How to choose a good camera

First of all you must decide why you need a camera. You travel a lot? Do you want to capture as increasing your child? Can not imagine life without the extreme and want to review the moments that captured the spirit? Or realize that the photo - your calling?

Anyway, the camera, which would ideally approached for all of these purposes, does not exist. Therefore, the camera must be chosen according to your needs.

But first, let's understand the types of cameras and obscure terms.

What are cameras

compact Cameras

Sufficiently large class of cameras, from simple compact digital cameras to almost professional equipment.

Budget compact cameras. To date, one of the most simple and affordable options. The cameras are very small, so easily get into the women's handbag or jacket pocket. Learn them too easy, but that's the pros end.

Less they have one, but very important: the poor quality of the shooting. The latest models of smartphones take off not worse, and sometimes even better. Therefore, if you dream of professional photographs, leave the compact camera on the shelf.

Ultrazoom. They are also called superzoom or Brigde. In fact, the same CD, only equipped with a lens that allows you to take good pictures from a distance. Well, the price of such cameras is much higher.

Professional compact cameras. This versatile camera that took a little of each type of camera. As a rule, they have a good non-removable lens, but due to the large matrix image is quite good quality. They can also be equipped with a lens with a large zoom lens, allowing you to take pictures from a distance.

What can I say about the dimensions? In the pocket of a camera, of course, does not stick, but too cumbersome, he does not look. However, the fee for such flexibility is quite high.

SLR Cameras

The name of the camera received from the pledged to construct a mirror through which the future frame, refracting, goes straight through the viewfinder.

It is believed that some great shots at the SLR are obtained thanks to this feature. In fact, the first and the main component of the perfect photograph - the size of the matrix.

Matrix - is that part of the chamber, being that of the photo. The larger the matrix, the sharper and better the image.

It is because a large matrix reflex and outputting high quality images. Another feature of - removable lenses. There are a lot of them.

Familiarity with SLR usually start with the standard: the actual camera lens and body. This set is called a Kit or a whale.

Professionals prefer to buy a camera without a lens, to equip it according to your needs. This type is called Body. In Russian with someone's light hand, he has long been a carcass.

Cons DSLR two: the large size and high price even in mid-range cameras. Therefore, they can afford not everyone.

mirrorless cameras

Bezzerkalki market digital technology are relatively recent. They also have a large matrix, which allows you to take pictures of excellent quality. Dimensions of such a technique is much less than in SLR cameras. However, it is a compact camera will not name, and wearing it still need a separate bag.

The disadvantages include bezzerkalki pretty quick battery consumption and high price.

Action Camera

The name speaks for itself. These cameras are designed for stills and movies in extreme conditions while skydiving, scuba diving, descent on skis or a quick drive.

Modern action-camera give picture of good quality but in low light it practically comes to naught.

Nevertheless, the price of such devices is very high.

Which camera to choose

amateur shooting

You ideal compact professional camera. It has everything to get photos of excellent quality. For the very first pictures, use the automatic mode, and when you realize that this is not enough, dig into the settings. In such devices sewn more than one setting for shooting in different conditions.

If you plan to take pictures of children, choose a camera with autofocus as fast as possible. Otherwise, the child will have time to look away, look away, or even break out of the frame.

Look towards DSLRs? Get whale camera entry-level: for domestic staff its capacity is more than enough. Do not be afraid of the word "start": it does not mean that you will get poor quality images. Just in these cameras are no additional features that you will hardly ever need.

Professional photography

If your dream - to conquer the world perfect shots or are you already thinking about opening your own studio, pay attention to the SLR cameras middle and high level. This reliable tools that will make not only the high-quality images, but also will be very comfortable.

Opportunities whale will build quickly enough and it's time to come to experiment with filters and lenses. Do not worry about the big dimensions: a small camera in the hands of a professional will look serious.

Choosing a future camera, remember about the main features of professional shooting: a large matrix and the possibility of replacing the lens.

For your purposes would be useful and bezzerkalka. They shoot no worse than their SLR sisters.

Do not forget that this technique requires considerable financial investment.

Travels

From holiday everyone wants to bring great shotsSo a smartphone camera is often not enough.

Camera for travel should not be cumbersome or heavy, because often come across the most beautiful places on the excursions. And carry a few hours at a time large equipment is not very convenient, especially if you have chosen your holiday hot country.

Therefore, to travel, choose a professional CD or ultrazoom. As you remember, in the first case the pictures are better. But the price is higher.

Try to choose a camera with a viewfinder. On a sunny day it is very difficult to discern the next frame on the built-in screen. Do not forget about filters for shooting in bright conditions. They are compact and are quite inexpensive. And if you plan to shoot from the window of a train or a car, make sure that in the future the camera was a good stabilizer, or risk getting fuzzy blurry footage.

For those who love extreme sports, action, camera must be purchased. It should be light, waterproof and ideally more, and not killed.

How not to overpay for the camera

1. Do not go to the store, not decided on a specific model. The choice is huge, and to ask for help from the sellers - employment rotten. They will pick up the camera, make no mistake, here you only pay for it twice as much as planned.
2. Do not focus on the specific manufacturer. Everyone has both successful model, and frankly failure.
3. Look for reviews of the cameras on the Internet. Use services to compare different models and types of digital cameras. For example, Digital Photography Review or DxOMark.
4. Do not pursue the number of pixels. Many believe that this parameter depends directly on the quality of the photos. In fact, it only affects the maximum size of images (this is important if from a photo you want to print a poster). 16-20 megapixels for shooting home and travel will be sufficient.
5. Think about whether you need features such as Wi-Fi, NFC (wireless transmission technology) and GPS. Experience has shown that very few people use them. So why pay more?
6. The lens of the camera should have the greatest aperture: this depends on the quality of shooting in low light. The optimum value f2.8-4.0.
7. Pay attention to the quality of the video. 4K format is rapidly gaining popularity, so rare the manufacturer does not equip them with new models, but for the full functionality of the video you want 4K TV, Projector or monitor. To shoot high quality videos, Full HD format is enough.

What to look for in the store

1. Take the time to hold the camera: it should lie comfortably in the hand.
2. Look carefully at the lens: it should not be a scratch.
3. Check matrix of broken or problematic pixels. To do this, remove the solid color background, it is best to gray, and ask to show the resulting picture on the monitor screen. Enlarge the picture to a maximum of: all the points should be the same color.
4. Take several pictures in different modes. Check out how Zoom works.
5. Examine the appearance of the camera, then test the button.

Remember that the main condition for good pictures is not only a good camera, but also skillful with her treatment. So read leadershipDo not be afraid to experiment with settings, Try different modes... Another tip: remove as much as possible. So you will understand quickly in the camera's functions, and the number, as banal as it may sound, very soon transformed into quality.