The Most Critical Factor to Consider when Buying a Camera

At any point in your photographic journey, you could find yourself in need of a new camera. Whether it’s your first ever camera outside of your phone, a venture from film to digital (find a whole post about why you should start with a film camera here), or the long-awaited upgrade because the old one just doesn’t cut it anymore, it’s inevitable. It feels like the single most crucial decision of your life. After all, cameras are not cheap. However, there is one critical factor to consider when buying a camera, and it’s not what you think.

Buying a camera is a tricky process. There are thousands available on the market at any given time, and, like all technology, they are continually changing and improving. You can’t scroll for long through an online photography group or forum without being asked for a camera recommendation.

Still, there are a few reasons why I don’t recommend relying on others’ opinions or preferences but comes down to one central point.

They are not you.

“The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it.”

Ansel Adams

You.

Why ask someone else what’s best for you? How do you expect them to know?

We will get into a few key qualities to keep in mind soon.

I am not trying to imply that looking out for recommendations and reviews is not a good idea. It is.

I spent hours of days of weeks researching cameras before landing on my Nikon D850. However, looking back, what is the underlying reason I chose that one? Because I had had a Nikon before and loved it.

Contrastingly, the next camera I bought was a Sony A6400, primarily for video. Same thing; I researched for days before deciding that’s the one I wanted. And though I don’t regret the purchase at all – it is fantastic at what it does – it is not as comfortable for me to use. And do you know what? None of my qualms are things anyone could have told me about because they are issues I wouldn’t have known about without trying it.

So, choosing a camera is tough. Look out for recommendations and reviews. But don’t rely on them.

So how the heck am I supposed to know which is right for me?

Try it out.

I mean this very literally; get your hands on them.

The most critical factor to consider when buying a camera is you!

We will get into some key qualities to test out coming up.

If all you can do is hold it in-store, so be it. Otherwise, see if you can rent one, test one, or borrow one from a friend. Even if it’s not the exact one you’re considering, it will teach you something about what you look for in a camera, besides photo-taking capability.

Honestly, most camera bodies these days are comparable between brands and features. You get more variance from camera lenses, but that’s another matter. The camera body itself is of greater importance when considering the feel and function of it. Of course, ensure it has the features you need through research or reviews. But again, that means knowing yourself, your needs, and what you value.

I reiterate: the only way to know if a camera is right for you is to use it yourself, first hand.

Here are a few qualities you should try before buying a camera:

Weight

Again, you can find this information online, but unless you have experience with others for comparison, you won’t know unless you try it.

• Is it too heavy for you to carry around? Too light that you’re likely to drop it?
• Do you need it light enough to live in your pocket?
• Will it live on a tripod? If so, can your tripod hold it?
• Does it live around your neck or on your wrist?
• Are you travelling with it a lot on foot?
• Do you use large or small lenses? Will it become too front heavy for your liking with a long lens?

Button and Gear Layout

This point is huge! I cannot stress enough how important it is to be able to get to your camera functions efficiently while in the field. If they’re not laid out intuitively for you, this will be a difficult adjustment. You will get used to it. Nevertheless, it’s much easier to look for a system that makes sense to you.

Sounds

Looking for sounds from your camera might seem odd, but it’s something I’ve learned is important to me. It’s also not readily available information online about all cameras.

• Does the camera have a shutter sound? If so, is that okay with you?
• Does the camera make noises when it’s auto-focusing?
• Does it beep when it’s ready for a shot?
• Do you need a silent mode? If so, does the camera support that?
• Do the buttons or gears make noise when you press or turn them?

Menu Interface and Information Options

Figuring out a camera menu takes some finessing, and that finessing takes time. I highly recommend scrolling through the menu and manual of a camera before purchasing, if possible. Though comparable cameras will likely have most of the same options, they can be worded or located differently, making them difficult or easy to find.

Additionally, the user interface can vary greatly. I equate it to mobile phones; iPhones and Androids essentially do the same thing, with some different features, but they don’t work the same at all from a user-interface perspective. In fact, it’s impossible to ignore just how different they are. So naturally, some people swear by iPhones while others stand behind Androids. You don’t know for sure which works best for you without trying both.

Summary

Buying a camera can be a stressful endeavour for any photographer, yet all photographers need one. It’s easy to start your research with camera features and capabilities, then look to your peers for recommendations and reviews that fit those criteria.

However, the most critical consideration when buying a camera is you.

To be successful in the field, you have to know your camera inside and out. You have to be able to command it to do exactly what you want it to do, smoothly and efficiently. Buy a camera that sets you up for success, even under tense conditions. Ultimately, there are a few things to look out for:

Size and Shape
Weight
Button and Gear Layout
Sounds
Menu Interface and Information Options

Try it out! Hold it in your hands. Press every button, look for every feature, see if it fits in your bag, toggle between photo and video, try to find an obscure menu option. And, if possible, do all of that for longer than the 10 minutes you might have in-store.

Conclusion

I prefer my Nikon D850 over my Sony A6400. Why? Because my Nikon fits in my hands better, the Sony’s grip is too small. I do enjoy the weight of DSLRs over small mirrorless cameras; they feel more sturdy to me. I much prefer the Nikon menu interface over the Sony’s. The A6400 has a gear on the front that my fingers cannot turn single-handedly. The ISO and exposure compensation buttons are in much better locations for me on my Nikon.

Of course, there are things I like about the Sony over the Nikon. I definitely cannot fit my Nikon D850 in a pocket; I like that about the A6400. The A6400 has a screen that tilts 180 degrees for selfie mode, which is nice when filming yourself. The Nikon D850 does not have Auto-mode at all; in reality, I would rarely use it, but it is handy to have sometimes.

The point is that I wouldn’t understand any of these personal preferences through research, recommendations, or reviews. I’ve learned through experience.

Buying a camera is intimidating and overwhelming, but it can be made easier and more reassuring. Try to give yourself as much experience with the camera as possible before committing, especially with a brand you’ve never used before.

Write down some of the questions I posed so you remember to ask yourself those things as you’re experimenting.

There is a lot of consideration that goes into buying a new camera but the most important things to think about are your own personal preferences, tendencies, and characteristics. Never forget to check for those.

If all else fails, make sure your seller has a fair return policy!

I’m already dreading the day I have to buy a new camera, though hopefully, it’s still far in the future.

Until then, let’s give it a shot!