Do not postpone buying your DSLR!
The DSLR market has evolved dramatically since the start of the decade. Prosumer cameras have been an important segment but as prices are compressed it becomes increasingly less logical to choose them instead of a DSLR. Having chosen a prosumer Olympus C5050 in 2004 has quickly led me to the conclusion that I desperately need something better and faster, in other words a DSLR… Of course all camera categories have evolved tremendously. I am not going to get in the DSLR vs non-DSLR debate here, but instead I would like to point out two pieces of good news for the prospective first-time DSLR buyer.
Firstly, the times of huge improvements every few months are gone. DSLRs are now a mature market segment, therefore new models are introduced at a more “human” rate than compact or prosumer cameras. The product life of a Canon, the market leader for years now, has typically been 18 months and it is doubtful whether this rate can be retained even in the medium term. Secondly, cut-throat competition and ridiculously low profit margins in the compact camera segment have forced manufacturers to increasingly concentrate on the DSLR segment. This is where the money is…
This increase of players is definitely beneficial for all of us. There are some sweet machines out there and not only from Canon and Nikon that are so strongly entrenched in the professional market. The Olympus 4/3 standard is now delivering some great cameras like the superbly equipped E-510 and the upcoming semi-professional E-3. In PMA next year Pentax might well introduce two new cameras to replace its current aging line, while Canon will most probably introduce the 5D replacement, currently the cheapest full frame model in the market. The choice is not easy of course and trying those cameras before purchase is highly advisable. Oh yes, and do not forget that all this is for having fun, in other words get out and shoot photos whether you have bought your DSLR yet or not…
