Types of Digital Cameras
Today's digital cameras generally fall into two broad categories: compact digital cameras and digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras.
Compact Cameras
Compact cameras are often called "point-and-shoot" cameras since they are designed for quick and easy automatic use without having to become overly concerned with complicated settings. As their name suggests, they are small and portable, making use of a built-in lens and a small built-in flash.
Some camera makers offer rugged, all-weather versions of compact cameras that can survive a fall and be submerged underwater. But otherwise, most compact cameras tend to be fragile, especially those with retractable, telescoping lenses. Accidentally drop a compact digital camera and you could be facing a repair bill that outweighs the value of the camera.
High-end compact cameras are packed with more features, and usually offer the photographer more control over the camera's functions. Aimed at photography enthusiasts, high-end compact cameras are more flexible and allow the photography to be more creative, bridging the gap between point-and-shoot cameras and more complex DSLR cameras. In fact, some high-end compacts go so far as to emulate more expensive DLSR body styles but lack the DSLR's interchangeable lenses and through-the-lens viewfinder.
DSLR Cameras
Based on the design of film single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras, DSLR cameras use a mirrored viewing system that reflects light from the lens through an optical viewfinder. In other words, what the photographer sees in the viewfinder is exactly what the camera will capture.
Virtually all DSLRs have an interchangeable lens system that allows the photographer to choose specific lenses for different applications, such as a long telephoto lens for sports photography. DSLR cameras give a high degree of manual control compared to compact digital cameras, and also use much larger image sensors that result in higher image quality. The only drawback to DSLR cameras is their cost; professional DSLR camera bodies can cost upwards of $6,000.
Compact Cameras
Compact cameras are often called "point-and-shoot" cameras since they are designed for quick and easy automatic use without having to become overly concerned with complicated settings. As their name suggests, they are small and portable, making use of a built-in lens and a small built-in flash.
Some camera makers offer rugged, all-weather versions of compact cameras that can survive a fall and be submerged underwater. But otherwise, most compact cameras tend to be fragile, especially those with retractable, telescoping lenses. Accidentally drop a compact digital camera and you could be facing a repair bill that outweighs the value of the camera.
High-end compact cameras are packed with more features, and usually offer the photographer more control over the camera's functions. Aimed at photography enthusiasts, high-end compact cameras are more flexible and allow the photography to be more creative, bridging the gap between point-and-shoot cameras and more complex DSLR cameras. In fact, some high-end compacts go so far as to emulate more expensive DLSR body styles but lack the DSLR's interchangeable lenses and through-the-lens viewfinder.
DSLR Cameras
Based on the design of film single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras, DSLR cameras use a mirrored viewing system that reflects light from the lens through an optical viewfinder. In other words, what the photographer sees in the viewfinder is exactly what the camera will capture.
Virtually all DSLRs have an interchangeable lens system that allows the photographer to choose specific lenses for different applications, such as a long telephoto lens for sports photography. DSLR cameras give a high degree of manual control compared to compact digital cameras, and also use much larger image sensors that result in higher image quality. The only drawback to DSLR cameras is their cost; professional DSLR camera bodies can cost upwards of $6,000.
