Digital cameras: Should I go with digital compact or a digital SLR camera?

Bottom line choice

In reply to: Compact or dSLR? by Lee Koo (ADMIN) 

I think everyone wants to have the best quality photo. But the deciding factors usually boils down to budget, bulk and willingness to learn the different functions and controls.
1. One button snapshot users who wants everything automated will choose PS cameras.
2. More sophisticated users without budget concern will usually get the D-SLR.
3. Those who have budget concern will get the prosumer models that has most of the functions of D-SLR but at a fraction of the cost. Some of the D-SLR users who have suffered their share of shoulder and back pain from lugging around those hefty lenses and camera bodies may also turn to the prosumer models which can satisfy most of their regular casual use.

However, one major difference in shopping between PS/prosumer cameras vs D-SLR is that PS/prosumer camera is an all-in-one package whereas the D-SLR is actually a system with many accessory parts and components. In other words, although PS/prosumer camera is a complete package, there is not much room for you to grow and their accessories are usually very limited. If you want something it does not have, you need to buy a new camera. On the other hand, most D-SLRs have much more potential to grow, as long as you have the money.
But not all D-SLR systems are equal and you need to be careful in choosing the right one for you. If you one day find out that the D-SLR system does not have what you need, then changing the system can be very costly. Shopping for D-SLR can be confusing for newbies especially if they don't know what they need in the beginning. If one decide to buy a D-SLR, one needs to look at the whole system, and think/plan how one may expand and grow within the system. This includes future lenses, flash system, availability of 3rd party accessories, other special accessories. Some companies like Samsung, Panasonic, etc depend on other manufacturer's lens and accessories, whereas Canon and Nikon have complete system of their own. Sticking with either Canon or Nikon usually is a safe bet.
A basic D-SLR system should have the following:
A camera body
A general purpose lens 17-55mm range
A mid range tele lens is usually very useful 50-200mm range
Hoods for your lenses (sometimes these are sold separately)
An external flash (you really should learn to use external flash rather than depending on the on-camera flash)
A flash diffuser
A polarizer filter and other filters (color, neutral density, etc)
Only use UV filter if you have an expensive lens (for protection)
Lens cleaning kit
Extra battery
Memory cards (133x is the basic, 233x or faster is high performance, 2-4 GB minimum, larger MP cameras may need higher capacity cards)
Tripod
Release cable

Then you will also need some of the basics as following:
Editing software
Your camera usually supplies the RAW conversion software
Monitor/printer calibration device eg. Spyder3 or Huey
Printer if you do your own printing
External hard drives to store and backup photo files
Noise reduction or enlargement software/plug-ins
A portable hard drive or multimedia storage to transfer and clear your memory card images in case you run out of memory cards while traveling

There are numerous specialty lenses and accessories out there to fit your special need, but check whether they are available or compatible with the particular D-SLR system you plan to buy. The 3rd party manufacturers do not make a compatible lens or component for every D-SLR in the market. Some bare bone basic models eg. Nikon D40/D60 may have limited compatibility to some less commonly used lenses or accessories. So plan carefully ahead and do your homework before giving out your hard-earned cash.