How To Be A Travel Photographer - Choosing a Camera Part 1

So, you want to be a travel photographer? But first you need to buy camera. But, which camera do you buy? Hopefully we can help you with this dilemma. There are many things to consider when buying a new camera. Some of things to consider is the price, flexibility, feel, and just plain old do I like it. Let’s see if we can help you with these decisions.

Let’s first take a look at the three different types of cameras you can purchase. The three main kind of cameras you can purchase are a point-and-shoot, DSLRs and mirror-less systems. We are first going tp look at what each of them have as benefits and as drawbacks. Let us start with the point-and-shoot.

Point-and-Shoot

So what is a point-and-shoot? What kind of obvious what it is from the name. You point and you shoot. It is one of the easiest cameras to use. So why go for point-and-shoot? Well some of the benefits of a point-and-shoot happen to be that they are really compact, low in cost and very easy to use. There are some drawbacks to using a point-and-shoot as well. One of the drawbacks is that they have low image quality, especially when it comes to lowlight situations. The majority of point-and-shoot cameras miss a lot of the manual control features that allow the shooter to override the settings to create great effects with your camera. Another drawback of a point-and-shoot cameras is the lack to interchange lenses which takes away from the versatility of using the right lens for the right distance/lighting/environment. Point-and-shoot camera is perfect for someone who wants to travel and take snapshots, but not so great for someone who wants to become a travel photographer.

DSLR Pros

What most photographers tend to use is a DSLR. Some of the most common DSLRs are made by Canon and Nikon but are not the only ones to choose from. Some of the benefits of a DSLR are manual controls overrides to help create effects with your camera. Like long exposure blurs or freeze framing fast action. DSLRs use a mirror that show the photographer what the camera sees when looking through the viewfinder. The benefit is so that you can look through lens and see what the camera will take a picture of. A DSLR has interchangeable lenses so that you can have the right lens for the right situation you are in. There are a lot of accessories and add-ons that work with DSLR cameras which expand what can be done with the camera. This includes flashes for lighting, timing release cables for time lapses and a bunch of others.

DSLR Cons

So what are some of the drawbacks of the DSLR camera? Well, if a lot of professionals are using it, then they must be expensive. And that is true. Now you can get an introductory DSLR for a good price. But as you want to get more features, the price starts to jump off a bit more. The DSLR can range anywhere from US $500 to $7000. DSLRs are also very heavy, due to the pentaprism and mirror. As you start adding on more extensive zoom lens it adds even more weight to the camera. Some lenses are heavier than the actual camera itself to the point where you have start lifting weights just to carry the lens. Lastly the biggest drawback of DSL are is the learning curve to understand the many buttons and dials. This can be intimidating to some people.

Mirror-less Pros

Let’s take a look at the last kind of camera. The last kind of camera is a growing fad in photography currently. This kind of camera is called a mirror-less camera. It is a cross between a point-and-shoot at the DSLR. About a year ago I switched to a mirror-less system. It works for what I like to do but it may not be for everyone. Let us take a look at the benefits. Like a DSLR, A mirror-less system uses interchangeable lenses. This means you can use the lens for the right situation that you need to capture the distance/light/effect. Unlike DSLRs, mirror-less systems are lights in weight; almost as light as some point and shoots. Mirroless systems are definitely not as heavy as its brother the DSLR. Mirror-less systems are a lot cheaper compared to DSLR costs. The get as low as the average point-and-shoot in price. Lenses are a lot cheaper for a mirror-less system since there is less glass that needs to be designed in the lens. And like DSLR there are many accessories you can get to help you get the desired effect for what you need, but not nearly as many accessories as an actual DSLR.

Mirror-less Cons

So what are some of the drawbacks of a mirror-less system? Some of the drawbacks is the crop factor. The crop factor is from a smaller sensor causing a lens to zoom in more compared to a Full Frame DSLR camera. This can be a benefit as it allows you to zoom in a lot but a drawback if you are shooting for wide-angle tight areas or landscapes. The other drawback to mirror-less systems are a greater depth of field, this creates less of a bokeh affect and also blurs out less of the background. Lastly, the viewfinder of a mirror-less system is a digital viewfinder. The drawback of this is getting used to a digital viewfinder versus an optical viewfinder that the human eye is used to. Another drawback of the digital viewfinder is that it eats up a more battery.

A Breakdown

So now we know the strengths of the point-and-shoot, DSLR and the mirror-less system. Let’s take a look at the breakdown of those again. Below is a chart to help you out.

Your Decision?

So here is the first decision to make. Which system will you go with? What will be best for your situation? Whether is a budget something to worry about? Perhaps being weighed down in something to consider? Perhaps you do not even want to learn to use the camera in general? What ever you choose I am sure it will be the perfect for you. Check out part 2 for more tips.

Have any questions? Ask me. Leave a comment below, send me a tweet on twitter using #PTCamSys, or post on my facebook. Heck even send us a message. Let me know if you have more questions. Happy travels.

Erick Redcloud

A partially blind Graphic Designer, Freelance Travel Photographer, Artist, Buddhist and Vegetarian who loves to travel. Erick loves traveling by being with the locals and going off the beaten path. He is the founder and owner of Pathlesstravels and loves inspiring others to follow their dreams, whether it is to travel or something completely different. He started Pathlesstravels to hone is photography skills and to meet amazing people, and to help a friend break into journalism. Check out his photography at his link.

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