What DSLR should I buy?

What DSLR should I buy?

A daunting question so many are faced with when deciding to take the leap in to the world of DSLRs, and photography. I'd like to attempt to ease the stress of that question for you new and or possibly future photographers. For the sake of keeping this short and somewhat simple, I will confine my recommendations to Nikon cameras, but don't let that stop you from investigating all the options out there: Canon, Sony, Pentax, Sigma, etc.

Those who buy and use DSLRs can really be broken into three groups: consumers, pro-sumers, and professionals.

The “consumer” being the average user, using the camera solely for personal enjoyment, and the enjoyment of others when looking through their dazzling photos. The consumer level purchaser is generally looking for a simple and easy to use camera that will provide high quality results, with little effort.

The D3100 is Nikon’s answer to the consumer’s demands. With very few easily decipherable buttons, the camera appeals to the “point and shoot” mentality of many consumers. Although simple, this camera is no slouch. With 14 megapixels, modest autofocus system, and modest 3 frames per second shooting speed, the little D3100 is bound to provide plenty of big smiles on the operators face when viewing their success on the three inch high definition screen. With several on the fly scene modes to choose from, such as sports, landscape, and low-light, choosing the right settings for the job is a cinch, and nearly dummy proof. "It's a solid entry-level DSLR, easily the best Nikon has made," says Thom Hogan of ByThom.com. At $499 MSRP, this modestly priced camera is well within in reach of many, college students and soccer moms alike.

Those a little more serious about photography, much more interested in the actual art of taking photographs, maybe even selling a couple pictures here and there, would be part of the “pro-sumer” market.

The go-to camera in Nikon’s lineup for many pro-sumers is the Nikon D7000, Nikon’s crop sensor flagship. With it’s largely magnesium alloy body, 16 megapixels, high performance autofocus system, and 6400 max ISO, this camera is ready to perform. A multitude of new features sit at the users finger tips: the ability to autofocus with every AF lens Nikon has ever produced, lens fine-tuning adjustment, auto-bracketing, among many more. Many more setting specific shortcut buttons appeal to the pro-sumers ability to dictate all of the cameras settings before clicking that shutter button. With an MSRP of $1199 body only, the D7000 is quite a jump in price, the old adage “you get what you pay for,” could be inserted here, Hogan goes as far to say "the performance you can obtain puts you in a different league!"

Professional shooters are just that, professional picture takers, or photographers. The people in this segment market their work, and sell it to make a living. Someone that depends on their camera, demands the best.

Nikon answered the call for professional equipment with their D700. An all out pro-body, with no sacrifices made. With it’s massive viewfinder, staggeringly accurate and fast autofocus system, 100% alloy body, massive 36x23.9mm full frame sensor, and ultra clean high-ISO abilities, the D700 is the definition of performance. All this comes at a steep price, with an original MSRP of $2999, one easily justified. The easy-to-use Nikon Scene Modes are gone, replaced with easy to reach ISO, File Quality, and White Balance buttons. Although easy to use, the D700 requires some skill and previous photographical knowledge to operate, no problem for the cameras target market. The D700 "No doubt it sets a benchmark in the 'compact' Pro bracket of the market," as stated by editors at DPReview.

What do you want out of your camera? What do you plan to use your camera for? How much camera can you handle? How much are you willing to spend? All great questions to ask yourself before settling with one for yourself. By no means are these your only three options, there are literally 100 of cameras to choose from, from more than a handful of DSLR manufacturers, but in general all manufacturers have a market that can be broken down into three main tiers. Which one do you fall into?

Don't know? That's a great indication that you should go do some more research! There is a plethora of information available online; DPReview, Photozone, ByThom, are all great sources.

Photo Credit: MING THEIN

At A Glance:

Nikon Imaging Products

-D3100

-D7000

-D700