It is 3 weeks ’til Christmas and I have been getting more questions lately about DSLR cameras (the ones with interchangeable lenses). Especially questions about initial purchases of these. So I thought I would answer a few of the more commonly asked ones here.

Your camera makes great photos, which one do you use? -
A good camera does not automatically make good photos. It isn’t the camera as much as it is the photographer. You can think of this in terms of cooking… An expensive, high-end oven does not make the average person into a world class chef. But a world class chef can take a mediocre oven and create awesome cuisine. But it is easier for them to do it with better, more professional equipment.
A good photographer can make great images with a mediocre or even lousy camera. However, a good camera will allow a photographer to do what they want with less headache. Most of the time you can get very close to what you want with a lesser camera but it takes a lot more effort.
There is a rule of curse words here – The better the camera, the less curse words happen while getting the camera to do what you want it to.

Should I buy a Nikon or Canon? -
Camera brands do not matter that much in the beginning with entry level cameras. They are very competitive and both companies offer very similar options for each price level. They also offer similar lenses at almost identical prices. If you are shopping at the top level for the professional models then there are some specific differences that would make one or the other a better choice, but for the majority of people just getting their first digital SLR camera, you can really go with either brand and have a great camera.

How much does a DSLR cost? -
It appears that right now the cost to purchase a new entry-level DSLR with a basic lens (called a “kit lens”) is in the range of $475 – $575 if you shop around. That will get you into a Nikon D3100 or a Canon T3i, each with a kit lens. This price will most likely not include a memory card, however you can get an 8 GIG card for under $20.
On the upper end, you can get a very nice frame Nikon or Canon in the $3000-$3500 range that will satisfy most extreme needs. These may actually be the best choice for professionals depending on their needs from the camera.
And at the top end both Canon and Nikon offer their Pro models in the $6000-$6500 range. These offer every imaginable option along with lightning fast speed and extreme durability and they are sealed from moisture so they can be used outdoors in adverse conditions.

Should I go for the largest Megapixel available? -
Megapixels are an over rated and inaccurate benchmark to use when selecting a camera whether it is a DSLR or any camera. The number of Megapixels is only a concern if you are planning to produce prints that are extremely large. All you need is about 6 MP to make a finely detailed print that is 11×14. I have seen a 6MP produce larger prints than that and they looked great, but if you looked at them with a magnifying glass, you would see where the quality broke down. But a 16×24 or 20×30 print is not something you are supposed to view from an inch or two away. Those are made for longer viewing distance in which case you would never notice the difference. At this point, I do not know of a camera that is available with a 6 Megapixel sensor. Most are above 12 MP. I have printed 20×30 prints from 12 Megapixels and they are awesome quality. So at this point you can really almost totally ignore the Megapixel rating. If it is over 6 you will be fine in most cases. If it is over 12 you should never have an issue.

If you do happen to want to print something the size of a wall and walk up to it and see fine detail, then I would suggest the new Nikon D800 which has 36.3 Megapixels for around $3000, or maybe a Hasselblad H4D-60 with a 60 Megapixel sensor for $32,995.00.

I hope that answered a few questions and maybe helped out anyone else that might be considering a DSLR soon. Feel free to ask more. I love talking about this stuff!