When it comes to photography, your phone camera may suffice, but there's a lot of potential for cutting-edge versatility in your equipment. If you're looking to take it to the next level and invest in a DSLR or mirrorless camera, spending on quality lenses can also be a wise decision. But if you're on the fence about what will suit you best, here are some of the most important things to look for when shopping for gear that'll fit your needs.
1. 8 - 10 Megapixels and Beyond
You don't have to look very far to find a point-and-shoot camera with a 10MP sensor, but when you're looking at DSLRs and mirrorless models, you'll see that 8MP is the standard. Manufacturers typically try to pack more pixels into their sensors, so this is the most common starting point. However, if you want maximum quality for large-scale printing, something higher than 8MP might be needed.
2. Minimum Lens Aperture of f/3.5
The lowest f-stop setting on your lens will determine how much light can reach the sensor in a given scene, and a lower f-stop number is better. A large range of f-stops is important, too – the more nuanced sharpening you can have from your lens, the better.
3. Minimum Auto Focus Distance of 50cm
This is a rather small amount of distance to begin with, but it's crucial when taking full advantage of auto-focus. Typically, you'll have to look at the lens' focus range to see exactly what your camera will do in any particular case. But these figures can vary a bit, so always check your manual and make sure that you're well within the capabilities of your equipment before you step out into the world with it.
4. Maximum Aperture Range of f/1.4 – f/2.8
Preferably, you'll want to have the full range of maximum apertures of your camera lens. There's nothing more frustrating than not having to grab that perfect shot because you don't have adequate equipment for it. It's always better to be safe than sorry, so set aside the extra cash to get the most out of your camera equipment and search accordingly in order to find what suits your needs.
5. Steady Hands
A higher level of responsiveness in the camera itself will come as a result of a fast lens and steady hands. But if your hands are shaky, you'll just be looking for trouble when you're trying to capture the perfect shot. Always make sure that you're working with steady hands before your attempt at capture any image!
6. Tripod and Tripod Mount if needed
A DSLR or mirrorless will often have an integrated tripod mount, but if it doesn't then a tripod will be needed in order to use your camera for landscape shots or anything else for which a tripod is necessary. Having one mounted to the top of the camera is handy for those birds-eye views where you want to capture depth.
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Photography is a hobby almost anyone can make a career if taken seriously. I'm taking online classes rn, and practicing indoors bc of the pandemic.