The digital single-lens reflex camera, more commonly known as DSLR, is a type of digicam. Unlike the digicam that enables image capture using an electronic image sensor, DSLR cameras utilize a mechanical mirror, which causes the light entering the lens to bounce off toward an optical viewfinder and image sensor. If you think that doesn’t seem like too big a difference, read on to compare DSLR and standard digicams.
Advantages of using a digital SLR
On the one hand, a typical digital camera is a simple point-and-shoot system, where the electronic image sensor automatically adjusts to the type and amount of lighting it is exposed to. For this reason, an ordinary digicam takes up more time between shots, as the image sensor has to be electronically activated after you press the shutter release button. On the other hand, a DSLR camera reacts to mechanical activation, causing the shutter to open and capture an image as you press the button. Aside from speed, the bigger DSLR advantage is the quality and definition of the images produced. DSLR cameras don’t need much lighting, so they can take shots without using flash and hence retain colors the way your eyes see them. Above all, with a DSLR camera, you can change lenses and make manual adjustments with the settings, so you have more power over how you want your pictures to appear.
Popular digital SLR brands
The DSLR camera market is dominated by four brands: Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, and Sony. If you’re buying a DSLR camera, your first consideration should be the price—not only of the camera body but also of peripherals, such as batteries, filters, lenses, and memory cards. You also need to look into the type of image sensor and resolution that you need to work with, as well as its added features.
A DSLR camera has a big advantage over standard digicams, especially in terms of speed and image quality. However, it also costs a lot more. If you have the extra bucks to shell out, then you need to examine what you really need. This will help you decide which features you can forego for now, so you’d still be able to afford a DSLR camera. Consider future upgrades when you think about the price factor.
