Is A Digital SLR Camera Right For You?

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Digital SLR cameras are today the fastest expanding section of digital camera sales and are no longer just for professional photographers, but are fast becoming more affordable for amateurs. If you are serious about your photography and, because digital cameras are so affordable, there is no doubt that a digital SLR camera should be on your shopping when you are looking for a new camera.

SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex and the digital range is comparable in functionality to their 35 mm SLR equivalent and is just a computerized version of the same device, using light sensor chips and memory cards instead of film. Also known as TTL (through-the-lens) cameras they allow the photographer to see exactly what the final picture will look like because of the design that light entering the lens makes it's way to the viewfinder via reflection by a mirror. Focus and zoom is by the use of interchangeable lenses all with various vocal lengths

Some of the disadvantages of a digital SLR camera are minimal. However, compared to point and shoot models they are usually larger and heavier meaning that they are not always readily available for that opportunist photograph. To the inexperienced user they can also appear complicated and intimidating. Susceptibility to dust contamination can also be a problem as particles can enter the camera when changing lenses although many leading companies are now introducing sophisticated dust reduction systems to counteract this problem.

Today's digital SLR cameras are less expensive and more refined than ever and offer more expert management of your photographs. Some of the features within these cameras can include in-camera editing, image stabilization, auto focus, high-speed continuous shooting. However, because they are becoming more attractive to the amateur does not mean that more advanced photographers are losing out.

The number of digital SLR cameras that are on the market now can be overwhelming to the newcomer, but some of the popular cameras geared to be more affordable and worth considering are the Nikon D70s, Nikon D50, Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, Canon EOS Rebel Xti, Olympus Evolt E-300, Canon EOS 10D, Nikon D40, Pentax K100D, and the Sony Alpha A100. Obviously this list is by no means complete, but is a starting point.

Whether you are upgrading from compact digital cameras or 35mm SLR camera it is easy to see that digital SLR cameras are superior to the more unsophisticated cameras. Digital SLR cameras fall mainly into four categories, between consumer and ultra professional, and it is important to determine how much you are willing to pay as at each level the price increases significantly.

Better quality images without the strain and greater flexibility are just a couple of the attractions of digital SLR photography and once you have a tried it you'll find it difficult to return to point and shoot photography.