Ever since the camera was invented, it has been a great chronicler of life. People relish flipping through their albums, refreshing their memories of the joyous moments and the past. Cameras are the obvious companion on a picnic, family gathering or a trekking. If you are planning to buy a digital SLR, I will tell you why not to buy one. What do you need the camera for?
The answer to this question will be the key to making correct decision while choosing a camera. If you need a camera for clicking friends and family, weekend bash, college party or a weekend trip, a compact digital camera should be most of the time as good as a digital SLR, or DSLR, camera. Also, it will be less hassle clicking photos.
I want to flaunt my camera.
A DSLR such as Nikon D60 or Canon EOS 450D is not the right thing if you just want to flaunt a high-end camera. It's good only if you are a photo enthusiast and want to take up photography as a serious hobby or a career option. If you are looking for a camera to flaunt, go for one of the several stylish and feature-rich digital cameras that have enough zoom and video recording features, etc.
Are you ready for the complications?
A digital SLR camera is the only option if you need complete control while clicking photos and want to be a pro photographer. But if you just want to a camera for just capturing memories, a digital SLR may prove to be too cumbersome to handle and take care of. A digital SLR is a very delicate equipment that needs to be handled carefully. It also requires lot of adjustment for getting satisfactory results. If you are not ready for handling the occasional time-consuming maintenance procedure, you should opt for a compact digital camera.
Is an expensive digital SLR worth its price?
Yes, every single penny, but only if you are a photo buff. Whenever you manage to click a grasshopper in action or a grass will a string of glistening dew drops, the great feeling of having achieved something great will outdo the money spent on the camera and its accessories. But if you do not intend to click a grasshopper, do not go shopping for a digital SLR. It will be more of a wasteful expenditure for you.
Ready to spend more money on upgrades?
If you plan to buy a digital SLR, you should be ready to spend several times more than the price of the basic equipment. A digital SLR will come with a body and a kit lens, which will hardly be sufficient for your photography needs. When you will try your camera with the kit lens, you will see yourself severely crippled by the limitations of the lens. To match a professional photographer, you will need to add several lenses, flash, lens filters and tripods to your photography kit. It will cost lot of money. Many lenses will cost several times more than the camera body.
Do you know basics of photography?
If you don't know what's focal length, aperture and exposure, you will have to spend lot of time learning the basics of the skill. It will require lot of time and practise. Every time you will use a digital SLR, it will require proper adjustments so that the aperture, exposure time, depth of field, etc., are optimal for correct focus on the sublect. Even minor deviations will result in disappointments. Of course, you can use the digital SLR in "Auto" mode for clicking photos on a point-and-shoot basis, but then the SLR will be as good as a compact digital camera.
Are you ready to carry a bulky camera bag to a party?
I guess no. So why spend so much money on a digital SLR. In comparison, a compact camera will fit in your jeans pocket and would give equally good results.
If you have reached here, and still think a digital SLR will be a better option, go ahead and buy one. Just keep in mind that you try all the popular brands such as Nikon and Canon before deciding in favour of one. Once you buy one camera, it will be difficult to change the brand as you will have a lot of lenses and other accessories that will become useless in case you make a switch. So if you are more comfortable with a Nikon, don't settle for a Canon, or vice versa. Also, do a proper market research before spending the money.
Which ever camera you finally decide to buy, go clicking your favourite subjects. Let the camera be an appendage of your body, like your phone. That's how you will get the best photos. A great photo opportunity often comes unannounced.


