Welcome to the camera equipment thread, for discussing everything to do with cameras, lenses, and anything used in the photography process. In addition to this thread, you should also check out Photography ERA |OT|, for posting and discussing your photographs.
So you want advice on buying a camera?
If you're looking to buy a new camera and have some questions, you're in the right place! Rather than just posting "What camera should I buy?", try to answer as many of these questions as possible so we can recommend the camera that's right for you:
1. What's your budget?
2. What size/form factor do you prefer?
3. What kinds of subjects will you be shooting?
4. What level of photography experience do you have?
5. Do you plan on upgrading in the future with lenses and accessories?
Glossary
DSLR - Digital Single Lens Reflex camera - A digital camera with interchangeable lenses with a mirror inside which allows you so see through the lens while composing your shot. Canon and Nikon are the biggest brands here.
MILC - Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera - Unlike DSLRs these (surprise, surprise), don't have a mirror inside. Instead, you use either the screen on the back of the camera, or an electronic viewfinder, to compose your image. The lack of a mirror means these can usually be more compact than DSLRs, although there's no difference in image quality between the two form-factors.
Micro Four Thirds (M43) - These cameras use a sensor which is one-quarter the size of a full 35mm film frame, allowing for more compact cameras and lenses, at the expense of low light performance and depth of field. Panasonic and Olympus make M43 MILC cameras and lenses, and they both use the same lens mount, so lenses are interchangeable between the two brands.
APS-C - APS-C is a sensor size that is a little under half the area of a full 35mm film frame. It's long been a popular format for it's combination of affordability and low-light and shallow depth of field. Canon, Nikon and Pentax make APS-C DSLRs, and Sony, Fuji and Canon make APS-C MILCs
Full-Frame - Full-frame cameras have imaging sensors the same size as a 35mm film. Larger sensors gather more light, which makes them better in low-light scenarios, and they also allow you to achieve a shallower depth of field (more bokeh). They are however, generally bigger and more expensive than M43 or APS-C cameras. Canon, Nikon and Pentax make full-frame DSLRs, and Sony make full-frame MILCs.
Medium Format - Medium format covers any sensor size larger than full frame. These cameras (and their lenses) can be very expensive, but give the best image quality available for professional work. Pentax, Fuji, Hasselblad, Leica and Phase One have medium format offerings.
Useful Resources
News:
DPReview.com - News and in-depth reviews of DSLR, MILC and higher-end compact cameras
Rumours:
SonyAlphaRumors.com - Sony
43Rumors.com - Micro Four Thirds cameras (Panasonic & Olympus)
FujiRumors.com - Fujifilm
CanonRumors.com - Canon
NikonRumors.com - Nikon
This OP is a work in progress, so any recommendations would be much appreciated.
So you want advice on buying a camera?
If you're looking to buy a new camera and have some questions, you're in the right place! Rather than just posting "What camera should I buy?", try to answer as many of these questions as possible so we can recommend the camera that's right for you:
1. What's your budget?
2. What size/form factor do you prefer?
3. What kinds of subjects will you be shooting?
4. What level of photography experience do you have?
5. Do you plan on upgrading in the future with lenses and accessories?
Glossary
DSLR - Digital Single Lens Reflex camera - A digital camera with interchangeable lenses with a mirror inside which allows you so see through the lens while composing your shot. Canon and Nikon are the biggest brands here.
MILC - Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera - Unlike DSLRs these (surprise, surprise), don't have a mirror inside. Instead, you use either the screen on the back of the camera, or an electronic viewfinder, to compose your image. The lack of a mirror means these can usually be more compact than DSLRs, although there's no difference in image quality between the two form-factors.
Micro Four Thirds (M43) - These cameras use a sensor which is one-quarter the size of a full 35mm film frame, allowing for more compact cameras and lenses, at the expense of low light performance and depth of field. Panasonic and Olympus make M43 MILC cameras and lenses, and they both use the same lens mount, so lenses are interchangeable between the two brands.
APS-C - APS-C is a sensor size that is a little under half the area of a full 35mm film frame. It's long been a popular format for it's combination of affordability and low-light and shallow depth of field. Canon, Nikon and Pentax make APS-C DSLRs, and Sony, Fuji and Canon make APS-C MILCs
Full-Frame - Full-frame cameras have imaging sensors the same size as a 35mm film. Larger sensors gather more light, which makes them better in low-light scenarios, and they also allow you to achieve a shallower depth of field (more bokeh). They are however, generally bigger and more expensive than M43 or APS-C cameras. Canon, Nikon and Pentax make full-frame DSLRs, and Sony make full-frame MILCs.
Medium Format - Medium format covers any sensor size larger than full frame. These cameras (and their lenses) can be very expensive, but give the best image quality available for professional work. Pentax, Fuji, Hasselblad, Leica and Phase One have medium format offerings.
Useful Resources
News:
DPReview.com - News and in-depth reviews of DSLR, MILC and higher-end compact cameras
Rumours:
SonyAlphaRumors.com - Sony
43Rumors.com - Micro Four Thirds cameras (Panasonic & Olympus)
FujiRumors.com - Fujifilm
CanonRumors.com - Canon
NikonRumors.com - Nikon
This OP is a work in progress, so any recommendations would be much appreciated.
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