What makes a good camera? Eight things you should know before buying a new camera
If you're planning to buy a new camera, there are some basic things that must be known. Choosing a camera to buy can be a tricky work, especially if it's your first time and have no real knowledge or experience about them. And if you didn't choose a good one, you'll be stuck with it for a long time because you can't buy 'em like candy.
In this blog post, I will share the things I think are important and worth considering before buying a camera.
1. Image sensor
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| Photo by Alexander Andrew on Unsplash |
Image sensors are the part of camera that captures the photo by converting light (photons) into electric signals (electrons). This is one of the most important features of a camera as it will directly affect the photos you take.
To put it simply, there are three sizes of camera sensors that are available to the consumer market viz. Full frame, APS-C and Micro four thirds. The price of the camera also depends on the sensor size.
A full frame sensor is the same size as a 35 mm film (36 mm x 24 mm). This sensor will give you a more "full view" of the scene as compared to a crop sensor camera i.e. it will have a wider field of view. Cameras with this sensor size are expensive compared to crop sensor cameras.
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| Size comparisons of image sensors |
An APS-C (Advanced Photo System type-C) sensor is smaller
compared to a full frame sensor, and varies between different brands and
models. Most of the entry level cameras will have an APS-C sized sensor. For
example, Canon's APS-C is 22.2 mm x 14.8 mm whereas Sony's is 23.5 mm x 15.6
mm. Cameras with these type of sensors crop the image captured as compared to a
full frame camera taken from the same distance from subject or scene. Micro
four thirds (M4/3) sized sensors are even smaller than an APS-C size sensor at
17 mm x 13 mm as seen in Panasonic Lumix GH5.
The amount of detail in a picture and it's size depends on the resolution of the camera's sensor. It is measured in units of megapixels. A pixel is the smallest discrete component or unit of an image on a digital display.
And another thing to know is that any image taken with a crop sensor camera will have the image cropped from a full-frame size depending on how much difference is there between then crop sensor and a full-frame sensor.
To know how much crop there is when taking a photo with a crop sensor camera, you must multiply the focal length at which you're taking the photo with the amount of crop. For example, in Canon crop sensor cameras, there is a 1.6 times crop, so images taken at 50 mm will be cropped-in to look like an 80 mm lens, because 50 x 1.6 = 80.
2. Sensor resolution
There's no need to get a camera with the highest resolution because it's not that important, unless you're planning on printing large photos.
3. Lenses
Camera lenses are arguably the most important part of a camera as it directly affects the quality of the photograph you're taking.
Before reading further, you need to know that:
Focal length is the zoom range of a camera lens, and is measured in units of millimeter (mm). The more the value of focal length, the more zoomed in the subject will be, and lesser the value of focal length, the more further the subject will be from the foreground. For example, a lens with a 300 mm focal length will take photos where the subject can be seen up-close, whereas a lens with a 24 mm focal length pushes back the subject into the background, thus having a wider field of view.
Focal length is the zoom range of a camera lens, and is measured in units of millimeter (mm). The more the value of focal length, the more zoomed in the subject will be, and lesser the value of focal length, the more further the subject will be from the foreground. For example, a lens with a 300 mm focal length will take photos where the subject can be seen up-close, whereas a lens with a 24 mm focal length pushes back the subject into the background, thus having a wider field of view.
Aperture is the opening in a lens that allows light to pass through and on to the sensor, measure in units of f-numbers like f1.2, f1.8, f2.8, f4 and so on. It controls the amount of light entering the lens and also directly affects the depth of field in a photo (the Bokeh effect).
Image stabilization is the feature of a camera lens where the glass elements inside the lens adjust their position according to the movement of the camera caused by the user, and helps in taking less shaky and sharp images at lower shutter speeds. Note that not every camera lens comes with image stabilization.
When buying a new camera, it usually comes with a kit-lens, usually with a focal length range of 18-55 mm or near that range. But when you're buying a camera body-only set without a lens, it's better to buy lens that has a longer zoom lens which has image stabilization, preferably with a constant aperture.
When buying a new camera, it usually comes with a kit-lens, usually with a focal length range of 18-55 mm or near that range. But when you're buying a camera body-only set without a lens, it's better to buy lens that has a longer zoom lens which has image stabilization, preferably with a constant aperture.
There are two main types of camera lens:
A. Zoom lens
These lenses have a variable focal length that can zoom into a subject or scene without moving in yourself by walking. However cheap zoom lenses usually have a narrow and variable aperture that narrows as you zoom into the subject, so you won't be able to take sharp images at night. However there are expensive lenses with apertures that remain constant throughout the focal length.
(i) The wide focal length
These lenses allow your camera to have a wider field of view, meaning you can take photos in tight areas without having to step back for the subject(s) to fit in the frame. They can be used to take landscape photographs or photos in tight or small spaces. The focal length of these lenses range from 16-35 mm.
(ii) The standard focal length
These lenses have a standard field of view that is very versatile in terms of usability, It can be used for landscape photography at the wider end of the focal length, and as a short telephoto lens at the longer end of the focal length. The focal length usually ranges from 24-70 mm.
(iii) The telephoto
Telephoto lenses can take photos of subjects far away from the camera by zooming into the subject with the zoom ring on the lens. The focal length ranges from 70-200. There are lenses with higher focal lengths that are used by wildlife photographers, but this is the standard for normal photographers.
B. Prime lens
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| Youtube: Peter Mckinnon |
These lenses have a fixed focal length i.e. cannot zoom into a subject and a fixed wide aperture that benefits the photo by letting more light in the sensor, resulting in the ability to use higher shutter speeds, and are usually cheaper than zoom lenses that have a similar wide aperture.
4. In-body image stabilization
Image stabilization is an important feature in a camera system. If a camera has in-body image stabilization (IBIS) it can reduce the shake or blur in an image taken at a low shutter speed by automatically adjusting the camera sensor to the movement of the camera body caused by the user. It can help in taking photos in low light conditions without a tripod when you don't have a lens with image stabilization.
5. Video recording features
This feature might not be important to a person who's just planning to buy a camera for photography only, but can be a helpful tool just in case someone decides to do a bit of recording or vlogging. A video resolution of 1080p is the minimum standard nowadays because there are even camera that can record 8K videos.
If you really are interested I'd recommend buying a camera with in-body image stabilization and the capability to record in raw video format which are uncompressed and unprocessed videos for better editing.
6. Native ISO range
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| ISO settings on a camera |
ISO is the measure of sensitivity of the camera sensor to the amount of light hitting it. It makes your image brighter or darker according to the ISO setting set. A lower value such as ISO 100 will produce a darker image, and a larger value such as ISO 2000 will produce a brighter image. Note that the more you increase the ISO for an image, the more noise and grain will appear. (I'll post about how to choose the right exposure settings in the next blog). Native ISO range is the range of ISO values from the lowest value to the highest value available in the camera without expanding it. If the camera has a more wider native ISO range, the better the quality of the image will be in higher ISO settings. For example, the Canon EOS R has a native ISO range of 100 to 40,000.
7. Continuous shooting speed
Continuous shooting speed is the speed at which a camera can take a continuous series of shots while you hold down the shutter button. If you plan to take photos of fast moving subjects like vehicles, animals and sports, you'll need a camera capable to take at least 7-10 frames per second in continuous focus, where the camera will track the moving subject with its focus points.
8. Camera body features and type
Body features are those features that advantages the user in terms of interface and ease of use, and should be kept in mind for considerations.
For example the LCD screen of a camera are better when they have features such as touch screen functions for easier navigation and control, and the capability of being flipped out as seen in some Canon and Nikon cameras. Flip out screens are better than fixed screens because it will be easier to take photos from very high or low angles.
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| Image source: Northwest PictureMaker |
It is important to also consider the availability of customizable buttons where you can assign settings of your choice for quicker access. A built-in flash is also good when you don't have a separate flash.
Now, the hardest decision when buying a camera in these days is the choice between buying a traditional DSLR with a mirror inside, or a modern mirrorless camera. My opinion is that mirrorless cameras will more or less replace regular DSLRs as they are new technology and features that the old DSLRs don't have.
You can find out the difference between the two in this YouTube video by Jared Polin:
One last thing, no matter what camera you buy, you ALWAYS need to learn how to take a good photo. Owning a good camera doesn't necessarily mean you'll automatically take good photos just like owning a race car doesn't necessarily mean you know how to race.
My recommendations for cameras in the 4th quarter of 2019 up to mid-range price:
Entry-level
Mid-range
- Nikon Z50
- Canon EOS M50
- Sony A6300
- Canon EOS M6 Mark 2
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85
- Sony A6400
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