Lessons Learned from Buying Our First dSLR Camera

Our digital camera buying decision was simply done by trimming our choices into one category - that which fits our budget limits, plus the consideration that we are newbies in this moments-capturing hobby.

According to the photography mentor of a friend, the ideal dSLR camera for photography beginners are either Nikon D60 and Canon EOS 450D. Some say that if you want durability, go for Nikon; if you want quality shots, go for Canon. With this, we decided to buy Nikon D60, not just because it would save us a few thousand pesos, but also because of the attested durability. This trait is very important for us photography beginners because we would be experimentally tinkering the new digital camera. At least it can hopefully withstand our experimental errors.

But when we were actually in the camera shop already, the shop owner, sensing that we are photography newbies, sweet-talked us to buy the Canon EOS 1000D instead, a model which we did not know about until then. He emphasized the Canon EOS 1000D's Live View feature and offered us freebies and a not-so-attractive camera bag but we took his deal anyway. This is where the importance of really knowing what you want, knowing your camera preferences, and studying the different digital camera models in advance (by reading many reviews by expert photographers) before making the purchase. It would also be helpful if you can windowshop and check the actual dSLR cameras first before buying. But in our case, it was our first time to visit that camera shop. It is not located in accessible malls. We really set aside time to go there because the price difference between mall shops and the shops there is really substancial. (In my next post I will narrate our experience in going there.)

When we left the camera shop, we were in a quandary as to the judiciousness of our camera purchase. First, we were overwhelmed by our first ever dSLR, being used to the camera phone and compact digital camera. I found it monstrously huge and heavy, hehe, really showing my greenhorn exposure to this hobby. We were doubting if such a camera was what we really needed. This is where the importance of knowing your purpose and needs for buying a digital camera comes in. We were really not so clear as to what level of photography we want to expose ourselves.
As I have said in one of my previous posts, "know thyself, then know thy camera."

Then we were also bugged by the idea that we were just sweet-talked. But Mr. Owner looked sincere. Anyhow, after resolving our photography goal issues, and reading favorable reviews, we have become quiet satisfied with our digital camera acquisition. Afterall, we have no set standards to benchmark the new dSLR with. The good thing is that we became even more resolved to begin dSLR photography seriously. This blog helps me note down things I learned along the photography highway, including this digital camera buying experience.

My learning and notes-taking continue with my succeeding posts. And I hope you also continue learning and following my virtual notes in photography...

Zooming in on a DSLR Camera for Beginners: Nikon D60

Nikon D60: A photography beginner's dSLR camera

As you may already know, I am just a photography newbie just like you and my experience with my new digital camera is still in the introduction pages. This makes me definitely not an authority to review a camera or a photo. For this reason, I am borrowing the reviews by LetsGoDigital for the two digital cameras for photography beginners that we considered buying - the Nikon D60 and the Canon EOS 1000D. This post will cover LetsGoDigital's review on Nikon D60. The next post will touch on the Canon EOS 1000D.

Nikon D60 Conclusion

Nikon D60 digital SLR camera
The Nikon D60 in fact does not surprise us. It just comes down to Nikon having kept the successful concept of the D40 / D40x and where possible improved it or added the latest innovations. And that concept consists of a solid base proven by the popularity of the aforementioned models. Whether Nikon will be as successful with the D60 as with the other models will not depend on the quality, for the quality is excellent. It will depend more on the answer of the competition to this winning concept. Will there be an attack on the price, or will the competition be able to equip their entry-level model with even more features? While working on this review, Canon introduced the EOS 450D and my first impression is that the battle for the most successful entry-level model is an ongoing one.

Nikon D60 SLR - 10 Megapixel resolution
The resolution of ten Megapixels is standard nowadays for an entry-level DSLR camera. You can do virtually everything, from editing the picture to making an ultra-large sized print; it doesn't matter with a resolution of this size. And if you work with 10 or 12 Megapixels it will hardly or not at all influence the end result. The standard resolution of 1600 ISO with the possibility of compensating one stop to 3200 ISO is convincing and useful for many situations. The noise level is excellent and adds to the overall image quality.

Nikon D60 dSLR - Straightforward operation
The straightforward operation and the well thought-out structure of the menu make the Nikon D60 a very pleasant entry-level model with every DSLR-functionality but with the ease of use of a compact camera. The graphic interface is enjoyable and offers a perfect overview of what you are actually doing. Moreover it is a good tutorial for learning more and to be able to anticipate on shooting indoors and outdoors. The built-in HELP function is the icing on the cake. Straightforward and easy, a successful combination.

Nikon D60 - Superb image quality
The image quality of the Nikon D60 is superb, not needing any comments. The concept was already successful and has been enhanced with various nice options and functions. The integration of an anti-dust system is one of these enrichments and prevents dust particles to get onto the picture. The camera performs excellently on all fronts. Still I am not convinced Nikon showed the ultimate entry-level DSLR with the D60. I can picture sufficient possibilities to enhance the functionality of this concept; such as more intelligent software, Live View, a larger size LCD monitor and more.

Nikon D60 - Excellent price / quality ratio
The quality is superb and being a photographer this can only make you happy. The price could also be a strong plus. At the moment of this review, the price is 100 Euros less than that of the biggest competitor, the EOS 450D. Apart from quality, price will also play a big role in your decision as to which camera to buy. In my opinion the Nikon D60 is absolutely a recommendable camera. The facts prove it; convincing image quality, a great deal of user's ease and an excellent price/quality ratio. I think it makes the D60 a highly attractive combination.

To read more about the storage capacity and performance on RAWformats of Nikon D60, please click here...