Today it is so easy to own a digital camera. Almost every cellphone or pda is able to take digital pictures. These cameras are fairly basic and give you little control over the final image but they are great for capturing and sharing the moment.
A digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera is the obvious choice when you're ready to make a more artistic statement or to create something more complex with your photographs. And this is the start of your dilemma - which camera to choose?
There are an amazing number of dSLRs out their and some are full-blown professional cameras... with bells, whistles and a price tag to make your eyes water. But even if we're looking at the entry-level models there's still a wide range to choose from.
It might be that you have a loyalty to a particular brand or manufacturer - Pentax, Canon or the like which will narrow the sometimes bewildering choices in front of you.
If you're reading this article, it's more likely that you'll be open to looking across a range of cameras.
It's obvious that you will want to compare both the prices and the features that each camera offers - and that will be affected by exactly how tight your budget is or whether you really want a particular feature.
The Canon EOS Rebel T1i consistently rates highly for its ease of use, very well balanced and everything just within easy reach in terms of buttons and menu options.
As you become more confident with the idea of controlling aspects of your own image capture, you can begin manually using more features, adjusting the aperture, depth of focus or focal points - and because the results are digital, you can see the effects of your changes almost immediately!
The Eos Rebel T1i camera has an enormous 15 megapixel capacity and also allows you to record video images too, an amazing addition to an entry level camera.
But be careful here. More megapixels doesn't always mean better quality images (though you will be amazed by the clarity and detail in your shots with this camera!) and most people don't buy a digital SLR if their biggest priority is to shoot video images. You just need to be sure that this extra feature is something that is of value to you, not just a great marketing ploy for Canon. You will be paying for it after all!
If you are very new to the ideas of SLR photography, digital or otherwise, digital photography for beginners can be just overwhelming. Where do you start with choosing the range of features, modes and options and just what effect will it have on your picture?
I guess most of us start out by wanting a great picture with little idea of the technical skills needed to create it.
If this is how you feel then why not take a look at the Nikon D3000. In my opinion there is just nothing to beat the Intelligent Guide mode on this little beauty.
This Intelligent Guide makes intelligent, context appropriate suggestions about the things you might want to change to enhance your shot, as you go through the process of taking it. It really does feel as if your best friend is standing just over your shoulder guiding you through the process.
One downside of this feature on the D3000 camera is that you don't have access to a LiveView feature and have to use the view finder as you would on a traditional SLR. Mind you, some photographers would say this was a real advantage as it gives you a more authentic feel for the photographic art form. I'll leave you to decide on that one!
Another thing to bear in mind is that this Nikon doesn't have video recording capacity and this is reflected in the generally lower price of the D3000 compared to the EOS Rebel T1i. This isn't a major weakness as the other features of the Nikon are just great, you simply need to remember that it's just a camera, which is probably exactly what you wanted to buy anyway.
I guess the bottom line is, whether you buy a Nikon or a Canon digital SLR, you'll be getting a great camera that should last you for years.
Have fun!
