Much as we’d all love to buy the top-of-the-range professional model, for most of us that seems unlikely to happen right now, and we usually think we have a fairly good idea of how much we can realistically spend on our new Digital-SLR-camera, BUT, before you cross a top-of-the-range camera off your list, think if you would be able to afford one if it were less than 40% of the usual price? First check the normal online prices from Amazon.com (use our comparison chart for a link to any camera) and look in our store for the same camera from our other reputable online supplier(s), then have a look here . . . How to Save up to 80% on Digital Camera Prices, to get the full story on huge camera discounts (even on brand new Nikon and Canons, as well as other brands, lenses etc.).
Don’t forget to include accessories (particularly lenses, which can make more difference to the quality of your photos than the camera itself) in the price, as all the extras you need can soon add up.
If you already own lenses and other camera equipment for a 35mm SLR, then it is often possible to use some of the same equipment with your new D-SLR. In which case, sticking with the same brand usually makes most sense, although make sure to check the details before you assume that you will be ale to use the same lenses etc. on your new D-SLR, as it’s not always possible.
Most of the digital SLR cameras sold today are made by the two major brands . . . Canon and Nikon. The other brands, such as Sony, Olympus, Konica, Minolta, Pentax, Fujifilm, Samsung and others, represent only a small percentage of the market, but might be worth considering if they are particularly suitable to your photography style.
One advantage in buying from the two big brands is that they are much more likely to be in business for a long time, showing commitment to supplying the replacements and accessories you need. Another advantage is that they offer a wider range of cameras and lenses etc. plus there are more books and magazines about them. One dissadvantage is that they can price themselves slightly higher as they are better known and better respected.
Nikon, being established for a long time as suppliers of top-end professional cameras, tend to suggest an image of proffessionality, although their lenses can be more expensive than Canon. Canon is a more recent entry to the camera market, still proffessional, but with a slightly younger, trendier image. Of course, you will be buying a camera for how well it suits you technically, but what it does to your image is a factor too, right?
Pentax cameras can be good value for money, and Sony cameras tend to have more features but might be less well built in some ways than Pentax.
Nikon camera kits might be a little cheaper than Canon, but keep in mind that buying more Nikon lenses later is likely to cost more than for Canon, so Canon can work out cheaper once you’ve got all the equipment you need.
Accessories you might need, include additional lenses, a spare battery, more memory cards, a better camera bag, and filters. In the next section we’ll be covering which accessories are most important to go with which style of photography.
Keep in mind that lenses usually make MORE difference to the resulting photos than the camera itself, so don’t forget that when choosing equipment.