What camera should you buy? The complete guide to digital camera purchasing

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Rodin's Thinker

Introduction

Imagine this situation. One day, you finally managed to save up some money to buy a new digital camera. Maybe you managed to save up $500 or even $1200. Now you are wondering, which camera would be suitable for you. Like other people, you will always want to get the best camera for your money.

Personally, I have been asked countless time by friends about what camera for them to buy, in which I always replied with “Do your research and read reviews, and buy online!”. I bought my first DLSR (Nikon D80) online after asking a friend and ex-president of my university photography club (MPC). He told me “Go with Nikon or Canon, you can’t go wrong”.

So based on my experience in buying camera and helping my friends to purchase cameras, I compiled this mind map to help you choose what you want. Maybe you can refer this page to your friend if they were to ask you this question as well.

Mind Map

This mindmap is designed with simplicity in mind. The order in which you should read them is:
- Budget (Top left) – Without money, you better keep dreaming.
- Which one to buy (Bottom left) – Main question for first time buyer. As usual, its better to get SLR if you are planning to study photography
- Step-by-step (Top right) – Easy to follow steps to idiot proof this diagram
- Recommendations – Summed in two sentences: Buy online, listen to Ken Rockwell.

Please do not distribute this diagram. If you wanted to show a friend, you can refer them to this page with the sharing buttons at the end of this post.

Please do not distribute this diagram. If you wanted to show a friend, you can refer them to this page with the sharing buttons at the end of this post.

Last word of advice

You gotta be really careful on who to listen in this. Please ignore your mom/dad/cousin/uncle/auntie/grandma/best friend words in dealing with this. You better just read what the experts has written online. I trust Ken Rockwell so much because of his experience in handling all sort of cameras and lenses. So you will be wise to listen to him.

Do not buy a camera in physical stores if you can help it. They are almost always overpriced. Earlier today, I went with my cousin to check some price of Canon 70-200 f4 lens on local stores in Melbourne. Turns out that the prices in stores are approximately $300-400 more expensive than buying online. I can also testify that personally when i bought my SB-900 flash earlier this year.

Buy smart, be wise, and good luck!

Enjoy the mindmap!
Now, may I know how did you decide to buy your first camera?

If you like this post, you might also like:

  1. How To Organize Your First Modelling Photoshoot – The Complete Guide
  2. How to Shop for a Digital Camera
  3. Do you really need the new camera?
  4. 10 Tips To Know Digital Photography Better
  5. Photography Tips for Beginners With Point and Shoot Camera

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  • Name
    hahaha... go to JB-hifi camera.. they'll match the internet price.. probably not beat its price.. i bought my camera there. the good thing is u get ur stuff right away..
  • camerauser
    Neat article. However, I wouldn't recommend people who read this article to be purchasing online.

    Only those who know exactly what they want should be purchasing online. To begin with too often the same model may have slight differences in names or just a suffix. That is too great and easy a pitfall for someone who is buying a first camera in a while. Also, buying at a store may be higher in price (this is not always the case), but it provides the security that there is someone to help the customer. It is important to feel and play with a camera before purchasing.

    Sales people in stores have the most exposure to cameras of all types, and more importantly deal with customers from all walks of life and needs. It is up to you to decide if you can trust the sales person. But more often than not you will find someone who will be able to help you find the right camera. Also, I know for a fact Ted's Camera have a 7 day exchange policy if you are not happy with the camera. It is also important to support the industry around you.

    At the end of the day, it is important to get the right camera for your needs. It all comes down to whether the camera you get meets your expectations.
  • yes, many first time buyer feels the same way. i sometimes fells the same way as well. the security involves with online purchasing, or lack thereof, turns people off.

    that is why i recommend people to put some research first from camera reviews website and kenrockwell. once you get the exact camera that you wanted, you will be able to purchase easily and safely.

    moreover, after your research, you can always go to the store and compare/try the camera. you dont have to buy it. if you feel you like the camera, you can proceed to order it online.

    I don't know about anywhere else, but my experience in Indonesia and Australia(Melbourne) is that the physical store is madly overpriced :)

    Regards.
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