First DSLR camera for amateurs? 4 things to look for

A lot of people have asked me which DSLR camera to choose to enter into the world of photography. Trust me it is not an easy question to answer as people need a camera for different purposes and there is always an option to choose from various brands in the market like Canon, Nikon, and Sony to name a few. While choosing a particular brand for your first DSLR camera can depend completely on the buyer's personal choice, here I would like to state 4 things that can be kept in mind before buying your first DSLR camera.

Keeping the budget in mind

Not knowing your budget to start with can end you in deep confusion over which DSLR camera to choose. While DSLR cameras start from a range of $500 and can go up to $5000 or even more, knowing a budget can help you select the right camera for you within and also help you narrow down your options.

Do your homework

As there can be many variants of cameras available in various brands close to the budget you choose, it is important to understand which camera offers what. While you may have heard of the performance of certain cameras from professionals it is always advisable to do your bit of research before buying a DSLR camera. Your usage for the camera can be rough with lots of traveling, for this, you may want to consider a camera which is known for its solid built or you may want to shoot the night sky for which you may also want to invest in wide-angle lenses (which we can later discuss) later on. Also, if it is possible to raise your budget by a few hundred dollars for the recent and more upgraded model of the camera, it is well-advised as it can save you few hundred dollars if you wish to upgrade your camera soon.

Get a feel for the camera in a store nearby

After you have done your initial piece of research over which camera to buy, it is important to go to the nearest store to get a feel for it. Your opinion may vary once you are in the camera store. Look for how the camera feels in your hand. Too many buttons and options present may confuse your choice for the selected model, look for how much the camera weights and above all how does it grip your hand. You may want the camera to feel good in your hands as you will be using it for a good amount of time. A camera has the power to produce the most wonderful shots, but it starts with the initial feel for it.

Navigate the menus

Now it is time to play with the camera menus. Initially, when I made the decision of buying my first camera (Nikon D3100), I was inclined on choosing Canon because of its display but eventually, I ended up buying a Nikon. I found a good balance while shifting between ISO, shutter speed, aperture, white balance, focus mode, and metering. These are some of the features which are mostly used in photography and an easy control over these functions can really ease up the clicking process. You don't want to end up buying a camera in which changing the modes becomes a time consuming and complex process.

So, keeping these few things in mind you can proceed well buying for your first DSLR camera. Though many other factors may also matter, these are just a few which you may want to keep in mind before making a final decision. If you want to know anything other information, just drop a comment in the section below. So do a bit of research, buy your first camera and enter to explore the endless world of photography.

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