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Photography will never be a dying art, especially with the rapid development of imaging technology and brand new systems - from entry-level compact cameras to high-end professional systems - that are marketed by camera manufacturers almost every year. While this is good news for photography enthusiasts, it is easy for outsiders to get lost in. It also makes it much harder for beginners to choose the right camera, especially when they are just starting out in photography. And, of course, it's always just as difficult to learn how to use it, be it by yourself, with the camera instructions or by taking a video course. The easiest route to go down is by joining a photography course with a teacher!
A Digital Single-Lens Reflex Camera (DSLR) is a camera with a digital sensor, interchangeable lenses, and whose direct optical aiming is done via a mirror and a prism.
Thanks to cameras capable of auto-focusing and storing thousands of photos on their internal memory card (which is perfect for professionals and beginners alike) digital photography is now more accessible than ever. But, it's always important to understand your camera's options before making a major purchase. DSLR is a term that has become synonymous with digital cameras, but a single-lens DSLR (which allows you to use interchangeable lenses on the same body) is just one type of digital camera. Find out what makes DSLR cameras so popular and whether they are the right choice for you.
The direct optical aiming, as well as the possibility to change the lens, are major advantages for experienced photographers, whether amateur or professional. Firstly, an optical viewfinder allows a greater comfort when observing the framing of a scene to be photographed, and unlike the screen viewfinder, the optical viewfinder will not be subject to time delay and will not apply any treatment to the brightness or colour of the subject.
Although nowadays the SLR is not the only one to offer this feature, the interchangeable lenses are undoubtedly the main asset of this type of camera! Whilst a camera with non-interchangeable lens will try to ensure a versatile viewing angle (but always to the detriment of optical quality), a DSLR can be equipped with lenses designed for specific uses. Let's take a few examples:
- A 50mm f:1.4 will be ideal for portraits in a low-light environment. - A 28mm f:2.8 will be perfect for landscape photography. - A 24-70mm f:2.8 zoom lens will be very appropriate for covering an event; its focal range and large aperture makes it a versatile lens.
DSLR cameras allow you to combine the camera body with the lens accessories of your choice, whether it's a fisheye or a zoom lens. "You can get different types of lenses that serve different purposes and give you a different look," explains one of our photographers. "DSLRs are much more versatile in this respect".
Whether your goal is to take intimate portraits or photograph stunning landscapes, understanding the ideal focal length for each situation will help you choose the best lens for your DSLR and get you on the right track.
Two of the most commonly confused terms in the world of photography are SLR (single-lens reflex camera) and DSLR (digital single-lens reflex camera). You probably already know the latter, either by name or by appearance, as many photographers today use this type of camera. SLRs, on the other hand, almost became a collector's item when the digital point-and-shoot became popular, but they have since returned as stylish gadgets for amateurs and professionals alike.
It's surprising that a single letter can make such a big difference to both cameras. But at the same time, it is also interesting to note how similar they are when you consider their main differences in terms of technology and hardware.
So what is the difference between SLR and DSLR cameras? Let's compare them in terms of their imaging technology, sensors, bodies, performance, price, value and outstanding features.
Both SLR and DSLR cameras use single-lens reflex technology, which uses an internal reflex mirror that allows the user to see what the lens sees and will be captured by the camera's optical viewfinder. However, DSLRs have a slight advantage. Some DSLR models offer live digital viewing through the rear LCD screen, as do today's mirrorless cameras without an optical viewfinder.
The most significant difference between SLRs and DSLRs is their sensor. SLRs are essentially multi-purpose analogue/film cameras, and the "D" preceding them (which simply means "digital") was added as a result of the development of SLRs with digital sensors. Of course, it follows that digital SLR cameras also use memory cards to store thousands of images, while SLRs capture a specific number of images per roll of film.
But again, the comparison between SLR cameras and digital cameras is not the same as the age-old debate between film and digital cameras, since SLR is only one of many types of film cameras.
Thanks to their unique imaging technology, both types of cameras use interchangeable lenses. This means that users can equip their SLR or DSLR camera with lens choices to suit their unique imaging needs and shooting styles.
With the emergence of digital SLR cameras with vintage-inspired bodies (like the Silver Pentax KP) and SLR cameras with more modern and elegant bodies (like the Nikon F6), it is more difficult to classify cameras according to the appearance of their body. But traditionally, SLR cameras have more buttons, two-tone colours and no rear monitor, while DSLRs tend to be monochrome and have a monitor. SLRs are also typically heavier because they are made of metal.
Another advantage of the development of digital cameras is that most DSLRs are capable of recording video, whereas practical film cameras such as SLRs cannot.
Film cameras generally offer better image quality, especially in terms of colour, contrast and dynamic range. Even today's most advanced digital cameras cannot quite reproduce the way film captures detail. And when you take into account the types of film and analogue sensors available (especially in large format), SLRs beat many consumer DSLRs in terms of pixels.
As there are currently more LRTs available on the market, the DSLRs tend to be less expensive than LRTs. However, if cost and value are more important than convenience, it is important to note that SLRs are better investments because they do not need to be upgraded like digital cameras. In addition, SLRs (like most film cameras) are valuable collectibles that you could even sell at a profit.
Do you take more bad pictures than good ones? Brought a DSLR camera, but still in automatic mode? Tired of reading mountains of text just to learn how to use your camera? Wondering why your images don't have the same brightness of colour and clarity as those of other photographers?
But of course, the capacities of a DSLR can only be exploited if the photographer masters the camera and uses its functionalities wisely. This is why THE PHOTO ACADEMY has designed a series of 4 courses dedicated to the learning of photographic techniques. At the end of these 4 courses mixing theory and practice, no modes or functions will hold any secrets for you!
Also, the beginners photography course will help you understand the basics of light and how your eye fixes lighting. Finally, you will learn how to get your camera to capture what your eye sees to produce better images.