In some respects, a digital SLR makes achieving a good composition a little bit easier, even if the eye and the skills of the photographer the ultimate responsibility. Some photographers say, with justification, that the composition should be exactly the same good thing if you’re using a digital SLR or less expensive point-and-shoot camera. Other photographers say that people need to spend more time with a DSLR. No significant difference between composing pictures with a digital camera snapshooting and a single-lens reflex, the main one is that you can do.

Your basic non-SLR camera might rely on a tiny LCD (liquid crystal display) that is 3.0 inches diagonally to the max (but probably a little smaller). This LCD screen is easily washable in the light may be too weak to see under low-light, and is grainy and the subject of ghost images if the camera or subject moves. May see only 85 percent or less of the actual subject matter, and probably turns off after a minute or two, because the hogs so much energy. And this is good news.

The bad news is that often these cameras have a viewfinder which is even worse than the alternate monitor. The optical viewfinder is a small window that not only shows only a portion of the real shows you the view is not centered. Depending on the position of the optical viewfinder, you can seduce in cutting the top of your subjects and perhaps a bit ‘on the right side as well. Paragon of this technology does not show the depth of field even though little, as the LCD.

And the situation worsens. The trend these days is to eliminate the optical viewfinder for SLR cameras not entirely, forcing snapshooters to hold the camera at arm’s length so that the device sometimes end up in the general direction of the person they want to shoot, rather than creating a thoughtful composition.

Much easier to think of as the typical dSLR makes the job of creating a photograph. Probably the camera viewfinder shows 95 percent of the actual picture with a magnification of 0.75x to 0.95x size to a normal focal length (more or less the equivalent of 45-50 mm). You have a good idea of the depth of field by default, and usually you can press a depth of field preview button to obtain a better representation of what is in focus and what is not. A digital SLR viewfinder is live all _even when the camera goes off, and the view winks alone for a split second during the exposure. There is no ghosting. It was never in danger of cutting the head your subject’s.

So, coming with a good composition when shooting with a point-and-shoot camera is more problematic, is a direct challenge. Since a DSLR makes it easy for you to compose images in the first place.

I’m confused about this. DSLR cameras are generally always more expensive than Point and shoot cameras. But why is it that DSLR cameras have a lower zoom range than P&S? For example, if a DSLR came with a 17-45mm lens (I’ve been told to divide 45/17 = 2.6x zoom) but some cheap P&S cameras have 5x zoom.
So does that mean P&S cameras can zoom further than DSLR?

i want to buy a canon or nikon dslr , and i want to know if they can take movies.

With better and better entry level DSLR cameras coming out on the market, do you think this is good or bad for professionals? Such as for wedding photographers, child sports, family portraits, and among others.

I’m always having trouble about what dslr cameras to buy? There’s so many different kinds out there and I’m stuck.. (the prices are always changing too) What do you recommend? I really want a nice camera that’s about $500-$1000, including lenses. Is it better to buy lenses separate or with? What brand do you consider top quality? Thanks.

I know w/film SLR cameras you can blur the background; can you do the same w/all digital SLR cameras?
Also do all digital SLR cameras allow you to take photos w/out a delay in the shutter?
THANKS IN ADVANCE!

Fixed-lens cameras
Non-SLR digital cameras generally fall into two types: compact digicams, and SLR-like bridge digital cameras (also known as advanced digital cameras) which offer larger zoom ranges, better optics, and more manual controls. Both types have permanently fixed lenses. While the only defining feature of an SLR is its reflex viewfinder system, extant digital SLR models generally offer the following advantages over fixed-lens cameras of the same generation:

• Choice of interchangeable (and often higher-quality) lenses.
• Image sensors of much larger size and often higher quality, offering lower noise, which is useful in low light, and greater dynamic range.
• Optical viewfinders which tend to be more comfortable and efficient, especially for action photography and in low-light conditions.
• DSLRs often offer faster and more responsive performance, with less shutter lag, faster auto focus systems, and faster frame rates.
• The larger focal length for the same field of view allows creative use of depth of field effects.
• Ability to attach additional accessories including hot shoe-mounted flash units, battery grips for additional power and hand positions, external light meters, and remote controls

There are also certain drawbacks to current DSLR designs, compared to fixed-lens cameras:

• Generally greater size and weight.
• Generally greater cost.
• Few DSLRs with a video mode. With the exception of cameras such as the Nikon D90 and the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, few DSLRs produced so far can record full-motion video, while this has become a standard feature of compact digital cameras.
• Louder operation, due to the SLR mirror mechanism.
• Potential contamination of the sensor by dust particles, when the lens is changed (though recent dust reduction systems alleviate this).