Best Black Friday Canon DSLR Cameras Deals

On Black Friday, you may want to go camera shopping in person. However, by waiting until Cyber Monday, you may be able to find even better deals. Cyber Monday is the online shopping discount day, and if you shop on that day, you may be able to spend considerable time comparing and locating the best deals available.

There are an infinite number of DSLR cameras on the market at the moment, and if you’re having trouble deciding which is the best for you, this article will help you cut through some of the clutter and confusion and make an informed decision.

I’m frequently asked, “What is the best camera to buy?” “Is Canon better than Nikon?” and “Should I get a mirrorless camera?” The truth is that determining which DSLR camera is the best is not an easy task. Although numerous articles claim to have a simple answer, the truth is that only you can honestly decide.

Therefore, before you head to your nearest camera store with your wallet in hand, there are a few critical factors to consider.

1. Purpose

The first thing to consider is how you intend to use the camera. Are you going to use it to photograph your handmade arts and crafts and upload them to the internet? Are you a die-hard sports fan looking to capture the action on the field? Or are you a budding professional looking to impress your growing clientele with high-quality work?

What purpose you intend to use your camera for is the first, and perhaps most critical, question you must address, as this will help you determine the features you require from your camera. Simply because a camera has a higher megapixel count or a higher frame rate per second does not mean it is the right camera for you.

If you’re interested in landscape photography, a camera with a more comprehensive tonal range may be preferable to a camera with a higher frame rate per second. If you’re interested in high-end product photography, a full-frame or medium format camera may be preferable to a crop sensor camera due to the higher image quality.

2. Comprehend the fundamentals

If you’re unfamiliar with a crop sensor or why megapixels don’t matter as much as you believe, you may want to review the fundamentals.

Dimensions of the sensor

The camera sensor is the CCD or CMOS chip that collects light to create an image; it is what converts what you see through the viewfinder into a photograph. While there are several different sensor sizes, the three most frequently mentioned are full-frame, crop (or APS-C), and medium format.

As the name implies, full-frame cameras are the larger of the two sizes (and the more expensive). They can record a more comprehensive tonal range, have higher image quality, perform better in low light, and allow for far greater depth of field control due to the larger sensor size. There is no crop factor with full-frame cameras, which means that what you see through the viewfinder is exactly what is recorded.

Crop sensor cameras are the most overall sensor size in many entry-level and mid-level cameras (and even some professional-level cameras). The sensor measures approximately 23.5 x 15.6mm, which is smaller and lighter than the 36 x 24mm full-frame sensor. This means that the image is captured with a pre-determined crop, which makes them ideal for wildlife and sports photography, where you’re frequently working further away from your subject and require longer focal lengths.

Medium format cameras (which I discuss in detail in this video) use a 53.4 x 40mm sensor to capture images. The advantage is that the larger sensor size enables significantly higher resolution than cameras with smaller sensors.

Medium format cameras frequently have a higher megapixel count and a wider dynamic range, which results in greatly improved tonal and color accuracy. Due to this image quality, they are frequently the camera of choice for professionals seeking accurate color accuracy or the ability to produce large format prints.

However, medium format cameras are typically much larger and heavier than other types of cameras and are more expensive. Additionally, they feature slower burst modes and focus capability.

Megapixels

Photographers seem to be obsessed with megapixels these days, and while this is undoubtedly important, it is far from the defining characteristic of a good camera.

Simply put, an image consists of millions of pixels. For instance, a 22-megapixel camera records a shot with 22 million pixels. The more megapixels an image has the higher its resolution. This is advantageous if you intend to crop your pictures or if you intend to print large-scale prints.

As previously stated, the more pixels in an image, the higher its resolution. However, more megapixels do not always equate to better quality. What is more critical is that you have the appropriate number of pixels for the size of your sensor.

For example, a 50-megapixel smartphone camera’s image quality will be significantly lower than that of a 50-megapixel medium format camera. However, why is this?

To understand why we must first grasp the fundamentals of image formation. Digital images are created by combining millions of tiny dots of color to create the image we see. As you are probably aware, these dots are referred to as pixels. They are recorded by photosensitive diodes on the sensor called photosites (the term ‘Pixel’ is frequently used interchangeably with ‘Photosites,’ but they are not synonymous). Pixels are stored in photosites).

In general, the more pixels captured by the photosites, the higher the image’s resolution. However, a higher megapixel count does not always imply a higher image quality. It is not always about the number of megapixels, but rather their size (measured in microns – “m”), determined by the sensor’s size.

A smartphone camera with 50 megapixels will have much smaller pixels than a medium-format camera with 50 megapixels. The smartphone camera’s sensor is much smaller, cramming the 50 million pixels together. As a result, the sensor’s ability to capture and record light is significantly reduced. This frequently results in diffraction and increased noise, especially in higher ISO settings.

A larger sensor enables much larger pixels (in comparison to, say, a smartphone camera with the exact megapixel count) and a much wider dynamic range, resulting in a higher transitional tonal value, improved tonal accuracy, and improved quality color accuracy. For instance, the pixel size of a 50 megapixel Hasselblad CMOS camera is approximately 5.3 microns, compared to the pixel size of a standard high-resolution DSLR, which is about 4.14 microns.

DSLR vs. Mirrorless

Recently, there has been a lot of hype surrounding mirrorless cameras, but many photographers are unfamiliar with the distinctions, let alone the benefits and drawbacks of each.

DSLR cameras are built in the same way that 35mm film cameras were in the past. A mirror embedded in the camera’s body reflects light entering the lens up to a prism (which is what you see through the viewfinder). When the shutter button is depressed, the mirror flips upward, allowing light to reach the sensor, which records the image.

Without the mirror, light passes directly through the lens onto the sensor, which then captures a preview of the image that is displayed on the back screen or EVF (electronic viewfinder) inside the eyepiece.

Without a mirror, mirrorless cameras are smaller and lighter than DSLRs, the primary advantage. However, while the lens selection for mirrorless cameras is growing, it remains limited compared to what is available for DSLRs.

3. Lenses and associated accessories

Purchasing your camera is only the beginning; it’s critical to consider the accessories you’ll be using in conjunction with it. If you’re an avid wildlife photographer, a telephoto lens is a must, just as accessories such as studio lights or speedlites come in handy if you’re a portrait photographer.

Consider your options before making a final decision on which camera to purchase. When it comes to lenses, you may discover that Canon offers a more comprehensive selection than Nikon or that independent brands such as Tamron or Sigma offer a more affordable alternative.

If you’re interested in learning more about different lenses and their effects, watch our photography class to demonstrate various lenses and their products.

4. Finances

The good news is that there is a wide selection of DSLR cameras available today to suit almost any budget. The bad news is that there may be additional hidden costs to consider.

The first item on your list should be a good lens (or two). Not only the camera determines the quality of your images; lenses also play a significant role. I’d recommend setting aside a portion of your budget for a couple of high-quality lenses. Make sure to research before purchasing a lens — read reviews, compare different options, and consider renting possible options before buying (I will discuss this a bit more later on).

If you cannot afford brand new lenses, it is worthwhile to consider purchasing used ones. I discuss several tips for buying used lenses here.

Additionally, there are smaller, less apparent essentials such as a camera bag, spare batteries, and memory cards (if you intend to use your camera for video, it’s worth investing in memory cards with faster write speeds. However, keep in mind that you do not have to purchase everything at once. You may want to put off buying that shutter release cable or filter set until later.

5. Explore your options

It’s a good idea to rent your final options for a day before making the final decision. This allows you to get a feel for the camera, experiment with the controls, and learn about its capabilities.

6. Knowledge

Understanding how to use light effectively is critical for photography because it enables you to create a specific mood or emotion in an image, and it is this mood or emotion that helps tell a story and captivate your viewer (I discuss this in greater detail in our ‘Emotion of Light’ live show). It’s also critical to understand how to combine this with technical aspects such as composition, depth of field, and shutter speed.

While you’re reading this article indicates that you already understand the value of knowledge, it’s worth noting nonetheless. I’ve always maintained that photography is more about ability than gear. Often, it is not about the equipment you have but rather how you use it.

Therefore, bear in mind that there is much more to consider when it comes to purchasing a camera than the technical specifications. Consider how you intend to use your camera. Establish a budget, consider any additional equipment, and locate a rental location to test the camera if you’re still undecided. After you’ve made your choice, devote time to familiarizing yourself with your equipment and investing in your education.