what segregates a entry level, intermediate range, and pro/advance range DSLR Camera

[9ay1983]

Hi!

complete newbie to photography

Have been doing lots of research on the different types and brands of DSLRs, but is very curious on what is the difference between the range of DSLRs. ie: how are they categorized? what is the difference in terms of the technical specs and what each type of range offers to each level of photographers?

 

[ovaltinemilo]

your questions need alot of time to answer...haha..think it's better you try to read up...
hmm...I think for Nikon, probably you can compare a D3100(entry), D300S(intermediate), D3S(pro). See the difference and you will know. But fundamentally, pro levels cam allows pro-long use in rugged condition, faster access to settings, better image quality, faster fps, more customizable settings.....etc. These might sound like they are "good to haves" but if you know them, they are very great to have... actually, it doesn't matter what level dslrs you are using, as long as you understand the pros and cons of your own gears and if they satisfy your need to shoot your genre.

 

[daredevil123]

Hi!

complete newbie to photography

Have been doing lots of research on the different types and brands of DSLRs, but is very curious on what is the difference between the range of DSLRs. ie: how are they categorized? what is the difference in terms of the technical specs and what each type of range offers to each level of photographers?

On top of extra features and accesabilty to controls, pro models can take quite a bit of bashing. And they are weather sealed mostly.

Tech specs wise, you can read them up at any website.

What "category" doesn't really matter actually. In the end if a model will be good if it meets your needs.

 

[Irvine]

Hi!

complete newbie to photography

Have been doing lots of research on the different types and brands of DSLRs, but is very curious on what is the difference between the range of DSLRs. ie: how are they categorized? what is the difference in terms of the technical specs and what each type of range offers to each level of photographers?

in terms of ergonomics:
entry level cameras = the camera has the least amount of shortcut buttons. changing of certain settings require abit of menu scrolling to change them. not great for manual enthusiasts, but in a way, it reduces the confusion over buttons for newbies and the interface is pretty simple. usually entry level cameras r the smallest and lightest within the range of cameras. they r pretty "feature-stripped". they are all made of plastic. their viewfinders r the smallest n also dim. the shutter life won't last as long as semi-pro cameras and pro cameras. (rated around 50k shutter actuations for most, while upper entry level bodies at 100k, same as serious enthusiast)

serious enthusiast cameras = camera with more shortcut buttons than entry level bodies. the cameras r also somewhat larger and heavier compared to entry level cameras. build quality feels better too (even tho they r still made of plastic with the exception of cameras like d7000, which is half magnesium alloy with weather sealing), n with more features. they r still friendly to use for newbies, and also great for professionals to use them for their work. some serious enthusiast cams haf slightly larger, if not the same viewfinders as entry level cameras. (look at d90 vs d3100 for example, n d7000 vs d3100, with d7000 having the same bright viewfinder u find in semi-pro bodies). the shutter life of these cameras r longer than entry level cameras (rated at 100k shutter actuations)

semi-pro = cameras with alot of shortcut buttons for direct access to controls. this time they got even more features, such as mirror up and menu banks. they do not have the green "AUTO" mode anymore, but they still have the programmed auto mode. they can be a bit complicated to use at the beginning, but once u get used to it, u will be able to change settings quickly on the go. they r built like tanks too, with full magnesium alloy bodies and weather sealing. the shutter life is even longer than serious enthusiast cams (rated at 150k shutter actuations).

pro = cameras with the most amount of shortcut buttons and all the features. they r the heaviest in the lineup of cameras with magnesium alloy construction n weather sealing too. most (if not all) of them come with dual memory card slots. they r really built to last, with shutter life rated at 300k.

as for specs, entry level cameras have the lowest specs, especially in the FPS department. Specs improve as u go up the line up of cameras until u reach pro bodies (provided that all the cameras r of the same generation). do note that from entry level to some of the semi-pro bodies consist of APS-C sized sensor bodies, while the rest of the semi-pro bodies to pro bodies r full frame (35mm format) bodies. full frame bodies are known to be better in terms of dynamic range and iso performance with a wider field of view, altho it may not be true for full frame sensors having better dynamic range anymore.

 

[Irvine]

Hi!

complete newbie to photography

Have been doing lots of research on the different types and brands of DSLRs, but is very curious on what is the difference between the range of DSLRs. ie: how are they categorized? what is the difference in terms of the technical specs and what each type of range offers to each level of photographers?

in terms of ergonomics:
entry level cameras = the camera has the least amount of shortcut buttons. changing of certain settings require abit of menu scrolling to change them. not great for manual enthusiasts, but in a way, it reduces the confusion over buttons for newbies and the interface is pretty simple. usually entry level cameras r the smallest and lightest within the range of cameras. they r pretty "feature-stripped". they are all made of plastic. their viewfinders r the smallest n also dim. the shutter life won't last as long as semi-pro cameras and pro cameras. (rated around 50k shutter actuations for most, while upper entry level bodies at 100k, same as serious enthusiast)

serious enthusiast cameras = camera with more shortcut buttons than entry level bodies. the cameras r also somewhat larger and heavier compared to entry level cameras. build quality feels better too (even tho they r still made of plastic with the exception of cameras like d7000, which is half magnesium alloy with weather sealing), n with more features. they r still friendly to use for newbies, and also great for professionals to use them for their work. some serious enthusiast cams haf slightly larger, if not the same viewfinders as entry level cameras. (look at d90 vs d3100 for example, n d7000 vs d3100, with d7000 having the same bright viewfinder u find in semi-pro bodies). the shutter life of these cameras r longer than entry level cameras (rated at 100k shutter actuations)

semi-pro = cameras with alot of shortcut buttons for direct access to controls. this time they got even more features, such as mirror up and menu banks. they do not have the green "AUTO" mode anymore, but they still have the programmed auto mode. they can be a bit complicated to use at the beginning, but once u get used to it, u will be able to change settings quickly on the go. they r built like tanks too, with full magnesium alloy bodies and weather sealing. the shutter life is even longer than serious enthusiast cams (rated at 150k shutter actuations).

pro = cameras with the most amount of shortcut buttons and all the features. they r the heaviest in the lineup of cameras with magnesium alloy construction n weather sealing too. most (if not all) of them come with dual memory card slots. they r really built to last, with shutter life rated at 300k.

as for specs, entry level cameras have the lowest specs, especially in the FPS department. Specs improve as u go up the line up of cameras until u reach pro bodies (provided that all the cameras r of the same generation). do note that from entry level to some of the semi-pro bodies consist of APS-C sized sensor bodies, while the rest of the semi-pro bodies to pro bodies r full frame (35mm format) bodies. full frame bodies are known to be better in terms of dynamic range and iso performance with a wider field of view, altho it may not be true for full frame sensors having better dynamic range anymore.

 

[daredevil123]

your questions need alot of time to answer...haha..think it's better you try to read up...
hmm...I think for Nikon, probably you can compare a D3100(entry), D300S(intermediate), D3S(pro). See the difference and you will know. But fundamentally, pro levels cam allows pro-long use in rugged condition, faster access to settings, better image quality, faster fps, more customizable settings.....etc. These might sound like they are "good to haves" but if you know them, they are very great to have... actually, it doesn't matter what level dslrs you are using, as long as you understand the pros and cons of your own gears and if they satisfy your need to shoot your genre.

Actually, d300s and d700 are considered semi pro. Pro bodies are the single digit ones. Canon's crop semi pro is 7D and FF semi pro is 5Dm2.

D90 is considered enthusiast level. D7000 is in between d90 and d300s. Canon's enthusiast body is 60D.

D3100 is entry level (canon's is 1100D). D5000 & D5100 are considered upper entry level (Canon's equiv 600D).

 

[kei1309]

hmm thinking about this. a superb high-end camera like the D3S in the hands of a newbie who can't shoot to save his/her life.. would you consider that professional equipment?

let's say, there is a new camera on the market. it's totally awesome. High ISO monster. superb ergonomics. spec-wise, a geek's wet dream. but only newbies and people who can't shoot buy it. no pro nor serious hobbyists are buying it. just newbies.

so would you consider that pro equipment? or just another expensive camera?

 

[kei1309]

hmm thinking about this. a superb high-end camera like the D3S in the hands of a newbie who can't shoot to save his/her life.. would you consider that professional equipment?

let's say, there is a new camera on the market. it's totally awesome. High ISO monster. superb ergonomics. spec-wise, a geek's wet dream. but only newbies and people who can't shoot buy it. no pro nor serious hobbyists are buying it. just newbies.

so would you consider that pro equipment? or just another expensive camera?

 

[kei1309]

hmm thinking about this. a superb high-end camera like the D3S in the hands of a newbie who can't shoot to save his/her life.. would you consider that professional equipment?

let's say, there is a new camera on the market. it's totally awesome. High ISO monster. superb ergonomics. spec-wise, a geek's wet dream. but only newbies and people who can't shoot buy it. no pro nor serious hobbyists are buying it. just newbies.

so would you consider that pro equipment? or just another expensive camera?

 

[kei1309]

hmm thinking about this. a superb high-end camera like the D3S in the hands of a newbie who can't shoot to save his/her life.. would you consider that professional equipment?

let's say, there is a new camera on the market. it's totally awesome. High ISO monster. superb ergonomics. spec-wise, a geek's wet dream. but only newbies and people who can't shoot buy it. no pro nor serious hobbyists are buying it. just newbies.

so would you consider that pro equipment? or just another expensive camera?

 

[kei1309]

hmm thinking about this. a superb high-end camera like the D3S in the hands of a newbie who can't shoot to save his/her life.. would you consider that professional equipment?

let's say, there is a new camera on the market. it's totally awesome. High ISO monster. superb ergonomics. spec-wise, a geek's wet dream. but only newbies and people who can't shoot buy it. no pro nor serious hobbyists are buying it. just newbies.

so would you consider that pro equipment? or just another expensive camera?

 

[kei1309]

hmm thinking about this. a superb high-end camera like the D3S in the hands of a newbie who can't shoot to save his/her life.. would you consider that professional equipment?

let's say, there is a new camera on the market. it's totally awesome. High ISO monster. superb ergonomics. spec-wise, a geek's wet dream. but only newbies and people who can't shoot buy it. no pro nor serious hobbyists are buying it. just newbies.

so would you consider that pro equipment? or just another expensive camera?

 

[kei1309]

hmm thinking about this. a superb high-end camera like the D3S in the hands of a newbie who can't shoot to save his/her life.. would you consider that professional equipment?

let's say, there is a new camera on the market. it's totally awesome. High ISO monster. superb ergonomics. spec-wise, a geek's wet dream. but only newbies and people who can't shoot buy it. no pro nor serious hobbyists are buying it. just newbies.

so would you consider that pro equipment? or just another expensive camera?

 

[fmeeran]

Good to see i'm not the only one suffering from multiple post syndrome.

 

[daredevil123]

hmm thinking about this. a superb high-end camera like the D3S in the hands of a newbie who can't shoot to save his/her life.. would you consider that professional equipment?

let's say, there is a new camera on the market. it's totally awesome. High ISO monster. superb ergonomics. spec-wise, a geek's wet dream. but only newbies and people who can't shoot buy it. no pro nor serious hobbyists are buying it. just newbies.

so would you consider that pro equipment? or just another expensive camera?

Yup it will still be pro equipment. But the work coming out is otherwise.

 

[lcheowl]

hmm thinking about this. a superb high-end camera like the D3S in the hands of a newbie who can't shoot to save his/her life.. would you consider that professional equipment?

let's say, there is a new camera on the market. it's totally awesome. High ISO monster. superb ergonomics. spec-wise, a geek's wet dream. but only newbies and people who can't shoot buy it. no pro nor serious hobbyists are buying it. just newbies.

so would you consider that pro equipment? or just another expensive camera?

i will consider a very expensive camera. keke

a newbies, by right should start with the entry level, only those rich newbies will buy a semi-pro or pro cam, but it also good for us, very soon, they will find better off getting a p&s and sell cheaply to us.

 

[underexpo]

In a marketing point of view, regardless the features, brand. Most manufacturer will produce 3 level of products. The most sellable or the most profitable one is the mid class product.

A hawker stall, the dish are priced at $3, $4 and $5. Which one do you order? Study said around 75% goes for $4.

Sure the highend camera can capture a speeding bullet, high res to print 20 x 20ft print, enough to show the finest detail. How often do you use it?

Most often is the WANT over the NEED. Did you say I WANT to buy that highend cam or I NEED?

 

[coolthought]

"what segregates an entry level, intermediate range, and pro/advance range DSLR Cam"

it is segregated by who is using the camera. If it is use by a professional, then it is a professional camera. If it is use by a beginner, then it is an entry level camera. How do I know, is by looking at photo that was taken with it. Professional looking photo and beginner photo.

 

[Anson]

Short Answer: The User

 

[knight84]

a lot of people here have given some good amount of info.

However, if you want to know ( according to me ) the ONE key differentiating factor - the ability to work in low light conditions or ISO handling or Noise handling ( what ever name you call it)

most cameras do well in nice bright light..what separates them is the ability to handle iso. My D60 i cant shoot beyond 800. D300s I can shoot at 3200 without any issue. D700 ( i ve been told) iso 5000 no issue.