Which Camera Should I Buy?

"Question for Camera"!! A email from my friend dropped in my inbox asking me which camera he should buy.


Well, I am still an amateur photographer. However, lots of friends ask me which camera they should buy for whatever budget they have. Sanket was also one of them and probably he was the first one to ask me this through mail, pretty much in detail. The way that conversation went, I thought of blogging on the subject. In fact, Sanket himself suggested to blog it in his later reply. But instead or writing a blog, I thought of posting the conversation as it is, since it has almost all the doubts in buyer's mind and hopefully satisfactory answers to those questions. A huge thanks to Sanket for this suggestion and Prajakta for motivating me to post this on the web. I hope, it will help you to select your camera when buying a new one.


Here we go!!!


Sanket:

Hi,

Hope you are doing well and remember me too.....

I have finally made up my mind to get a camera and am looking for your inputs on the same.

I was thinking of taking a DSLR but as i hvn't used a camera before would like to first go for a lower version before trying my hand at dslr.

Prajakta has suggested NIKON COOLPIX P510 as one of the options, i do not know much about cameras so hvn't finalized a model so your inputs will be vital.

I am ready to shell around 20-25 K max depending on the camera finalized so please provide your inputs and help me take a decision on the same.

Thanks,

Sanket

Me:

Hi Sanket,

Sorry for the late reply. Of course I remember you. :)

I have gone through the specifications of P510. Looking at the features, it is very attractive, i.e. 16MP, 42x optical zoom, bridge construction, ISO performance. But, to be honest, I am not impressed with this at all. Following are the reasons. The reasons are too much technical, it may confuse you or make you boring, I am sorry for that. But, when I am buying a camera I would always look for these factors.

1.       42x Optical Zoom: one can shoot steady pictures max upto 15x (for some people 20x). Beyond 20x your body shake affects the picture, introducing shake and blurred photos. and the shake goes on increasing as you go on increasing the zoom. At 42x you can't even find your object in the viewfinder/camera screen due to the shake introduced. The same happened with Vedashree in Velas, you can ask her. She has P500 which has 36x optical zoom. Camera's VR system performance also reduces as the zoom increases. For the zoom beyond 20x, you need to have a sturdy tripod which may help you reducing the shake. Secondly, for this much zoom, 42x in this case, the no. of lens elements are more. The more are the elements, poor is the picture quality due to the refraction indexes of the glass used for elements. Cameras with lesser zooms, such as 8x, 10x, max 15x, can capture better pictures than larger zoom cameras.
2.       Sensor size: the sensor of P510 is smallest size sensor used for digital cameras. Again, the quality of the picture (in terms of clarity) depends totally on the sensor size. Larger is the sensor better is the quality. This is the main reason why DSLR of 10MP camera can capture better images than a 16MP compact camera. It’s because the individual pixel size for DSLR is larger than that of compact camera. And as the sensor size increases, the price to other features ratio decreases. Means, in DSLR the sensor is larger but the optical zoom with the kit lens you get is only 3x and you spend at least 40000 for a good mid range DSLR, whereas for a compact camera with tremendous 42x optical zoom you spend only 25000. We use APS-C sensor cameras. Here are dimensions of different photo sensors, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SensorSizes.svg

Rest of the factors, such as budget vs personal requirements, are common. But, above 2 factors should be considered while buying any camera.

I would suggest something like Nikon P7100, which has decent 10MP resolution, decent bigger sensor than P510, decent price, about 16-17k in Indian market. The only drawback is, it has got only 7.1x zoom. And unfortunately, Nikon, neither Canon, has got any other camera with the same bigger sensor having more optical zoom. Canon also has similar camera with almost same features, it's Canon Powershot G12 with little increase in the budget. These cameras can capture the images that are comparable to DSLR quality.

Read the in-depth review:           http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikonp7100

Sample pictures:                       http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/reviewsamples/photos/1711332/dscn6046?inalbum=nikon-coolpix-p7100 (zoom in to see the quality of the picture, see other pictures also)

Let me know if you still need further clarifications.

Regards,

Abhishek

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Sanket:

Hey Abhishek,

Thanks for your insights and knowledge about the dos and dont's of camera. I just loved the technical differences that you had highlighted on the subject.

After reading your email, subsequent secondary research and limited understanding on the subject matter, i would like to opt a starting range dslr camera than a compact camera though i do not know if i can handle a camera with complicated functionality as hve never used one before.

I liked NIKON D3200 and also checked its features. It has an APS-C (23.2 x 15.4 mm) sensor with 24 mega pixel zoom but not sure if its a good option to go for.

http://www.dpreview.com/products/nikon/slrs/nikon_d3200 (Review). Feature catalogue attached.

I know for sure that i will have issues clicking photos with stability at least in the beginning as am not used to operate a professional camera. 

The camera is priced at 35k, am not sure if its worth paying so much for. Kindly suggest an option for me.

Looking forward for your inputs on the same.

Regards,

Sanket

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Me:


Hi Sanket,

Before I suggest you to buy a DSLR, first let me know if you want to take photography as a passion like we do. I am asking you this because, I remember, during our return journey from Velas, you were telling me that you won't be able to do photography as we people do. My suggestion is, go for a DSLR only if you are thinking to do photography seriously, passionately. Economical ability of buying a DSLR is a different thing and handling it, maintaining it and using it for your passion is a different thing. 

Coming to the camera D3200, as most of other DSLRs have, this camera also has the same 18-55mm kit lens, which would be able to give you 3x optical zoom. This lens is suitable for landscape photography, portraits, and to some extent macro photography. You cannot shoot telephoto shots  with this lens, e.g. birding. With this lens you would always feel that more zoom should be provided. So for more zoom, you will have to go for larger focal length lenses, such as 55-200, 70-300 etc. Again, once you buy 70-300 (20 to 30k extra), immediately you would come to know that the shots are shaky. So, tripod comes into picture (1.k to 8k extra, depending upon which tripod you buy). Then to pack this stuff in a single bag, you would need DSLR camera bag (another 2k to 5k). Secondly, when you are working in low light situation, DSLRs, having larger sensors, they need external flash, the built-in flash is not enough. External flash-guns is another investment starting from 10-15k. Then other different types of lenses come into picture as go on improving your skills, like macro lenses (22-25k), fixed focal portrait lenses (starting from 6.5k), super-telephoto lenses (for birding and wild life, starting from 60k) etc. Of'course you won't be buying all this stuff at once. But, all this investment can go upto 1 lacs. However, when it comes to DSLR, this has no end. The needs go on increasing and increasing and they become endless. So is with the investment made. Photography with a DSLR needs dedication. Think 100 times (or probably 1000 times) before you buy a DSLR orelse it would end up like you have a precious weapon worth Rs. 1 lacs but it's lying in your showcase. Ask yourself that question whether you want to do photography passionately or not. 

You may think that I am pulling your legs behind from buying a camera. No, not at all. I just want to warn you and make you aware how the things work when it comes to DSLR before you buy one. So that, you don't end up in frustrated mind state that, you should have had bought a prosumer or compact one. Hope I have made my point of view clear.

Now it's your turn to take a call which type of camera to go for and which model to choose from. Let me know your decision. Welcome to photographers' league in advance. :-)

Regards,

Abhishek

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Sanket:

Dear Abhishek,

First of all let me mention that am totally impressed with your crisp and to the point writing. Hve you tried blogging on Photography yet? If not please try and promote your blog through twitter, am sure you will have lot of followers and you can write review about newly launched cameras et al.

Yes, you are right, i wont be able to give that much time to photography as maybe you and others have been giving but would definitely want to give it a try. As far as passion is concerned, i will nver be able to match yours for sure.

I had thought tht starting with a dslr camera would in a way help explore my skills and get better by the day but i believe i should take small steps instead of taking a big leap and trying to match the skill sets of ace photographers. I am also aware that having a camera is just one of the aspects but clicking photos with the right skill sets and being at the right place at the right time is also equally important.

You are in no way trying to pull me back from buying a camera but helping me take a right and informed decision so that i do not end up regretting bout it later. I do not want to end up buying a stuff wch remains in my cupboard because of my inability to handle complex cameras and let the money go waste as that is not at all my aim.

I believe that i should start with a compact camera and get well versed with it and after a year or so when i hve got comfortable with one shud i go for a dslr and not before that.

Thanks for the warm welcome to Photographer's league. Am an amateur as of now but would definitely like to be in the league for sure.

So suggest me a compact camera and the location from where i should buy it so tht i can start clicking and experimenting as Rains are just round the corner.

Thanks....

Sanket

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Me:

Hi Sanket,

Extremely sorry for the late reply. Was out on a trek to Harishchandragad. And yes, thanks for appreciations. 

Believe me, but it becomes very difficult for me to suggest a camera to anyone, rather I never suggest anybody. Instead, I explain what factors one should consider when buying a camera so that, they should be able to decide which camera to go for based on their requirements, same i did with you. 

See what are the latest cameras available in the market. Study their specifications on the manufacturer's websites, compare those specs with your requirements (like Sensor Size, brand, optical zoom, price, sample pictures), read the reviews available on the internet and deal for one.

Some websites where prices are available:

www.fotocentreindia.com

www.jjmehta.com

www.flipkart.com

Reviews are available on:

www.dpreview.com

www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/

Regards,

Abhishek

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Sanket, finally after giving it huge thought on all the factors mentioned above, decided to go for Nikon P7100. 

I hope, I have covered every important factor when it comes to buying a new camera. If you still have further doubts,  comments, suggestions, mistakes in this blog, you are always welcome. Feel free to post them. .

Abhishek.