When shopping for a camera, it is crucial to consider your budget before making a purchase. It can be tempting to overspend and splurge on the latest and most expensive model, but it might not even be the right camera for you. Sure, it’s great to have all the bells and whistles but do you “really” need them..? Not to mention how much lighter your pocket is going to be! Add into that, what lens shall you get? While kit lenses are good is it what you want or need? A new lens could run you anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to a couple of thousand depending on what you want. My point is, as a beginner or someone on a budget, it’s not about having the top model camera. It’s about what’s right for you. It is important to find a balance between quality and cost, and avoid stretching your budget too thin. Instead, consider saving up for the best camera that fits your budget and meets your photography needs. By being mindful of your budget, you can make a smart and practical decision that will allow you to enjoy your camera without putting a strain on your finances.
The ergonomics should be and is the most important aspect to consider over specifications. The way a camera feels in your hands, the placement of buttons and dials, and the weight distribution play a crucial role in how smoothly you can operate it. While having impressive specs may seem enticing, if it’s not comfortable to hold and use you won’t enjoy the process and it won’t matter about all the specs it has. Great photographers are not great because of specs or an expensive camera. It’s because they have years of experience shooting with a camera they enjoy. So, I would highly recommend prioritizing ergonomics when making a camera purchase, as it will greatly impact your overall shooting experience.
The photograph on the left is from the Canon 5d Mark ii, released in 2008. The one on the right is from the Nikon Z5, released in 2020. Both cameras are amazing but the Z5 is a big update on the Canon in terms of specs. Would you honestly have been able to tell that the left one is from a 16yr old camera?
So in summary, don’t worry so much about what the camera can and can’t do. Find one that works for you ergonomically and practice practice practice until you figure out what it is exactly that you need in a camera. What a landscape or portrait photographer needs may not be what a street photographer needs.