Guides

The background that makes the specs and prices easier to read. Checked against makers' documentation.

• How to buy a used camera or lens safelyDealers or marketplaces, what to check on a used body or lens, and your rights in the US, UK, EU, Australia and Singapore.
• The first lens to buy after your kit lensWhy a fast prime such as a 50mm f/1.8 is the usual first upgrade, which focal length suits what you shoot, crop-sensor equivalents and buying used.
• Full frame vs APS-C: what you actually gainFull frame vs APS-C compared on light, depth of field, lens size and cost, telephoto reach, used prices and which mounts each camera brand offers.
• Grey market cameras and lenses explainedWhat a grey import is, why it costs less, what happens to the warranty, how to spot one, and how the US, UK, EU, Australia and Singapore differ.
• Lens mounts explainedWhat a lens mount is, how today's mirrorless and older DSLR mounts differ, what adapting lenses can and cannot do, and why the mount matters most.
• How to judge a camera's low-light performanceWhy a camera's ISO range says little about low light, and what does matter: sensor size, read noise, dynamic range, stabilisation and fast lenses.
• How to read a lens nameWhat the numbers and letters in a lens name mean: focal length, aperture, sensor coverage, stabilisation, focus motors and series marks.
• Camera sensor sizes explainedMedium format to 1-inch and smaller, with typical dimensions, what sensor size changes and what it does not, and how to choose a format.
• Used or new camera gear? When each one saves you moreWhen a used camera or lens saves the most and when new is worth it, with depreciation, successor launches, warranties, promotions and refurbished.
• When camera and lens prices dropHow maker promotions, successor launches, sale seasons and used stock move camera and lens prices, and how to read our price history.