When buying a traditional film camera it was more about the quality of the lens, this is still true for purchasing a new dSLR but there is another consideration; the digital sensor.
There is allot of hype about mega-pixels but to be honest shooting for the highest mega-pixel camera is not your top priority and nearly all dSLR cameras now have more then enough pixels, unless you are going to be blowing up photos to huge banners and posters 10 to 12 mega-pixels is more than enough.
What is far more important is the quality and size of the digital sensor, often-overlooked criteria when comparing digital cameras. Although sensor sizes do vary they, still fall within two main categories. dSLRs have sensors in the range from around 24x16 mm to 36x24 mm, whereas consumer cameras have sensors approximately 8x6 mm. The difference is very important to the performance of the cameras because sensor size determines how much noise a sensor produces, and noise is one of the main limiting factors affecting the performance of a digital camera.
The key to quality is large mega-pixels coupled with large digital sensor, a camera with lower mega-pixels but a larger sensor will out perform a high mega-pixel camera with a small sensor, it equates to more noise in your shots. A digital sensor is a long and complicated subject, but I wanted to touch on the misconception that more mega-pixels are better.
A simple way to think of it was in traditional film photography we wanted to buy the highest quality film as possible to achieve the best results. When buying a digital camera, the camera its self is the film so that should be the highest quality we can sensibly afford at the time.
Understanding priority modes
Nearly all dSLR cameras come with at least 4 exposure modes: Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual.Program mode (P)
This is the point and shoot mode, the camera works out the best aperture and shutter speed for the current shooting condition. Although when shooting in program or automatic mode the exposure will be, correct you are really letting the camera do far too much of the thinking for you. Although it allows you to snap a photo off it is far from a good option.Aperture Priority (Av)
Using aperture priority is a good baby step towards using full manual, aperture priority allows the photographer to select the aperture while the camera works out the correct shutter speed governed by the available light. Using aperture priority can be a good option for landscape photography where depth of filed (depth of focus) is of primary importance.Shutter Priority (Tv)
Again another good option before shooting in complete manual mode, it allows you to select the shutter speed and the camera works out the correct aperture Using this mode can be good for capturing moving subjects, when it is more important for the shutter speed to be correct and depth of field (depth of focus) is of secondary importance. If you are shooting fast action such as horse racing or other mast moving subjects, this could be a good setting for you.Manual Mode (M)
My personal favourite mode and often ignored by a great percentage of amateur photographers. A camera cannot take into account creativity, subtle lighting, shadows or the perception of mood that that the human brain can take into consideration. Move to manual and develop your photography knowledge and talent.Photo credits
Intro photo by Mcgraths
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