Choosing a Camera

In this day and age, digital cameras are available in every price range and a wide variety of photographic abilities. There are significant differences between a compact digital camera and an SLR camera.

The first thing you will notice is the difference in price. A compact digital is far less expensive than an SLR. SLR prices have come down, but you can still expect to pay around £500 for the body alone. Lenses vary from £80:00 for a plain lens on up to the £400 to £500 range for a powerful zoom lens.

What kind of photographer do you wish to be? That may be the defining answer in your choice. If you take photography seriously as a hobby, you will want to have an SLR digital camera. The range of choices are far greater with an SLR than with a compact digital.

If the size of the camera holds an important spot in your choice, be aware that you will not find an SLR that will fit into your pocket. Compact Digital Cameras are more compact and can go just about anywhere. An SLR digital camera has a removable lens and although lighter than in the past, still will not be slid into your pocket or purse.

What about videos? If you are using your camera for videos, the SLR may not be for you. They do not have an autofocus feature that will keep a fast moving object in your viewfinder very well. The compact digital is designed with the autofocus feature that will allow you to take videos of fast moving objects and sports events. The quality of the video on an SLR is superior and can capture videos suitable for viewing on your HDTV.

A compact digital has a wide zoom range in some instances. You can purchase them with 10x or even 15x zoom. These lenses are electronic and by pushing a button or adjusting a lever the camera will zoom in or out. The digital SLR is fully manual with its zoom. This has a distinct advantage as well. You can manually zoom as slowly or as quickly as you choose to get the shot you want. There is no waiting for the camera to electronically change your zoom.

You can reach the same range with the SLR with two lenses. One would be a wide zoom and one would be a wide angle lens. The cost of these two may be prohibitive to the novice photographer or hobbyist. It is important to get exactly the shot you want, but it is also important to choose the right camera to get that shot. The compact zoom is far more economical but may not have the other advantages that come with an SLR.

If you are a seasoned photographer and love your digital camera but want more, it may be time to step up to an SLR camera. You can take the same shots you would with the film cameras to get the right focus, light and angles that you desire. Shop wisely, check reviews on the body you are considering and join some of the sites on the internet that have a wide range of photographers willing to share their expertise.