Just a few short years ago picking the best digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera was a snap: there were only a few models to choose from, and they all cost well above $2,000.
Today making a similar choice is not so cut-and-dried. New manufacturers have plunged into the market and there is greater competition and a wider range of cameras being offered.
So whats a consumer to do?
Approach your digital SLR purchase as if you were buying a new car. While the costs are considerably different, the steps you should take are almost identical.
TIP #1 Know What You Want to Photograph
A single male living in the city doesnt need the same type of car as a soccer mom living in the suburbs. In the same fashion, not everyone needs a top-of-the-line digital SLR camera.
Its important to decide what you want to take pictures of before you go looking for the best camera. Do you enjoy taking portraits of friends and family outdoors, or are you trying to capture your sons indoor basketball games?
The answers to questions like this will help you focus your search for the best digital SLR camera.
TIP #2 Understand the Jargon
When youre buying a car, it helps to be informed. When the pushy dealer tries to sell you on a twin-cam fuel injection system youll be able to reject the offer only if you are REALLY sure you dont need it.
The same thing applies to digital SLRs: before you get involved in a conversation with a camera dealer, learn about terms like ISO, anti-shake and megapixels (hint: more megapixels DO NOT increase the quality of the image) so you dont buy more camera than you really need.
TIP #3 Hold Some Cameras
You wouldnt go out and buy a new car without taking it for a test drive first, would you?
A test drive is your best opportunity to see if you like the way the car handles, if theres enough room in the interior and how easy it is to adjust the stereo when youre doing 70 on the Interstate.
Digital SLR cameras come in a variety of shapes and sizes - since youre going to be taking a lot of photos with it, you should get a sense of how the camera feels in your hands before you make a decision to buy.
TIP #4 Read Reviews
Youve done your homework and youve taken a test drive. Are you ready to buy the car of your dreams? Well, not quite yet.
Before you make a final commitment, youll probably want to read reports about how well the car fared in crash tests and whether or not there is a serious defect with the vehicle make and model.
Since digital SLRs are just small computers with lenses on the front, they are subject to the same types of malfunctions that can plague your home computer. This is not to say that most digital SLRs fall apart within months they dont.
But some are more temperamental than others, and the only way to find out if youre about to buy a real lemon is to read reviews from current owners.
TIP #5 Buy From a Reputable Dealer
This last tip is VERY important.
When buying your car, you can either go to a dealer that others have recommended or you can take your chances with that shifty individual down at the used car lot.
Digital SLR cameras fall under the heading of home electronics and there are plenty of sleazy companies out there looking to make a quick buck by luring you in with unbelievable prices.
If youre doing some price comparisons and come across a company selling a camera for half of what everyone else is selling it for, dont walk, RUN away.
This is a bait-and-switch: they hook you with a low price and then sell you a lot of accessories that you really dont need. End result? You actually wind up paying MORE (and spending a lot of your valuable time) than you would have if youd just purchased from a respected and reputable dealer in the first place.
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Chris Roberts has been sharing his passion for photography and cameras with others since 2005. His web site, the Digital SLR Guide, teaches beginning photographers how to find the best digital SLR cameras, lenses and accessories to capture the photos they love.
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