Do You Need a DSLR camera?

There has probably never been a better time to buy a digital camera. Prices are falling, the quality is always improving, and the list of features is constantly growing. Even the cheapest digital cameras now are capable of producing stunning prints suitable for framing.  Some new models even shoot movies in full HD resolution.

But what should you get? All the options make buying decisions difficult. Here’s some helpful advice to help you make an informed decision, even if you don’t know the difference between a P&S and a DSLR.

For starters, there are two major types of digital cameras: point-and-shoot (P&S) and digital single-lens reflex (DSLR). Neither is really better than the other. What you should get depends on what you plan to do with it.

Point and shoot
Point-and-shoot cameras are the easiest to use. All you have to do is point and shoot. Some even recognize faces, making sure they’re in focus regardless of where you’ve positioned them in the frame. Most also include automatic red-eye reduction to prevent your loved ones from looking like demons when you use the flash.

These cameras, also known as compact digital cameras, are tiny. Some models are barely larger than a credit card and thinner than a deck of playing cards.

That all sounds great, but point-and-shoot cameras have limitations that may prevent you from getting the shot you want. Because the camera is so small and the lens is built in, you won’t get much zoom power. If you see a bear in the woods, don’t even try to get a shot with a point-and-shoot camera.

Also, they aren’t good for action. The features that make them so easy to use also slow them down. When you press the shutter, it has to calculate the exposure, figure out where to focus and so on. By the time it has done all the math, you may have missed the big play.