the Nikon D3100 or Canon Rebel T3, with a kit lens. $45, 000 will get you a Hasselblad HD4 with a 80mm lens.
1) What you can afford.
2) How they feel in your hands.
Sony may have a slight edge in video, but otherwise they all do pretty much the same job. There's nothing a Canon can do that can't be done by a Pentax, Olympus, Sony or Nikon.
* how the camera feels in your hands
* how the sensor of the camera performs
* how many lenses there are available for the camera system
Link to sensor performance.
http://www.dxomark.com/.../List-view
As mentioned, you can forget about pixel counts.
For me usability has to be number one, the body doesn't have to be brand new, or state of the art, but I need something which has lots of control immediately, it that means bringing out the button gun and plastering the back of a camera, so be it. What I'm talking about is real world performance, you can have a great sensor and lens, but if the camera isn't easy to manipulate then that's all useless.
In my opinion you need to pay attention to:
- Twin control dials
- Programmable buttons (softkeys)
- Number of AF points, number of Cross-type AF points, capability of expanded AF.
- Size of viewfinder and viewfinder coverage (full framers have an advantage)
- Drive speed, and drive speed when using servo focus.
- Lens options available
- Future upgrade options
Other things such as the resolution comes in after this.
You can't go wrong with any of the entry level DSLRs. Canon and Nikon are the market leaders largely due to being 'grandfathered in' by pros and as a result of those numbers maintain the best systems of accessories by a mile. It's a waste of time trying to talk people out of those 2 brands if they are also buying DSLRs as a fashion icon or statement of aspiration.
Go to your local Jessops or other store that has the popular DSLRs active and tethered side by side and pick the one you like best. Look at Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony DSLRs and also the smaller Panasonic, Olympus and Sony NEX systems.
You will probably like Sony DSLRs a lot due to the very large electronic viewfinder image and ability to take really good videos.
The most important factor is brand preference. If you don't have one, be prepared to be swayed back and forth in four directions depending on the savviness of the salesmen. Next deciding factor is your budget.
Don't mind megapixels. It's only about picture size. Try handling the cameras you are eyeing. They all have a different feel, even within the same brand. Don't forget to peep through the viewfinder. Don't forget to take the lens cap off if you don't want to elicit some smiles. The popular brands offer more choices. Those that aren't offer more features for your money.
Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax. Any of them will be fine. They all make great cameras.
If you can afford it, don't go for the bottom of the range. Go for the next one up. The bottom end one will give you great pictures, but usually the next one up has a load of features that you won't appreciate until you get into photography and then wish you'd bought something just a bit better.
Find a camera that feels good in your hands. If it feels too big for small hands or too small for big hands, you aren't going to find it easy to use.
I'd recommend trying the Nikon D5100. There are good prices right now because Nikon just launched the D5200 so they are trying to clear D5100 stocks - and there's £55 cashback available from the Nikon Christmas Cashback promotion. It's quite a bit better than the bottom of the line D3100.
http://snapsort.com/...ikon_D3100
http://www.kenrockwell.com/.../d5100.htm