If you like photography and you are beginning to enter this wonderful world full of artistic souls desperately searching for a channel of expression 😉, you must already be dreaming of buying your first SLR camera. If you have already bought the first one, you are probably already dreaming of the second one, with some model with trillions of megapixels, millions of focus points, millions of kilos of extra weight 😉 .
But hey, do you know that there is a world before and after SLR cameras? Because, we are not going to fool ourselves, reflex cameras are great, in fact in this blog we do not stop recommending models and articles related to them, but the truth is that just as there is not a suitable car for everyone, there is not a single camera or type of camera recommended for everyone.
Luckily there are many more types, only sometimes we stay on the surface without scratching too much and we get gadgets that we don’t know how to take advantage of or, simply, they don’t suit our needs.
That is why I propose to give you some clues-guidelines-advice so that you can see that the world of photography goes far beyond SLR cameras because, in the end, the best camera is the one you always carry with you.
What kind of photographer are you?
Before buying a camera you must be very clear about who you are. Because as capricious human beings, makers of lists of unfulfilled purposes that we are, it is important to be honest with oneself before making the decision to buy one camera or another. Asking yourself the right questions, and answering them honestly, will save you a ton of money that you can use for anything else 🙂
What do you like to photograph?
It’s not the same if you like Street photography or if you enjoy macro photography, it’s not the same if you’re a photographer who likes to improvise, who jumps to kill hunting scenes, or one who likes to plan the image to the millimeter You can do both versions with a reflex camera, obviously, but a photographer who likes Steal street scenes, perhaps a less cumbersome and more discreet camera will suit you than an SLR with a telephoto lens capable of photographing the craters of the moon 😉 Luckily, these cameras exist and on top of that they directly compete with SLRs in quality.
How often do you photograph?
Here, too, should not be deceived. It is evident that you will have times of more or less photographic passion, but nobody knows themselves better than you. If every day represents an opportunity for you, or if you only take photos on your daughter’s birthday or on the trip you take on vacation, it is evident that with so many camera options on the market, in these two opposite cases, the option correct it’s not the same.
What are you going to do with the images?
It is also not the same if you are going to make a poster the size of a building or if you want them to hang on Facebook (Instagram, Google+, etc.). It is not the same if you want to enlarge them and hang them on the wall, if it is a professional job, or if they are photos that will remain with the family 😉
So, how do I know if mine is an SLR or not?
Once you have honestly answered the previous questions 😉 you can go to the next level 😉
- Weight: When you get into the whirlwind of choosing a camera, it is common for us to be fooled by phrases like “weight is the least important thing”. Maybe when you walk at 100% of your motivation, this is true. Tell me after a few months of carrying a piece of equipment weighing more than 1kg, let’s see what you think 😉 SLRs are robust and heavy, if you are not willing to carry or you think that the weight will make your beloved camera go out less often, look for another option. A camera on the shelf gathering dust is throwing money and hobby overboard.
- Optics: Do you need interchangeable lenses or with a built-in zoom with a good focal length do you manage well?
- Size: Do you want a camera that will always be with you in your bag thanks to its small size? Or are you one of those who don’t mind carrying more cumbersome cameras and their corresponding extras?
- Long-term: This is perhaps the most complicated point to answer, because we do not always know what our hobbies can lead to, but there is a percentage of lucky people who already have it clear. If yours is a healthy hobby, it is not the same as if you are clear that you want to be a professional photographer. In the second case, it may be worth investing a little more in your team.
- Manual or automatic controls: Does your camera need to have manual controls? Or are you one of those who prefers to just take care of framing and shooting?
- Physical or digital support?: Does the question surprise you? Well, there are also those that preserve the charm of the instant image on paper, the charm of the mistake that is paid for with money 😉
Truths about SLR cameras
I’ll be honest, because this is not about boycotting SLR cameras. SLR cameras are great, in fact I’ve had one for as long as I can remember, because I’ve loved photography for some years now and I’ve tried many types of cameras until I found the one I needed at each stage. From the old analog SLRs, through rangefinders, pinholes, compact or medium format to today with digital SLR cameras.
- If weight or volume don’t matter to you, if you’re crazy about optics, if you’re a brave user of manual mode or priorities, if you have no problem grabbing your beloved hulk every time you leave home, if you like robustness in a camera and quality, don’t be fooled, yours are SLRs.
- If, on the other hand, you are lazy to carry the camera after the initial crush, and you end up leaving it at home, if the manual mode is not for you, if you prefer to point and shoot without headaches, if you always end up using your phone to photograph everything gets in front of you, give compacts a try. There are very good quality ones and they fit anywhere.
- If you want very good quality at a low weight, if you are still evaluating the possibility of working with several lenses, if you want a very good image quality at a lower weight and a more compact design, and you have a good pinch saved, take a look at the EVIL or Mirrorless .
5 reasons NOT TO BUY a SLR Camera
In these five points I summarize five reasons not to buy a SLR, although it may seem strange that we say it from the blog, at this point in the article you already understand why we do it 😉:
- SLR cameras are huge, corpulent, heavy, difficult to hide and carry, as I have already mentioned. It is not at all practical to carry an SLR with you unless you specifically intend to take photos. On the other hand, a compact digital camera fits in any space.
- They are not highly recommended Automatic mode. The performance of an SLR camera in automatic mode is not much different from that of any compact digital camera. The beauty of a SLR is the “manual” operation that allows you to control the diaphragm, the shutter speed, etc. If you are going to use it to take photos automatically, why do you want it?
- everyone looks at you. Although it is becoming more and more common to see people equipped with an SLR camera, walking down the street with a SLR camera is still one of the most inconspicuous things one can do. If you like discretion, SLRs are not for you.
- Difficult learning curve. If you have never used an SLR camera then get ready, SLR photography requires a steep learning curve accompanied by a lot of patience. You will be overwhelmed by a multitude of terms, abbreviations, functions and settings that are necessary if you want to learn how to use a DSLR well.
- It is a very expensive hobby. You start by buying a reflex camera pack with 1 or 2 lenses and you think «I have made a good purchase, it has cost me money but I will amortize it over time». After a short time you realize that you need a tripod, an external flash, a remote trigger, a backpack, a polarizing filter, an additional lens, etc.
If you’ve gotten this far in reading and still feel like caressing the body of a SLR, portraying your own version of the world through its small viewfinder and hearing the click of the shot then congratulations and welcome to the club ;).
If, on the other hand, you are already thinking about it, it is better to continue reading the next section.
What alternatives do I have?
I’ve already been advancing it before, let me expand a bit and add some recommendations so you don’t get lost in the immensity of nothing 😉 .
compact
Ideal if what you like is to shoot automatically and focus on the frame. They weigh little, are relatively cheap, easy to use, and you can take them with you everywhere. If what you want is a daily companion, a compact can be a great option. Many have a good built-in zoom, flash, and even flip-up screens and good image quality. As I already told you, the best camera is the one you have in your hands 😉 .
A recommendation? I am a proud owner of a Canon Powershot G12 that fell into my hands one Christmas a few years ago and the truth is that I never tire of recommending it, although the models have evolved quite a bit since then, so a current alternative could be the Canonymous Powershot G1X Mark II. You have it on Amazon for about 400 Euros. It’s not a compact price, but it’s not just any compact 😉 If you get as much out of it as I did mine, it’ll be worth the investment.
mirrorless
Also known as EVIL or mirrorless cameras. They compete directly with SLRs and, like these, you have them in the amateur, advanced amateur and professional range.
In favor of these cameras I will tell you that they are more compact than SLRs, they weigh relatively little, they have good sensors, interchangeable lenses, manual adjustments, a very attractive design and a long etcetera that places them face to face with DSLRs and even in many cases, it exceeds them.
These cameras are real gems that combine quality with portability. They are also increasingly competitive in price and little by little they increase the variety of their optics. Keep them in mind :-).
I don’t have a personal favorite of this style, but I know which ones you have a better opinion of. To choose yours I recommend our article with the best EVIL cameras. From here, what you are willing to spend, because the price can be raised to almost infinity.
GoPro
If what you want is to photograph adventure and at the same time be the protagonist of the action in the purest fisheye style, this is your camera: You can place it anywhere you can think of, it resists almost the impossible, it weighs little, it can withstand cold, water and what you throw in it 😉 . We dedicate a complete article to the entire range, you can read it here.
My value for money recommendation would perhaps be the GoPro Hero 7 (You have it on Amazon for about 220 Euros) with touch screen, WIFI and voice control.
Although, in terms of action cameras, we can’t forget the Sony Action either…