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WHAT KIND OF CAMERA SHOULD I BUY ?: FAQ
This section contains some helpful suggestions and points to ponder when trying to decide what type of camera to buy. Click on one of the questions below to navigate to the answer. |
This is the most fundamental question for a new camera purchase. As little as two years ago, digital was well behind film for most consumers. Now the two are competitive. I predict that in two years, consumer digital cameras will be so superior to consumer film cameras that the answer to this question will be a simple one word answer: digital. Meanwhile, film can still compete with digital at the consumer level. However, for most consumers digital is a better choice. Even for professionals shooting medium format cameras, the latest digital backs offer superior image quality (albeit at a higher price than most medium format film cameras). Note that a lot of what I say below may be controversial, but these are my opinions as a photographer that has shot digital, 35mm, medium format, and large format images (and I still shoot all 4!).
The following is a list of considerations when choosing between film and digital:
Price: How much camera can you afford? If you are planning to spend less than about $200, film cameras will produce slightly better quality than digital cameras (less than about 4 megapixels). Above that level, you should be able to buy a digital camera that will produce image quality greater than that of film. How do I know? Simply by direct comparison. Take an image with a 35mm film camera and compare it with the same image from a digital camera by having it printed at your local lab. Most local labs can print on the exact same paper with both digital and film images. Compare the results. Some will argue that film beats digital for enlargements over 11x14 inches, but if you do the comparison you will find that the lack of resolution from the digital image is really no worse than the amplification of film grain. However, there are other considerations than just price. See the Overall Cost section below.
Overall Cost: Even if you have only $100 to spend on a camera, you should consider the overall cost of ownership. With a film camera, it will cost you $10-$25 per roll every time you shoot a roll. With a digital camera, the cost is almost zero (there are still costs for long term storage media but this is small on a per image basis). Some would argue that you have to buy software, a printer, etc. but these are just options that you do not really need. You can take your digital images up to most photo labs and select the ones you want printed right there without ever owning a computer! The manipulations you make with your own computer and software are for your own convenience and, for most advanced amateurs and professionals, annually no greater than what you would pay to get a custom print from a professional lab. So in terms of overall cost, digital will beat film for just about everyone but the very occasional photographer.
Ultimate Quality: If you want the ultimate in resolution and quality then buy a 4x5 film camera and stick with film (for now). I still shoot a 4x5 film camera for landscape shots for that very reason. If you are a medium format shooter then most medium format digital backs as well as the latest Canon 1Ds Mark II are comparable in quality to film (I still shoot medium format film for fine portraits but have my eye on digital in the near future). If you are considering a film compact camera with a digital compact camera then the film camera will win against the digital camera until you hit about 4-5 megapixels (MP) where it will be a tossup. Beyond 5 MP then the digital camera will produce better quality images. A digital SLR of 6 MP or more will beat a 35mm film image almost every time.
Convenience: This is where it gets complicated and everyones situation is different. Some people do not want to mess with a computer; some do not want to mess with making two trips to a photo lab just to get proofs. There are ways of making digital quite convenient if you desire. For example, my wife shoots digital images, uploads them to the computer, and then electronically sends them to an online printing service and waits for them to arrive 2-4 days later in the mail. That is pretty convenient considering she can upload 100 photos to her computer (equivalent to about 3 36-exposure film rolls), select the ones she wants printed, and upload them to the on-line service in about 1/2 of the time for a single trip to the lab. She can also select the enlargements she wants right then and save another trip to the lab. However, some photographers will not want to mess with the computer but I propose that they can go to their local lab and get prints from their digital files as fast as they can with film.
Conclusion: The bottom line is that I think 95+ percent of consumers are best off buying a digital camera. That is why digital camera sales are rapidly outpacing film camera sales and there will be no looking back!
OK, now you are convinced that you want a digital camera but what kind to buy? Compact or SLR? How much to spend? Which brand should I buy? Below are some considerations when trying to answer these questions
Compact or SLR: If you already own a bunch of beloved lenses from a digital SLR manufacturer, then your choice is pretty well made. However some may consider this a good time to change camera systems (e.g. from Nikon to Canon or vice versa). Most purchasers of a digital camera are not in that situation (which is why you are still reading this) so their options are open. Here are some important differences between a digital compact camera and a digital SLR:
How Much to Spend: Only you can answer this question. But it is worth considering that:
What Brand to Buy: I have tried to list the most reputable brands and cameras that are the best values but there are lemons made by every manufacturer. I have sent my share of cameras in for repair and I know that it is annoying but the reliability of most of the manufacturers cameras, especially Nikon and Canon, are excellent. So look for the features that you most want as the most important criteria on brand. I should note that, for digital SLR shoppers, the Canon SLRs are reputed to have the lowest noise in their sensors and thus I recommend them first. But I still shoot a Nikon because I had a nice set of Nikon lenses that I did not want to replace!
Megapixel Size: This is quite relative but I will give it a shot:
Well, you want to stick with film or you would not be here. Most of what I have mentioned above for digital cameras applies here, so I will be brief. In terms of brand, I have tried to list only the best cameras so all are excellent.
If you are a film SLR shopper then I suggest that you shop for the whole system; that is consider which manufacturers have the widest and best range of lenses and accessories (e.g. Nikon and Canon). Be sure to budget for good quality optics, as this determines the picture quality as much, if not more, than the camera body. Finally, be prepared to make the switch to digital in a few years because ... it is just a matter of time before you do!
All information presented in this web page is the author's opinion only, and no warranties, guarantees, etc. are expressed herein. Descriptions are not warranted to be error free, complete, accurate, or reliable.
