With so many different cameras on the market, choosing one can be quite a task. There are a few important criteria you can consider to make your choice a little easier. Here are three things you should consider in order to choose the perfect camera.
Budget
If your budget is in the lower ranges, say $500 or less, you’re already essentially making the decision to stick with lower-priced point-and-shoot cameras. High-quality, professional cameras will generally start around $2000. Anything in between is basically an “enthusiast” camera—you have some knowledge of photography, but you’re not in the big leagues yet. The good news is that even if you don’t have a big budget, you can still get a camera that produces a high quality photo.
Camera Types
There are three camera types: point-and-shoot, DSLR, and mirrorless. If you have a low budget, you’re probably going to automatically be shopping in the point-and-shoot category. However, if you have a bigger budget or you can splurge on whatever you’d like, this opens your options up to DSLR and mirrorless cameras.
Point-and-shoot cameras are named so because that’s all you really have to do. They are basic cameras that are easy to use and produce decent quality photos. DSLR cameras are a much better quality camera. The lenses are interchangeable, but they are more difficult to use. Mirrorless cameras are about the same quality as DSLR cameras (maybe even better), but they tend to be much more expensive, especially the higher-quality ones. Amateurs and professionals use all kinds of cameras.
Photography Goals
What you want to do with your photos as well as what type of photos determines the type of camera you need and what features are most important. Are you taking pictures for your leisure? Are you going to sell your photography? Perhaps you’ll be taking sports or action shots. All of these options require different features. If you aren’t sure what you’ll be shooting, aim for cameras with a lot of options or auto settings.
These three simple criteria can significantly reduce the plethora of camera choices. Once the choices are narrowed down, you can easily choose one that will be suitable for you. The perfect camera will quickly lead you to the perfect picture.