​​​TYPES OF DIGITAL CAMERAS

Dinesh Vishwakarma

Before choosing a camera many people will ask, what is the best camera to buy?, or what camera should I buy? While those are logical questions to ask, it is more important to first know what types of digital cameras are on the market. Take a look at each of the categories below and you should be able to determine which is the best type of camera for you.[br][br][br] [br][br]This tutorial will give you general information about the different types of digital cameras on the market for consumers. If you need a little more detailed information about each type of camera, check the tutorial for that specific camera category.[br][br][br]Digital Slr Cameras:[br][br] [br] [br][br]SLR cameras are the most versatile and advanced type cameras available on the consumer market.[br][br]The first thing you will notice about a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera is that it is larger than any compact consumer camera and putting one in your pocket is out of the question. The Canon Eos Rebel T6i or the Nikon D3400 are examples of good quality affordable Digital Slr cameras.[br][br]When using a Digital Slr camera you can set the camera to the automatic mode and just start taking pictures. However, you also have the option of taking pictures in the full manual mode, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, or program modes.[br][br]The most important thing to remember about using a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera is that you have more control over the way the picture will be taken as far as exposure settings.[br][br]Another important feature of Digital Slr cameras is that you can change the camera lens to fit different situations. For instance you can use a fixed focal length 28mm lens for wide angle scenes. You will also have the choice remove that lens and put on a 200mm fixed focal length telephoto lens to pull the scene in closer. Digital SLR cameras also allow you to use a variety of zoom lenses with different zoom ranges.[br][br]​The lenses for Digital Slr cameras will generally be of a better quality than those found on compact cameras which will result in better image quality. Read the tutorial, Camera Lens Types for more details about the importance of the camera lens.[br][br]​Another important difference between Digital Slr cameras and compact cameras is the image sensor size. Digital SLR cameras have larger image sensors which will generally produce better quality images. If you are not familiar with camera image sensors, please read the Digital Camera Image Sensors tutorial.[br][br]Don't forget to check the tutorial, Digital Single Lens Reflexcameras for more detailed information about Digital SLR type cameras.[br][br]Compact Digital Cameras:[br][br] [br] [br][br]Digital compact cameras, which are also known as Point and Shoot cameras, vary in features, price, and styles. Their smaller size and ease of use is the main appeal of these types of digital cameras.[br][br]Most basic compact cameras will fit in a pocket or small purse. All of the current compact cameras have a minimum three time (3X) zoom lens and at least 12 megapixels. With that many megapixels, great looking, quality images can be enlarged to 16 X 20 inch print size.[br][br]In addition to the automatic mode, digital compact cameras come equipped with a number of scene modes such as landscape, portrait, sports and fireworks among others. Those scene modes make it easy for the photographer to adapt to different types of picture taking situations without having to worry about changing the camera's exposure settings.[br][br]Manual adjustments to camera settings like the shutter speed or lens aperture setting can't be done on a basic digital compact camera. Those functions are set automatically when you take the picture. So once again, compact cameras are made for ease of use rather than giving the photographer full control over every camera setting.[br][br]However, the average casual photographer can get great pictures from a basic compact digital camera and there usually won't be a need for manual adjustments.[br][br]The Canon Powershot Elph 190IS pictured above is a great affordable digital compact camera. Another great compact camera choice is the Nikon CoolPix A300.[br][br]​Check the tutorial, Compact Digital Cameras for more detailed information about the features of some of the basic compact cameras on the market.[br][br]Bridge/Super Zoom Cameras:[br][br] [br] [br][br]The main difference between Bridge cameras and Basic Compact cameras is that they allow the photographer to have more control over the camera's exposure settings. Bridge cameras will have semi automatic, Aperture Priority,Shutter priority, and Program modes.[br][br]Most will also have a Manual mode that will allow the photographer to have full control over the camera exposure settings.[br][br]Many Bridge cameras also have lenses with a much longer zoom range than other cameras. For instance, instead of a three to five time zoom lens range,the zoom lens range for some Bridge cameras might be as high as fifty times (50X) or longer.[br][br]Bridge Cameras with very long zoom ranges are often referred to as Super Zoom cameras. The Canon Powershot SX540 HS shown to the right has a (50X) optical zoom lens.[br][br]The lens on a Bridge camera is "fixed" and cannot be removed or replaced with a different one in the same manner that you can change the lens on a Digital Slr camera. Also, most Bridge cameras will have a smaller image sensor and a smaller lens than the ones found on a Digital Slr camera.[br][br]Most bridge cameras are larger than basic point and shoot cameras but are smaller than Digital SLR cameras. Some bridge cameras have shapes similar to Digital SLR cameras, but many are shaped like digital compact cameras. (just slightly larger). Take a look at the Canon G9X as an example.[br]Bridge cameras are great for photographers who want more control over the camera exposure settings and in some cases perhaps a longer zoom range. These features are available in Bridge Cameras without having to pay the higher purchase price of a Digital Slr camera.[br][br]If you think a Bridge camera might be the right fit for you, then check the Bridge Cameras tutorial for more details about the features of Bridge/Advanced cameras.[br][br]Compact System Cameras/Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras:[br][br] [br] [br][br]These types of digital cameras are very similar to Digital Slr cameras. Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens cameras allow the photographer to use the camera in full manual, automatic, or semi-automatic modes the same way Digital Slr cameras can be operated.[br][br]If you were to research this type of camera, you will notice that some camera manufacturers use the name Compact System cameras and others use the name Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens for these types of cameras. Both names refer to the same type of camera.[br][br]You have probably figured out, by the name interchangeable lens, that the lens can be changed just like on a Digital SLR camera. The biggest difference between the two types of cameras is that Mirrorless cameras are much smaller than Digital Slr cameras.[br][br]Their camera body size is closer to the size of compact cameras. The reason the body size is so much smaller is because they do not have optical viewfinders like the Digital Slr cameras.[br][br]Optical viewfinders that are found on Digital Slr cameras use a system of mirrors and pentaprism to allow you to view the scene that will be photographed. Mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras do not have a mirror system.[br][br]They are equipped with an LCD screen and/or Electronic Viewfinder for previewing the scene that is about to be photographed. The mirrors in a Digital Slr camera take up a lot of space in the body of the camera, so the elimination of the mirrors allows for a smaller body to be used for the compact system camera. (similar to the Sony Alpha A6000 shown above)[br][br]As was previously mentioned, the lens on the mirrorless camera can be changed. However, they use smaller lens sizes than Digital Slr cameras. (some Digital Slr lenses can be used on the mirrorless camera if an adapter is used.)[br][br]Mirrorless cameras also have larger image sensors than compact cameras which will result in image quality similar to that of the some of the Digital Slr cameras. However, the image sensor on most Compact System Cameras is slightly smaller than the image sensors found in Digital SLR cameras.[br][br]Overall, Mirrorless cameras should appeal to those who want to take pictures that are Digital Slr quality in a much smaller sized camera. For more details about these type cameras, read Compact System Cameras.[br][br]As you can see, there is a variety of different types of digital cameras available. Hopefully, this tutorial will be the first step in helping you decide which type might be the best camera fit for you. [br][br][br][br]Source: Easy Basic Photography

RAJUPILLAY2197

Good share

Thinesh

Good share

sakhr68

Thanks brother for sharing