Digital cameras forum: What's SLR? Difference between regular digi cams?

SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex. (a film camera).
A camera with removeable/replaceable lenses.

DSLR stands for Digital Single Lens Reflex (a digital camera). A camera with removeable/replaceable lenses.

The SLR or DSLR are not for the point-n-shoot photographer. To use them effectively you need to know/learn about photography.

Someone new to photography should start with something less. One group of lower cost cameras would be the Canon 75, 85, 95.
They have all of the manual over-ride features that would interest someone who wanted to learn photography. After a year or two, you then graduate to the DSLR.

The DSLR can take better pictures, in the hands of someone who knows photography.

One of the advantages of the DSLR is that it can be used in low-light situations and fast action situations and a combination of the two. Again to do this you need to know the mechanics of photography, because under those conditions you will be using some of the manual controls.

The disadvantage of the DSLR is the cost and it is bigger than what most people want. Once you get a DSLR you will likely want to aquire more lenses for special purposes. Lenses are expensive.

Those guys you see on the sidelines of football games are using SLR or DSLR cameras and are lugging around over $10,000 worth of camera and equipment.

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What's the definition of "Point and Shoot". Is it simply a lower-end camera for beginners, with pre-set automatic functions? Or is there more to it?

I'm looking at Sony Cybershot DSCW1. On the website it's listed as a "Pro" camera, not point and shoot. Is that correct? What is the major difference that separates it from a point and shoot?

Thanks again for your feedback!

Yes, film can do better than the average digital camera, but the average person will never see a difference. All things considered, film cannot do better than digital. A pro digital camera can do as well, or better, than film. Even an average digital camera can do better than film when used by an average person. Why? Immediate feedback, and far less dependence on such arcane things as film speed. Once photo editing comes into play, the digital process leaps ahead of film by a considerable margin.

I'm pretty sure that I will go for the Sony DSCW1.
I think it's the best that I can do, with the price range I'm looking at.

I mean, I don't need a high end SLR camera right at this moment, maybe later, when I get more experience.
For now, I think it's a good mix between a simple point-n-shoot, yet it has many manual features.

I've also looked at the Canon A95 5.3MP camera, and although it has a few advantages (and I mean, very few, according to the specifications), but it's $50CAN more expensive.

I think for the price, the value is very good. I check out all the specs, and it looks to be much better than some of the other ones I was looking at, and I think the W1 is at the top of my list, for the price I'm willing to pay.

Thanks to everyone who helped me, I will definately come back here, and share my experiences with it!

BTW, you can check out a comparison between the two cameras (Sony vs Canon) here: http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/subclass.asp?logon=&langid=EN&dept=14&catid=11719

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Both cameras are very popular. Each has features that the other does not. Both take excellent photographs.

Both cameras have enough manual controls to keep you busy for months. Just don't sit down and try to learn them all at once. That will only get you frustrated.

Start by taking lots of photos in Auto mode. Examine the photos and see what you could have done better. This will lead you into exploring the manual controls.

From your posts, you obviously prefer the Sony.
Someone else will compare the two and prefer the Canon.
That is why there are Fords and Chevrolets.

Either camera is a good choice.
Pick the one that you prefer.


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He has some 500 dollar compact flash card. At first he was just looking at cameras with CF card slots.

Then he discovered that the 500 buck card in the same size today in SDCARD format was 35 bucks. While he is smarting that prices have dropped by 10X in this area, he then considered and bought another camera without the CF card only consideration.

Bob

The differences are many and although only a few years ago SLR cameras were better in quality. This no longer applies.
The biggest difference is that SLR photos are on film which has to be developed in a lab or perhaps at home.
The digital cameras register pictures on cards of different formats. No films and usually one can see the picture on a screen immediately. The advantages of digital are ernormous. Easy to carry, along with photoshop one has the worlds most advanced photo lab.
Pictures can be loaded directly on to your hard disk and sent in minutes to your friends by email. They can be printed on most color printers. SLR despite the fact that many are fantastic are doomed by the digital technology.One can compare the 16 mm movie cameras and the arrival of video cameras. No more paying for bad pictures, no more waiting. Shoot as many as you like without extra cost.
The down side is that they use batteries and one should have a battery charger and a spare battery.They are not as fast as an SlR but most can take small videos in quick time format.
I love my Nikon coolpix and together with photoshop.
No chemicals or dark rooms, no color balance problems,instaneous pictures, fantastic.
What a change.
Brian Lawrence

Hi im a beginear photoraphrer and am in the process of buyin a new camera an slr 1 it is a canon EOS400d of ebay and was also lookin at a fujifilm sd8100f and wanted to which to go for if any1 has any info please reply