| The basics of digital photography are pretty much | | | | moderately priced DSLRs (relatively speaking) a few |
| the same whether you're using a digital compact or | | | | years ago, more photography enthusiasts are |
| DSLR (also referred to simply as an SLR), but there | | | | discovering the advantages of a DSLR. |
| are a few important differences... | | | | The big advantage of the DSLR is its creativity and |
| Digital Compacts | | | | versatility. |
| One of the biggest advantages to digital compacts is | | | | For example, by adding a long telephoto lenses, you |
| the cost. Also when you purchase a DSLR you will | | | | can capture a close up of an osprey at the top of a |
| also need to purchase at least one lens, and if you | | | | towering pine tree or a child at the soccer goal post |
| want to take pictures from afar, you'll also need a | | | | when you're at the other end of the field. With a |
| good telephoto lens. Digital compacts come with a | | | | DSLR, you can find a lens or filter to suit almost any |
| built in lens and often, zoom. | | | | photography need. |
| If you have an optical zoom on your digital compact, | | | | Another advantage to the DSLR is its ability to take |
| you can get some good quality telephoto shots too. | | | | crisp, focused sports and other action shots in places |
| Optical zoom is always better than digital zoom. The | | | | with low light where flash isn't allowed. The larger |
| reason? Digital zoom works like cropping - it takes | | | | sensor on a DSLR allows you to do this; whereas |
| away pixels. The more you zoom with digital zoom, | | | | with a compact, if you set the ISO high enough to |
| the lower the quality of your photograph. On the | | | | take the shot in the dim light, it would have digital |
| other hand, optical zoom maintains the quality of your | | | | noise (sort of a multi colored grain). |
| photo. | | | | If you're taking still shots, it's not an issue. The |
| Some compacts produce such high quality | | | | problem with Sports mode in a low light setting is |
| photographs that many a pro will use them when | | | | that the shutter must close so fast that in spite of a |
| they're out to take some quick pictures. The quality | | | | larger aperture setting, there's just not enough light |
| of the photo depends largely on the photographer's | | | | hitting the image sensor. The only way this can be |
| skill. | | | | compensate for is with flash or a higher ISO setting. |
| A digital compact has another advantage over a | | | | However, there are software programs that once |
| DSLR. Most DSLRs do not record video and those | | | | learned can often can work wonders in eliminating |
| that do are sacrificing quality in other areas, while | | | | digital noise created with compacts in these settings. |
| almost all digital compacts have a movie mode and | | | | Three more advantages - You can use external flash |
| LCD preview. | | | | with DSLRs, which can be a huge difference, but |
| While digital compacts don't have as many | | | | often it's better to substitute with natural light for a |
| megapixels as DSLRs, with only 5 megapixels, you | | | | better effect. |
| can produce an 8x10 print of the type of quality | | | | DSLRs have more megapixels than the best of the |
| you'd be proud to frame and hang on your wall or | | | | digital compacts, meaning you can take and print |
| give as a gift. | | | | really big pictures in high quality, like posters and large |
| Finally learning the digital photography basics of a | | | | prints for framing. Finally, digital cameras are slower |
| compact is easier then learning how to use a DSLR | | | | to take the picture, but DSLRs are far faster than |
| to its full advantage. | | | | compacts. |
| Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) | | | | Remember, digital photography basics start with |
| First to define this acronym. This is the digital version | | | | choosing a camera, but the quality of the |
| of the SLR or single lens reflex camera. DSLR's are | | | | photographs largely depend on the skill of the |
| also called SLRs but never the other way around. | | | | photographer. So no matter what type of camera |
| With the debut of the Canon Rebel and other more | | | | you have or purchase, it pays to practice. |