5-minute guide: digital cameras
If you want to capture special memories, here’s what you need to know to buy the right camera
Buying any new gadget can feel daunting, especially if you’re not confident with the latest technology. But investing in the right camera can pay dividends when it comes to capturing photos to cherish. Paul Hill, an expert from world-leading photography accessory maker Manfrotto (www.manfrotto.co.uk), has some tips on choosing the right camera for you.
Which type should I go for?
Compact cameras As the name suggests, these are small, yet offer a good range of features. They tend to be quite user-friendly, with a short zoom lens that allows you to change what’s in the shot without losing quality. Look out for one that’s waterproof if you want to take it to the beach. Expect to pay £50 to £500. Bridge cameras These are larger and have more manual controls, allowing you to be more creative with your image. Prices range from £120 to £1,000. Compact system cameras (CSC) These allow you to change the lens depending on the shot you are taking; a high-power zoom lens (for far away objects), a macro lens (for close-up shots), or a highquality fixed prime lens (for super sharp images). Prices range from £300 to £4,000. Digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) These are seen as the ideal camera for quality photos, but most CSC cameras will actually give similar results to DSLRs. DSLRs also allow you to change lens and have a wide range of controls but do tend to be quite large. Expect to pay from £300 to £5,000. Like many things, you get what you pay for. “Lower price models do a good job, but when you pay more you get better build quality, picture quality and more features,” says Paul.
What features should I look out for?
Wide-angle lens Allows more of the scene to be included in a photo. Very useful for outdoor photography. Manual control Every camera has an automatic function, but exploring manual control can allow you to adjust things such as shutter speed and aperture, which can give you some interesting results! High ISO ISO refers to the camera’s sensitivity to light and how good it is in low light. Better quality cameras (especially CSCs and DSLRs) can capture incredibly low light conditions so you can get great indoor shots without using flash. Size and weight There’s no point buying an all-singing, all-dancing cumbersome camera if you won’t take it out with you so choose one you are happy and comfortable to carry around and use.