Notice: Undefined index: brand_slug in /home/whirlwire/public_html/core/php/vmis_compare.php on line 248
Notice: Undefined index: product_slug in /home/whirlwire/public_html/core/php/vmis_compare.php on line 248
Notice: Undefined index: brand_slug in /home/whirlwire/public_html/core/php/vmis_compare.php on line 248
Notice: Undefined index: product_slug in /home/whirlwire/public_html/core/php/vmis_compare.php on line 248
Notice: Undefined index: brand_slug in /home/whirlwire/public_html/core/php/vmis_compare.php on line 248
Notice: Undefined index: product_slug in /home/whirlwire/public_html/core/php/vmis_compare.php on line 248
Notice: Undefined index: brand_slug in /home/whirlwire/public_html/core/php/vmis_compare.php on line 248
Notice: Undefined index: product_slug in /home/whirlwire/public_html/core/php/vmis_compare.php on line 248
So it's time to step up from the camera phone to something that is more powerful and with full creative control over the photos you want. DSLRs are much more powerful than camera phones as they are equipped with a larger imaging sensor which allows better low light compatibility and higher image quality.
All DSLR cameras give you the power to
control the scene, whether it be the shutter speed so you can freeze
your subject or that beautiful background bokeh that makes your
images stand out. The good news is that even with the cheapest DSLR
on the market you can accomplish these tasks with ease.
ISO
The major features that you should be looking for are ISO, sensor size and of course real reviews from people who actually own the camera. ISO range for an entry level DSLR really dictates how well the imaging sensor performs, even in bright well lit areas. The ISO range of the Canon 1100D (Rebel T3) is the standard 100 ISO to only 6400, which indicates the fall off of image quality would start around 1600 ISO whereas the Nikon D3200 and Sony Alpha SLT-A37 which are limited to 25,600 ISO which image quality begin to decay around 3200 ISO but still useable up until 6400 ISO and beyond.
Sensor Size
The best entry level cameras are all crop body digital SLRs, which means they do not use a 35mm sized sensor, rather a smaller sized sensor that are commonly around the 23mm x 15.5mm size. However this isn't a bad thing when compared to a mobile phone's camera sensor size they're up to 3 times larger, which means much better low light compatibility as the larger sensor can capture more light and overall higher image quality due to the extra size.
Battery Life
Battery life on DSLRs are much higher
than camera phones and point and shoot style cameras, because they're
larger in size it allows the manufacturers to increase the battery
capacity. The recommended cameras in this comparison article all have
around 500 shot minimum from the standard charged battery. You can
extend the life by not using the rear LCD as often and limiting the
use of the flash, as with any camera.
Budget digital SLR camera index list
Products | Canon EOS 1100D | Nikon D3200 | Sony Alpha SLT-A37 | Pentax K30 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Prices |
|
|
|
|
Whirlwire Rating | 6292 | 12595 | 7285 | 12543 |
Video Features | ||||
Format | MP4 | MP4 |
| MJPEG |
Microphone | Stereo | Stereo | Mono | |
Resolutions |
|
|
|
|
Speaker | N/A | Mono | N/A | |
External mic input | N/A | N/A | ||
Storage | ||||
Storage Slot |
| SD |
|
|
Storage Slot Amount | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Sensor | ||||
Max Resolution | 4272 x 2848 | 6016 x 4000 | 4912 x 3264 | 4288 x 2848 |
Other Resolutions |
| 4512 x 3000 |
|
|
Image Ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
| 3:2 |
Megapixels | 12.2 | 24.2 | 16.1 | 16.3 |
Size | APS-C (22.2 x 14.8 mm) | APS-C (23.2 x 15.4 mm) | APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) | APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) |
Type | CMOS | CMOS | CMOS | CMOS |
Processor | Digic 4 | EXPEED 3 | N/A | Prime II |
Screen / Viewfinder | ||||
Screen Size | 2.7 | 3.0 | 2.6 | 3.0 |
Screen Pixels | 230,000 | 921,000 | 230,400 | 921,000 |
Screen Type | TFT color LCD | TFT LCD with 160° viewing angle | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Live View | ||||
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 95% | 100% | 96% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.8x | 0.8x | 1.09 | 0.85 |
Articulated LCD | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Viewfinder resolution | N/A | N/A | 1,440,000 | N/A |
Physical | ||||
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Model | Lithium-Ion LP-E10 | Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 | NP-Fw50 battery | Lithium-Ion D-LI109 |
Battery Life (shots) | 700 | 540 | 500 | 470 |
Weight (grams) | 495 | 505 | 506 | 598 |
Dimensions | 130 x 100 x 78 mm | 125 x 96 x 77 mm | 124 x 92 x 85 mm | 125 x 97 x 68 mm |
Optics & Focus | ||||
Autofocus |
|
|
|
|
Manual Focus | ||||
Number of Focus Points | 9 | 11 | 15 | 11 |
Lens Mount | Canon EF mount | Nikon F mount | Sony/Minolta Alpha | Pentax KAF2 |
Crop | 1.6x | 1.5x | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Image | ||||
ISO Range | 100-6400 | 100-12800 | 100-25600 | 200-12800 |
ISO Minimum | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
ISO Maximum | 6,400 | 12,800 | 25,600 | 25,600 |
White Balance Presets | 6 | 12 | 6 | 10 |
Custom White Balance | ||||
Uncompressed Format | RAW | RAW | RAW | RAW |
JPEG Quality Levels |
| Fine |
|
|
File Format | MP4 | NEF | N/A | RAW |
Image Stabilisation | N/A | N/A | ||
Features | ||||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec | 30 sec | 30 sec | 30 sec |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec | 1/4000 sec | 1/4000 sec | 1/6000 sec |
Aperture Priority | ||||
Shutter Priority | ||||
Manual Exposure Mode | ||||
Built-in Flash | ||||
Flash Range (M) | 9.2 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 |
External Flash | ||||
Flash Modes |
| N/A |
|
|
Flash X Sync Speed | 1/200 sec | N/A | 1/200 sec | 1/180 sec |
FPS | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
Self-timer | ||||
Metering Modes |
| N/A |
|
|
Exposure Compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV-1/2 EV steps) | ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) | ±3 (at 1/3 EV steps) | ±3 (at 1/3 EV - 1/2 EV steps) |
AE Bracketing | ±2 (3 frames at 1/3 EV-1/2 EV steps) | N/A | 3 frames at 1/3 EV - 2/3 EV step | |
WB Bracketing | N/A | N/A | ||
Orientation Sensor | ||||
Timelapse Recording | N/A | N/A | ||
GPS | N/A | Optional | N/A | Optional |
Exposure Modes | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Scene Modes | N/A | N/A | N/A |
|
Connectivity | ||||
USB | ||||
HDMI | N/A | |||
Wireless | Optional | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Remote Control | Optional | |||
Body Type | ||||
Body Type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |