Point-and-Shoot vs. SLR: Choosing a Digital Camera (part 4)

Your level of photography interest and your previous photography habits will help you determine whether a digital point-and-shoot or digital SLR camera is better for you. If you’ve been using a 35mm SLR camera, you may only be happy with a digital SLR camera with similar features. If you’re used to a point-and-shoot camera, a digital SLR may be more of a learning curve than you’re willing to tackle. There are essentially three categories of digital cameras: digital SLR, high performance digital point-and-shoot, and compact digital point-and-shoot.

Digital SLR cameras have a high megapixel rating such as 6.3 or higher. In addition, they offer interchangeable lenses as well as full manual setting options. They have virtually no shutter lag time which can be a problem with digital point-and-shoot cameras. If you are a photography enthusiast, a digital SLR can be a fantastic choice, especially if you have already invested in multiple lenses for a 35mm SLR camera. Many lenses are interchangeable between the 35mm and digital models of various camera brands. Digital SLR cameras run about $1,000 as a base price and increase from there.

If you haven’t invested in multiple lenses, and aren’t interested in starting, you can still get many of the same features of an SLR camera in a high performance point-and-shoot digital camera. While they don’t offer the interchangeable lenses, many point-and-shoot cameras do offer a variety of manual settings that allow you to photograph in a creative mode. High end point-and-shoot cameras will typically have between a 5.0 – 8.0 megapixel rating and a 5x – 10x optical zoom rating. They range from about $500 - $1,000.

If you’re looking for a small, compact point-and-shoot, your options increase tremendously. Based on the megapixels and optical zoom you’re looking for, you’ll find a variety of cameras with all sorts of bells and whistles (such as LCD screen size, camera body size, and computer connectivity) that will catch your eye, usually in the range of $150 - $500.

The bottom line: Find a camera that fits your lifestyle. Your level of photography interest and your lifestyle will ultimately make this decision for you. Size, ease-of-use, and price will all play a major role in whether a digital SLR, high performance point-and-shoot, or compact point-and-shoot is right for you.

Ask yourself:
Am I used to an SLR camera or a point-and-shoot camera?
Do I want manual setting capabilities?
Am I willing to carry a large camera?

Consider the Extras (part 5)

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