Setting a Budget
Realistically, one of the first things you need to think about is how much you want to spend on your camera. These days, it's possible to purchase a good camera fairly inexpensively, but it's also possible to needlessly spend a lot of money on camera gear that sports the latest technology. Having a general dollar amount in mind before you begin shopping in earnest will help you narrow your choices fairly quickly, especially online, where you can plug the amount you wish to spend into a shopping search engine. Thorough research will also help you decide between buying new or used equipment.
If you're thinking of buying an SLR, whatever amount you decide on should cover the cost of a camera body and a lens (or possibly two), along with some other necessary accessories such as a camera strap, lens hoods, a lens cleaning kit, batteries, memory cards, and a gear bag. A point-and-shoot might also need a camera case and strap, if they don't come packaged with the camera.
Since there are so many lenses available, most SLRs are sold as a “body only,” which means you'll have to choose a lens before you can start taking pictures. Moderate zoom lenses may be attractive, but a fast, fixed focal length lens is sharper, lighter weight, and better in low-light situations. A 50mm f/1.8 lens is the best one to start with.
While it is possible to just ballpark a number that feels good when setting a camera budget, it's a far better idea to take the time to do thorough research to come up with a realistic figure. Start by reading a few photography magazines and checking out photo websites to do thorough research. Not only are they chock full of articles on camera equipment and how to use it, but the magazines also run lots of equipment ads placed by camera shops and mail-order houses. Most also compile buyer's guides, which are excellent resources. There are several Internet sites worth checking out — check Appendix B — that also provide resource information for websites and magazines. Photography websites are a particularly good resource, as they often have reviews by consumers who have purchased the latest model cameras and want to share their experiences with would-be purchasers. This information can be invaluable, as most are not professional photographers and they probably have skill levels comparable to your own.
After you spend some time exploring these resources, you'll begin to get a general overview of the features and functions that are available within certain price ranges. Although it's impossible to list all the features available in each price range, here's a rough idea of what you can expect to find:
Under $100. Basic film point-and-shoot, most likely without zoom and possibly with a plastic lens instead of glass. Inexpensive construction. In digital, a 2–4 megapixel camera with limited zoom options.
$100–$200. Better point-and-shoots with autofocus zoom lenses made of glass and more shooting modes. Entry-level manual and autofocus SLRs. Durability can still be an issue. This is a good price range for most beginning amateur photographers.
$200–$300. Point-and-shoots with higher-quality lenses and more functions. Manual and autofocus SLRs with more features and more durable construction. Sometimes bundled with a consumer-quality standard lens or moderate zoom lens in the 28mm–80mm or 35mm–70mm range.
$300–$400. Point-and-shoots with even more sophisticated features and better lenses. SLRs with many more features and shooting modes, again possibly bundled with moderate zoom lenses. This will usually cover a good, basic setup for more serious photographers, with some room for expansion and upgrades over time, if the hobby turns into a business.
Once you get above $400 or so, prices translate into both point-and-shoot and SLR cameras with more advanced features, such as titanium bodies. On point-and-shoots, lenses get significantly better as well.
