Factors to Consider when Choosing a Digital SLR Camera

The newcomer to the world of Digital SLR cameras is presented with a bewildering array of options. It’s hard to keep track of exactly who is currently making DSLRs and how many models each have, but as of summer 2008 there were at least 9 manufacturers (Canon, Fuji, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Samsung and Sony) and between them there were something like 34 different models.

How do you choose which one to buy, and in what ways are they different? With so many different cameras available and new models being announced every few months it’s not really possible to make specific recommendations on which one is "best". The term "best" will depend on many factors unique to the user. However, I will attempt to outline the various factors that you might want to take into account when deciding which one to purchase.

 

Contents

1. Compatibility with Existing Lenses
2. System Expandibility
3. Price
4. Format Size
5. Image Stabilization
6. Size and Weight
7. Pixel Count
8. ISO Settings
9. Noise Level
10. Metering
11. Autofocus
12. Continuous Capture Rate and Buffer Size
13. Live View Capability
14. Video Capability
15. Viewfinder Size
16. Flash System
17. Other Features
18. The Bottom Line

Lens Compatibility

Bob Atkins

If you already own any SLR lenses, that may influence your decision on which brand of DLSR to buy. In the case of Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony (Minolta), their DSLRs are fully compatible with lenses used on their autofocus film based SLRs. The Olympus 4/3 system is new and earlier Olympus lenses require an adapter to mount on Olympus Four-Thirds DSLRs. Most Nikon manual focus lenses will mount on most Nikon DSLRs and most Pentax bayonet mount lenses will mount on Pentax DSLRs, so for those systems there is good compatibility with older lenses. Mounting old FD lenses on Canon DLSRs or old Minolta MD lenses on Minolta DLSRs requires the use of an optical adapter, which lowers image quality, so that route is not really recommended. You can also mount many older manual focus lenses on Canon DLSRs with mechanical adapters, including Nikon, Pentax screw mount, Leica R, Contax and Olympus OM lenses.

If you are considering using 3rd party lenses such as those made by Sigma, Tamron and Tokina, make sure that the lenses you are interested in are available for the camera you are considering. Just about all such 3rd party lenses are available in mounts for Nikon and Canon DLSRs, but not all are available in Sony and Pentax mounts and few are available in the Olympus Four-Thirds mount. So, for example, if you really like the Tamron SP AF200-500/5-6.3 Di lens, you should be aware of the fact that it’s not currently available in a Pentax (or Olympus) lens mount, but it is available for Canon, Nikon and Sony DSLRs.

System Expandability

Bob Atkins

The question of system expandability and support comes up if you intend to get really serious about photography and need (and can afford) exotic lenses or very high performance camera bodies. In that case you’re certainly better off looking at Canon and Nikon cameras. For example, both have 400mm f/2.8, 500mm f/4 and 600mm f/4 lenses (with stabilization), while Sony, Pentax and Olympus do not. If you intended to eventually pursue photography as a profession, both Nikon and Canon have active professional user groups, which are supported by the manufacturers, while Pentax, Sony and Olympus have a much smaller professional support network. Right now Canon, Nikon, and Sony offer a line of full frame DSLRs. In the future it’s possible that Pentax will also do so, but Olympus is committed to the Four-Thirds format. When buying a DLSR, you may need to consider what you’ll want in the future as well as what you want today. Of course, if you’re an enthusiastic amateur who will never buy an $5000 full frame DSLR or an $8000 600/4 lens, then you don’t have to worry about system expandability.

For more information on the individual systems, including camera bodies, lenses, flashes and accessories for the different digital camera brands, take a look at the following articles on Photo.net:

• Canon EOS Digital SLR System
• Nikon Digital SLR System
• Pentax Digital SLR System
• Sony Digital SLR System
• Olympus Digital SLR System

Price

Price is obviously a major factor in any camera purchase decision. Currently prices range from a low of around $400: Nikon D40, 18-55mm kit (review), Canon Digital Rebel XT (review), to a high of almost $8000: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III (review). One thing to bear in mind is that most photographers end up spending a lot more on lenses than they do on a camera body (and indeed that’s the way it should be). It would be silly to purchase a $2000 DSLR and then only use a $150 "kit" zoom lens with it. You should balance your budget between the camera and lenses.