Buying A New Camera

So, you've finally decided to get yourself a new camera. Hope you have taken your spouse's permission!

- Rohinton Mehta

What type of camera will you buy? Have you done your homework before spending your hard-earned money? What would be the basis of your choice? Maybe you saw the manufacturer’s advertisement and got carried away by the flowery advertising language. Maybe some well-meaning friend suggested a model that he/she is using. Maybe you fell for the good looks of a particular camera make and model. Maybe you’ve decided on a particular camera because the dealer is offering you the product at a good price. Maybe the dealer is having a part-exchange policy. Maybe you love the photos that your friend consistently produces, and you think that if he can get such beautiful photos, he must be using a good camera – and you decide to buy the same model.

Whatever you do, be well-informed or you’ll likely land up with a camera that is not the best for your kind of photography.

First things first. Decide on the format. Do you need a full-frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor, an APS-C sensor, Micro Four Thirds, 1”-Type sensor or an even smaller sensor? Each user may have his/her own preferences.

Here’s my take on this.

As a landscape photographer, the full frame is my choice (all else being equal). This does not mean that choosing APS-C or any other format would be wrong. My choice is purely because a larger sensor generally offers better dynamic range, lower noise levels and overall better image quality. Keep in mind that full frame lenses are more expensive and heavier as well.

Note: A chain is as strong as its weakest link. Yes, sensor size is important but so is the quality of the lens that you attach to the body. Several other factors – which we shall not get into -- are also responsible for higher image quality.

For wildlife/birds’ photography, if I must choose between full frame and APS-C