"Point & Shoot" digital cameras do a very good job for most amateur
photographers, but sometimes it makes sense to pay a little extra for the
privilege of moving up to a digital SLR. How do you decide which is right for
you? Let's start with a list of the advantages and disadvantages of each:
Advantages of Point & Shoot digital cameras
- They are typically much less expensive than digital SLR's.
- They are more compact. In fact, many models can even fit in a shirt pocket.
- You don't have to bother with changing lenses.
- Most models come with at least some internal memory, making the purchase of
an external memory card an option instead of a necessity.
- You can compose your shot right on the LCD screen without having to peep
through the tiny viewfinder.
- Fewer available camera settings makes using your new point & shoot digicam
right out of the box less confusing.
Disadvantages of Point & Shoot digital cameras
- With the exception of adding an external memory card, there is usually little
room for expansion in the form of accessories like external flash units and
filters.
- Battery life is typically much shorter than with a digital SLR.
- Since there are fewer settings available, you will have less control over the
picture-taking process.
Advantages of digital SLR cameras
- Digital SLR's give you much more control over the picture-taking process.
- Adding an external flash unit, filters, extra lenses and other options is quite
easy.
- Since you always look "through-the-lens", you see the exact same thing the
camera "sees".
- Higher quality electronics and better sensors make for better overall picture
quality.
- Most digital SLR camera batteries can last for days with light use.
Disadvantages of digital SLR cameras
- They are typically much more expensive than point & shoot models.
- You cannot preview the shot on the LCD screen, only through the viewfinder.
- They tend to be somewhat fragile so they must be treated with extreme care.
- Dust can gather on the sensor's glass shield requiring that you have it cleaned
periodically (the camera manufacturers suggest that you let them do the cleaning
so as not to damage the sensor).
Conclusion
It all boils down this really: If you just need to take a few pictures here
and there for your own use, a point & shoot camera should do just fine. But if
you need to take lots of pictures under varying conditions with studio-quality
results, you definitely should consider a digital SLR (assuming your budget will
allow it).
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"Digital Photography Primer"
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