Cheap Digital SLR Cameras compared to a standard camera. What are the differences between the two?
Speed is a big difference
DSLR, even cheap Digital SLR cameras, are fast in the ways that truly do matter to any picture taker. While a compact digital cameras can take, two, three, or even four seconds to go from off to on, Digital SLRs are made to respond more like traditional film cameras. They can be from off-to-on time in under a second.
The Digital SLR cameras on the market today can take anywhere from three to six images per second. That is speed for you. With point-and-shoot models, there is always a lag between the time you press the shutter button and when the camera actually snaps the picture. There is no comparison between SLRs and point and shoots. Digital SLRs are tremendously faster.
Other operational features of DSLRs are improved as well. Reviewing pictures on a Digital SLR is often near instantaneous. Navigating through menus is much quicker and easier, as is auto-focusing.
Durability is another
Unfortunately a camera you carry around will get bumped, maybe dropped, or at least banged along the way. DSLRs are made to take a bit of bruising. Even Cheap Digital SLRs stand up to a bruising. Some models, including the Canon 40D, are weather sealed and are actually designed to operate in poor, inclement weather. Many Digital SLR cameras are built using a solid metal chassis rather than plastic..
High Flexibility
Truthfully the flexibility of a compact digital camera is limited. You will not get more zoom ability than the one that comes with the camera's built-in lens. You can’t get more performance or sharpness out of the camera by purchasing a new lens.
Digital SLRs adapt to a wide range of shooting styles and goals. Since cheap DSLRs allow you to swap one lens for another, that allow a high amount of flexibility. Do you want to shoot wide-angle landscapes? If you do, pop on one of the many lenses available. Another example. Do you want to shoot birds and other wildlife? If so, get a telephoto lens.
Most Digital SLRs on the market today, even the cheap models by Nikon, Canon, Olympus, even Sony are offered by companies that sell the complete camera systems that include battery packs, flashes, a wide range of lenses, and remote control units.
Various Manual Controls
There is nothing wrong with not wanting to have to think about how to take a picture before you take one. That is what point-and-shoot cameras are all about. But Digital SLRs have an “easy” mode too. However, when you want to get creative, your camera absolutely needs to make it easy for you to do so. Compact cameras do not. Typically you have to wade through slow, hard to use menus on a compact camera in order to change shutter speed, aperture, or any other feature. These, and countless other settings, are available via easy to use dials or buttons on DSLRs.
Much Better Image quality
All Digital SLRs, including cheap digital SLR cameras, have large sensors. these are the light-gathering chips at the heart of digital cameras. The light gathering sensors on DSLRs can be about the same size as a 35mm film negative. Compact digital cameras have much smaller sensors. They are often not much bigger than the tip of your finger. Larger sensors always have better light-gathering capabilities, more dynamic range, and better color than smaller sensors.
When all you really want to do is travel light with a small gadget that will allow you to capture basic fond memories and family moments, maybe with less fuss, a small camera may be just right for you. But if quality is what you are after & you are missing shots because your camera ranks high on your list of annoyances, then a cheap Digital SLR is the best choice.
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