DSLR cameras are ideal for photographers who need the best possible image quality and performance, as well as full creative control. DSLR cameras offer the ultimate flexibility of interchangeable lenses, flashes and accessories, so you’re not limited to a single photographic genre – instead, your creative possibilities are limitless. The most important feature of any digital SLR is the ability to change lenses depending on the shot, and there are lenses for everything from telephoto lenses for distant subjects to Marco lenses for close-ups.
This makes DSLRs a must-have for professional and amateur photographers alike, but they’re not just for advanced users – beginners looking to hone their skills will certainly benefit from making the leap from a compact camera to a DSLR, and can always take advantage of automatic features like face detection, scene recognition, and guide modes while perfecting their use of manual modes. From the beginning, DSLRs were designed to mirror the most popular type of film camera, the SLR.
These SLRs traditionally have an optical viewfinder, an SLR mirror, and a single shooting and viewing lens to function properly. Digital cameras are not subject to the same physical limitations as film SLRs, but they are still based on the same basic principle, which includes a viewfinder, an SLR mirror (with some notable exceptions), and an interchangeable lens system. When looking for a DSLR, there are a number of options to consider to determine which type best suits your personal needs.
An entry-level DSLR is the least expensive DSLR variant and is usually used either as an entry-level camera for photographers working with interchangeable lenses, or as a backup camera for professional photographers, or as a travel camera for amateur photographers. The term “entry-level camera” simply refers to a mix of features and characteristics that make the camera particularly user-friendly and functional, as a good starting point, and as something to move on from once you gain a better understanding of camera and exposure controls.
The image quality of these cameras is by no means inferior, but the range of options for controlling the DSLR tends more toward automated options and a variety of preset effects to achieve a particular look without the rigorous know-how required when using a purely manual camera.
Next is the expansive “mid-range” category, which includes most DSLR cameras between entry-level and professional. This is one of the most expanding areas of camera technologies and is often the area of cameras where the pinnacle of evolution begins, as in the case of the Canon EOS 70D, which offers redefined autofocus technology along with an expanded feature set compared to its predecessor.
Intermediate cameras can be equipped with either APS-C or full-frame sensors, and typically use a blend of polycarbonate and aluminum to create a compact, lightweight and rugged body. Intermediate DSLR cameras are a common entry point for people looking to upgrade from their first DSLR camera and, like entry-level DSLR cameras, are a valuable alternative for amateur photographers who need more than one body.
Professional DSLRs are usually the flagship of a company and represent the highest quality in terms of construction, manual control, image quality, sensitivity and speed. Professional DSLRs are usually equipped with full-frame image sensors and top-notch image processors, and are primarily characterized by offering the highest level of detail and clarity when capturing photos and videos.
A number of APS-C cameras can still be considered professional, such as the Nikon D7100, which offers a fast continuous shooting rate and an advanced autofocus system that benefits from the crop sensor format, making it a valuable camera for sports and nature photography.
There are many factors and features you need to consider before choosing a DSLR camera. For a beginner, it can be daunting to choose the best one. Nowadays, when the competition in the market is very high, DSLR cameras are available at prices starting from 25,000 and more, making them affordable and more accessible than ever.
Lenses are the first and most important factor to consider when buying a DSLR camera. They are a photographer’s first baby and a lifetime investment. DSLR cameras often come with a camera body and a basic lens that can be upgraded as desired.
The best feature of DSLR cameras is that they come with a detachable lens system. The lenses provide you with the image quality you want. Choosing a lens that offers high resolution and good zoom length without compromising image quality is the best choice if you want a sharp and detailed image.
Have you ever noticed that a photographer is very careful when cleaning lenses so as not to damage the sensor? Well, sensors are the most important part of a camera that receives the incoming light, which is then focused through a lens or other optics to get the perfect image. Many people invest more in megapixels than in good sensors and end up not being satisfied with the images. But if you read this article, you will know what to look for when buying a DSLR camera.
Currently, there are two main types of image sensors, namely APS-C or full-frame. Depending on your purpose and requirement, you can choose a camera with APS-C sensor or full-frame. While APS-C sensors offer the possibility to shoot with a longer lens, full-frame sensors are often preferred by professional users and are quite expensive and heavy.
Although sensors are the key to high image quality, megapixels, or the pixel range of your camera lens, reduce the grainy appearance of images when zooming. The rule is the same: the higher the megapixel count, the higher the resolution and therefore the higher the quality of the captured image. Another feature that affects the quality of an image is the ISO or exposure. Besides the three factors mentioned above, there are several other features that contribute to a better image. Compare and analyze the different models available to meet your needs.
Various functions offer additional advantages for capturing high-quality images. Let’s take a look at some of the basic functions that should be considered when buying a digital SLR camera.
Most DSLR cameras have better build quality than compact cameras. Often these cameras are made from materials such as magnesium alloy, rather than plastic as is the case with some cheaper cameras. These higher quality materials allow for better performance in harsh conditions and a more rugged look.
More advanced cameras have weather sealing to protect them from light water and dust damage. Most have in-camera sensor cleaning, which vibrates the sensor to remove small dust particles from the sensor. This is especially useful for photographers who change lenses frequently.
DSLR cameras typically have an optimal screen size that allows the user to easily view images taken with the camera. Most of these cameras now feature Live View, a live display on the camera’s rear LCD screen that allows point-and-shoot style framing. Live View makes it easy for photographers to frame shots from different angles. Some cameras even have variable-angle displays that allow for even more creativity with unconventional angles.
The light sensitivity of the camera sensor is determined by the ISO value. A low ISO value is necessary for high-light settings, while a high ISO value is required to capture an image in low-light conditions. High ISO values often result in noisy images, but cameras in the upper price range usually have larger sensors that produce cleaner images.
There are many DSLRs that use this technology to detect a face in the image. The camera then automatically adjusts the image settings and focus specifically for a detected face.
With digital SLR cameras, autofocus is almost a necessity for taking photos quickly and easily. Autofocus is made possible by integrated microcomputers that relay messages to the focusing motor and adjust it very quickly.
DSLR cameras feature detailed and color-accurate images, making them the ideal choice for professionals. These cameras have larger sensors than compacts and have more responsive controls that give them the speed and accuracy that professionals need. The added control over shutter speed, aperture, white balance, contrast, and flash sync allows photographers to take their creativity to the next level.
DSLRs have the ability to detect additional contrast detail. This means that more information is captured in the lightest and darkest areas of the image. Some cameras have a high dynamic range mode that extends these capabilities even further by taking three images together and stitching them together for a unique looking shot.
Since most DSLRs today offer resolutions around or well above 12 MP, resolution (measured in megapixels or MP) is now less critical to camera choice than many people think. The exception is if you intend to crop your images heavily or print them on a very large scale (for galleries or billboards, for example), in which case you should be able to afford the highest resolution (ideally 40 MP or more).
Unlike cameras with only one memory card slot, some higher-end cameras have two slots. This is a useful feature for making backups in case one card fails, and also for those who like to delegate what content goes on which card.
DSLR cameras use digital memory cards that can be removed and used with a memory card reader so you can transfer your images to a computer. Newer cameras allow wireless transfer via a Wi-Fi connection.
Almost all modern DSLR cameras are equipped with a rear LCD monitor that allows you to shoot in Live View mode (i.e., using the screen instead of the viewfinder), play back captured images, and view settings. The higher the resolution of the monitor (expressed in dots per inch, dpi), the brighter and sharper the display.
Some monitors are fixed. Others tilt up or down so you can see the screen better in bright weather and shoot at high or low angles without having to assume an awkward position. Still others are fully articulating, meaning they fold out to one side (handy for shooting yourself on video) and flip over for protection when not in use.
Touchscreen operation is becoming more common on DSLR camera monitors and may be worth considering when selecting a DSLR camera. While physical buttons and dials have the advantage of being operated without having to take your eyes off the viewfinder, touchscreen operation can be faster and more intuitive when it comes to setting certain functions, such as spot focus.
With the announcement of Nikon’s D90 in 2008, high-definition video recording became an integral part of DSLRs and has since become one of the most important and notable technologies for a camera. DSLRs and their use in professional and enthusiast video have grown incredibly quickly due to a number of advantages DSLRs offer over video cameras, including the physical size of the image sensor and the ability to use a much wider range of lenses.
Since the introduction of video and its increasing popularity, the video quality and capabilities of DSLR cameras have also increased significantly. Most DSLRs, from entry-level to professional models, are capable of recording video in full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution to provide vivid playback and extensive editing capabilities. In addition, by integrating an HDMI output, many cameras allow you to connect the camera directly to an HDTV for full-quality playback.
Just as the appearance of the videos has been refined, the audio recording capabilities have also been improved, firstly by the inclusion of an external microphone jack and secondly by the integration of a headphone jack. If video recording with a DSLR is the main purpose of its use, these two ports are an absolute necessity.
One of the last things you should consider when comparing DSLR cameras is the selection of supported accessories to ensure seamless use of flashes, remotes, and more. Many DSLRs have a built-in pop-up flash in addition to the hot shoe; the hot shoe provides the obvious support for an external flash.
However, on some cameras, the built-in flash can also serve as a controller for external flashes, so its capabilities go far beyond those of a stereotypical clip-on flash. Many entry-level, advanced, and some professional cameras are equipped with optional battery grips that provide a more comfortable grip on the camera body, additional access to controls when shooting in a vertical orientation, and longer battery life.
The first question newcomers to DSLR photography ask is: Which brand should we choose? There’s no right or wrong answer here – the simple truth is that all of the camera brands we carry offer excellent options otherwise they wouldn’t still be in business. Rather than obsessing over which brand is best, consider all available models within your budget and make your decision based on their specifications and features.
If you’re considering buying a DSLR camera, you’re effectively buying a branded camera system, as you’ll also want to buy lenses and accessories. Each manufacturer offers a different selection of lenses and accessories, so it’s important to pay attention to the brand. If you’ve purchased a camera whose lenses are interchangeable, you’ll most likely want to add to your lens arsenal, so it’s a good plan to investigate each manufacturer’s glass options.
The beauty of buying a DSLR camera is that you have an unparalleled selection of accessories such as lenses, flashes and filters for all kinds of creative photography. DSLR is a term that has become synonymous with digital camera, but a single-lens reflex digital camera (known for allowing interchangeable lenses on the same body) is just one type of digital camera.
© Tofido Publishing Media Network Limited.
Bollyinside provides you the latest Guides, Tech Tips and tutorials. Which you find here: So never forget to check our Bollyinside Blogs, for technology computer mobile guides and Tips, Top lists, best 10, and bussiness guides.
Bollyinside is part of Tofido ltd, an international media group and leading digital publisher.