Digital SLR (dSLR) cameras are generally used by more advanced or professional users. This buyers guide can help you decide whether you should buy one.

Digital SLR or compact camera?

Digital SLR (from now on I’ll refer to it as dSLR) stands for Digital Single Lens Reflex. They are generally not a beginner’s camera, given the range of manual controls (particularly exposure flexibility) and also the fact that most dSLR cameras are somewhat bulkier than compact cameras (the upside is that they generally produce better quality images). If you want a basic camera that you can lug around with you on holidays and take snapshots with, then you need a digital compact camera.

While dSLR cameras do tend to be more expensive than compact cameras, these days the top end of the compact heap is gradually meeting the bottom end of the digital SLR heap. This is also true in terms of features. The most advanced compact cameras often have a host of manual controls – these high-end compacts are known as compact prosumer cameras.

dSLR sensors

When looking for a new dSLR camera, one of the key terms you’ll come across is sensor. The larger the sensor, the more light it can capture and the more information it can send to the camera’s processor. This results in a better quality image, particularly for shots taken in very bright or very dim lighting.

Because dSLR cameras have larger sensors than digital compacts, you can’t compare resolution between the two. That is, a 10-megapixel dSLR will generally still produce superior images to a 10-megapixel compact. dSLR cameras with the lowest sensor resolution still product great images for print, however if you’re planning on producing prints of landscapes or other detailed work you should consider looking at higher resolutions.

There are two types of digital SLR sensor: CCD and CMOS. While there are differences between the two technologies, the key is really in how each manufacturer uses them, so there is no one answer as to which one is better.

dSLR lenses

There are three main typres of lenses for dSLRs: wide angle, standard and telephoto. As the name suggests, wide angle lenses (generally 28mm and under) are best for anything where you want to capture a lot of landscape horizontally. Standard (up to 85mm) are best for general photography and portraits, while telephoto (up to 300mm) are good for wildlife, sports and so on. Macro lenses are fairly specialised and are best for shooting close-up detail, for example on flowers.

Digital SLR cameras are sold either as standalone, body-only kits or with lenses from the same manufacturer included. If you plan on using lenses from a different manufacturer with your new dSLR, do your research first as not all lenses are compatible with all makes of camera.

Best digital SLR cameras

Popular dSLR models include the Nikon D90 (pictured here) and the Canon EOS series. Sony Alpha models are popular with first-time dSLR buyers.

Buy a cheap digital SLR (dSLR) camera on sale

Guide originally published June 4, 2009; updated May 27, 2010.

By Caroline Warnes

Digital cameras: we all want one, but many of us aren’t sure what to look for when buying one. Our buyers guide for digital compact cameras is here to help.

Digital cameras: compact v dSLR

Once you hit the shops to find a new camera, it isn’t as straight forward as asking someone what the best digital camera is then handing over your cash. There are different types that will suit different users depending on their experience, skill level and what they are intending to use the camera for.

This buying guide looks at compact digital cameras, also known as “point-and-shoot” models. As the name suggests, these cameras are best suited for beginners and also for casual users. They tend to be small and easy to use with lots of automatic settings and minimal manual settings. On the other hand, digital SLR (dSLR) cameras are bigger but feature more manual settings and also tend to produce better images than compacts. However, you’ll pay more for a dSLR and they can be tricky to use for a beginner.

Megapixels

First and foremost, the one term you hear used in association with any digital camera, compact or dSLR, is resolution. Without getting too technical, this figure is measured in megapixels (sometimes called MP) and refers to the number of pixels (described in millions) the camera can record per image. Obviously, the higher the resolution, the clearer and more details the image will be. These days you don’t really see digital cameras below 7- or 8- megapixels, both of which still produce decent images.

If you are planning on printing your pictures out to large sizes then you will need a camera with a higher resolution.

Zoom

Another term you will hear frequently is zoom. All compact digital cameras have optical zoom, which is considered “real” zoom – the kind you’d see on a film camera. In other words, you can zoom in on something without the quality of the image deteriorating. Some compacts also feature digital zoom, which zooms in on the image by cropping and enlarging the target area. This type of zoom may result in some loss in image quality.

Features

What features can you expect to find on today’s digital compact cameras? Once again, it all depends on the camera and how much you’ve spent on it. At the most basic, a point-and-shoot model should feature the likes of face detection and image stabilisation as well as automatic scene modes, red-eye reduction and the ability to record movies in standard definition. The more advanced digital cameras may feature anything from high-definition movie recording (which is becoming more and more common) to blink detection. Some compact digital cameras can even be taken into extreme weather situations like the snow or rain, or can be dropped from a distance and still survive.

Best digital camera

Some of the most popular brands of compacts today include Canon Ixus and PowerShot, Nikon Coolpix (pictured here is the Nikon Coolpix S8000) and Olympus Mju and Mju Tough digital cameras.

Buy a cheap digital camera on sale

Guide originally published June 4, 2009; updated April 4, 2010.

By Caroline Warnes