1. Reasons to Upgrade to a DSLR Camera
By Darren Rowse
1. Image Quality – Due to the larger size of image sensors in DSLRs which allows for larger pixel sizes – DSLRs are
generally able to be used at a faster ISO which will lead to faster shutter speeds and less grain (ie shoot at 1600 ISO
on most DSLRs will have less noise than shooting at 1600 on a Point and Shoot). DSLRs also have built in noise-
reduction when genearating JPG images which also helps cut down on noise.
2. Adaptability – DSLR’s ability to change lenses opens up a world of possibilities for photographers. While my point
and shoot has a nice little 3x Optical Zoom (and many these days have longer ones) my DSLR can be fitted with many
high quality lenses ranging from wide angle to super long focal lengths depending upon what I’m photographing (and
of course my budget). Add to this a large range of other accessories (flashes, filters etc) and a DSLR can be adapted to
many different situations. It should be noted that when it comes to lenses that the diversity in quality of lenses is great.
Image quality is impacted greatly by the quality of the lens you use.
3. Speed – DSLR’s are generally pretty fast pieces of machinery when it comes to things like start up, focusing and
shutter lag.
4. Optical Viewfinder - due to the reflex mirror DSLR’s are very much a what you see is what you get operation.
5. Large ISO range – this varies between cameras but generally DSLRs offer a wide array of ISO settings which lends
itself to their flexibility in shooting in different conditions.
6. Manual Controls – while many point and shoots come with the ability to shoot in manual mode, a DSLR is designed
in such a way that it is assumed that the photographer using it will want to control their own settings. While they do
come with good auto modes the manual controls are generally built in in such a way that they are at the photographers
finger tips as they are shooting.
7. Retaining Value – some argue that a DSLR will hold it’s value longer than a point and shoot. There is probably some
truth in this. DSLR models do not get updated quite as often as point and shoot models (which can be updated twice a
year at times). The other factor in favor of DSLRs is that the lenses you buy for them are compatible with other
camera bodies if you do choose to upgrade later on (as long as you stay with your brand). This means your investment
in lenses is not a waste over the years.
8. Depth of Field – one of the things I love about my DSLR is the versatility that it gives me in many areas, especially
depth of field. I guess this is really an extension of it’s manual controls and ability to use a variety of lenses but a
DSLR can give you depth of field that puts everything from forground to background in focus through to nice blurry
backgrounds.
9. Quality Optics – I hesitate to add this point as there is a large degree of difference in quality between DSLR lenses
but in general the lenses that you’ll find on a DSLR are superior to a point and shoot camera. DSLR lenses are larger
(more glass can add to the quality) and many of them have many hours of time put into their manufacture (especially
when you get into higher end lenses). I strongly advice DSLR buyers to buy the best quality lenses that they can
afford. It it’s the difference between a high end lens on a medium range camera or a medium range lens on a high end
camera I’d go for quality lenses every time as they add so much to photos.
Before I tackle how to buy a DSLR keep in mind that DSLRs are not for everyone. I’ve written more on the down sides of
DSLRs in a post previously which you might find helpful in deciding whether you should stick with a point and shoot or
upgrade.
Get Free Weekly Digital Camera Tips via our Newsletter
How to Decide Which DSLR Camera is for You?
So how do you decide which DSLR to buy? There are an increasing array of them on the market so you have a real choice
ahead of you.
Here are a few factors to consider when looking for a DSLR:

2. 1. Price – a good place to start when thinking about buying a DSLR is obviously price. DSLRs price range in price from some
quite affordable deals at the lower end to extremely high prices at the professional end. Set yourself a budget for your purchase
early on but make sure that you keep in mind that you’ll need to consider other costs of owning one including:
Lenses (some deals offer ‘kit lenses’ but you should consider upgrading – see below for more on this)
Batteries (all models will come with one but if you are travelling you might need a spare)
Memory Cards (some models come with one but most are inadequate in terms of size. Even if you’re lucky enough
to have one included you’ll probably want to upgrade to at least a 1 gigabyte card).
Camera Bag (some dealers will throw one in – but once again don’t expect a high quality ‘free’ bag. Your DSLR is
something worth protecting – invest in a good bag)
Filters (at the least you’ll want to get a UV filter for each lens you purchase – but you might also want to consider
other types down the track also).
Extended Warrantees (there’s a variety of opinions on whether they’re good or not – but they’re worth considering)
2. What will You use it For? – when you head into a camera store to purchase any type of question the first thing most sales
people will ask you what type of photography you want to do. It is well worth asking yourself this question up front as it will
help you think through the type of features and accessories you’ll need.
Will this be a general purpose camera for recording ‘life’? Are you wanting to travel with the camera? Is it for sports
photography? Macro Photography? Low Light Photography? Make a realistic list of the type of photography you will use it for
(note I said ‘realistic’ – it’s easy to dream of all kinds of things you’ll photograph – but in reality most of us only do half what
we think we will).
3. Size – DSLRs are all more sizeable than compact point and shoot cameras but there is a fair bit of variation in size between
them also. Some photographers don’t mind carrying around weighty gear but if you’re going to use it for on the go
photography (travel, bushwalking etc) then small and light models can be very handy.
4. Previous Gear - the attractive thing about DSLRs is that in many cases they are compatible with some of the gear you might
already have.
This is particularly the case for lenses. The chances are that if you have a film SLR that your lenses might well be
compatible with a DSLR made by the same manufacturer. Don’t assume that all lenses will be compatible
(particularly older gear) but it’s well worth asking the question as it could save you considerable money.
If you have a point and shoot camera you might also want to look at the type of memory card that it takes as some
models of DSLRs could also be compatible with them. This probably won’t be a major consideration as memory cards
are considerably cheaper than they used to be but it could be a factor to consider.
5. Resolution – ‘how many megapixels does it have’ is a question that is often one of the first to be asked about a new camera.
While I think ‘megapixels’ are sometimes over emphasised (more is not always best) it is a question to consider as DSLRs
come with a wide range of megapixel ratings. Megapixels come into play as you consider how you’ll use your images. If
you’re looking to print enlargements then more can be good – if you’re just going to print in small sizes or use them for e-
mailing friends then it’s not so crucial.
6. Sensor Size – Another related question to consider is how big the image sensor is. The term ‘crop factor’ comes up when
you talk about image sensor size – I’ll upack this further in a future article as it’s perhaps a little complicated for the scope of
this one. In general a larger sensor has some advantages over a smaller one (although there are costs too). But I’ll unpack this
in a future post (stay tuned).
7. Future Upgrades - will you be in a position to upgrade your camera again in the foreseeable future? While entry level
DSLRs are attractively priced they tend to date more quickly than higher end models and you run the risk of growing out of
them as your expertise grows and you thirst for more professional features. Ask yourself some questions about your current
level of expertise in photography and whether you’re the type of person who learns how to master something and then wants to
go to a higher model that gives you more control and features. It’s a difficult question but you might find it’s worthwhile to pay
a little more in the short term for a model that you can grow into.

3. 8. Other Features
Most DSLRs have a large array of features that will probably overwhelm and confuse you at first as you compare them with
one another. All have basic features like the ability to use aperture and shutter priority, auto or manual focus etc but there’s also
a lot of variation in what is or isn’t offered. Here are some of the more common features that you might want to consider:
Burst Mode – the ability to shoot a burst of images quickly by just holding down the shutter release – great for sports
and action photography. DSLRs vary both in the number of frames that they can shoot per second as well as how
many images they can shoot in a single burst.
Maximum Shutter Speed – most DSLRs will have a decent range of speeds available to you but some will have
some pretty impressive top speeds which will be very useful if you’re into sports or action photography.
ISO Ratings - Similarly, most DSLRs will offer a good range of ISO settings but some take it to the next level which
is useful in low light photography.
LCD Size – It’s amazing how much difference half an inch can make when viewing images on your cameras LCD. I
noticed this recently when testing a camera with a 2.5 inch screen after using my own 1.8 inch one. While it might not
change the way you shoot photos (people tend to use viewfinders at this level to frame shots) it certainly can be nice
to view your shots on a larger screen.
Anti Shake – in the past few weeks a range of new DSLRs have been announced by manufacturers in the lead up to
the Christmas rush. One of the features that is featuring more and more in them is anti shake technology. While it’s
been common to get ‘image stabilisation’ technology in lenses the idea of it being built into camera bodies is
something that is attractive.
Dust Protection – another feature that has started appearing in the latest round of cameras is image sensor dust
protection (and in some cases self cleaning for image sensors) – something that will help alleviate a lot of frustration
that many DSLR photographers have. To this point this is a feature that is mainly on lower end DSLRs but it’s bound
to appear on new professional models also.
Connectivity – Getting photos out of your DSLR and into a computer or printer generally happens these days via
USB but some people like FireWire and/or Wireless.
Semi-Auto Modes – As with point and shoot cameras – many DSLRs (especially lower end ones) come with an array
of shooting modes. These generally include ‘portrait’, ‘sports’, ‘night’ etc. If you rely upon these modes on your point
and shoot you may well use them on your DSLR too. Higher end DSLRs often don’t have them.
Flash – Generally professional grade DSLRs don’t offer built in flash and just have a hotshoe while entry level
DSLRs include a built in flash.