Introduction
The speed at which the digital age continues to evolve means when looking for a digital SLR camera, (or DSLR), there are new features to be aware of. For example, innovation enables many digital SLR cameras to capture and create high definition movies, as well as capturing in the standard definition format.
The digital SLR camera offers scope for creativity but does not compensate in control; essentially, they make high quality photography accessible to those who can’t boast to be of a professional standard. However, to immerse yourself in digital photography doesn’t mean you need high-end products such as a digital SLR camera. More basic digital cameras, which enable you to literally ‘point and shoot’, but yet produce good quality pictures are still relevant. They come pocket sized, with a high zoom facility and move right through to the digital SLR camera; so it is totally your choice.
Key attributes
It can be easy getting lost in the specifications of a digital SLR camera - or even a simplified digital camera – which, dependant on your requirements is a process which could take some time, but regardless of your level of photography there are key attributes you should be aware of. Any digital camera, whether it is a digital SLR camera or a pocket sized model, will have internal memory where your images are stored, but this allocation is often insufficient. Whatever the internal memory, the amount of pictures it can store depends on your compression settings; the higher the compression means the more pictures you can accumulate on the internal memory, but, the higher the compression means quality will suffer. However, external memory cards are available to ease this problem.
It is also important to consider resolution on your digital SLR camera, which is expressed in megapixels (MP). After the cropping and printing process has taken place, enlarging pictures taken on any digital camera ultimately means a slight quality deficiency. Digital SLR cameras usually have more megapixels than the average digital camera, so this makes them more suitable for creating a larger print.
One of the major selling points for digital cameras or digital SLR cameras is the LCD screen or viewfinder, which helps simplify the photography process. It enables you to check what your photo will look like before talking it, but also makes discarding photos on your digital camera both simple and immediate. The negative slant of LCD screens on a digital SLR camera is they do drain battery power, so it is best to use them sparingly. There are other points that should also be taken into consideration, but they should be explored when and if you feel they may influence your purchase. It totally depends what your digital SLR camera or digital camera will be used for.
Range
If you are not looking for a digital SLR camera then you can keep within a lower budget and still produce good quality images with consummate ease. They are labelled pocket sized digital cameras and are defined by their sheer portability. In terms of viewing your pictures, they still print well and are also good for viewing on the web. In essence, these digital cameras do the job with minimal fuss.
The natural progression from the pocket sized digital camera introduces the ‘point and shoot’ model. They are similar to the pocket sized by offering a digital camera which is user-friendly and produces fine quality images. Although, when blowing images up with an average 5 megapixel model, they can look blocky, so do not compare results to that of a digital SLR camera.
There are further variations in the digital camera market such as high zoom; which enhance images from distance, but the market is now also awash with digital SLR cameras which have revolutionised digital photography.
digital SLR
Essentially, the digital SLR camera compliments the positives of digital cameras with the conventional SLR camera. Where the more standard digital cameras are designed with portability in mind, the digital SLR camera carries more weight, but their USP is flexibility and quality of print.
The digital SLR camera allows you to control almost every function manually; including aperture, white balance and flash synchronisation so as to optimise creativity. The speed of a digital SLR camera is another impressive feature and stands it apart from the original digital camera. Multiple shots can be taken in quick succession and there is no start-up time or shutter lag, so the digital SLR camera offers an instantaneous method.
The options in accessories for your digital SLR camera mean you can delve further. Flashguns, filters and lenses, to name a few, can aid your photography but it would be advisable to buy the camera first to familiarise yourself with the basic operation of a digital SLR camera. When you are comfortable with the digital SLR camera, you will then know which accessories would best suit you, as they depend totally on when, where and what you photograph.
There is an accessory for almost every aspect of your digital SLR camera. Previously mentioned was the memory element of the digital camera and this is key to how many photos your camera can store; at this point, memory cards deserve a further mention. As established, the more compression you apply, (through compression settings), means your camera can store more pictures, whatever the memory. However, this means you do compromise quality for the sake of storing mass images; the answer therefore is a memory card. There is a variation of memory cards available for the digital SLR camera and once you transfer all the data from this to your home PC, you can then erase the card and re-use it in your digital SLR camera. Types of memory cards include a memory stick, XD-Picture Cards, CompactFlash, SD and SDHC – however, it would be wise to look at these before buying your digital SLR camera.
It has been observed by many that the regulation lens attached to the digital SLR camera upon purchase, will merely suffice, therefore the market hosts lenses which further improve photographic results. A standard zoom will offer both more quality and the luxury of being ready to shoot anytime, but if landscapes are a point of interest then a wide angled lens should compliment your digital SLR camera.
Conversely, a telephoto lens is ideal for capturing wildlife or sports and these come in different zoom specifications. Macro lenses for your digital SLR camera offer the ability to take close up shots; they are also ideal for portraits with their medium focal lenses.
Prices for a digital SLR camera start at around £300, so this represents a cheaper option than some of the high end, more compact digital cameras. A defining negative that some identify with the digital SLR camera is they seem weighty in comparison to the more compact digital camera. However, this indicates they have a superior build quality, meaning they will stand up to tougher conditions.
Consumer choice
Owing to the fact the digital SLR camera is a hybrid of an original SLR and a digital camera, you are getting the best of both worlds. You must however, be certain you will utilise a digital SLR camera to its full potential, as if not, you should stick to a cheaper digital camera. The digital SLR camera offers many options to enhance the experience so fundamentally, a digital SLR camera is for those willing to pay for a superior standard of printed photograph.
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