Digital SLR Camera versus a Compact Digital Camera

Digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras are excellent cameras that produce clearer, sharper and more colourful images than most point and shoot digital cameras available. With prices falling rapidly, they are now more affordable then ever. With the price gap between an entry model digital SLR camera and the most expensive compact digital camera narrowing; the question is? do I spend the extra money and get a Digital SLR camera? or save a few hundred dollars and purchase the best digital compact camera.

Well, it really depends on your budget; however if you do spend the extra money, here's what you get:

In addition to the price falls in the Digital SLR models, the performance on these cameras has increased year on year with the latest Digital SLR cameras being quicker and faster than ever before. They have improved to such an extent that power up or start-up time is near instantaneous with virtually no lag time. "Lag time is the time between you pressing the shutter release button and the camera actually taking the shot". This delay can vary quite a bit between different camera models and it is one of the biggest drawbacks compared to a compact digital camera. The latest digital SLR cameras have virtually no lag times and react in the same way as conventional film cameras, even in burst mode. Compact digital cameras are catching up; however the difference is still significant. A lag time of ~0.5 seconds can result in you missing the heartbeat of the moment and hence that potential great picture.

Digital SLR camera also has a larger sensor versus a smaller sensor in a compact digital camera. This equates to higher sensitivity and less noise and results in the camera taking clearer pictures in low light. (They also have better autofocus speed in low light as well). A measure of sensitivity in a digital camera is ISO and a typical ISO range for a Digital SLR camera varies from ISO 100 ? 1600 with the latter being more sensitive. The ISO range for a compact digital camera varies from ISO 50 ? 400. In summary, the higher the ISO rating, the greater the sensitivity and the better the photo can be taken in low light.

The Digital SLR cameras have a much longer battery life due to the limited use of the LCD screen. Please note, that as the LCD screen is only used for viewing the image, the battery life of a digital SLR can allow up to 2000 shots per charge in some cameras compared to 500 for a good point and shoot digital camera.

Digital SLR cameras also allow you to interchange lens such as adding a zoom or macro lens when required.

On the negative side of a Digital SLR camera; They are usually larger and heavier than compact digital cameras, the image cannot be previewed on the LCD screen prior taking the picture. If you really require the image to be viewed on the LCD prior to taking the picture, there are third party manufacturers that produce LCD screens that attaches to the viewfinder and allow the scene to be view just like a compact digital camera. The other drawback is the inability to take videos and finally, lenses are expensive with the majority costing more than the camera itself.

Although compact digital cameras cannot compete on features with a Digital SLR camera, they are great value, have the ability to take videos and are portable. If you have decided to purchase a Digital SLR camera I recommend you visit www.infodigitalcamera.com to find additional information on Digital SLR camera. If you are still undecided, purchase both.

Virginia Wong is an IT consultant and has a passion for digital photography. Her research into digital camera resulted in the development of http://www.infodigitalcamera.com

In The News:


Google News
Updated : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:49:35 GMT

G-7 Commit to `All Necessary Steps' to Stem Global Meltdown - Bloomberg


Voice of America
G-7 Commit to `All Necessary Steps' to Stem Global Meltdown
Bloomberg - 1 hour ago
By Simon Kennedy Oct. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Group of Seven finance chiefs, meeting after stocks plunged and as a global recession looms, vowed to prevent the failure of vital banks while failing to unveil new initiatives for thawing credit markets.
Group of 7 Nations Seek Coordination in Rescue New York Times
In latest bold step, Treasury will buy bank stakes The Miami Herald
CNNMoney.com - The Associated Press - Boston Globe - FN Arena News
all 890 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:03:42 GMT

Paulson Indicates Need to Purchase Bank Equity `Soon as We Can' - Bloomberg


Telegraph.co.uk
Paulson Indicates Need to Purchase Bank Equity `Soon as We Can'
Bloomberg - 1 hour ago
By John Brinsley and Rebecca Christie Oct. 11 (Bloomberg) -- US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson indicated that pumping government funds into banks is a priority and said financial markets will remain volatile.
US planning to buy equity in financial institutions Reuters
Treasury Weighs Investing In Banks Washington Post
International Herald Tribune - MarketWatch - CNNMoney.com - Bizjournals.com
all 1,783 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:21:05 GMT

Democrats Are Gaining, Registration Data Shows - New York Times


Los Angeles Times
Democrats Are Gaining, Registration Data Shows
New York Times - 2 hours ago
By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE and GRIFF PALMER Some longtime Republican strongholds in New York are becoming increasingly Democratic, a striking change driven by demographic shifts, intense voter registration drives by Democrats and allied groups and sagging ...
Campus registration drives in full swing KARE
Ott, Hook face off for open county office St. Joseph News-Press
The News-Press - Winston-Salem Journal - Tampabay.com - Beaufort Gazette
all 739 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:20:33 GMT

Genomics project unites four Wisconsin research institutions - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Genomics project unites four Wisconsin research institutions
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - 19 minutes ago
By KATHLEEN GALLAGHER Wisconsin’s four biggest academic research institutions will collaborate on an initiative aimed at giving the state national stature in the fast-emerging field of individualized medicine, Gov.
Marshfield Clinic gets biggest donation yet Chicago Tribune
Wis. governor unveils gene research triangle Forbes
Bizjournals.com - GenomeWeb News (subscription) - WJFW-TV - WISN.com
all 51 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:29:44 GMT

Bush: US authority able to solve financial crisis - People's Daily Online


Telegraph.co.uk
Bush: US authority able to solve financial crisis
People's Daily Online - 1 hour ago
US President George W. Bush arrives in the Rose Garden at the White House to makes a statement on the economy in Washington, October 10, 2008.
President Bush vows action on financial crisis Los Angeles Times
Bush's Lullaby to the Markets Washington Post
Birmingham Star - Wall Street Journal - CNN - Bloomberg
all 1,302 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:12:49 GMT

McCain Lauds and Attacks Obama in Same Day - New York Times


CBS News
McCain Lauds and Attacks Obama in Same Day
New York Times - 41 minutes ago
Senator John McCain of Arizona and his supporters at a rally on Friday in La Crosse, Wis. By ELISABETH BUMILLER LAKEVILLE, Minn. - After a week of trying to portray Senator Barack Obama as a friend of terrorists who would drive the country into ...
McCain Moves to Soften the Tone at Rallies Washington Post
John McCain, speaking to supporters, tries to defuse an anti ... Los Angeles Times
Reuters - DetNews.com - Austin American-Statesman - The Miami Herald
all 304 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:08:14 GMT

US Near Changing Stance on North Korea as Terrorist - Wall Street Journal


BBC News
US Near Changing Stance on North Korea as Terrorist
Wall Street Journal - 1 hour ago
By JAY SOLOMON WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is hoping to announce as soon as Saturday that it is tentatively removing North Korea from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, in a bid to kick-start a stalled nuclear disarmament agreement, ...
AP: US to remove North Korea from terror blacklist The Associated Press
US May Remove North Korea From Terrorism List, AP Reports Bloomberg
Los Angeles Times - Voice of America - Financial Times - The Miami Herald
all 1,714 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:02:40 GMT

Turn Affiliate Datafeed into RSS
Amazon Tool


PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

The Primer on Digital Camera Printers

Once you have clicked photos through your digital camera, then... Read More

The Alligator Farm - Home to Beautiful Winged Creatures

Your first thought when you read "Alligator Farm" might be... Read More

The Truth About Pixels, Part 2-1: Printing 4x3 Inch Photos

Why is a 3 megapixel camera better than a 1... Read More

Picture Framing for Photographers - Part 1

Imagine being able to frame all your own photographs just... Read More

Getting Rid of Red Eye

The photos you took of the party are really great... Read More

8 Simple Tips for Taking Great Baby Photos

Taking pictures of your new baby is a great way... Read More

Photography Poses ? The Missing Ingredient

You've read all the "best digital camera" articles, got the... Read More

Understanding Digital Photography

Most serious photographers and all professionals use a Single Lens... Read More

Digital RAW Workflow for Beginners

Having an efficient work flow is essential for photographers. In... Read More

Panasonic Digital Cameras - The History Behind Their Cameras

Panasonic is a world-renowned consumer electronics company today. Its digital... Read More

The Photography Portfolio: Building Your Reputation

If you have hopes of becoming a professional photographer, or... Read More

Studio Photography and Digital Backgrounds

The article given here was written for Adobe Photoshop 5,6,7,CS,... Read More

Becoming A Digital Artist On A Budget

So, you want to become a digital artist but paying... Read More

Digital Cameras & Resolution

While analyzing any camera, one of the most important qualities... Read More

Pinhole Photography: Right Back to Basics

Why Pinhole Photography?It's fun. It's creative. It's educative about the... Read More

Move Up to the World of the Digital SLR Camera

A digital SLR camera or a single lens reflex (SLR)... Read More

Tiny Cameras, Big Pictures and Make Your Photos Great!

The path to picking a digital camera usually leads to... Read More

Digital Zoom Versus Optical Zoom

The digital camera is but a technological advancement of the... Read More

Sony Digital Cameras - Always On The Innovation Frontier

Sony was the first company to introduce digital cameras into... Read More

How To Reduce Red Eye The Easy Way With Any Pro Or Point & Shot Camera

There is one simple technique any body can do to... Read More

Using a Camcorder to Record Family Events Quickly and Easily

Let's start there (but not spend too much time on... Read More

Why 1.5 Megapixels is Enough

Dots Per Inch is a useful measure of relative resolution.... Read More

The Arizona Desert Museum

The vast beauty and richness of the desert can be... Read More

Sepia Toned Prints from Your Colour or Black and White Photos ? 5 Minute Digital Fix

Quite often I will have clients bring in old photographs... Read More

How to Create a Great Video - a Simple Guide on How to Shoot Home Movies with a Camcorder

So you have bought a camcorder and have shot some... Read More