CNET.com.au's digital SLR superguide

Choosing a dSLR

There's a reason why professionals all over the world prefer to work with digital SLR cameras — they're accurate, reliable, adaptable to different types of photography and, most importantly, what you see is what you get in terms of composition and framing.

Advances in technology and decreasing prices now mean that dSLR cameras are no longer the tools of professionals alone as more and more people are able to afford them. However, without prior consideration and know-how, a dSLR in untrained hands is like a racing car in the hands of a regular driver. Sure you can use the racing car for everyday use, such as grocery shopping or ferrying the kids to school, but without knowing how to bring out the potential of all that horsepower, the racing car is just a very expensive toy — it might not even work all that well for everyday usage.

Before you consider getting a dSLR, there are several factors to think about:

• What is your dSLR budget, including all the accessories and lenses you might need?
• What type of photography will you most likely be pursuing?
• What are the subjects you'd like to photograph?
• Do you know what to expect?

These are the first questions that you need to ask yourself before you set out for the shops.