To start, this guide is NOT for:

• starters who just bought their first camera

• professional photographers

• those who have tons of money and can afford each new model that comes out

This guide is FOR:

• the photography enthusiasts who feels limited by their current cameras

• those who are itching for camera upgrade but having second thoughts

Next, this article is primarily focused on upgrading digital camera bodies, specifically digital SLR cameras. We won't be talking about upgrading lenses and other accessories.

Now, on with the guide which revolves around several rules:

Rule # 1 and probably the most important rule:

"The next digital camera body will always be 'better' than the previous ones"

According to Moore's law, the power of computers will double every 18 months. This law applies to most electronic devices in general, including digital cameras. In fact, many believed that the timespan has shortened from 18 months to a year. So expect new digital slr camera bodies in the next year or so.

Given that, you can't be upgrading your digital slr camera every time there's a new camera in the market. You need to consider the cost of the upgrade and the depreciated value of your current camera. Second hand camera bodies would have lost some of it's value after a year. You also have to consider that the price of new models that come out are often at the high side at first until it hovers at a price acceptable to the general market.

Sometimes, new digital slr camera bodies have few functional updates. An example would be the Canon 40D and the Canon 50D. Although the Canon 50D is still a good camera, it only has small upgrades from the Canon 40D that is not worth as much as you spent.

One thing you can do is to upgrade after 2 to 3 generations of models are out. An example would be upgrading your Canon 40D to the new Canon 60D. Upgrading to the Canon 60D gives you more new features. You get your money's worth this way.

Rule # 2:

"The PERFECT camera DOES NOT EXIST"

There is no one perfect camera. You can be carrying a Canon 1D Mark IV, but you're not happy since it's not a full frame camera. By the way, the Canon 1D Mark IV is heavy as a tank too. The Canon 5D Mark II may be a lot lighter but it doesn't have fast fps compared to even the Canon 60D or Canon 7D. I hope you get the point.

So you need to stop mulling over those technical features. You won't be able to find the perfect camera. Well, you can wait for the next model to come out. Which brings us back to Rule # 1, where new models will come out and will surely be better than the best camera there is right now.

Rule # 3:

"The best camera for the job is what you have in your hands"

Simply, the camera that you have in your hand works and can take photos. It doesn't have the best functions but it's able to capture the moment, right?

I hear many starters say, "I wish I had a better camera", and end up not taking photos. The truth is, it would be better for them to have taken images with their current camera than to not have taken photos at all.

What's really important is to learn how to maximize the functions of your camera. You need to outgrow your camera first instead of looking for more features to compensate for the lack of skill. I've known photographers who have taken sports photos using their Canon 400D, even with its slow fps. There are photographers who are still using their Canon 20D, and still earns money by doing portrait photography.

In the end, you need to improve your skills as a photographer first before spending too much on new camera models. In fact, I've heard of a story of man with lots of money who bought himself a Canon 1D Mark III, but had to enroll on basic photography classes because he doesn't know how to use his camera.

To summarize, remember these 3 rules when you think you need an upgraded camera. Of course, these are not hard rules you need to follow. In the end, it's really up to you to decide which camera is the best for you. But we hope that you can follow these rules to help you save a bit of that upgrading cash.