One of the biggest questions for digital camera consumers is what kind of equipment they should buy. With hundreds of models available and a host of different features, how do you choose the perfect digital camera for your needs? By reading this article, you will understand the differences between the types of cameras available on the market and will be able to make an informed decision.
The machines currently offered can be classified into the following groups: compact cameras, Superzoom cameras, or DSLR cameras. The first is the popular small handheld cameras that cost a few hundred reais. In the middle category, superzoom cameras are slightly larger and more expensive, allowing for better image approximation capabilities. Finally, DSLR cameras are equipment considered semi-professional or professional cameras, with more functions and, of course, much more expensive.
- These are the best selling cameras on the market.
- Small.
- Simple and convenient.
- They combine low price and portability.
- They can usually produce good photos and end up being the best option for most people.
- Who just want to record family moments at the beach or children’s birthday party and then share them on social media.
Compact cameras offer the prize as one of their greatest attractions: with less than R $ 300, it is possible to buy a simpler model and shoot whatever you want. In addition, they are very easy to use, regardless of any knowledge about photography. Just take it out of the box, insert the battery and take the photo, as the machine usually makes all the necessary adjustments automatically. For this characteristic they are known as? Point and shoot? (? Point and shoot?). Many of them don’t even allow the user to change the trigger settings, even if they want to. While this is a very interesting resource for lay people, it limits the creativity of the photographer, as you will see later.
On the other hand, the low price inevitably has drawbacks, in the form of limited resources. Compact cameras have a very small sensor (the camera that captures light to create an image) and trust me, the size of the sensor is more important than the number. megapixel that the digital camera is capable of handling.
As a result, you won’t have good photos in low light, at night or indoors. To compensate for low light, the camera shutter should remain open longer for more light to enter. Therefore, the slightest movement of the equipment during shooting will produce blurry and blurry images.
Another disadvantage of compact cameras is the so-called “shutter lag”, which can be understood as the time that elapses between pressing the button and the moment the picture is taken. While this is not a problem in many cases, in others it can be the difference between that wonderful smile when you click and frown or even the absence of the depicted object when the machine is sitting. ‘is activated.
Finally, most compacts do not offer an optical viewfinder (the glass “window” where you can see the photo, available on DSLR cameras). With this, you are limited to using the LCD screen, which can be bad to see on very sunny days and outdoors.
These are medium-sized cameras, slightly more expensive than compact cameras, and have become popular due to the large optical zoom capability they offer (some models even offer an incredible 65x zoom).
They are excellent equipment for recording the details of football matches and other sports, games and ceremonies in general, also in good lighting conditions, since the sensors are small like the compact ones.
In addition to being a little more expensive (starting at R$750 on average), Superzoom cameras are stronger and don’t fit in your pocket, so they require a bag or strap to carry them.
From the point of view of resources, the equipment in this category includes the possibility of configuring outlets manually; on the other hand, they have fixed lenses that, although they are excellent, do not allow the exchange of lenses with other features such as DSLRs.
We come to the cameras used by photography professionals, by putting in the hands of the photographer the possibility of managing all the shooting settings, DSLR cameras allow the user to directly interfere with the result, which is why it is ideal for those who already have knowledge of photography or who wish to immerse themselves in this universe.
The great advantage of this type of camera is the possibility of changing the lens. So to make a photoshoot of a certain type (landscapes, portraits, interiors, sports), you can choose the most suitable lens and use it only for that session. This variant produces truly professional photos, such as those found in magazines.
Without a shutter delay (what you click is what the machine records), DSLR cameras have a much larger sensor than described above. On some models (called Full Frame), the sensor is the size of a film of analog machines. In addition, the battery of that camera lasts much longer than compact cameras or superzoom cameras.
Obviously, all these features have a high cost, DSLR cameras start at R$ 1500 (the simplest models, called semi-professional, with basic lens). It should also be noted that it is common for camera-specific lenses to cost more than digital lenses. camera itself and it’s not uncommon to find lenses that sell for more than R$10,000.
And now what type of camera should I choose?
By now you know the types of cameras on the market, but which one should you buy? This will depend essentially on two factors: initially, your objectives; then the available budget.
As for “objectives”, if what you want when buying a digital camera is simply to record the moments of your life comfortably and quickly, photographing your trips and routine with friends without worrying about the technical details of photography, stick with a compact camera; If you want to further develop your knowledge, change the default settings, and take good clear photos of larger events, your choice is a superzoom camera; Finally, if you really want to enter the world of photography, invest time and money in exchange for magnificent photos, the best option is the DSLR camera. Read the description of each type, with its pros and cons, and mark the one that best suits your wishes.
Now that you know which type of digital camera best suits your needs, let’s talk about “budget. “Keep in mind that it’s better to wait a little longer and buy what you really want than to buy what you can from time to time and get frustrated with the results. On the other hand, depending on what you want, a slightly lower digital camera can be a good start, so you can test the functions and confirm your needs.
And finally, remember: the quality of a photograph doesn’t just depend on the equipment. Much of the success comes from the photographer’s sensibility, harmonious composition, angle represented and the perception of the moment. So, whatever digital camera you choose, watch the clicks and be happy with them.