The question comes up quite a bit:  “I need a new camera, and I’m not sure what to buy?”

It can be a bit frightening with all the different brands, makes, models, features and accessories available at any camera or electronics store.   However once you understand some of the major differences, you’ll have a much easier time narrowing down your options.

There are two major categories of consumer cameras:  DSLR, which stands for Digital Single Lens Reflex, and the ever popular “point ‘n shoot.”  Both have their advantages and disadvantages, depending primarily on how you want to use your camera and what type of photography you’re interested in.

The DSLR

This is the category that I’m the most familiar with.  I learned how to take photographs on an SLR (that’s a DSLR that actually used film), and have always used some format of an SLR in my professional photography life.  However while the SLR is the most appropriate tool for my line of work and the type of photography I specialize in (weddings and portraits), it might not necessarily be the best fit for everyone.

Pros:

• Interchangeable lenses provide a large variety of focal lengths, zoom vs. prime lens options, and fast lens “speed” that allows shooting in low light without a flash.

• Full manual control over image exposurem white balance, ISO rating, and flash compensation give the photographer complete control over how the image is created.

• All DSLR’s are part of an expandable system which in addition to the available interchangeable lenses, also includes interchangeable flash units, battery grips, changeable focussing screens, and even tethered shooting directly into your laptop or home computer network.

Cons

• Cost.  Although you can purchase a kit that includes a camera body and a lens, a complete system that includes a camera body and a variety of lenses can easily cost several thousand dollars.

• Portability.  While there is a whole section of the industry devoted to camera bags, backpacks, cases, and satchels, a DSLR and several lenses is not always the easiest kit to carry around.

• Learning curve.  DSLR’s give the user full manual control over their photographs, but they also provide fully automatic modes, as well as several modes that are a combination of input from the user and the camera’s automatic “brain.”  Learning the best application for these different modes can take some time to learn.

If you’re serious about being as creative as possible with your photography, and eventually want complete control over your images and exposures, the DSLR is going to be your best bet.  Because the interchangability of DSLR system’s lenses, you can easily start with a basic DSLR from any of the major manufacturers, and as you add lenses to your camera  bag, eventually upgrade your camera body, without necessarily having to purchase new lenses at the same time.

The Point ‘N Shoot:

If the thought of lugging a DSLR kit around,  mastering multiple exposure modes, or learning to use an external flash unit sounds like too much work, the Point N Shoot, or P&S, may be the better option.  While the imaging chips in the higher end DSLR’s will yield a cleaner image, if you’re primary concern is to document your vacation, kids birthday parties, and other family events, any of the modern P&S models will provide more than enough image resolution to produce fantastic enlargements.

Pros:

• Portability.  As mentioned above, there are no interchangeable lenses, and many of the popular models are small enough to neatly fit in a pocket, purse or small handbag.

• Ease of use.  The names says it all, “point and shoot.”  The camera takes care of all the decisions with one simple press of the button.

• Cost.  Some of the better P&S cameras cost less than even a DSLR camera body, without a lens.

Cons:

• Lack of lenses.  Whatever is on the camera is what you have to work with.  While most P&S models will feature a lens that covers focal lengths suitable for most situations, they usuallydo not provide much reach in terms of functioning as a full telephoto lens, nor do they provide a wide enough angle to include everything you’re seeing in front of you (think of the Grand Canyon pictures you took that just don’t show how big that hole in the ground really is).

• Speed.  How many times have you been ready to take a picture with your P&S camera, and you push the button, and wait for the camera to focus, then wait for the pre-flash or red eye reduction to fire, only then to hear the shutter actually click and see the image on the screen.  While the operational speed does seem to get better and better with the P&S cameras, they still lag behind the DSLR’s in terms of how fast the image is created once the shutter button is depressed.

• Lack of versatility.  This is a big one for me.  While  some P&S models like this Canon G9 picture above do offer a full manual exposure mode, as well as complete control over ISO rating and white balance, most P&S models leave much of the picture taking decision up to the computer chip inside the camera.  Thus, the “point ‘n shoot” tagline.  Also, while the G9 also has the capability to accept the more powerful flash units that Canon makes for its DSLR cameras, most P&S cameras limit the user to the onboard flash, which typically do not offer much in terms of control.

So if you’re thinking about purchasing a new camera, these are just a few things to think about which can hopefully help you narrow down your decision a bit.  I should note, that while I mention and feature Canon cameras in this post, Jay Crihfield Photography was not compensated, nor is endorsed by Canon in any way, shape, or form.  While I am very familiar with the Canon lineup, and have used Canon SLR’s and DSLR’s in my professional life for over 15 years, there are a number of camera manufacturers such as Nikon, Olympus, and Sony, which all offer very high quality DSLR and P&S camera lineups.