Canon Digital Cameras: Digital SLR vs “Point and Shoot”
As you browse Canon digital cameras looking for your next purchase, the biggest decision you will be faced with is whether to buy a compact “point-and-shoot” or a digital SLR camera. Although in the past SLRs have been used primarily by professional photographers, in recent years these cameras have become increasingly popular among amateurs and hobbyists.
There are many benefits to using a digital SLR rather than a normal compact digital camera, but they are certainly not the right fit for everyone. Below is a list of five main points to take into consideration as you decide whether a SLR camera is right for you.
1. Your Budget
If you are on a limited budget, then an SLR camera is probably just not an option for you. Even though the prices of SLRs have gone down considerably, they are still much more expensive than compact cameras. Even the cheapest SLRs are above $500, and the most expensive one that Canon sells is around $8000.
2. Your Need for Speed
One of the biggest advantages to having a digital SLR camera as opposed to a compact digital camera is the speed with which the pictures can be taken. Due to the way compact digital cameras electronically activate the sensor when you take a picture, there is certain amount of lag in between the time you press the button and the time the picture is actually taken
Digital SLR cameras, on the other hand, have a mechanical shutter that exposes its sensor to light instantaneously when you press the button to take your picture. Even the low-end SLR Canon digital cameras having a max shutter speed of 1/4000 of a second!
Zooming in or out is also faster with a SLR than with a regular point-and shoot camera because it is controlled by the manual twisting of the lens barrel. The zoom on compact cameras is again electronically controlled, creating a lag.
If you need to take pictures of a fast-action sports game or running wildlife, the digital SLR is clearly the way to go.
3. Your Lighting Situation
As far as taking pictures in low-light settings goes, a digital SLR camera will definitely produce the better photos, even without a flash. This is because of something called ISO, which allows the sensor in a digital SLR camera to absorb light more quickly so that the shutter does not have to stay open as long in low-light settings.
Keeping the shutter open for a longer time creates blurry pictures if the subject moves or if you are holding the camera in your hands rather than using a tripod. If the shutter does not have to stay open as long to absorb light, then the pictures will not turn out as blurry; it’s as simple as that.
4. How Much Control You Want
Whereas compact cameras are generally mostly automatic, SLR cameras allow the photographer almost complete control over every aspect of the picture. With an SLR, you can change the ISO number, shutter speed, manually control the zoom, and even change the lenses to get an ideal picture setting.
5. Portability
One downside of a SLR camera is that it is rather bulky and heavy. SLR Canon digital cameras are certainly not the kind of camera you can just throw in your pocket or your purse. If you want a camera you can take with you on the go, a point-and-shoot might be the better way to go.
Hopefully this article has taught you a little about the difference between SLR and compact digital cameras. Different Canon digital cameras are best for different people and different situations. Determine what your photography needs are and whether the quality of the pictures an SLR takes in low light or high speed situations is worth the higher price and bulkiness for you.