Congratulations! You have decided to take the leap into the wonderful world of photography. Whether you want to photograph your kids, take shots while on vacation, or become the next Annie Liebowitz, you realize that you need a camera. As you go to your local camera store, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and search the internet you realize that you have many different choices.  These choices range from buying a Point and Shoot to a DSLR, choosing from brand names like Canon or Nikon, and many other different choices. This can get confusing. What I am going to do is clear up a lot of the confusion beginner's face while choosing a camera.

            One of the biggest and most important choices in a camera is what type of camera you want to buy. The choice you have is between a Point and Shoot camera versus a DSLR. A point and shoot camera is pretty self explanatory. It is also called a compact camera. With a point and shoot you have automatic settings for exposure, built in focus free lenses, and automatic focusing. They are for people who don't consider themselves photographers, but people who just want to take simple shots. If this is you, read no further. If you want to learn about photography and get your feet wet in producing the best images possible, you want a DSLR.

            What is a DSLR? DSLR stands for a Digital Single Lens Reflex. In the reflex design the light travels through the lens to an alternating mirror and hits the sensor to capture the image. This gives the photographer a wider range of flexibility since the sensor in a DSLR is bigger than a point and shoots giving you better photos. Although some current point and shoot models have manual settings in them many don't. The DSLR has manual settings where you have control over the image rather than the camera when it is set on automatic. The hallmark of photography is having control over your own images.

            Another aspect of having a DSLR is the interchangeable lenses. You can use a wide variety of wide angle lenses, medium range lenses, and telephoto lenses to get the kind of shot you want. One of the biggest keys to good photography is flexibility. A DSLR and the various interchangeable lenses you can get along with the knowledge of how to use them correctly will give you the best images you can get.

            The big debate whether to buy Canon or Nikon can be settled with one phrase; it is up to you. In my humble opinion, both companies are fabulous and make great products. Canon is one of the top companies in the world listed on the Interbrand 100 List. Nikon lenses are second to none. However, Nikon products are generally cheaper than Canon, but cheaper doesn't mean better. As long as you can get good shots it doesn't matter whether you choose Canon or Nikon. Keep in mind that most photographers stick with the brand they choose for their first camera.

            Okay you have decided to get a DSLR and you have made your decision between a Nikon and a Canon. Now you need to decide what kind of camera in the certain brand of your choice. Please, please, please, don't be one of these morons who buy an expensive DSLR such as a Nikon D4 or a Canon EOS 1DX and put it on manual. You have just put thousands of dollars in a pro level camera only to use it in an amateur way. You might as well have bought a point and shoot. What you want is a descent entry level DSLR. That way, if you find that you don't like photography or have lost interest, you haven't blown your money.

             If you have chosen Nikon I would suggest a Nikon D3300. The 3300 kit comes with a body and an 18-55mm vr lens worth $649.95. With a 24.2 Megapixel sensor, wide ISO range (100-12800) and the ability to shoot five frames per second, the Nikon D3300 is a versatile camera. From shooting your child's sports, portraits, or landscapes this camera is the best multi-purpose camera in the Nikon line. Now, if your choice is Canon, I would go with the Canon EOS 700D. Like the Nikon D3300, it has a wide ISO range from 100-12800 and shoots 5 frames per second. It has a smaller sensor than the Nikon D3300 at 18 megapixels. Still, it is as versatile and multipurpose as the Nikon. A Canon EOS D700 kit costs $843.93. This includes an 18-55mm lens.

            Starting in photography isn't cheap, but it is more affordable now than it has ever been. These are the tools you need to get started on your journey to great images. You just need to make the right choices. Good Luck!