A Newbies Guide to buying a digital camera

I have owned just about every sort of camera (from use-once throw away Kodak & Fuji film cameras to manual SLR's (wonderful beasts) to dSLR's). I've just been through the process of buying a new dSLR and it took months of research to decide on the camera I ultimately wanted to buy.

At the end of this arduous process it hit me that it ought not to be this difficult to decide which camera to buy. And then I wondered what the poor individual who was buying his or her 1st digital camera must be going through.

So after a great deal of thought it came to me that the process ought to be much simpler than we make it. So here are my thoughts about simplifying the process and minimizing the agony and decision timeframe.

• Decide on your budget
• if you do not have oodles of money to spend then this first step ought to make the process easier. I say "ought to" because even for $500 or less there are a hell of a lot of cameras to choose from.
• Decide on the primary use of the camera.
• if you are going to shoot sports and children (who tend to move a great deal when least expected or wanted), or wildlife or portraiture in a big way then you may well want to consider an entry level dSLR. The reason is that a dSLR will give you the level of manual control and options typically not available in a point and shoot camera. If you want to sell your photos or images then a dSLR or micro four thirds would be the way to go.
• Do you want your camera to be easily transportable (in your pocket for instance)? (This is a biggie because I have seen so many photographers choose to leave their hefty dSLR's behind at home and take a small pocketeable camera with them when they travel, just for the sheer convenience).
• if that is the case the small point and shoot type camera is what you need to focus on - bear in mind that a lot of small cameras nowadays have gone beyond the point and shoot mode and offer various degrees of manual control (just when you thought it was going to be easy!). Typically though the small pocketable cameras do not offer the degrees of control that are offered by dSLRs. Micro four thirds cameras are only just starting to make their mark on the world in a big way and offer the buyer the ability to purchase (albeit at a hefty cost) a smaller type camera (point and shoot size) but with the manual options of a dSLR.
• Finally, if you are dipping your toes into the world of digital photography for the first time I would suggest not buying the most complex camera, even if it is within your budget. Top end dSLR's require the equivalent of a digital camera pilot's licence to operate well. So start small, learn the basics, and move up. Even though it may not have all the manual options offered by more expensive dSLR or Micro four thirds cameras, a point and shoot in the right hands can be made to produce some awesome results.

If there is one bit of advice above all else that I can pass on it is this: a good carpeneter can work with lousy tools - better tools may make him work faster but not necessarily better. My point is that a complex, expensive camera does not a good photographer make!! The best camera in the world does not make up for creativity and a good eye.

I once read that the best camera in the world is the one between your ears. So, so true!