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Professional DSLR Learning Center
Best Professional DSLR Buying Guide Tips
Professional DSLR Cameras are designed for hard core, rain or shine shutterbugs.
Before you invest hundreds of dollars in a DSLR camera there are a few things you need to know. If you don't know what DSLR stands for its "Digital Single Lens Reflex". These cameras are superior in every way to regular digital point and shoot cameras. The two main reasons for this are versatility and image quality. The versatility of a DSLR camera comes from the ability to switch out lenses and add a wide variety of accessories. Things like Ultra Violet filters and a dedicated external flash are great accessories you can add. But let's go over some of the basics you need to know before you buy. Pixels/Display Screen The number of pixels in a picture determines how big you can make the picture without quality loss. A good rule to remember is the more megapixels, the bigger the print; and the more megapixels the more expensive the camera. Consider what you will be using the camera for so you don't end up wasting money on a camera with too many megapixels for your purposes. The same goes for the size of your display screen. Because of the technology involved with DSLR the LCD screen is for reviewing purposes only. When taking your pictures you must use the viewfinder to compose your shot. So while the review screen might be bigger, it won't help you take better photos. And you may wind up paying for a larger screen which is not necessary. Battery Life The best camera won't do you any good if it runs out of battery life in the middle of a shoot. Battery life can be prolonged by checking out a few settings on the camera. Make sure you know how long the image review stays on the display screen. The brightness and autofocus settings also can contribute to battery drain. All variables effecting power usage make it difficult to pin down which combination of features will maximize battery life. You may want to look into buying extra batteries so you never run out of power. Stabilization If you are taking photos with a telephoto lens, they can be ruined if you camera moves even slightly during exposure. Look for a dSLR with built-in image stabilization. This feature will go far if you have an unsteady hand or need longer exposures. There are also lenses with built-in I.S., but the costs are somewhat prohibitive and if you change lenses frequently they lose their convenience. File Formats Knowing which cameras capture photos in which file type is important. Most digital cameras take pictures in JPEG format. This is good because this format is familiar and widely popular. Many dSLRs offer a wider file range, like TIFF and RAW. The versatility of files means you can maintain image quality when it comes time to edit with programs like Adobe Photoshop. Also a camera that shoots a format that allows editing without files expansion or interpolation in important so you don't lose image quality. Zoom Next is the Zoom option. DSLRs cameras come with limited optical zoom. The power of the zoom depends on the camera and usually topping out at 11 xs. Zoom can make a difference in what you shoot, however if your camera lacks the zoom you want, you can always pick up a telephoto lens, which come in a wide variety of sizes normally from 55mm to 300mm. Sensor When it comes to sensors, research becomes really confusing really quickly. DSLR Sensors fit into three categories. Full Frame, APS-C and Four-Thirds; some sensors can get as big as 35mm film frame. I wouldn't get too hung up on terms like CCD and CMOS. I would focus on photo quality. Most dSLRs will take the picture you need no matter what sensor you have. Shutter Lag A common problem in taking pictures of fast moving objects is shutter lag. This is the delay between triggering the shutter and when the photograph is actually recorded. Most DSLRs have no lag; however you can experience a slight shutter lag if you alternate shooting landscapes and close-ups. DSLRs have instant autofocus, which you can supplement by focusing on your subject for a few seconds before you shoot. Make sure to look at our professional dSLR page for our side by side comparison chart to help you buy the camera that won't just fit your needs, but help you take the best pictures possible without buying above your needs.
TopTen Product List
1
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
2
Nikon D3X
3
Nikon D7000
4
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
5
Nikon D700
6
Olympus E-5
7
Pentax K-5
8
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
9
Canon EOS 7D
10
Nikon D300S
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