You’ve finally decided to get a real camera! That means the smartphone camera doesn’t satisfy your creativeness anymore. Well, it’s about time! Limiting yourself with equipment when you can do more is just a waste of your skills and talents. If you’re into photography like Michael Will, then, by all means, invest in equipment that’ll bring out the best in your photos.

Here are five tips and tricks when buying your first camera.

1. Know Your Camera

There are many types of camera you can choose from depending on your use and preference.

• Point-and-Shoot – If you’re just interested in standard non-fancy photos for daily use, then point-and-shoot cameras can do the trick. They’re small and lightweight cameras that you can take anywhere you go. They have built-in lenses that are not detachable and interchangeable.
• DSLR – If you’re into serious photography, either as a hobbyist or gearing toward being a professional, the DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) and the mirrorless cameras are what you’re looking for.

The difference between the DSLR and mirrorless cameras are the size of both the body and the sensor – the mirrorless one being smaller and lighter. They both have detachable and interchangeable lenses, and you can choose from a wide variety of quality lenses that are available on the market for better images. Use this guide to starting a photography business if you’re going in that direction.

• Action Cam – If you’re an adventurer and like to take photos in action, consider action cameras. They are compact but powerful cameras that you can mount to almost anything. You can take clear pictures and videos while jumping off an airplane or scuba diving. They are great for videos, time lapses, and aerial shots using a drone. Action cams have a decent amount of features, but it can’t replace a real camera for still images.

2.    Look for the Manual Mode

A camera with a manual mode lets you take full control over how you want your photos to come out, unlike the automatic cameras that automatically set the ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. The more you have control over these settings, the more you have the experience on how each parameter affects the image and how they turn out. This will make you even more skilled with your photography. If you’re used to the automatic mode, that’s fine; most photographers started out using auto mode. However, you may want to up your game and manually adjust your camera to your liking.

The manual mode is found on the mode dial and is usually labeled as “M.”  Almost all DSLR cameras have a manual mode. However, if you’re interested in a point-to-shoot camera, look for one that has a manual mode, although only a few models may have it.

3. Check the Ergonomics

Your camera will be your best friend, so it’s crucial that you get along. It’s quite challenging to use something that you’re not comfortable with, so make sure you test the camera and check how it feels in your hands.

• Size – See if your fingers can easily reach every button. Hold it up to your face and do trial shots. Does it feel like you’re holding a camera or a shoe box? If you think it’s too large for you, look for another brand or model.
• Weight – Most cameras of the same kind have almost the same weight. The question is, is it okay with you to carry around a heavy camera? Is it worth it for the type of photography you will be doing? If you’re hiking or mountain climbing a lot, it could be a burden carrying a heavy camera around your neck. Consider a nice zoomable point-and-shoot camera if you can’t handle the weight of a DSLR, or you can go for the mirrorless camera that’s lighter and smaller but comes with a heftier price.

4.    Check Out Additional Features

Some cameras have a ton of cool features, but you may soon realize that they’re quite useless for you. Features are what make any equipment expensive. The more features, the more money you have to spend, so make sure that you spend on cameras that only have the features that you’ll need.

Some common features are:

• GPS – For geotagging or keeping track of where the photo was captured; good for travelers.
• WiFi Capability – Wireless Internet connectivity to make uploading photos fast an easy.
• Frames Per Second – Refers to the number of photos that can be taken within a second; great for taking action photos.
• Viewfinder – Lets you see the actual outcome of your photo just like the LCD screen for mirrorless or point-and-shoot cameras.
• Automatic Sensor Cleaning – Automatically dusts the sensor through ultrasonic vibrations.
• Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) – The little display screen on the camera; the higher the resolution, the better you’ll see the image you’ve taken.
• Image Stabilization – Reduces blurriness when taking photos in action.
• Pano (Panoramic) Mode – Let’s you take photos of an entire scenery with a single shot.

5.    The Brand Doesn’t Matter

When shopping for a camera, don’t stress yourself too much over what brand to choose. Spend your time looking at the features and the ergonomics because the brands have already proven themselves in the industry. What will matter more is how you as a photographer will use the camera. Your deciding factor should be the feel of the camera in your hands and your use for it.

Final Thoughts

It takes skills and passion to produce high-quality photographs. You may want to take courses to be able to enhance your photography skills, take plenty of photographs to apply the techniques you’ve learned, and, last but definitely not the least, invest in a good-quality camera.