Top 5 Tips for Buying a Digital SLR Camera

Just a few short years ago picking the best digitalyou're doing 70 on the Interstate.
Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera was a snap: thereDigital SLR cameras come in a variety of shapes and
were only a few models to choose from, and they allsizes - since you're going to be taking a lot of photos
cost well above $2,000.with it, you should get a sense of how the camera
Today making a similar choice is not so cut-and-dried.feels in your hands before you make a decision to
New manufacturers have plunged into the market andbuy.
there is greater competition and a wider range ofTIP #4 - Read Reviews
cameras being offered.You've done your homework and you've taken a test
So what's a consumer to do?drive. Are you ready to buy the car of your dreams?
Approach your digital SLR purchase as if you wereWell, not quite yet.
buying a new car. While the costs are considerablyBefore you make a final commitment, you'll probably
different, the steps you should take are almostwant to read reports about how well the car fared in
identical.crash tests and whether or not there is a serious
TIP #1 - Know What You Want to Photographdefect with the vehicle make and model.
A single male living in the city doesn't need the sameSince digital SLRs are just small computers with lenses
type of car as a soccer mom living in the suburbs. Inon the front, they are subject to the same types of
the same fashion, not everyone needs a top-of-the-linemalfunctions that can plague your home computer.
digital SLR camera.This is not to say that most digital SLRs fall apart
It's important to decide what you want to take pictureswithin months - they don't.
of before you go looking for the best camera. Do youBut some are more temperamental than others, and
enjoy taking portraits of friends and family outdoors, orthe only way to find out if you're about to buy a real
are you trying to capture your son's indoor basketballlemon is to read reviews from current owners.
games?TIP #5 - Buy From a Reputable Dealer
The answers to questions like this will help you focusThis last tip is VERY important.
your search for the best digital SLR camera.When buying your car, you can either go to a dealer
TIP #2 - Understand the Jargonthat others have recommended or you can take your
When you're buying a car, it helps to be informed.chances with that shifty individual down at the used
When the pushy dealer tries to sell you on a twin-camcar lot.
fuel injection system you'll be able to reject the offerDigital SLR cameras fall under the heading of "home
only if you are REALLY sure you don't need it.electronics" and there are plenty of sleazy companies
The same thing applies to digital SLRs: before you getout there looking to make a quick buck by luring you in
involved in a conversation with a camera dealer, learnwith unbelievable prices.
about terms like ISO, anti-shake and megapixels (hint:If you're doing some price comparisons and come
more megapixels DO NOT increase the quality of theacross a company selling a camera for half of what
image) so you don't buy more camera than you reallyeveryone else is selling it for, don't walk, RUN away.
need.This is a bait-and-switch: they hook you with a low
TIP #3 - Hold Some Camerasprice and then sell you a lot of accessories that you
You wouldn't go out and buy a new car without takingreally don't need. End result? You actually wind up
it for a test drive first, would you?paying MORE (and spending a lot of your valuable
A test drive is your best opportunity to see if you liketime) than you would have if you'd just purchased
the way the car handles, if there's enough room in thefrom a respected and reputable dealer in the first
interior and how easy it is to adjust the stereo whenplace.