Buying Guide

Our  comprehensive listing of key specification cameras & lenses

Cameras

Almost all serious photographers prefer to use cameras with interchangeable lenses, as this gives the greatest degree of creative flexibility. At one time, this meant digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras, but these have now been joined by mirrorless compact system cameras (CSCs) that use electronic viewfinders. Previously, these lagged behind DSLRs in some respects such as autofocus. 

But the latest models have narrowed the gap considerably, and are true alternatives to DSLRs, offering the same image quality and creative options. Camera manufacturers offer a range of models, from simple, relatively inexpensive beginner-friendly designs through to sophisticated professional models. In the middle of the range you’ll find enthusiast cameras with more advanced control layouts.

1. Controls

Entry-level cameras tend to have simple, easy-to-understand controls, while more expensive models add lots of buttons and dials to give quick access to settings.

2. Handgrip

DSLRs traditionally have relatively large handgrips, while many mirrorless models have much smaller grips to keep size down. However some can accept accessory grips to improve handling with larger lenses.

3. Lens Mount

Each camera brand uses its own lens mount, and mirrorless cameras use different lenses to DSLRs even from the same brand. However mirrorless models can often use DSLR lenses via a mount adapter.

 

4. Viewfinder

The biggest difference between DSLRs and mirrorless cameras is that the latter use electronic, rather than optical viewfinders. They’re more power hungry, but can display more information and show exactly how your pictures will turn out.

5. Size and Weight

Mirrorless models tend to be smaller and lighter than DSLRs, and not just the cameras themselves, but their lens systems, too. However there’s still a wider choice of lenses available for DSLRs.

Lenses

FOR MOST ENTHUSIAST photographers, the easiest way to expand the kinds of pictures you can take is by buying different types of lenses. For example, telephoto lenses let you zoom in on distant subjects, while macro lenses allow you to focus on small subjects. Large-aperture lenses allow you to isolate objects against blurred backgrounds or shoot in low light without having to raise the ISO too high. Meanwhile, all-in-one super zooms cover a wide range of subjects, but with lower optical quality.

Lens Mounts
Each manufacturer has its own lens mount and most aren’t compatible with one another. For example, a Canon DSLR can’t use Nikon lenses, though you can use independent brands if you get them with the right mount.

Built-in Focus motor
Most lenses now incorporate an internal motor to drive the autofocus, although some are still driven from the camera body. DSLR lenses often use ultrasonic type motors for fast focusing, while those for mirrorless cameras tend to employ video-friendly stepper motors.

Filter Thread
A thread at the front of the camera will have a diameter, in mm, which will allow you to attach a variety of filters or adapters to the lens.

Maximum Aperture
Wider apertures mean you can use faster, motion-stopping shutter speeds.

Lens Suffix Guise Used By Manufactures

AF Nikon AF lenses driven from camera
AF-S Nikon lenses with Silent Wave Motor
AF-P Nikon lenses with stepper motors
AL Pentax lenses with aspheric elements
APD Fujifi lm lenses with apodisation elements
APO Sigma Apochromatic lenses
ASPH Aspherical elements
AT-X Tokina’s Advanced Technology Extra Pro
AW Pentax all-weather lenses
CS Samyang lenses for APS-C cropped sensors
D Nikon lenses that communicate distance info
DA Pentax lenses optimised for APS-C sized sensors
DC Nikon defocus-control portrait lenses
DC Sigma’s lenses for APS-C digital
DG Sigma’s designation for full-frame lenses
Di Tamron lenses for full-frame sensors
Di-II Tamron lenses designed for APS-C DSLRs
Di-III Tamron lenses for mirrorless cameras
DN Sigma’s lenses for mirrorless cameras
DO Canon diffractive optical element lenses
DT Sony lenses for APS-C sized sensors
DX Nikon’s lenses for DX-format digital
E Nikon lenses with electronic apertures
E Sony lenses for APS-C mirrorless
ED Extra-low Dispersion elements
EF Canon’s DSLR lenses for full frame
EF-S Canon lenses for APS-C sized sensors
EF-M Canon’s lenses for its mirrorless M range
EX Sigma’s ‘Excellent’ range
FA Pentax full-frame lenses
FE Sony lenses for full-frame mirrorless
G Nikon lenses without an aperture ring
HSM Sigma’s Hypersonic Motor
IF Internal Focusing
IS Canon’s Image-Stabilised lenses
L Canon’s ‘Luxury’ range of lenses
LD Low-Dispersion glass
LM Fujifi lm Linear Motor
MP-E Canon’s high-magnifi cation macro lens
OIS Optical Image Stabilisation
OS Sigma’s Optically Stabilised lenses
PC-E Nikon tilt-and-shift lenses
PF Nikon Phase Fresnel optics
PRO Tokina and Olympus Professional lenses
PZD Tamron Piezo Drive focus motor
SAM Sony Smooth Autofocus Motor
SDM Pentax’s Sonic Direct Drive Motor
SMC Pentax Super Multi Coating
SP Tamron’s Super Performance range
SSM Sony Supersonic Motor lenses
STF Sony and Laowa Smooth Trans Focus
STM Canon lenses with stepper motor
TS-E Canon Tilt-and-Shift lens
UMC Ultra Multi Coated
USM Canon lenses with an Ultrasonic Motor
USD Tamron Ultrasonic Drive motor
VC Tamron’s Vibration Compensation
VR Nikon’s Vibration Reduction feature
XR Tamron Extra Refractive Index glass
WR Weather Resistant

Buying Guide 9:23 AM