Digital SLR...?

Question

what is the important things to look for digital camera.... eg. pixles, shutter speed... etc???? those experts out there.... pls share....

Answer 1

Important things to look for... ease of use. How does it feel in your hand, do all the buttons seem to be well laid out for you, are the menus easy enough to understand...

Megapixels and shutter speeds are important, but only up to an extent. In most DSLRs anything over 6mp isn't really going to serve 99% of the users any benefit, and more pixels don't make a better picture, they make a larger picture capable of making larger sized prints. I shoot and sell action sports pictures in 5x7's and 8x10's all day long with my camera set at 2mp just to allow for me to have more room on my card for more pictures.

Shutter speeds are also important... to some extent. I shoot a lot of sports, so I shoot with a Nikon D2Hs mostly. It shoots 8 framers per second. Depending on the sport I might shoot with one of my Nikon D200's which get 5 frames per second... 3 frames difference does not sound like much, but it can be the difference between getting the shot and missing it. If you're not shooting anything that's heavy action, and fast action, you don't need the much higher frame rates. I think the Nikon D80 does like 3.5 fps... I could be wrong on that... and that's more than enough for 99% of users out there.

I would say some important things to look at are the lenses that are available and I would never consider purchasing a lens other than the ones made by the company that made your camera. Half the reason to buy a Nikon, a Canon, etc... is for their excellent optics. 3rd parties have to reverse engineer their lenses and pretty much guess at how to make it work with these bodies. Plus, no professional uses them and believe me, if we could get the same results for less money.... we would be all over them.

Also, look at the batteries. How much are replacements? I recommend always buying at least one spare with a new camera that way you always have one that is charged and ready to go when the one in camera runs out of steam.

Some people rave about cameras that have built-in vibration reduction, but this feature is really best served when incorporated into a lens and not the camera. Unless you're shooting a point-and-shoot... then you will want it built in.

Go to a pro shop (not a Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.) and pick their brains. Hold the cameras you're considering. How do they feel? Too heavy? Not sturdy enough?

I personally shoot Nikon because the system to me is so much easier to use. All of the settings that I use and adjust constantly are all at my finger tips. Years back most of these settings were burried in menus on the Canon's... this might have changed since but I've made my decision and have been very happy with it.

Also... when purchasing a DSLR don't think about just the camera, think about the system. I mentioned above to consider the line of lenses available... Your lenses will hold their value, your camera will not. Each year there's going to be something that comes out and leap frogs what you have. I purchased two D200's over a year ago... the D300 came out this year. It looks amazing, but I won't be re-investing in new cameras just yet.... constantly updating my cameras cuts into my profits and if it weren't a job for me would be leaving me broke as it probably would most people. When buying an SLR, you're going to be in it for the long haul because after several years of shooting one, acquiring lenses, flashes, etc.... it becomes VERY expensive to replace all of your gear with similar equipment from another maker.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I suggest looking at the Pentax DSLR line - K100D, K100D Super and the K10D.

The K100D and K100D Super are both 6.1mp and have Image Stabilization (IS) in the camera body. The Super adds dust removal for the sensor. The K10D is 10mp, has in-body IS and dust removal. It also supports the new DA (digital only) lenses from Pentax. The K10D is also extremely well-sealed against dust and moisture (it isn't, however, waterproof so don't take it diving).

Every K-mount lens made since 1975 (when Pentax introduced the K1000 with the K-mount) will mount to the new Pentax DSLR cameras. Yes you'll have to use manual focus but at least you'll have the benefit of IS with those older lenses.

Once you've bought your new camera plan on spending some quality time READING & STUDYING the Owner's Manual that comes with it. IMO 95% of the questions asked in here and in the Photography section are asked by people who haven't read and studied the Owner's Manual.

The K100D should be dropping in price so you might find a real bargain.

Answer 3

I shoot the Pentax K10D myself and am very happy with it. another one worth looking at (if your just getting into it) would be the Olympus E510

Answer 4

my suggestion
go to yahoo shopping
digital cameras
digital camera GUIDE
be sure to check titles on the left side
the guide should answer your questions