PURCHASING A NEW CAMERA FOR KIDS’ PHOTOGRAPHY
Considering a new camera? Stuck on what to choose – size, features, lenses, price? Well, here are a few things you may want to take a look at:
DSLR or Mirrorless Model?
If you’re looking to make the jump from a point-and-shoot or pocket camera, then you’ll want to consider whether you want a larger DSLR or a smaller mirrorless model. Although the mirrorless models tend to run a bit more expensive, it might be worthwhile to invest if you think it will mean that you’ll carry it more. Take a look at lens costs before you do, the last thing you want is to find out that you can’t afford lenses for your new fancy camera!
Sensor Size
Before you get swept up in the number of megapixels a new camera offers, take a look at the sensor size. The smaller the sensor, the more information you’ll be trying to cram on it, making for lower-quality photos, or ones that become pixelated when you try to enlarge.
Image Quality
Now that you understand the sensor capabilities you CAN go and consider megapixels, but with a grain of salt. Keep in mind that the more megapixels there are, the more they have to squish together on the sensor – so choosing a small sensor with a lot of megapixels may not be the best choice. As for how many you “need” anything from 10-20 MP should suit your needs.
Wireless Capabilities
If taking out your memory card and downloading photos is something that gives you a headache, then consider a camera that can wirelessly connect to your computer. Better yet, find out if it can link to your TV or wireless network so your family can enjoy the images.
Image Modes
Even if you are currently only comfortable with automatic mode at the moment, the more you get to know your camera, the more flexibility you’ll want to take control. By selecting different image modes, such as Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority, you can take more creative control over your images.
Lens Selection
This might not be a priority to start, but it will become more important as your skills grow. One key is to consider your options down the road – if you upgrade to a higher model camera can you still use your lenses? Another consideration is the cost of lenses, and whether you can find good quality entry-level lenses.
Memory and Buffering
The type of memory card a camera takes, and how fast it can store data is a key when you are considering taking video, or if you like to take a series of shots in concession. The faster your memory care, the better, but it also depends on how fast your camera can shoot and transfer the data from the camera’s memory buffer to the card.
