Consider your skills - choosing the right camera for you

Whether your compact digital camera comes with you to every party and social gathering you attend, or you’re just starting to get more experimental and crafty with DSLR photography, it’s often difficult to choose the right camera for your skill level. Here’s a basic guide to the three main skill levels you may fall into, and the kinds of camera that may suit you.



Novice



If you’re just starting out with photography, these days there are plenty of great camera models and accessories for beginners. If all the jargon like ISO, f-stop and AF still confuse you a little, never fear: Compact digital cameras have advanced technologies and features such as extreme zoom capabilities, built-in image optimisation features, high quality sensors, and even HD movie recording, and are capable of taking some stunning photos. The best thing is, they work out the ISO and shutter speed for you!

For beginners who want to start experimenting with digital SLR photography, an entry level SLR will be your new best friend. Entry level SLR cameras let you take amazing photos without having to worry about all the complicated features if you don’t want to. The Canon EOS 1000D is a great first choice for beginners, and still offers manual controls if you’re feeling brave enough to start experimenting with them.



Intermediate



If you’ve been studying all your essential photography terms and you feel pretty confident in your knowledge of the full glossary, it may be time to go for a mid-range DSLR and slowly take your time to get to know all the different controls and features. Great mid-range cameras include the Canon EOS 60D, which is perfect for anyone starting to get more creative with their shots.



Semi-professional




If you’re ready to take on an even greater challenge with your photography, but don’t quite consider yourself ready for professional cameras yet, there are plenty of great top-range cameras intended for skilled photography enthusiasts who really know their stuff. Models in the top end of the enthusiast range include the Canon EOS 7D and the EOS 5D Mark II, both cameras capable of superb image quality and full manual controls.



If you can’t quite easily slot yourself into one of these categories, you can head online to websites like Canon New Zealand and take a mini quiz on what kinds of things you’re looking for in a camera. You’ll instantly have a number of ideal cameras suggested to you, to help you make your decision a little easier.



Flickr is another tool to use when trying to decide on a camera. There are often groups and photo sets dedicated to photos taken with particular camera models or lenses, so browsing through these photos can give you a clearer idea as to what kind of photos appeal to you, and what kinds of photos you want to take!




This article is brought to you by Canon New Zealand - Must-have camera accessories for taking great photos. For more great ideas on capturing that perfect moment with great entry level SLR, visit the Canon website.