If the difference between the SLR and regular digital is the type of lens and what it is made of...how big of a difference would it be from using my digi with different lens than if I would use a dslr?
I also have the option of low contrast and soft sharpness = .RAW format/ on my camera, I can set the aperture, shutter speed, ISO and white balance manually.
Under these circumstances, can you tell me the difference between the two in quality of picture ? Or, any other difference you can add. Thank you Delta..now Im more convinced than ever that I need to invest into DSLR...I HATE THE LCD! And yourre sooo right...its impossible to see the true image!!!! *ugh!* Everyone's giving great answers, but no one has mentioned sensor size. A ten megapixel point and shoot with SLR-like features (aperture and shutter priority, full manual control) can't compete with a ten megapixel DSLR. DSLRs have large sensors (usually around 25x16mm, or APS-C sized) that have bigger micro-lenses that capture more light per pixel. This makes a very fine image when magnified 100%. P&Ss usually have sensors around 8x6mm. When you start packing more megapixels into that small of a sensor you get less fine detail and more noise. That is, in my opinion, the major difference between SLR-like point and shoots and real DSLRs (points about the actual inner working of a true single lens reflex camera aside). Hope this helps! what camera are you using?
some Canon cameras for instance give you the option of purchasing accessory lenses. But because you can't take all the lenses off the camera just leaving a hole where you can look in and see the reflex mirror you don't have an SLR in your hands.
Thats the "nut shell" answer...
So, yeah, what camera do you have? a SLR means that there is a set of mirrors on the inside of the camera so when you look thru the viewfinder you see EXACTLY what the lens is seeing.
However, with a normal everyday Camera (digital or not) if you look thru the viewfinder you are seeing something above and sometimes over from what your actual lens is seeing.
Does this make sense?
Look at a regular camera the viewfinder you can see straight thru- a "hole" right thru the camera. W/ a SLR, there is no "hole" in the front. The only way to accomplish seeing the exact same thing on a reg. camera is to look at the screen (but sometimes lighting is an issue)
I hope this helps.
It doesn't have anything to do w/ quality, it is just how you see the image. A slr camera isnt classified due to being able to switch out lens'. SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex.
A slr camera has a mirror at 45 degrees. This mirror allows users to view directly through the lens of what their are shooting. When the photographer pushes the shutter button, the mirror moves up out of the way, exposing the sensor to the lens. This captures the image. It would help if you said what brand/model of camera you have.
I'm guessing you're talking about a point-and-shoot that has those lens attachments. Those aren't real "lenses", they just adapt the lens that's already on the camera.
With an SLR, you actually remove the entire lens and switch it out with another one. Plus there are far more than 3 options for lenses (I'd assume that those 3 you have are macro, wide angle, and telephoto maybe?) For instance, SLR lenses are sold in many different focal lengths. The kit lens that comes on most SLR's is around 18-55mm. Many people use a zoom telephoto around 70-200mm or 70-300mm. Professionals often prefer a "prime" lens, one that is a fixed focal length (such as 50mm or 300mm) since they tend to be better quality than zoom lenses.
Assuming you have a good quality p&s camera, the main difference you'll notice with a DSLR will be the flexibility in the kind of lenses you can use. The only real limitation with DLSR lenses is the amount of money you have to spend on them. :) A f2.8 telephoto lens can cost you thousands of dollars, but it's worth the money if you're a professional photographer. DSLR's are also usually built a lot sturdier than a p&s model. They're made to withstand the abuse of professional work. They're big and heavy, which may sound like a drawback but it's not, professionals prefer something solid that fits well in your hands and is easy to get a good grip on.
Another difference is that point & shoot's usually have you view the image from the LCD screen. With a SLR, you view the image through the viewfinder, and you actually see the image through the lens. This is much better than looking at the LCD screen since you're seeing what the camera is seeing, and not some little image that is probably too dark to see well in bright sunlight. A DSLR camera will still have an LCD, but you won't use it to take the photo (it's there for menu items and to review a photo after it has been taken).
One thing that you'll probably enjoy - a true SLR has almost no shutter lag. As you press the button, you take the picture. So you'll be able to see your kids and animals.
I love my Canon SLR, and it is three years old. The new ones are even better.
Enjoy! | 