It wasn' t that long ago that you had to take your camera to a shop and
wait to get your film developed - but over the last decade or so digital
cameras have exploded in popularity. Although early digital cameras were
expensive and the picture quality wasn' t great, modern cameras offer high
image quality and a wealth of features. Even camera phones are beginning to
rival their full-sized counterparts as technology improves.
Digital photography lets you instantly see your photos and only keep the
best ones. Digital images are also extremely easy to share with your
friends, family or the public via the internet, social networks or email.
If you fancy yourself as a photographer, what type of camera do you need?
Should you invest in a big DSLR, or would a simple compact camera suffice?
What about just using your smartphone or tablet?
Let s take a look at the pros and cons of each.
DSLRs - the professionals choice
What is an SLR camera?
The large, complex looking cameras often seen in the hands of professional
photographers are known as SLR or DSLR cameras.
SLR stands for Single-Lens Reflex . Without getting into too much
technical detail, SLR cameras allow the photographer to see *exactly* what
the camera sees when they look through the viewfinder. Cheaper cameras (in
the days before digital photography) used two lenses - one for the actual
camera and one for the viewfinder. This could result in photos looking
different to how they were intended, especially when it came to close-up
shots.
DSLR stands for Digital Single-Lens Reflex . Just like older SLR cameras,
they accurately show the photographer what the final photo will look like.
They can display a preview image on a screen as well as through a
viewfinder lens.
Benefits of a DSLR
Thanks to improving technology and falling prices, a decent DSLR is now
within reach for keen amateurs. Compared to compact cameras, they can
produce better quality, more creative images. One of the main advantages of
a DSLR is that you can use interchangeable lenses to produce different
effects - such as a wide-angle lens for impressive panoramic shots, a
telephoto lens for zooming-in from long distances, or a macro-lense for
photographing very small objects. You can also use various accessories such
as tripods and different flashes.
As for drawbacks - the obvious one is that they are more expensive than
compact cameras. All the extra kit such as lenses and cases can also be
pricey. Some people will find them complex and fiddly to use, so if you
just want to take a photo with minimal hassle then a DSLR might not be for
you. If however you re a wannabe professional photographer and you can
afford all the gear, a DSLR could be right up your street.
Pros
- High quality images
- Interchangeable lenses
- Wide range of accessories
Cons
- Large size
- Can be expensive
- Not the easiest to use
Be aware that not all lens types will fit all bodies, so check for *mount
compatibility* before you buy.
Compact cameras - just point & shoot!
If a DSLR seems too intimidating then a compact digital camera may be right
for you. They are much easier to use - you just point and shoot. Most
compacts will let you play around with settings such as shutter speeds or
exposure, and some offer a range of pre-set shooting modes e.g. action
mode, portrait mode, night-time mode etc. If you prefer, you can simply
leave everything on auto setting and let the camera do all the work for
you.
Compact cameras fit easily into a pocket or bag, are straightforward to use
and give decent results.
Some key things to be aware of:
Resolution
The quality of photos taken with a digital camera depends on the cameras
*resolution*, which is measured in *megapixels* (or MP). A digital image is
made up of millions of tiny, coloured squares called pixels. The more
pixels packed into an image, the sharper and more detailed the image will
look. Fewer pixels result in a grainy or blurry looking image.
The higher the resolution of you photos, the bigger you will be able to
print them. A high-resolution camera will also give you the ability to crop
your photos without losing too much detail. The only drawback of taking
very hi-res photos.
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