This article is for the person upgrading to a digital SLR (single lens reflex, commonly known by it’s acronym, DSLR). It assumes you’re the one who’s purchasing the DSLR, and the one who’ll use it. This article may also represent a decent gift giving guide.

How to Choose a DSLR

It depends! You didn’t want to hear that. But the type of DSLR you select will hinge on a few key factors:

1. What kind of photographer do you aspire to be? Casual; carry it with you all of the time; may like to go pro at some point? This will factor into the buyer’s equation and affect the choice you should be making.
2. What’s your budget? Like so many other hobbies, photography can get really expensive, really quickly. Do you want to go entry-level, serious enthusiast level, pro gear? Sky’s the limit, of course.
3. What kind of lenses can you afford? Let’s not beat around the bush. Lenses are arguably the single most important component of photography gear. Decide whether you’re going to stick with the kit lens, upgrade to a better quality lens, or purchase a series of lenses for different shooting requirements (wide angle, telephoto, super telephoto, etc.).
4. Are you willing to buy used photography equipment? Buying photography gear is like any many other purchases. If you’re willing to buy used stuff you’ll save a  lot of money. There’s a compromise, and some added risk. But the good news is there’s not a whole lot of compromise, and there are a few easy ways you can mitigate the added risk (buy from a reputable used camera equipment source, like B&H Photo).

Who Are You?

If you’re like most people considering the purchase of a DSLR, you’re a casual shutterbug, a hobbyist. But you’ve decided to kick it up a few notches and crave the added quality you know you’ll get from a digital SLR camera. But there are different levels of you “casual” photographers. So on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being most serious (aspirations of going pro) and 1 being least serious (keeping it all casual), rate your seriousness factor. Are you a 1, 2, 3, 4, or a 5?

Are You Rich?

Because you’ll need to be if you’re going to get outfitted with the gear a pro totes around. You know that. That’s no surprise to you, right? I hope not! But much like the seriousness factor, described above, there are varying degrees of how much one can invest in camera equipment. Whatever the story, there’s also a budget factor. And it’s not necessarily a coefficient of wealth. Whatever your story… rate your frugality. On a scale of 1-5, with 1 indicating minimal budget and 5 large budget (buy once, cry once mind set).

Find yourself on this graph…

• Circle A is a person who scored 4 (high) on the seriousness scale and 5 (high) on the budget scale. This person would probably be best suited to purchase new photo gear and is definitely a “prosumer” and maybe a pro, or at least has aspirations of operating like a pro.
• Circle B is a person who scored 3 (moderate) on the seriousness factor and 4 (high) on the budget scale. This person should get a mid-level body and couple of good lenses.
• Circle C is a person who scored 3 (moderate) on budget and 1 (low) on the seriousness scale. This person should buy a normal DSLR camera body and upgrade their kit lens.

Step 1: How Bad Do You Want a Nice Body?

Are you in Circle A, in the upper right quadrant? Then you probably value a high-end camera body that will keep pace with your vigorous photography demands. Or, if you know you’ll be frequently taking your camera out into the elements you may want to invest in a higher quality body that has better weather seals. You may also want a nice body if you’re in the lower right or upper left quadrants.

But the camera body is only part of the picture. A pro camera body doesn’t guarantee “better” pictures. For example, an entry-level camera body equipped with a professional-level lens is capable of producing very high quality images. Honestly, the entry-level DSLRs have exceptional processors and sensors and are more than capable of producing exquisite digital photographic images. It’s said that the photographer—the artist behind the lens—is the one who creates the jaw-dropping photo, not the camera, or the lens. So if you’re on the fence, go for the nicer lens and hold back on the body. If you already have a camera and a kit lens, read my blog post: Ready to upgrade from your kits lens?

Do you want your body to be full-figured?

The higher-end DSLRs are equipped with full-frame sensors. Check my blog post about the difference between a full frame (FX) sensor and a cropped frame (DX) sensor. If you’re in left-hand quadrants it’s not that big of a deal.

How sensitive do you need to be? Here’s the short answer about sensors…

Full frame sensors are relatively new to the DSLR world. Most pros are going with full frame sensors because they a.) come on the highest quality cameras, and b.) pros benefit from the extra edge they get by capturing the maximum amount of frame, without a crop factor. Cropped frame (DX) sensors don’t mean you’re forced into a significant compromise in quality. In fact, they’re excellent and have some benefits over full frame (FX) sensor bodies.

If you’re in the left quadrants, invest only modestly to moderately in the camera body.

Step 2: Shell out for the best lens you can afford

Really, Step 2 ought to be Step 1. Why? Earlier in this article you read the advice about deciding on what type of photographer you aspire to be. Regardless of whether you’re going to go pro, invest in the best quality glass you can. If you’re in the left-hand quadrants I recommend buying one high quality, versatile lens (in addition to, or besides your kit lens) and renting additional lenses when you need them. I’m an advocate of renting high quality “glass” (glass is photographers’ slang for high quality lenses) for the occasions when you know you’ll be out there doing serious, no kidding around photography. The rest of the time you’re probably safe using the kit lens that comes with the camera. And you’ll save a bundle of money. You can rent a nice lens 20 times before you’ve come close to breaking even on how much you’d have to spend to purchase it outright.

You’re ready to buy your DSLR!

I hope this article has helped with your decision-making process. Read lots more, and check out D-Town TV for some inspiring videos on equipment.