A DSLR is the perfect camera for any getaway
(Photo courtesy of Bromley Jones, IT Partner)
Off on a late summer holiday or early autumn break? Wherever you go, I would always recommend taking a great camera with you. You’ll often pass somebody or something and think, “Wow, that would make a great picture!”. The world is full of stunning, sweeping landscapes and charismatic portraits. But the question is, which camera to take? Something small, easy and practical, or something larger with more manual control? Well, how about a camera with all these qualities for your getaway?
A DSLR has the best of both worlds. At first glance they might seem a bit complicated and scary with all the additional buttons, wheels and functions, but I assure you that once you get the camera in your hands, you’ll be shooting like the next David Bailey!
Manual control is something that can be taught by reading books or taking classes, but I would recommend playing with the functions that a DSLR offers and learning at your own pace. Don't forget that all DSLR cameras feature automatic setting modes to get you started. Cameras like the Olympus E-PL1 are designed with the beginner in mind, but certainly won't restrict your learning in the future. And of course, the beauty of digital photography means that if you’re not happy with a picture you’ve taken, you can simply delete it from your memory card and take it again, with no development costs to worry about.
Although DSLRs are bigger then their compact counterparts, they are deceivingly light and very comfortable to hold - perfect for when you’re sightseeing! A great example of this is the Panasonic G2 which is super-compact and light.
The primary benefits of a camera of this type become apparent when you print your first image. Firstly, the quality of the image sensor in a DSLR camera compared to a compact is much greater, which will result in much sharper images with deeper, richer colour.
Secondly, the response time of these cameras is almost instantaneous. On a compact camera there will always be a small delay between pressing the shutter button and taking the image, whereas on a DSLR the image is taken as soon as you touch the button. No more missed opportunities while you're enjoying your time away from it all.
Another benefit of a camera of this type is that most still have a viewfinder as well as a LCD screen. An LCD screen is great for reviewing the images you’ve taken on the fly and for controlling certain menu functions, and they’re much higher quality than yesteryear, but it can be difficult to compose an image in certain light conditions, especially in the late summer sun.
A viewfinder eliminates this problem immediately by allowing you to look ‘through the lens’ - something compact digital cameras now lack. And many of the newer DSLR cameras, like the Canon EOS 550D, also record video in High Definition as well as take still images, so you can leave your camcorder at home and really travel light!
We carry a wide arange of DSLR cameras at John Lewis, so we’re sure to have something for you, whether you’re a keen amateur photographer or a seasoned enthusiast. And if you’re on a budget there’s still lots of options - Our DSLRs start from under £350, just like this great Nikon D3000.
As you become more confident about your photography skills and your camera, remember that we stock a large range of lenses and additional accessories which will allow you to truly master your new found art.
As well as purchasing an all-important memory card, it’s also worth investing in a case to protect your new equipment, as well as keeping it dry - some cases, such as selected lines in our Lowepro range, are weather resistant.
Partners in our shops are not only fully trained on all the cameras we sell in-store and on john Lewis.com, but many of us are passionate about photography too so please don’t hesitate to ask us how to get the very best from your new camera. And if you take something truly magical on one of our cameras, bring it in to show us... we’d love to see it!
