How to choose cameras. How to choose a DSLR camera

The main advantage is that no film is needed, photographs are recorded on a card, easily transferred, flash card, printer, CD or DVD. A digital camera allows you to view photos immediately after taking them, and delete those that turned out poorly right in the camera. If desired, you can process photos using special programs. To print the photos you like, you don’t have to go to a photo studio; you can do this on a personal photo printer.

The higher the sensitivity of the matrix, the greater the likelihood of getting a clear picture in twilight or darkness. However, high sensitivity contributes to the appearance of noise in the photograph.

Pay attention to the lens characteristics. The larger the zoom, the worse the picture becomes when enlarged (moderate zooms give better pictures than ultrazooms). Consult with about the focal length and aperture level (the higher it is, the more expensive the camera).

Video on the topic

Helpful advice

Optical stabilization allows you to get a clear picture even with minor vibrations of the device. The viewfinder allows you to preview the future image before pressing the shutter. The best would be a mirror viewfinder that displays the actual area of ​​the frame.

Tip 3: How to choose a digital professional camera

Currently professional digital ohm Only a DSLR camera can be considered. There are quite successful developments in which there is no bulky part with a mirror, but so far they have not reached the level that DSLRs have long acquired. Beginning photographers should pay attention to the number of preset modes, and experienced photographers should pay attention to the comfort of using the camera and the presence of new additional functions in it compared to previous models.

Instructions

You can choose a camera based on its characteristics on the Internet, but before buying, be sure to try holding it in your hands. different models. You must be comfortable using this particular camera, otherwise it will be difficult to expect good photos. One of the most important convenience parameters is the viewfinder. The classic viewfinder is an optical viewfinder, but some models also have an electronic viewfinder, which allows you to determine the image from the display on the camera in the same way as in compact cameras. For beginners, it is useful to find out whether the camera has various shooting modes with preset parameters. You won’t immediately learn how to correctly set all this manually, so good auto modes definitely won’t hurt at first.

The matrix, or sensor, is one of the most important parameters in a professional camera. It largely depends on her how high-quality the photographs will be. Moreover, it’s not just a matter of permission. Characteristics such as sensor sensitivity and its type are important. If you don’t know exactly what you need, then choose a CCD matrix equipped with a dust protection system. Many megapixels are, of course, good, but the physical size of the matrix is ​​much more important. If it is small, the image will be noisy. Therefore, if the matrix on two cameras is the same size, then choose the one with a lower resolution, since the color on it will be better and there will be less noise. Sensitivity is measured in ISO - the higher it is, the better. But in practice, high sensitivity is rarely needed by anyone other than reporters, so if you prefer a staged photo, you can neglect this parameter.

The camera can be purchased with a factory lens; this package is called a Kit. In professional jargon, a camera separately from a lens is called a “body” or “box”. The more expensive the camera, the better the lens that comes with it. For cheap DSLR cameras, the basic lenses are very weak. Choosing the optics you need is a separate and very serious question.

Focus on the requirements set by your style of working with the camera and your favorite genre. If you prefer reportage photography, then an important parameter will be the number of frames per second and the time the camera is turned on (ready time for work). For any photographer, shutter time is important. These fractions of a second can cause your camera to be delayed so that a successful shot is missed.

Today, not only professionals, but also beginners can take photographs and get high-quality images. The opportunity to enjoy the process of photographing is provided by the rapid development of digital technology, in particular cameras.

A digital camera includes many functions that allow you to select the best shots, delete bad pictures, create videos, and connect the camera to a personal computer or laptop to view the photos you have taken. In addition, it is possible to edit and edit photographs using a variety of graphics programs, thanks to which you can change the photo beyond recognition and make it bright. Unlike classic cameras, digital cameras do not require the purchase of consumables in the form of film, and information obtained in digital form will not age and can accompany a person throughout his life.

Choosing a high-quality camera that will contain all the necessary functions is a rather complicated process. This requires various knowledge in the field of camera characteristics, such as sensor, lens, memory, etc., and you also need to understand the purpose of each parameter and their functionality. Before purchasing a digital camera, you should decide for what purposes it will be used, for example, for professional photography or for home use. After this, you need to select the parameters of the future technology.

For example, some models allow you to create audio descriptions and comments for photographs, as well as photograph objects in dynamics. Video shooting of most available models is no different high level quality, and its duration is limited by free memory, so such cameras are suitable for not very demanding clients.

Proper selection of the most important parameters will make it easy to purchase high-quality model that suits your needs.

A novice photographer wants to choose the right equipment so that it lasts for a long time. It is also important that the quality of the photographs is good. Anyone whose budget is limited asks the following question: “Where can I buy a good inexpensive camera?” There are actually a lot of criteria, you need to decide on each one.

So that you don’t have to rack your brains for a long time about where to get an inexpensive and good digital camera, or how to choose it, it is recommended to write down all your wishes for your future camera on a piece of paper:

• Do you need to take only high-quality photos or are just clear ones enough?
• What is the budget, will it be possible to purchase additional items if necessary?
• Do you have a desire to further develop as a professional photographer?
• Under what conditions and what are you supposed to photograph?

Of course, each person may have their own questions, but the principle is the same. To buy an inexpensive and good digital camera, you need to understand one truth: a high-quality product will not be sold at too low a price, and a very expensive device does not guarantee perfect performance. It’s better to pay a couple of thousand rubles more and buy really good equipment than to buy it cheaper and then suffer.

Types of digital cameras

Modern electronics are such that you can choose endlessly. Sometimes a phenomenon occurs: a point-and-shoot camera or smartphone camera takes photographs much better than a semi-professional DSLR. An inexpensive, good quality camera can be of any type, you just have to choose. The following are the types of photographic equipment:

• digital camera- a regular point-and-shoot camera with a fixed lens;
• amateur SLR camera- the lenses are removable, there are more functions for shooting, and the quality is higher;
• semi-professional camera- removable lenses, many different functions, settings, capabilities;
• camera in smartphone- built-in digital camera in a mobile device.

If a future photographer is poorly versed in digital technology, does not like to delve into the settings, and is intimidated by the large number of buttons and dimensions, then it is better to refrain from buying a SLR camera. A regular digital camera has a minimum of buttons and wheels, and its dimensions are not too different from those of smartphones.

Soap cameras with high-quality shooting

In the last century, optical cameras that shot film produced cloudy and unclear images. Modern technologies They solved the problem with unsuccessful photography a long time ago. Even 20 years ago, photographers with professional film equipment could not imagine that they would one day be available for sale. simple cameras, which shoot several times better quality. “Soap dishes” - they will be discussed in this section.

Currently, many companies make photographic equipment, but not all can be the best. Below is a digital camera with high ratings from happy owners.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800

This is a good inexpensive camera. User reviews are encouraging. Those who do not have extra funds can afford to buy it. It fits compactly in your hand, is lightweight, and is quite easy to use. 5x zoom, video recording, excellent flash. People write that in the dark they turn out nice photos. Naturally, good pictures also come out during the day: rich colors, clear, excellent sharpness, does not lather.

The LCD display of the camera is 2.7 inches. There is a macro mode. The strap is included. It is recommended to purchase an additional memory card. A word of warning for those who plan to take a large amount of photos at once: the battery capacity is limited to 200 frames, so it is better to carry a charger with you.

Amateur "DSLR"

It means a camera with a mirror element, which has its advantages over optics. The matrix of a DSLR is larger, the photos are clearer, everything is visible important elements shooting, and the background is usually beautifully blurred. Thanks to this camera you can develop your creative abilities. Beginners often ask: “Recommend an inexpensive and good DSLR camera.” Of course, you can recommend one, but there is a significant nuance: everyone has different preferences. Some people like one camera and don't like the other, while others have the opposite opinion. Below are two amateur “DSLRs” from the most popular brands.

Canon EOS 1100D

When choosing a camera in online stores you need to remember: kit means it is sold with a lens. As a rule, the manufacturer includes an 18-55 mm lens with the “carcass”. If such an element is not needed, the photographer plans to use special lenses, then you need to take a camera with the inscription body. This is a good inexpensive camera with many positive qualities. It is shown in the figure below with a “whale” lens.

What's special about it? 12.6 MP matrix, ability to shoot video in high resolution. The photos come out great. Compared to a "soap box" this is a serious technique. You can attach any Canon lenses to this camera.

Nikon D3100

This camera is no worse than the Canon EOS 1100D. Matrix - 14.8 MP. There is also a video mode, but no more than 10 minutes. Unlike the previous camera, the Nikon D3100 has only one mount, which means it can be replaced with lenses with only one type of safety lock.

Overall, both cameras are quite good to use. For the average hobbyist this is a valuable item. Photos can be taken in almost any weather conditions, both indoors and outdoors. In the photo you can see clear contours and soft colors. If the owner wishes, the camera turns into a working tool for various shooting genres.

What is the difference between a point-and-shoot camera and an amateur DSLR? What should you choose?

Based on the dimensions alone, we can say that the SLR camera has more benefits before a simple digital camera. The number of buttons and wheels in a DSLR camera suggests that there are many functions. There are few shooting modes in a regular pocket camera.

You should not try to shoot scenes that are difficult for the camera with a point-and-shoot camera, for example, in the twilight without a flash, in bright sunshine, or small objects that are close up. There is also a lot of chromatic aberration, especially in winter and cloudy weather. For those who don’t know, chromatic aberration is blue and purple outlines with a sharp color transition (for example, white and brown, black).

A DSLR camera is inexpensive and good and has fewer disadvantages, but a lot depends on the lenses.

SLR digital cameras

As mentioned above, point-and-shoot cameras have many disadvantages compared to SLR cameras, but they are superior in price. When it comes to DSLR cameras, there are actually three types:

• amateur;
• semi-professional;
• professional.

What is their difference? Let's start with amateur and semi-professional cameras. For those who don’t know what crop factor is, let us explain. in simple words: The image will not be original, but enlarged n times. For example, the camera has a crop factor of 1.6. Let's say the lens has a focal length of 100 mm, but with a “cropped” matrix it will be equal to 160 mm. Unfortunately, all amateur and semi-professional DSLRs have a crop factor. But this option does not spoil the shooting at all; a digital camera is inexpensive and you can always choose a good one.

The maximum number of shots at one time (Sports mode) depends on the camera type. The higher the class of the device, the larger the series of images.

Expensive but high quality "pros"

HDR is an acronym that doesn't mean anything to unknowing people. What is this? This shooting mode will allow you to take very high-quality pictures, even if there is poor or incorrect lighting. As can be seen in many unusual and colorful photographs (starry sky, twilight in the studio, night parks and cities), everything turns out spectacularly. Even a semi-professional camera with an expensive lens will not be able to repeat this trick, since there is no HDR. Therefore, high-end cameras cost more than 100 thousand rubles and are not included in the “good inexpensive camera” category. Most often, such devices are used by real professionals: photo studios, wedding agencies, printing houses, that is, expensive cameras are relevant wherever the highest quality photography is needed.

Which lenses to choose?

Perhaps this is the most sensitive topic, because a lot depends on the lenses. If you decide to buy a DSLR camera with the prospect of changing optics, this section will be useful. Undoubtedly, the question here will not be so much about how to choose an inexpensive good camera, how much about optics. I also want to choose a good one. First of all, let's introduce the beautiful Canon 50 mm f/1.8II lens.

This is one of the great lenses with the lowest price. His task is portrait, still life. The photo produces soft and rich colors, beautiful blur and a perfect transition from the subject to the background. You might even think that the photo was taken with an expensive lens.

Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR II DX - A universal lens for owners of a camera from the same company. In stores it is quite inexpensive, and the quality is excellent. There is also a high-quality and cheap telephoto Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G AF-S DX VR IF. And for cameras, Canon can offer excellent optics under the name Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM.

All the lenses listed above cost no more than 6-9 thousand rubles, depending on the store. So the role is played not only by the digital camera itself, which is inexpensive and good.

The topic of choosing a camera has probably always been and will be relevant. Time passes, technology changes, old materials written on this topic become hopelessly outdated. The general principles remain unchanged, but a huge number of nuances force us to look at the problem of choice differently. Purpose of the article Which camera is the best?- dot all the i’s when it comes to purchasing a digital camera, taking into account the current market situation. The article is aimed primarily at beginner amateur photographers, but I am sure the article will also be useful for experienced users.

Where to start choosing the “best” camera?

First of all, you must determine the range of tasks for which the camera will be used. The tasks can be completely different and you need to come to terms with the fact that an absolutely universal camera simply does not exist. There are only cameras that are suitable for solving certain problems or are not suitable. For example, to go on a picnic with friends it is not at all necessary to take a professional DSLR there (although there are enthusiasts), an inexpensive point-and-shoot camera or even a smartphone is quite enough - after all, photographs from such events, as a rule, do not go further social networks and home photo albums. In this case the best camera there will be one that is always at hand.

For professional purposes, technology requirements vary significantly depending on the shooting genre. To shoot a report, you need a high speed of continuous shooting and the ability to take photographs handheld in poor lighting, for a landscape - maximum clarity and color depth, for a portrait - high-quality rendition of skin color and the ability to get a beautiful blur of the background, for macro photography - the ability to focus on very close objects. object, and so on. Naturally, all these possibilities cannot be realized in one camera with a single lens. So the choice best option Cameras are always a compromise between the capabilities of the equipment, its size, ease of use and price.

Classes of digital cameras

One of the main criteria by which cameras are divided into different classes is physical matrix size. It is measured not in megapixels, but in millimeters (or inches). It is this parameter that has a decisive influence on the quality of photographs - color rendition, noise level, dynamic range. Traditionally, it was believed that DSLRs and mirrorless cameras have a large matrix - this is good, while soap cameras have a small matrix - bad. Now this division is very arbitrary, since many compact cameras have matrices comparable in size to amateur DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.

Conventionally, digital cameras can be divided into several classes.

Cameras in smartphones

In recent years, there has been a steady trend in the market - smartphones are slowly but surely replacing compact cameras. And there are good reasons for this:

• Smartphone always at hand
• The photo quality of most smartphones is sufficient for printing in a small format (for those who are used to doing this) and posting photos on social networks
• Built-in photo processing capabilities allow you to do without a graphics editor on your PC
• Photos do not need to be printed - they are quite convenient to view on a smartphone
• The issue of photo safety is solved by connecting to cloud storage
• It is convenient to share photos - via the Internet and via Bluetooth

If you are going to take photographs “for home, for family, for friends”, the best choice will be a smartphone with a good camera, and this is no joke! The only drawback of the smartphone is the lack of zoom, although there are models with two lenses - one for general plans, the other for close-ups. Such devices are more expensive, but they successfully solve 99% of amateur photography problems.

Entry-level amateur compact cameras (point-and-shoot cameras)

Against the backdrop of the growing capabilities of smartphones, this class of cameras can easily be considered endangered. The demand for them continues “by inertia”, but, I think, within a couple of years it will completely disappear. Camera manufacturers understand this very well and are gradually curtailing the production of compacts. The only subclass that is still afloat is “superzooms”. These are compact cameras with 10-20x or more optical zoom. The only advantage of such cameras over smartphones is the ability to take close-up shots of distant objects.

The topic of choosing a superzoom has been discussed (at the moment it is a little outdated and needs to be reworked, however, the general principles can be understood). If speak about the best manufacturer soap dishes, then in this niche there is not much difference between them. Choose a device from Sony, Nikon, Panasonic, Canon, Olympus. The quality of the photos will be the same, the only difference will be in appearance.

Some entry-level compact cameras have a full range of manual settings. This is aimed primarily at those amateur photographers who want to learn how to take photographs, however, the value of manual settings in such cameras is often greatly exaggerated. The presence of a programmable exposure mode (P), as a rule, covers 99% of the needs of an amateur photographer - tested from my own experience.

If you want to engage in artistic photography, I strongly recommend not to mess with “small matrix” cameras. The picture quality will be acceptable only outdoors in daylight. As lighting conditions deteriorate, the quality of photographs rapidly deteriorates. Photos from these devices are difficult to process in Photoshop, because even with minor manipulations with brightness, contrast, and saturation, artifacts begin to appear - color distortion, increased noise levels, “steps” in smooth color transitions.

Cameras for advanced amateurs

This niche is the most diverse; it contains at least three subgroups, to one degree or another, competing with each other in their capabilities.

"Top soap dishes"

These are compact devices with an enlarged matrix and non-replaceable optics. According to their stated characteristics, they seem to be inferior to entry-level amateur devices (see above) - they have fewer megapixels, the zoom ratio rarely exceeds 3-5 times, sometimes they have worse video capabilities, but they do their job more honestly and with better quality - and namely, they provide better detail and color reproduction than entry-level devices. All this happens thanks to a larger matrix and a higher quality lens.

Among the top compacts, in my opinion, Sony, Panasonic, and Canon are the most successful.

Another advantage of the “top” compacts (as well as all the groups listed below) is the ability to shoot in RAW format. We will briefly discuss what RAW is a little later, but for now, just take my word for it - this is a very useful feature, for which you can sacrifice zoom ratio, a rotating/touch screen, not to mention “fashionable features” such as Wi-Fi, GPS, etc. .P.

“Top” compacts take excellent photos outdoors during the day, and you can also achieve acceptable photo quality with them indoors. All credit goes to a higher-quality matrix of increased size (from 2/3" to 1") - the larger the better, but also more expensive.

Almost all compacts in this class can shoot in RAW. The presence of the RAW format opens up great opportunities for extracting photos to an acceptable level of quality. The only limitation is that most devices in this niche are not capable of providing beautiful and powerful background blur (bokeh) where it is needed (for example, in a portrait or when shooting close-ups). To “make bokeh” in photographs, you need a device with an even larger matrix and a fast lens. For more information on choosing an entry-level or advanced point-and-shoot camera, see the article The Best Compact Cameras

Mirrorless cameras

Mirrorless cameras are essentially the same “top” compacts, only with interchangeable lenses. The main advantage of mirrorless cameras is their “systematic nature”. This is a construction set in which the carcass acts as a base and you can hang a lot of interesting things on it - lenses, flash, video light, microphone, additional screen. Another question is that this “interesting” thing costs extra money, and the cost of the kit can be many times greater than the cost of the carcass :)

Modern mirrorless cameras have matrices ranging in size from 4/3" (crop 2) to "full frame". Lately Even medium format system cameras appeared. The cost of owning a system significantly correlates with the size of the sensor - the smaller the crop, the more expensive the optics. Sometimes noticeably more expensive!

If we talk about manufacturers, I would recommend first of all looking towards Sony, Panasonic, Olympus, Fujifilm. These manufacturers entered the “mirrorless” niche earlier than others and, therefore, their choice of additional lenses and accessories is wider than Canon and Nikon.

A modern mirrorless camera is a fast, reliable and functional device that is not inferior in image quality and performance to DSLR cameras (and in some ways surpasses them) and at the same time is much lighter and more compact. The main disadvantage of most mirrorless cameras is that in the pursuit of compactness, many physical controls (buttons, wheels) are often replaced with software (menu items). Since the functionality of mirrorless cameras is very high, the menu becomes multi-level and complex - this makes life difficult for the photographer if he needs to photograph something in non-standard conditions when standard settings and presets cannot provide correct result. But this is the exception rather than the rule. In my opinion, if you need a device “for every day,” a mirrorless camera will be the most practical solution.

Having at my disposal a DSLR Canon EOS 5D ("full frame") and a mirrorless one (Micro 4/3), I give preference to the latter for most trips and walks light, as well as for home amateur photography, and I can say that the technical quality of the photographs is that of a modern mirrorless camera no worse than a 13-year-old full-frame “dinosaur”.

SLR Cameras

DSLRs- devices that use a shutter with a moving or fixed mirror, through which the image seen by the lens is projected into the viewfinder. This design is old, however, it has taken root very successfully in the digital world.

DSLRs no longer have any significant objective advantages over system cameras, however, due to the large number of available optics, DSLRs are still in steady demand.

DSLRs have taken root in the field professional photography- for professional photographers, it is important not only the number of functions a camera has, but also the ease of access to them (it’s easier to press a button than to navigate through the menu every time!). Yes, and autofocus of advanced DSLRs difficult conditions works faster and more accurately than mirrorless cameras. The main disadvantage of a DSLR is its size and weight, although some models are very compact and comparable in size to top-end compacts (for example, Canon ESO 100D). If this drawback is not critical, buying a DSLR is completely justified, otherwise it is better to look towards mirrorless cameras.

Among DSLR manufacturers, Canon and Nikon traditionally share the palm; I recommend considering these manufacturers first. Not because Sony and Pentax DSLRs are bad - far from it! The question is that over time you will want to buy a new lens for your camera. If you have Canon or Nikon, you can buy a lens at any photo store (after finding out where it’s cheaper) or a used one on Avito. Sony's situation is worse - optics, in principle, are on sale, but the range is smaller and prices may be higher. Pentax is a different story! The devices themselves are very interesting, but to find the right optics for them on sale, you need to try very hard.

DSLRs are record holders for battery life, since the matrix “turns on” only when the shutter opens. For other classes of cameras, the matrix always works to transfer the image to the screen. DSLRs also have a LiveView mode, in which the camera works like a point-and-shoot camera and shows the image not in the viewfinder, but on the screen. At the same time, energy consumption increases accordingly.

If you try to look ahead, then in five years SLR cameras, if they do not disappear completely, then with a 90% probability they will leave the amateur segment - they will be “taken out” by system cameras. The professional niche will also see a decline in the popularity of DSLR cameras. It’s not for nothing that leading photo manufacturers have mobilized their efforts to produce full-frame system cameras and optics for them!

In light of the above, I advise you to think hard about the advisability of purchasing an advanced SLR camera for amateur use. In the secondary market, the demand for DSLRs has already noticeably decreased - used professional cameras cost as much as new amateur cameras, but no one buys them or is even interested. What will happen in a few years?

Cameras for enthusiastic amateurs and professionals

This niche is also very diverse. home characteristic feature these devices - the presence of some unique opportunities, for which people are willing to pay 2, 3 and even 10 times more than for middle-class equipment. Everyone’s needs are different - some need a full-frame sensor (mostly professional portrait photographers, landscape painters, wedding photographers), while others need the image component (most often, wealthy people for whom main criterion in the choice - “so that the device is pleasant to hold in your hands” - it is for them that compact stylish “image” devices are created).

Full frame cameras provide the most best quality images, therefore they are very popular among professional photographers and advanced photography enthusiasts. If previously this niche was mainly dominated by Canon and Nikon DSLRs, now mirrorless cameras are also beginning to penetrate into it. Sony Alpha A7 is the first sign, a full-frame mirrorless camera at a reasonable price for a full frame. The “vintage” Leica is a fashion device “for the rich,” however, it has a full-frame sensor and quite good photographic capabilities.

The screenshot was taken when a dollar cost 33 rubles :) Now the cost of such a Leica is from 600 thousand rubles. I will modestly remain silent about the practicality of such an acquisition; for the price of one Leica M body you can buy a professional Canon or Nikon DSLR with a professional lens (or even several).

If you're aiming for full frame, keep in mind that its capabilities are fully realized only with high-quality optics, which can cost comparable to the camera, and sometimes much more. Buying a full frame for amateur home photography is not the most practical investment. If you are a beginner, it is better to buy simpler equipment, and invest the difference in price into learning photography. If you have photographic experience and a desire to improve yourself, a full-frame camera will be an excellent tool in your hands!

Added 05/15/2018

Recently, one of my readers commented to me that I did not consider another category of professional equipment in this article - medium format cameras. I’ll say right away that I’m a little far from this topic and have only superficial knowledge about this technique. Medium format cameras have a matrix on average 1.5 times larger than the “full frame”, their own fleet of optics and additional equipment. The cost of a full-fledged set for shooting in “medium format” can exceed the cost of a new foreign car, so it’s no wonder that the demand for this equipment, even in the professional niche, is small compared to the same full-frame DSLRs.

Shooting in “medium format” is characterized by slowness, the use of long shutter speeds and very (by “cropped” standards) clamped apertures. The reward for this will be images with colossal detail (40-50 megapixels and more), ideal perspective transfer (since 50 mm on a medium format is a very wide-angle lens), and if you want to blur the background, then you can work wonders here.

Conclusion. Which camera is suitable for whom?

So, it's time to draw a line under all of the above. Let's try to summarize the most typical options in a table. The options are “basic”; depending on your preferences, they can be combined with each other. The table shows approximate camera models that are suitable for this role. Sometimes I labeled entire families of cameras. It was not my goal to list everything that is suitable - simply to indicate the class of equipment among which we need to look for options.

I think we can end here. Good luck with your choice of camera and more good pictures!

About my help in choosing a camera

Until recently, I provided a consultation service on choosing a camera based on your criteria. Now I'm her I don't provide. Due to my busy schedule, I no longer had the opportunity to regularly get acquainted with new products in the photo industry, attend presentations and exhibitions of new products. Therefore, the most I can offer you is to look at the table above again, or send a link to Yandex.Market with a selection of cameras with characteristics that suit your needs.

The first thing you need to do before purchasing is to find information on the Internet about the model you have chosen: sometimes entire batches with the same defects end up on the market, and you need to know in advance about the likelihood of encountering something similar.

In the shop

Feel free to spend as much time as you need checking the camera. The seller’s task is to sell you a product, even if it’s defective, but your task is to buy a working model. Take the camera in your hands and carefully inspect the body: are there any scratches, are the screws intact? Check the buttons, covers, and whether the battery is secure.

Prepare in advance and bring a laptop with you installed program Exif-O-Matic. Take a test shot, open it in this program and look for the Exposure Sequence Number parameter: this is the number of frames captured. If their number is small, the camera may have been used in a store. But a high number most likely indicates that the camera was purchased, used, and then returned to the store. Ask for another copy.

Check for dead and hot pixels. Set the following values: shutter speed 1/60 sec, ISO 100. Take a picture of a white sheet of paper, examine it on your laptop: if black dots are visible, these are dead pixels. Then remove the lens, close the camera cap and take another photo: the white dots are still the same dead pixels. Hot pixels can be detected as follows: alternately set the shutter speed to 1/3 sec and 2 sec (if there is a noise reduction function, it must be turned on at this shutter speed) with ISO 100. Pictures to find damaged pixels should be viewed at 100% magnification. You can remove damaged pixels from the warranty service, but if their number is large, you should immediately ask for another copy.

The last thing to pay attention to is how the focus works. As a rule, in stores you can find special tables for checking the focusing operation, but you can use a regular ruler and a match. The ruler is placed on White list paper vertically, a match - perpendicular to it, in the middle. Take a photo of the match and ruler at an angle of 45 degrees. Focusing on the near or far end of the ruler is a focusing error. If a match is in focus, as intended, pay attention to the depth of field: it should be approximately the same above and below the match.

Purchasing process

A camera is a complex and fragile piece of equipment, and the more reliable your seller is, the greater the likelihood of avoiding a defective or used model, as well as receiving it on time and without difficulty. services. In specialized stores, the price of the product is often overpriced, while in electronics hypermarkets it is necessary to carefully check the camera for defects before purchasing. Be sure to check the documents and warranty card, appearance packaging.

Ordering from an online store will be a certain risk: if there is no alternative, do not spare money for the good name of the seller and good courier delivery.

Publication date: 14.02.2017

Which camera should you choose?

So, we looked at the main types of cameras. Now let's answer the main question: which camera should you choose? Let's start with goals.

Family photography. Children, holidays, vacation

Entry-level DSLR and mirrorless cameras with an APS-C matrix are ideal for photographing children and family photosets. They have everything you need: automatic modes, an abundance of scene programs for shooting in different conditions. Included is a universal “whale” lens.

Canon EOS M3 / Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM SETTINGS: ISO 100, F5.6, 1/250 sec

These cameras allow you to learn the basics of photography and improve. What is the difference between a DSLR and a mirrorless camera? The disadvantages of a DSLR are its relatively large size and weight, plus its long battery life. With a mirrorless camera it’s the other way around: more compact dimensions, but shorter battery life. Examples of current entry-level DSLRs are Canon 1200D, Canon 1300D, Nikon D3400, mirrorless cameras - Sony A5100, Fujifilm X-A2.

A compact camera would also be an excellent choice for family photography. If your budget is very limited, you can choose one of the simplest models.

And here the question arises: is it perhaps more rational to buy a smartphone with a high-quality camera?

More interesting are advanced (top-end) compact cameras. While mirrorless and DSLR cameras may require additional investments (for example, purchasing a more powerful lens), compacts are already equipped. They are equipped with high-quality, fast and versatile optics, have all the necessary settings and often look very stylish. However, their cost can be comparable or even noticeably higher than the cost of entry-level DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. This is the price to pay for the combination of versatility and quality. Examples of models: Sony DSC-RX100M5, Canon PowerShot SХ720 HS, Nikon Coolpix A900, Canon PowerShot G9 X.

Athlete, extreme sportsman

Which camera should you choose for extreme sports photography? Typically, athletes and extreme sports enthusiasts prefer the lightest and most lightweight compact solutions. Ideally, the camera is indestructible and unsinkable. Rugged compact cameras meet these requirements. But this class of technology is losing ground under the onslaught of action cameras. An action camera can be mounted on almost any type of equipment (the main thing is to buy or make suitable fastening), many models have a protected design, come with aquaboxes or can withstand immersion in water on their own.

Action cameras can record videos and take photos. As a rule, they are equipped with ultra-wide-angle lenses. There are cameras that allow you to shoot in 360 degrees! It’s worth paying extra for 4K video only if you are a professional video blogger or cameraman and know how to manage such a high resolution. For a simple athlete, Full HD will be enough.

Beginning photographer

Are you interested in photography and want to improve? Or maybe you are looking for a gift for a photography beginner?

The best choice would be an entry-level DSLR camera. It is easy to learn and comes with a universal lens that will allow you to capture most scenes. Such cameras have automatic shooting modes and allow you to manually configure all parameters. This gives enormous creative freedom. Today, entry-level DSLRs are capable of producing image quality no worse than their more expensive counterparts. The only difference is that their management is simplified and advanced functions are removed. For a novice photographer, the Canon 1300D, Canon 1200D, Canon 750D and 760D, Nikon D3400, models will be relevant.

Canon EOS 750D / Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM SETTINGS: ISO 100, F8, 1/320 s

A mirrorless camera is also a worthy option, but the most affordable models are designed mainly for shooting in automatic modes. For manual settings It will take a long time to search for the necessary items in the menu. Mirrorless camera models suitable for beginning photographers: Canon EOS M5, Sony A6000, Sony A6300, Sony Alpha 7 Mark II, Fujifilm X-A2.

Advanced amateur, professional

A professional photographer is someone who makes money from photography. What is a professional camera? This is a working tool that should take high-quality pictures and be as reliable and convenient to use as possible. Beauty and compactness are far from being the most priority characteristics here. Compactness often even becomes a disadvantage, since a small camera in the eyes of the customer looks frivolous.

What is a semi-professional camera? This is a camera for advanced amateur photographers. It may not have an indestructible body and increased reliability, the main thing is high quality images. Today, the line between professional and semi-professional equipment is very blurred. Often professionals who have limited budget, semi-professional models choose, and this does not prevent them from successfully doing their job.

Is a mirrorless camera suitable for professional photography? Today, DSLRs have had to make room on the market under the pressure of the line of full-frame mirrorless cameras from Sony. On the side of mirrorless cameras there are the latest developments in the field of autofocus and the most modern image sensors. The body of a mirrorless camera is often much more compact than a DSLR of the same level, but high-quality optics are usually the same in size.

If you are looking for compact solutions, take a look at Micro 4/3 system cameras. They provide acceptable image quality, have all the functions an advanced photographer needs, and are easy to use.

ILCE-7RM2 / FE 55mm F1.8 ZA SETTINGS: ISO 160, F1.8, 1/125 s, 55.0 mm eq.

How to choose a professional camera?

If you choose professional equipment, then you probably already have experience in photography, some kind of camera and lenses for it. For those who know what tasks a new camera is needed for, it’s easy to decide. If you have a camera with a set of optics, it is more convenient to purchase a camera of the same brand and use it with an existing set of lenses. Of course, if you are planning to buy a full-frame camera, then you will not be able to use the optics from the previous device with an APS-C sensor (crop DSLR).

Let's say you have no experience in photography, but you want to take up photography professionally. Here you should start from your budget and decide in which areas you will work: weddings, portraits, landscapes, photography of food, objects, jewelry or interiors. This will help you choose not only a camera, but also suitable lenses.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III / Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II SETTINGS: ISO 100, F1.8, 1/2500 s

It is important to understand that professional equipment requires training and is not forgiving of mistakes; it often does not have a “green” automatic mode. For an effective start, consider investing money not only in photographic equipment, but also in your training.

The more expensive the camera, the more fine-tuning it has. It's better to start simple. Buy a simpler camera, and save the money you save to buy additional equipment and lenses. You shouldn’t immediately jump at the most expensive professional cameras like Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, Nikon D5, because at first you won’t be able to unlock their full potential. Take a closer look at more versatile models in the mid-price segment. Good choice for the “beginning professional” there will be full-frame Canon EOS 6D, Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Nikon D610, Nikon D750, Sony A7 Mark II and more affordable “cropped” ones.

What to choose - crop or full frame?

The size of the image sensor is a factor that largely determines the quality of the resulting images. Full-frame cameras with a 24x36 mm matrix are more expensive and larger, and the optics for them also cost a lot of money.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III / Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM SETTINGS: ISO 100, F6.3, 1/500 s

Less digital noise, greater freedom when working in low light conditions, higher resolution, better detail, fine work with shallow depth of field and bokeh, a huge fleet of optics - this is a short list of the advantages of full frame. This camera is suitable for any task.

Should a pro or an advanced amateur buy a crop? Many, after purchasing a device with an APS-C or Micro 4/3 matrix, will regularly be visited by painful thoughts like “oh, it’s a pity that I don’t have a full frame.” Nevertheless, for reportage photography, it makes sense to take a closer look at the top “crop” ones. Their image quality is not much different from entry-level crop cameras, but they provide unsurpassed speed, reliability, ease of use, and are more affordable than full frames with the same rate of fire. There are several cameras on the market with an APS-C and Micro 4/3 matrix, designed for serious reportage work: Canon EOS 7D Mark II, Nikon D500, Fujifilm X-T2, Olympus E-M1 Mark II.

NIKON D7100 / Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II SETTINGS: ISO 100, F4, 1/1250 s, 300.0 mm equiv.

Which brand of camera should I choose?

What to choose: Canon, Nikon, Sony or maybe Pentax? With regard to full-frame cameras, everything is quite simple: now such cameras are produced by several manufacturers. All of them mentioned above have a good reputation and many years of experience. By choosing a camera from a specific brand, we are choosing a whole system - in the future we will have to deal with lenses and flashes designed for this brand. Each system has its own lens mount (mount), and with its help you can attach to the camera only those optics that are designed for it.

NIKON D750 / Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR SETTINGS: ISO 720, F8, 1/320 s, 300.0 mm equiv.

When choosing a system, you should pay attention to how developed it is, how large the selection of lenses and accessories is, and whether there are official service centers in your city. Canon, Nikon and Sony are almost at parity here, and it is worth comparing specific camera models and lenses for them. You can add here the manufacturers of “cropped” cameras: Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic.