Digital SLRs - What's the big deal?

thor

Is it worth paying extra for a SLR digital camera?
Will anyone except a professional notice a difference compared with a normal digital cameras?
I really can't understand why there has been a boom in their sales.

Airplanepics

Hi there,

I do a lot of photography using my Canon 30D, and yes you can notice the difference. The overall quality of a DSLR image over a Point and Shoot image is so much better, the colours and pictures are much more vivid.

You'll notice the images are sharper compared to the point and shoot!

I think so many people have bought them as they are so cheap now, you can pick them up for £400, I bought my first DSLR about 4 years ago, the base one was £750!

But with anything, you pay for what you get, if you buy a cheap lens, don't expect to get top notch photos every time, but if you invest in lenses such as Canon's "L" glass, you'll notice that you'll get better images.


Regards

Simon.

Old_Joe

A DSLR also allows you to use interchangeable lenses too.

S0litaire

There are usually more options on a DSLR for an Amateur / Professional photographer that the compact point 'n' Shoot cameras.

jewels123

It is definitely worth investing in a SLR digi cam.

For one, you can manipulate the object you are shooting. Lighting, focus, zoom...the things you can do differently are endless.

And yes, you will notice the difference even if you aren't a professional photographer.

I would say go for it. You won't be disappointed if youre the slightest bit into good pictures.

ManAtHome

Variable mileage etc...

The top-end DSLRs with a 36x24mm sensor will give excellent images and allow you to use your old lenses as intended.

Medium-range ones - depends, start of an expensive hobby if you're starting from scratch, often very little difference over a "DSLR-like" (aka "bridge camera"), but still the way to go if you have a collection of lenses.

Small point-and-shoots - yes, not as good but more likely to be in your pocket when a decent shot turns up.

I currently have P&S and "bridge" - doesn't look like Sony will bring out a Contax bayonet, so may well get a Canon or Oly DSLR body at some point, mainly as the lenses are worth using, not because the DSLR sensor is dramatically better than a high-end non-DSLR.

vyseyboy

It's the difference that existed 20 years ago between a supasnaps 110 instamatic and that massive thing on a tripod that professional wedding photographers had.

ManAtHome

No it isn't - that massive thing on the tripod had super lenses which cost arms+legs (the body was just there to keep the film flat) - your standard DSLR kit lenses won't get anywhere close. As I said earlier DSLR-land is the start of an expensive hobby.

catz1ct

I've never looked back since I've got mine. I think it mostly depends on how serious you are about your photography.

Networkguy

There is a big belief these days that an expensive DSLR camera = better photos when the most important accessory to taking a good picture is actually stood behind the lens :-)

Now IF you know what you are doing and spend the time to learn what a DSLR can do, you will be able to capture some great images.

BUT

Some of the higher end non DSLR cameras out there have better quality optics (the quality of the glass in the lens makes a difference) than some of the cheap DSLR camera with cheap standard lenses.

So will a DSLR take better pictures than a non DSLR camera? No

Can YOU take better pictures with a good DSLR with a good len? With practice, yes?

As for me.

I have both. A point and shoot for when I am just out and about with the family etc and I don't want to cart the full kit around and a fill DSLR setup for when I really want to get the best image possible.

I have actually captures pictures that I am really proud of with both.

Poppycat

How about this bridge cameras like the Fuji s81000fd? they seem a good choice between a large dslr and a compact