How to Choose A New Camera
Choosing a new camera can be a challenge, whether you're an experienced photographer or a novice, finding the camera that’s right for you can be a struggle. Today I’m going to take you through the steps I took to decide on the camera that suited my needs. Hopefully, this will help you narrow down and decide what camera suits your needs best. To start, let me list out three key questions to keep in mind while looking for a new camera; What experience level am I? What is the purpose of my final images going to be? Do I have an investment (lenses and other equipment besides a camera body) with a camera company already, i.e Canon, Nikon, Sony? Keep in mind that no one camera is the best choice for everyone. I will name the cameras I looked at and the one I chose in the end, however it may not be the best camera for you.
So where does one start their search for a new camera? The answer to this is different for everyone but in general, you start your search on one of the main brand websites, Canon https://shop.usa.canon.com/, Nikon https://www.nikonusa.com/, or Sony https://www.sony.com/electronics/cameras; for those who have prior experience with one of these brands I recommend starting there. If you do not I suggest looking across all three main brand websites to get an idea of what each one offers. In my instance, my first camera was a Nikon so that is where I started my search.
The next questions to ask yourself are; Where does my photographic experience fall from beginner to professional, and what am I willing to spend? With these two questions answered, you can narrow your focus even further. Camera companies organize their cameras by experience level, with Canon and Sony having their Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced cameras, while Nikon has their DX and FX Series. For example, the Nikon DX Enthusiast D7500 has a price point of $999.95, while the Nikon FX Professional D850 holds a price point of 2,999.95. Knowing what level of camera you are after, and the price you are willing to pay can help limit the number of options, even if you are looking between multiple brands. In my case, I had been photographing with an entry-level Nikon for about 5 years and was looking for a professional-level camera that would help kickstart my career. My mind instantly went to the Nikon D6, a camera that would last the ages I thought. The problem was the D6 was over my budget of $3,000, listed at $6,499.95. Following my price point, and my desire to have a professional level camera I found the Nikon Z7 listed at $2,499.95. I thought I had found the camera of my dreams, under budget.
Of course, that was not to be the case, and that’s because of my next recommendation for camera hunting, reviews, and comparisons. Do not stop your search as soon as you find a camera that checks most or all of the boxes on your needs list. Read/watch the reviews, and most importantly compare the camera to its competition. While I do not do in-depth camera reviews there are many people that do whether it’s a blog or a video. Research is so important, the stats listed on the camera’s website are a good starting point, but to find the right camera for your specific needs more research is required. My needs were a professional-level portrait camera, that could handle other styles of photography with ease. Through my own research, I found the Nikon Z7’s auto-focus wasn’t as great as its competitors, the Canon R6, and the Sony a7 III. This put three strong cameras on the table for me, the Nikon Z7, Canon R6, and Sony a7III.
Once you do your research and find the competitor to that original camera that met all your criteria, it’s down to the nitty-gritty, and your own style and purpose. It is all about the purpose of the camera, and the final images that will be produced on it. What are you going to be photographing the most? If it’s portraits, sports, or wildlife, then auto-focus will be much more important than if you do mostly landscapes or still lifes, which can be easily focused manually. Are you photographing weddings or other events where having a silent shutter is important? Will the final product be a large physical print? If so then you need a camera with a high Megapixel count, if not maybe the megapixel count isn’t too important. It’s up to you the photographer to know what stats or features you need and what ones you are willing to give up in exchange. For those who have an investment with a camera company already, such as lenses, or external flashes, it is a big aspect to consider when buying a new camera. Is it worth giving up your lens collection in order to get a better body? That is a question you will have to ask yourself and really consider. Keep in mind that it’s not just physical objects you are losing when changing companies but, the operating system of each company varies, and it could take you longer to learn your new camera if you switched to a new manufacturer. For me, great auto-focus, the powerful processor, and the ergonomics of the Canon R6 pushed it to the top of my list, even at the expense of a lower megapixel count, and having to switch from Nikon to Canon.
Choosing a new camera is a daunting task, but keeping this thought process in mind can help. Remember no camera is right for everyone, it all comes down to the purpose the camera will be used for.