jabagirl1229 wrote:
Hi my name is Sherry and i would like to ask a for a favor. I am new to the photography world and i would like to purchase a dslr 📷 but i am not sure if i should get a Canon or a Nokia any advice i keep getting mixed review's. So any thoughts as to which one i should shop for.
Thank you.
You're going to get a lot of good advice on this site. And as many have pointed out the brand is really not important. However I would never say just pick one.... this should be your first step in a long enjoyable photography experience. The first piece of advice I would give is, if you have a friend that is into photography, and willing to help, go with the same brand that they use. Having that one-on-one experience person that you can call on the phone, borrow a battery – memory card – lens... there are just too many positives to list. The less obvious, but important thing is how it feels in your hand. Is it comfortable, can you reach all of the controls easily?
So here's a short list of other things to consider.
1. You want the simplest and most straightforward camera you can find. Today I shoot with Canon, Nikon, and Sony. It's a luxury for me that I have access to multiple brands. The brand that I'm using most today is Sony. but I would never recommend a Sony to you for your first camera. They're very complicated and because of this people get frustrated, and don't use them. With that in mind Nikon, Canon, Fuji, and Olympus all make a model of camera that is simple. The model comes to mind first is the Fuji XT-10. Also, take the advice from camera store salesman with a grain of salt. In my experience these guys can be very helpful, but they also tend to be brand loyal.
2. What is your main interest? All of the current digital cameras are very good, but some are better than others at certain things. For instance a Canon 7d (version 1 or two), or Nikon D500 are good all-around cameras, but are best for sports/wildlife. if your main focus was family, landscape, or travel, those two models would likely not be your best choice.
3. What do you want to do with images? if you plan on using the mostly online (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.), then get a lower megapixel model. If you plan on making large prints, then you're going to need a higher megapixel model. Unless your planning on printing posters I would recommend staying away from the high-end high megapixel cameras. More detail in the next paragraph.
4. what's going to happen to the original images once they leave your camera? Most/all photographers transfer images from the camera to a computer. So what type of computer you have? Does it have adequate storage? To have a way to back it up, so that if it dies you don't lose all your precious memories? this is a another reason why I would stay away from high megapixel cameras. The files take up tons of space, they require more computer power process, and they can really slow things down. I regularly create images for billboards, bus raps. because of this I have a $6000 Mac Pro desktop, with a separate raid backup, and two monitors. The whole thing probably set me back $10,000. Unless you plan on creating billboards, this would be a huge waste of money. In fact the only time you would need this is if you are doing it as a business where time = money. after all of this rambling I would lead you to the basic Canon, Nikon, and Fuji models that range in the 16 to 18 Mpix range. Any computer made in the last five years can handle this type of file size.
5. Do you also want to learn the software to process the images. If yes, then any camera will do. if not then I would really recommend the Fuji or Olympus. Fuji has fantastic in camera processing, that seems to work under that the others. I have led many photo walks, and the JPEG's that come out of Fuji seem to look just a little bit better than the rest.
Once you've considered all of this, go to your local camera store hold the camera (s) in your hand. Remember all of these manufacturers make fantastic cameras so you're going to get a good one. After you've bought it, take as many pictures as you can. You're not going to wear these things out. you can take 1000 pictures of month every month for 10 years. So shoot away. Then join some online groups that will give you reasonable critiques. You don't want one where everybody says it's great, and you don't want the opposite either. Maybe your local meet up group, or camera club...
Have fun!!!