The journey upto the Nikon D5000

The reason for writing this blog is more or less fueled by the fact that there are many other like me who would be wanting to get a dSLR and are scared or confused by what thumb rules to stick to while choosing a digital camera.This is what i followed when i got my camera - it will help you arrive at a decision

1. Budget

this is one major concern for many of us. We want the best with the money that we can spend. But lets understand, we are either starting with an slr or we are at a stage where we are bored of a point and shoot and want to try something different. If you are too exclusive a Nikon D90 is good. If you want to try a slr and then upgrade, go in for the Canon 1000d or a Nikon D3000 or any other slr in its range.

2. Image Sensor

i got a camera with the biggest image sensor in its category.

A CCD image sensor is an analog device. When light strikes the chip it is held as a small electrical charge in each photo sensor. The charges are converted to voltage one pixel at a time as they are read from the chip. Additional circuitry in the camera converts the voltage into digital information.

A CMOS imaging chip is a type of active pixel sensor made using the CMOS semiconductor process. Extra circuitry next to each photo sensor converts the light energy to a voltage. Additional circuitry on the chip may be included to convert the voltage to digital data.

Neither technology has a clear advantage in image quality.

3. Resolution

Most dslrs would have atleast 8mp resolution which is good, If you are inclined on printing every shot you take, you might look at a higher mp rating camera - otherwise, 10mp should be good.

4. What is your basic necessity for buying a slr

• What do you need the camera for?
• What type of photography will you be doing? (portraits, landscapes, macro, sports)
• What conditions will you be largely photographing in? (indoors, outdoors, low light, bright light)
• Will you largely stay in auto mode or do you want to learn the art of photography?
• What experience level do you have with cameras?
• What type of features are you looking for? (long zoom, image stabilization, large LCD display etc)
• How important is size and portability to you?
• What is your budget?

Nikon D5000 Key Features

• 12.9 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor (effective pixels: 12.3 million)
• 2.7" tilt and swivel LCD monitor (230,000 dots)
• Movie capture at up to 1280 x 720 (720p) 24 fps with mono sound
• Live View with contrast-detect AF, face detection and subject tracking
• Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake)
• 11 AF points (with 3D tracking)
• IS0 200-3200 range (100-6400 expanded)
• 4 frames per second continuous shooting (buffer: 7 RAW, 25 JPEG fine, 100 JPEG Normal)
• Expeed image processing engine
• Extensive in-camera retouching including raw development and straightening
• Connector for optional GPS unit (fits on hot shoe)
• New battery with increased capacity
• 72 thumbnail and calendar view in playback

Finally there is one thing everyone has to realize. No camera is good or bad. Its the vision of the photograph that makes the photo. The camera is only an instrument in capturing it. Nikon lovers will swear by Nikon, Canon lovers will swear by Canon. Whichever camera you have, if you like it - no one/nothing else else matters.