Things that are most important for you when you buy a camera

[ak_]

Lenses (and adaptability of other mounts), sensor size, and ergonomics/design. An optical VF and flash sync speed are also things I consider.

 

[EIngerson]

I generally look for the most expensive camera. Doesn't have to be good, just expensive. That SCREAMS I'm better than you. Then I buy all the popular lenses. (most expensive of course) I set it on the green box thingy and take all the best photos.

My specialties are cats and railroad tracks.

 

[SCraig]

Fair question, but I don't have a good answer. All of the above, some of the above, none of the above. Take your pick.

When I'm shooting birds and wildlife having 24mp crammed into an APS-C sensor is important to me, so that would be #6. When I'm shooting motorsports during the day having burst speed and buffer size (#12) are important. When shooting races on poorly-lit tracks at night I'd love the best high-ISO performance and highest dynamic range available, so that's #1 and #2.

The bottom line is that I can't provide a single answer since I don't focus on one type of photography, and what I want from a camera varies from day to day based on what I'm photographing at the time.

Perhaps the list might be more useful if it listed the things that are LEAST important when considering a new camera body.

 

[robbins.photo]

Most important factor for me didn't even make the list, which frankly I was hurt and stunned by.

The most important question to ask for a new camera purchase:

Is it bronze?

I mean seriously, who gives a care about the rest of that stuff.

 

[gsgary]

It says Leica on the box

 

[goodguy]

From looking at the poll I can see the four most important things for those who answered are

1.A good AF system
2.High ISO capabilities
3/4.Price and Lens availability

Interesting, I thought price will be the first and high ISO be second.

 

[Derrel]

Buying "a" camera is often different from buying "a second" camera, and also different from buying a "a weekend camera". So, there's that isue of primary/main camera and secondary/backup/special-occasion camera. Brand commitment is a big deal for some people but not for others who have moe than one brand, or who are just starting out or who have no brand allegiance or system commitment; Leica users for example would buy Leica mostly, but might also consider a Voigtlander, which also uses the same Leica M mount lenses. Canon and Nikon and Pentax users would likely buy mostly based on brand, and then assign some weight to the various camera features. As far as the categories 1-13, the camera makers sort of build cameras that have pretty comprehensive feature sets, and there's a typical three-model entry tier; a one- or two-model serious amateur type tier; and then one, or two high-end models that cost serious folding money at the top. The "features" one shops for are almost built-in or intrinsic to the camera models, so I don't look at it as much as what features one looks for, but rather what "class" of camera the user decides to buy.

 

[nerwin]

Ergonomics are one of the most important thing for me. If I'm going to spend the money on a camera, I want to make sure its going to be comfortable in my hands.

 

[Solarflare]

For the record, my priorities have been:
- 1. High ISO - I am often around with bad lighting, for example indoors, and thus good high ISO capabilities are very important to me.
- 5. Lenses - Most important part of any camera system. Has to have what you need, and has to have it in high enough quality.
- 8. Ergonomics - I want to fight with getting the good picture, not fighting with the camera.
- 13. Autofocus Quality - A shot that didnt nail focus is in most cases a loss. Thus the only thing that can replace a good focus system is an even better focus system.


I dont care so much about:
- 2. Dynamic Range - Very nice to have, very often useful, but ultimately not my main objective
- 6. Sensor size - I want large sensors because I want good high ISO, good pixels, and shallow depth of field. So yeah, I definitely go for large sensors. But in itself, sensor size is not a value I would care about.
- 7. Size and Weight of Camera - Well, yes, but not in the way most people probably think. I have large hands and cameras are quickly getting too small for them. For example I recently tried to hold a Fuji X-E2 and OMG it was completely impossible.
- 9. Price - My main question is, what do I need. Second, what would help also. Only third comes price - if its worth it, but I cant afford it yet, I'll just save money and wait longer to get it. So far though money was never an issue to me, I always had enough savings.
- 10. Design - I would prefer a more beautiful camera for sure, but thats no main objective.
- 11. Maker - Only in the sense that I need to have some confidence about their strategy.
- 12. Burst Speed and Buffer Size - Dont care about that much. The camera should be highly responsive at all times. But I dont do much sports photography which needs this.
- 14.1. Color depth - Good natural skin colors are very important to me; more important than Dynamic Range, but my priority is really high ISO
- 14.2. Video recording - Another nice to have. OTOH I'm a bit annoyed at how awful cameras really support it right now, and its only slowly getting better unless you spent outrageous sums. Either way not a priority.
- 14.3. Build Quality - Another really good thing to have, but right now not offered and my finances are probably not healthy enough to support that.

 

[chuasam]

you left out MegaPickles.
I typically have 3 cameras.
one main work camera (D810)
one backup work camera (D700)
and one I'm not at work camera (currently the Lumix LX5 but I'm trying to decide between the LX100 and Ricoh GRII).