DSLR vs. Point and Shoot

      In all of the new and modern camera technology that is being released, it is hard to decide what piece of photography equipment suits you best. The two highest selling these days are the DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex), and the Point and Shoot style cameras.

      Point and Shoot: A point-and-shoot camera, also called a compact camera, is a still camera designed primarily for simple operation. Most use automatic exposure lenses and have built-in flash. They are by far the best selling type of camera (aside from camera phones.) They are popular with people who do not consider themselves photographers, but still want an easy to use camera for situations such as graduations or vacations. The name "Point and Shoot" was derived from camcorders and the style they use for capturing video. The cheapest style of Point and Shoot cameras are the Disposable Cameras, which come with a single roll of film but can be reloaded, and can be found at almost any department store or Pharmacy. Some of the more advanced models use automatic focus and have variable apertures. They are likely to also have more advanced zoom and auto focus features, but will be more costly for each added feature. Point and Shoot camera prices can go from anywhere around $30 to $500, and sometimes even more.

      DSLR: The DSLR style cameras are definitely some of the most costly on the market, but are the "bread and butter" of almost every professional photographer's style. One of the most well known features of the DSLR style camera are the interchangable lenses, which give the photographer an almost infinite amount of different views to choose from. As opposed to the auto-focusing style given from the point and shoot cameras, the DSLR allows you focus manually, and gives you a better view of your subject with a larger viewfinder. Some other upgraded features of the DSLR style are: HD video capture, larger sensor sizes, wider angle view, and of course better image quality. MUCH BETTER IMAGE QUALITY. Being a larger camera, the DSLR style is unfavored by some who would prefer a smaller or more easier to carry style camera. The interchangable lenses can also come as a drawback to those who don't want to have to spend extra money just to take pictures (even though it is more than worth it in my opinion.)

 

For a more in-depth compare and contrast of the 2 styles: http://digital-photography-school.com/should-you-buy-a-dslr-or-point-and-shoot-digital-camera

 

 

-Aaron Adams (https://twitter.com/AaronAdams700)