Digital SLR cameras are a great innovation in the field of photography, as they allow average people with no special training to take great photos fairly easily. The camera market is huge, and there are so many things to consider and look at that it can quickly overwhelm any beginner. If you're really brand new to photography, then there is much to learn, and just getting familiar with the jargon is half the battle. We'll try to help you out there by offering some outstanding tips to ease the shopping pain when you're looking for a great digital SLR camera.

It's highly recommended that you determine, ask yourself, what you plan on using a digital SLR camera for? There's endless variety, but just a few are people in motion, nature in still shots, great motion shots of sporting events, etc. Is this a great gift for somebody, or perhaps a terrific gift for yourself? Those are some of the kinds of questions you'll need to think about and answer, and then you'll be better prepared to establish your budget and know what you need. If all this is new to you, and you're looking for your first "nice" camera, then really it's not necessary to go all out and buy top of the line. When it comes to buying digital SLR cameras, you also will be paying for all of the features your cameras has, so you have to determine how many of these features you will actually be using.

If you really want something like image stabilization, then you'll have to specifically look for it because it's a feature not found in all digital SLR cameras. Image stabilization is great for people who just tend to have a shakier camera hand, or no tripod. If that's something that appeals to you, then you'll have to be sure to look for it because it's not found in all SLR's. No worries if you're not photography savvy because there are a lot of features that work automatically, and you'll be able to take great shots.

Digital SLR cameras can be bought as kits or camera body only, where you have to buy the lens separately. Many who are new and don't have knowledge are satisfied getting the kit, and they'll learn in time if they stay with it. Most beginners to photography are quite happy with choosing the kit. If you do some pricing you'll see that the kits go for much less than making two different purchases for body and lens. This is, however, something to be aware of when shopping for digital SLR cameras. Some people who buy their cameras online don't realize that not all SLR cameras come with a lens. A digital SLR kit always comes with a lens, do make sure you're getting one if you do buy a kit.

Be sure to learn as much as you can about digital SLR cameras before ever buying. So if you're new to it all, it matters if you know what is needed, or not. These great points, plus others, will arm you with solid information so you will be happy with the kind of camera you eventually do buy.