The number one question I get asked is what kind of camera do you use! When I first started out blogging and taking pictures for instagram, I had the same question. It really has been the best investment that I have made for my blog and instagram. Buying a DSLR or mirrorless camera can be very overwhelming. I can’t tell you how much research I did to find the perfect camera! This guide is designed to help break down everything you need to know about buying a new camera for beginners. So lets get started!
First, you need to decide what kind of camera YOU need. What will you be doing with this camera? I am not a professional photographer so I was looking for something that took great pictures, was affordable, and lightweight and easy to carry on all my travel adventures. I hope you enjoy my ultimate guide to buying a new camera!
In this guide, I will break down all my research and help you make a better decision on which camera would work best for you. Buying a new camera is such a hard decision because of all the new technology that is out there. The three cameras that I was looking at was:
I used to take all my pictures with my iPhone, and I still believe you can take amazing photos with just your phone. There are several techniques you can use with your iPhone that will enhance the quality of your photos. I plan to write another blog post on that topic. However, with all the photos I was taking for my blog and instagram, I knew it was time to upgrade.
I did a lot of research before deciding on which camera to purchase. I looked at both price comparison and camera comparison. Most of the time, I am traveling when taking my pictures so I also knew that I needed a camera that was lightweight and easy to carry around. While all of these are great cameras, I hope to break down the reasons I chose my camera.
Mirror VS. Mirrorless
This was probably the hardest choice for me to make. I love that the mirrorless cameras are smaller and lightweight, which makes them perfect for someone who travels a lot. A mirrorless camera is a type of camera that works without a reflex mirror. Light passes through the lens directly to the digital sensor, which then displays your image on the camera’s LCD screen, allowing you to adjust settings and preview your image before its shot. On a DSLR camera, you can only see what the picture will look like after you take the shot. Mirrorless cameras also have a shorter battery life than the traditional DSLR.
Full Frame vs. Crop Sensor
Are “full frame” cameras worth the price? When it comes to sensor sizes, the two terms most often used are “full frame” and “crop sensor”. The term “full frame” refers to a sensor size that has the same dimensions as the 35mm film format. A “crop sensor” refers to any sensor smaller than a full frame sensor or a 35mm film frame. Full frame cameras do take better quality photos under extreme conditions like low light, active photos, etc. However, the differences can only be noticed by the professional eye. A high quality lens can easily make up for the slight difference in quality.
Full frame cameras are very expensive and a lot bigger and heavier than the crop sensor cameras. I decided that the slight edge in quality was not worth the price for the types of photos I would be taking. I can still take gorgeous photos with a crop sensor camera for a lot less money.
Lenses for your Camera
I believe the kit lens that comes with most DSLR cameras is a great lens for beginners. You can learn to use all the options on your camera and learn how to take great photos with this lens. Once you are more comfortable with your camera, you might want to invest in a new lens. Different lenses can help you create different effects with your photography. They will also improve the quality of your images in extreme conditions.
So…which Camera did I choose to buy
After researching all three of these excellent, lightweight cameras, I finally made my decision. I will have to say that you can’t go wrong with any of theses camera models. Ultimately, I decided to buy the Canon SL2(200D) DSLR.
I did love the new mirrorless lightweight cameras, but I decided that the traditional DSLR camera was the one that I wanted. I didn’t think that the feature to be able to see the picture before I take it was something that I would use that much. I also liked the feel and grip of the Canon DSLR more than the Fujifilm.
I chose the Canon SL2 over the Canon 90D because it was almost half the price for just a few extra features that I did not feel that I would use that much. The Canon SL2 is also smaller and more lightweight than the Canon 90D, which is a big selling point for me.
So the reasons I chose the Canon SL2 over all the other cameras was it was less expensive because it has a “crop sensor” but still takes amazing quality photos, it is lightweight and fits easily in my hand, and I can easily add new lenses as I become a more professional photographer.
I know that buying a new camera is such a hard decision. I hope this guide helps you when you make your decision! I truly believe that all the cameras on the market these days are great and you can’t go wrong.
