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The world of photography is constantly evolving. The number of new cameras which come out every year further pushes the boundaries of what cameras can and can’t do. At times, it is difficult to stay on top of the latest camera trends. It is also challeging to know the right time to invest in new releases.
Professional photographers have, for the last 20 years, relied heavily on the DSLR. In recent years, a rejection of the digital – partly a response to the smartphone camera surge – has resulted in the resurgence of using film photography in professional settings. Developers are now creating apps that mimic the traditional way of taking and exposing a photograph.
There are also new digital cameras that are challenging the dominance of the DSLR. The most popular of these is the Mirrorless camera – a range largely controlled by Sony. These cameras are smaller, more compact, and often cheaper. However, they have yet to truly make a dent in the industry of professional photography.
There are also new, action-based cameras that are smaller yet have the capacity to perform 360-degree visual captures. Drones are also used to take sweeping bird’s eye-view shots of wide areas.
All these new cameras offer photographers tons of room for creativity. However, a truly professional photographer will look for the below key ingredients prior to investing in a new camera.
Key Features
Megapixels will always remain a top priority for professional photographers. DSLR’s have been dominant for so long because they offer consistently great quality images thanks to their high megapixel range.
Sensor size is also something that professional photographers will always consider. Sensor sizes allow different levels of light into the shot. Getting this detail right is extremely important. Most expensive cameras will have larger sensors in order to achieve the perfect image.
Build quality is another key concern. A good camera must be able to weather the rough and tumble of a photographic shoot. If you invest lots of money for a camera, you expect it to perform according to your standards. Weather sealing and a hardy exterior are similarly preferable especially if used for outdoor photography or sports-related events.
Lenses are another factor that influences the creativity of professional photographers. Most still use DSLR’s because mirrorless cameras don’t have an extensive range of lenses.
Inbuilt tech is also rapidly becoming an industry must. WiFi connectivity, as well as Bluetooth sharing, are preferable to allow the easy transfer of images. In an era where editing has become an integral part of photography, being able to quickly share photos is a must.
Lastly there is versatility. Most professional photographers look for cameras that will perform well in various settings. Whether that means low-light-level image quality or easy-to-use manual controls and ergonomic design, versatility is a key factor in any professional photographer’s camera choice.
These are just some of the main considerations a professional photographer might question before making a purchase. Knowing what genre or style of photography you’ll shoot similarly plays a massive role.
The DSLR
The most obvious choice for professional photographers is a DSLR camera. For the past 20 years, the DSLR has remained a consistent choice for professional photographers. The body and image of a DSLR has become synonymous with the word “photography”. If you’ve ever seen a professional photographer, it is highly likely they were using a DSLR.
Take note though that camera technology changes fast. Changes could happen in a few years. But for now, the most common camera in a professional photographer’s arsenal will remain the DSLR.
Why are DSLRs the top choice of professional photographers?
DSLRs replaced the SLR. The latter is a manual film camera that allowed the photographer complete control over the image they captured. The same remains true for the DSLR, the only difference is that images are converted to digital format.
A few of the benefits of using DSLRs are the following:
- Seriously detailed images thanks to the large sensors
- Incredible built-in features
- Most professional-quality DSLR’s are both wifi and Bluetooth connectable to allow easy sharing, editing, and transfering of images.
- 4K built-in filming options
- Image stabilization
- Ultrafast autofocus featured on higher-end models
- Versatility and capability in capturing subjects and objects in a wide range of genres and styles of photography
- Easy to use once you become familiar with their basic functions.
All these benefits are largely aided by the vast amount of lenses and accessories available for DSLR cameras. There is no shortage of lenses that you can add to your camera. These lenses will dramatically change the way your camera captures images. From wide-angle, to portrait, to tele-photo and even macro, there’s a whole host of professional quality lenses specifically designed for DSLRs that cover every facet of photography you could possibly imagine.
It’s also worth noting that there is a wide range of DSLR bodies on the market. With plenty of different cameras to choose from, photographers have more variety with DSLRs. They can find the perfect camera without having to settle for less.
DSLRs also allow users complete control due to their manual function. Similar to the SLR they replaced, the photographer has full control over aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. With all these tools built-in, professional photographers will be able to easily show their skill and wow clients. Without such features, the entire meaning of learning photography would be pointless.
Typical professional quality DSLR cameras such as the Canon EOS 5D IV are reliable, well built, and trusted within the photography community. They have good life spans and are highly versatile making them great companions for professional shoots.
The Mirrorless Camera
The latest camera to rival the DSLR is the mirrorless camera. A lighter, often cheaper, more compact camera than the prized DSLR, the mirrorless camera is fast becoming a favorite among amateur photographers.
As with any new technology, it’s going to take a while for the mirrorless camera to find its place in the photography world. After 20 years of dominance, it’s easy to understand why professional photographers are reluctant to turn their backs on the DSLR.
The mirrorless camera range has lots of catching up to do with the DSLR in terms of accessories. This is the same reason why professional photographers are yet to flock towards the Mirrorless camera.
There are multiple reasons why all this might change though. The following are the benefits of using a Mirrorless camera.
- Fantastic image quality. As a stand-alone camera, most professional quality mirrorless models have better image capturing ability than similarly priced DSLRs (not including lenses). As an example, the Canon EOS R has a 30.3-megapixel sensor that is extremely powerful. It has a full-frame, LCD touch screen, and 4K video recording capabilities. It’s also much lighter than a similar specification DSLR. It is also a lot cheaper. Canon has also been adding a generous amount of accessories to this line. Though they aren’t cheap they are still cheaper than other DSLR options, and often lighter.
- Advanced technology. The Sony Alpha 7R is another prime example of a mirrorless camera that more than meets the needs of professional photographers. The world’s first 61-megapixel camera ensures that mirrorless camera technology remains ahead of the DSLR. Professional photographers will inevitably begin using these cameras as they have more megapixels and extremely good sensor sizes.
- The non-bulky, ergonomic design of mirrorless cameras makes them particularly attractive, especially for those that aren’t professional studio photographers who have to lug cameras around with them for long periods of time. If you aren’t shooting in the comfort of a studio setting or are required to carry the camera, mirrorless cameras are a great option.
- Mirrorless cameras are more technologically advanced than their DSLR rivals. However, the ability to add multiple lenses to your camera is still a problem that the mirrorless community is striving to overcome. More lenses that meet the criteria of professional photographers are being added every month, thus expect this problem to be alleviated soon.
The mirrorless camera will only continue to evolve, it seems a question of not if but when professional snappers will convert to mirrorless cameras.
With all the latest technology built in it such as 4K video shooting, rapid continuous shooting and ultra-quiet motors, it’s easy to see why mirrorless cameras are quickly becoming a very real option for professional photographers.
High-end mirrorless cameras will definitely be a perfect fit for professional photography.
Action Cameras
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Action cameras have taken the film world by storm. Incredibly small, compact, and robust, these tiny cameras were first used by amateurs and hobbyists. Now, they have slowly made their way to the professional world of film and photography.
Often more widely used in film, action cameras have been used in photography. It is likely we’ll see more professional shooters utilize them over the coming years.
The most common action camera used by professionals is the GoPro. Widely used for filming, these tiny lightweight cameras are perfect in capturing image bursts as well as shooting images whilst moving.
The following are the benefits of using action cameras:
- They are compact and inconspicuous.
- They are highly versatile.
- Image quality is decent.
- They are waterproof.
- They come with easy-attachment features.
Action cameras have created a generous range of interesting new approaches toward photography further extending the variety of shoots photographers are able to capture.
Film Cameras
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Smartphones seem to have taken over the field of photography which extremely powerful cameras used to lord in.
However, an increasing amount of professional photographers are slowly moving away from the over-saturated digital world and going back to film. For a long time, it looked like film photography would disappear. But now we’re seeing more professional shooters claiming that film is not dead after all.
Owed in part to the ongoing fetishization of the grainy, gritty images produced by analog film photography, a wide range of refurbished SLR cameras on the market are known to take outstanding shots. This going-back-to-basics approach is especially applicable to old school photographers who value sentimentality as much as photographic quality.
Final Thoughts
Keep your eyes peeled for further developments in the photographic community. As we’ve highlighted, the gear of a professional photographer can vary depending on the subject matters they shoot.
DSLR and mirrorless cameras are capable of performing most general professional photography requirements. You can start your search from there. There are also plenty of professional standard DSLR and Mirrorless cameras available in the market. You only need to find what suits your requirements so you should have no issue finding the camera that perfectly fits your wants and needs.