Photography Magazine

There is no real definition of an amateur camera, or an amateur photographer for that matter. The basic difference between an amateur photographer and a professional one is that the amateur doesn’t make money from his or her craft, while the pro makes a living out of it. For the sake of this article however, let us look at some of the lesser priced models, and the compacts and the semi-pro cameras.

Most people who buy cameras for everyday use, intend taking photographs at family get-togethers and portraits. For this purpose, a portable pocket camera that is light and easy to use is the need of the hour. The Olympus MJU series are perfect for this kind of use, are the Canon PowerShot models and the Nikon Coolpix series. As with the professional models, Nikon and Canon lead the markets with compacts as well. Olympus, Fuji and Pentax too make great digital cameras, and are usually lower priced as compared to Canon and Nikon. Casio and Panasonic make some pretty interesting models, Panasonic using Leica lenses and Casio making some very compact cameras that easily fit into a shirt pocket or a purse. All said and done though, it is only your own personal requirement that determines the kind of camera you ought to purchase. If you are completely new to photography and do not want to be bothered with things like focus, exposure and all that, we suggest a totally automatic compact camera. Some of the latest features to hit the compacts include image stabilization and face detect. Image stabilization ensures blur-free pictures even in low light conditions, and face detect ensures that the camera focuses on the subject’s face even if it is located off the center of your frame, giving you in-focus subjects at all times.  

So how about a camera for those who wish to take everyday photographs as mentioned above, but also want some creative control over the settings? Semi-professional cameras offer SLR-like features at a lower price and weight to their big sisters, the SLRs! For example, you may not be able to use interchangeable lenses, but a semi pro like the Panasonic Lumix series will give you a lens with a wide zoom range. Also, a semi pro may give you the advantage of a hot shoe, allowing you to use an external flash (on camera or studio light). And then of course, the semi pro models allow you manual override on focus, shutter speed and aperture to name a few settings. All in all, if you are a traveler who like sto take a few creative photographs on your journeys, or if you are a beginner wanting to learn the craft, a semi pro model will do you good.

Again, it is only your personal requirement that should finally decide the camera you buy. Before you go to the camera dealers, you should at least have an idea of the type of camera you want – a compact, a semi-pro model or an SLR or beyond.

Thinking of getting your self a professional camera? Well, you are reading the right article if you are, and you do not know much about the different kinds of professional cameras available on the market. Most people who are looking out for professional cameras would already have a fair amount of knowledge of them. On the other hand, you may have enrolled in a professional photography course, and want a camera you can learn the craft with as well as use it for your first assignments.

The most common professional cameras today, and the most widely-used are the Digital Single Lens Reflex (D-SLR) models. They are basically similar in design to the much-appreciate SLRs of the 70s and 80s. The basic difference between today’s D-SLRs and the SLRs of yester year is that today we use digital sensors instead of film. An SLR allows you to ‘see’ through the lens, thereby getting a first hand insight into the depth of field and composition. The most sought after D-SLRs include the Nikon and canon models. Nikon and Canon top the list of digital SLRs. In fact, Nikon’s D-700, recently launched, and also the D-90 are the talk of the town today. Canon’s EOS series is on par with Nikon, and Nikon therefore no longer can be called the sole market leader. Pentax, Olympus, Fuji and Konica Minolta are the other makers of digital SLRs. It is interesting to note that Fuji makes SLR bodies that are compatible with Nikon lenses, so if you are looking for an affordable switch from film to digital, and have a series of Nikon lenses, go for the Fuji S-Pro models (which are based on Nikon film bodies in part). Do keep your requirement in mind before you spend a lot of money on a new camera – if you are a hobbyist, you may never use some of the features such as extremely high shutter speeds, offered in the pro models. For instance, the Nikon D-40x, a 12 megapixel camera, is moderately priced, and more than adequate to learn photography with, as well as shoot your basic assignments with.

Did you know that film cameras are still not out of the race? In fact some professionals still swear by film. Digital cameras have more than matched the quality of 35mm SLRs. But what about the medium and large format films used for advertising etc? Fuji recently launched a film camera (photokina ’08), much to everyone’s surprise. This just goes to show there is still a niche market for its users. However, the users are largely made up of advertising photographers who need to make giant-size blow-ups of their images. Mamiya and Hasselblad medium format cameras have remained the favorite with such photographers, to this day. Finally, the large format – 4 by 5 inch sheet film is still the ultimate in resolution, that humanity is able to offer! Sinar rail cameras, coupled with 4 by 5 inch backs and Schneider lenses – an advertising photographer’s dream come true.

How many times do we hear of people going out to buy a camera and ending up with something too complicated, something not applicable to their use, something they cannot understand or use easily? The first thing you need to keep in mind is the fact that what is applicable to one photographer may not be the right camera to you. Ask yourself why you want the camera at all - is it for your outings with family friends and for snap shots? Is it for dedicated segments such as landscape, architectural or panoramic photography? Are you a professional photographer looking for a versatile system? Cameras have conveniently been divided into the basic divisions of compacts, prosumer level and professional cameras. Let us look at the major differences between the categories. Of course this article is aimed at the absolute novice, who does not have much of an idea about photography.

Compact cameras are generally aimed at the non-professional segment of the camera buyers. However, this by no means implies that they are substandard cameras. It does imply that these cameras may have limited applications as compared to the versatile professional cameras. Compacts have in-built flashes, generally come with their own rechargeable batteries, have fixed lenses with a certain zoom range and today have interesting features such as image stabilization. Perfect for the odd family picnic and portraits with your friends. However, compact cameras usually do not allow you too many manual controls, which means they may not be the best bet for the creative minded. It is also true that compacts are able to deliver excellent pictures within their limited abilities.

SLRs are single lens reflect cameras, and have remained the favorite with photojournalists since the seventies when they became more popular than TLRs. SLR cameras have removable lenses, which make them versatile tools - you can use a different lens for every different type of photography. Maybe a wide angle for your interiors and landscapes, a 150mm for your portraiture, and a 500mm for sports photography. However, the ‘Dont use canon to kill mosquito’ philosophy is most applicable if you do NOT know much about photography and buy your self an expensive SLR simply because you believe the more money you shell out, the better the product you get. That may be true, but not of much use if you do not know how to use one, and neither wish to learn.

Prosumer cameras are rightly called semi-professional cameras as well. They generally have all the manual controls that you could ask for, have an SLR-like appearance but do not allow interchangeable lenses. However, some of them have such a wide range on the in built zoom lens, that you would probably never require to change lenses for most photographic applications. You do not spend money on extra lenses, and you never have a problem with dust getting in to harm the sensor. Such cameras are often used by upcoming photographers and students of the subject.