One could argue, that digital SLR cameras are the ultimate evolution of the digital cameras world. Even of the non-digital cameras world. I know, that would have incited a riot amongst the purely film camera mavens just a few years ago. But, as their number slowly dwindle and they become assimilated by the ranks of digital camera enthusiasts, that fear becomes non existent.

Even though SLRs are the superior camera, it seems that the compact digital camera just won't go away. While the biggest argument for that has to be the price, that gap is slowly closing. While all digital cameras have gotten cheaper, in terms of how much they offer for consumer, non have dropped as much as the SLR. A good entry level SLR, is not cheaper than what a paid for my first compact digital camera. That's quite a difference.

One of the hurdles to digital SLR cameras in the past, was the learning curve required to know how to use one. Digital technology has been slowly eroding that barrier over the years, till it is barely non existent. Knowing how to set your shutter speed, your aperture, your ISO, your white balance and whatever, is not so much a big deal anymore. At least not with automatic digital settings. Just like their little cousins the compact cameras, SLR cameras now have all those settings and more. What this means, is that you can take your brand new SLR out of the box, stick in a memory card, and switch the dial to portrait, sport, landscape or whatever, and start taking pictures.

It's as simple as that. Really. The extra bonus with the SLRs, is that if down the road your feeling braver, and want to take off the auto setting training wheels your welcome to do so. There are more manual settings to play with on the average SLR, then you will find on the best compact digital cameras. Plus the quality of your pictures will truly astound you.