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Digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras are
excellent cameras that produce clearer, sharper and more colourful images
than most point and shoot digital cameras available. With prices falling
rapidly, they are now more affordable then ever. With the price gap
between an entry model digital SLR camera and the most expensive compact
digital camera narrowing; the question is…
do I spend the extra money
and get a Digital SLR camera? or save a few hundred dollars and purchase
the best digital compact camera.
Well, it really depends on your
budget; however if you do spend the extra money, here's what you
get:
In addition to the price falls in the Digital SLR models, the
performance on these cameras has increased year on year with the latest
Digital SLR cameras being quicker and faster than ever before. They have
improved to such an extent that power up or start-up time is near
instantaneous with virtually no lag time. “Lag time is the time between
you pressing the shutter release button and the camera actually taking the
shot”. This delay can vary quite a bit between different camera models and
it is one of the biggest drawbacks compared to a compact digital camera.
The latest digital SLR cameras have virtually no lag times and react in
the same way as conventional film cameras, even in burst mode. Compact
digital cameras are catching up; however the difference is still
significant. A lag time of ~0.5 seconds can result in you missing the
heartbeat of the moment and hence that potential great
picture.
Digital SLR camera also has a larger sensor versus a
smaller sensor in a compact digital camera. This equates to higher
sensitivity and less noise and results in the camera taking clearer
pictures in low light. (They also have better autofocus speed in low light
as well). A measure of sensitivity in a digital camera is ISO and a
typical ISO range for a Digital SLR camera varies from ISO 100 – 1600 with
the latter being more sensitive. The ISO range for a compact digital
camera varies from ISO 50 – 400. In summary, the higher the ISO rating,
the greater the sensitivity and the better the photo can be taken in low
light.
The Digital SLR cameras have a much longer battery life due
to the limited use of the LCD screen. Please note, that as the LCD screen
is only used for viewing the image, the battery life of a digital SLR can
allow up to 2000 shots per charge in some cameras compared to 500 for a
good point and shoot digital camera.
Digital SLR cameras also allow
you to interchange lens such as adding a zoom or macro lens when
required.
On the negative side of a Digital SLR camera; they are
usually larger and heavier than compact digital cameras, the image cannot
be previewed on the LCD screen prior taking the picture. If you really
require the image to be viewed on the LCD prior to taking the picture,
there are third party manufacturers that produce LCD screens that attaches
to the viewfinder and allow the scene to be view just like a compact
digital camera. The other drawback is the inability to take videos and
finally, lenses are expensive with the majority costing more than the
camera itself.
Although compact digital cameras cannot compete on
features with a Digital SLR camera, they are great value, have the ability
to take videos and are portable. If you have decided to purchase a Digital
SLR camera I recommend you visit other websites which has Information on
Digital Camera and compare the features. If you are still undecided,
purchase both.
Virginia Wong is an IT consultant and has a
passion for digital photography. Her research into digital camera resulted
in the development of her own digital camera website.
http://infodigitalcamera.com This article is free to use, distribute and
copy as long as the link remains in
place. |