Like most beginners, it can be confusing to figure out which is the best DSLR camera for beginners. There are so many different makes, models, and prices for entry-level DSLRs that it is no wonder that newbies to digital photography make mistakes when buying their first DSLR. Let’s take a look at what’s available on the market today and see if we can make the decision easier for you.
Some of the best entry-level cameras are made by Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Panasonic, and Sigma. Each manufacturer produces cameras with different controls and functions. Their cameras have different lenses, different resolutions, ease of use, and performance attributes. They also differ widely in prices to suit your budget. Customer support for after-sales service also varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. So how do you decide which is the best DSLR camera for you? One of the best ways, in addition to personal recommendations from friends who have already made their choice and are using your camera, is to search for an online review of camera models.
PC World, Top Ten Reviews, and Gizmo Crazed are some of the websites that can provide you with all the necessary reviews you need. PC World lists the eight best DSLR cameras for beginners, with the Canon EOS Rebel T3i and Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 cameras topping the list. The difference between this Canon model and the Sony model cameras lies in their movie-making capabilities. The PC World 2011 review says the Rebel T3i is a “photo and movie-making machine,” while the Sony Alpha has limited video capability. Included in their list is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2C digital SLR camera that is cheap and compact with interchangeable lenses. The Top Ten Reviews site also lists eight different DSLR cameras. They recommend the Canon Rebel T4i as the best entry-level DSLR camera on the market today. The Nikon D5100 came in second because it allows you to be creative and because of its Full HD movie making feature. The Sigma SD 15, which retails for $ 904, was not a cheap camera and had no video or live view features, it came in eighth and last. The Gizmo Crazed site lists 10 cameras in this category of the best DSLR camera for beginners. It lists the Canon EOS 650D as the best DSLR camera due to its ease of use and LCD touchscreen. Its $ 750 price tag is reasonably cheap compared to other makes and models. The Sony A37 was considered to be number 2 on their list, but it is actually a single lens translucent (SLT) camera than an SLR camera. It has an electronic viewfinder, as opposed to an optical viewfinder. This unique camera is suitable for beginners. Their most expensive camera at $ 1195 they recommended was the Nikon D5200 which came in at number 5. They considered this camera to be a “rugged toy” with many powerful features.
As you can see, opinion differs a lot as to which one is considered the best DSLR camera for beginners. You can do your research with online reviews, you can chat directly with photographers with the same level of competence as you. You can also go to a camera store and chat with the sales staff and ask them to show you different cameras so you can feel what they are like and see how they work etc. I would only recommend this course of action as a last resort and after you’ve shortlisted your choice for maybe 2 or 3 cameras.
