What Camera: SLR vs. Compact Camera

SLR vs. COMPACT CAMERAS

I am often asked, 'which camera should one get.' There are hundreds of models to choose from out there, most of which are excellent, so it would be hard to go wrong.
Probably the most important consideration is whether to get a compact camera, a large SLR, or something in between, which could be one of those 14x Superzoom all-in-one EVF cameras.

SLRs and a compact camera each have their own benefits and drawbacks, and within each category, there are variations in the major factors to consider: image quality, size, cost and features.

Quality

Sensors
SLR cameras have a clear quality advantage in image quality in all respects. Different cameras have different sized sensors and these sensors make a substantial difference in image quality: bigger=better. Just like in the film days, when the camera would expose a piece of film to light for a brief period of time, digital cameras expose a sensor.

As background, the size of the film frame exposed was 24x36 mm, the size of a 35 mm film negative. Professional level cameras starting at $2500 (without lens) and up now have sensors the size of a film frame, and some have sensors larger that that and cost over $10,000. Most other digital SLRs have sensors that are 16x24 (about 2/3 the size of a 35mm frame) and cost anywhere from about $400 to $1600 (sometimes with lens). The 4/3 system (produced by Panasonic and Olympus) is 12x18mm, or half the size of a 35mm frame. Compact cameras have frames that are substantially smaller, some being about 6x8 mm.

The upshot of all of this is that the larger sensor will allow you 1) most importantly, to take better pictures in lower light and 2) more control over determining how much of the image is out of focus, like in a nice portrait. On a smaller sensor, the pixels are very close together and can interfere with each other, causing random, discolored dots to appear in an image when photos are taken in lower light at higher sensitivities or ISO, which are the same as the numbers used to measure film speed in the film days (100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, etc.). This means the difference between sharp or blurry pictures at night, a concert or an event. Taking pictures at higher ISOs will capture images things in ways that flash cannot.

Lenses
Lenses on SLRs are generally better than those on compact cameras. They will focus faster and in lower light. Its also nice that when you upgrade to a new camera, you can keep using the lens and any accessories that you purchased with the new camera, as long as its the same brand as your initial camera.

You also get a lot more control with an SLR, because you can change lenses to suit different occasions. If you buy an SLR, having the zoom is nice, but you can and should consider purchasing an inexpensive prime lens, like a Canon 50 1.8 ($80) or a Nikon 50 1.8 ($130?).

With a compact, the lens that you buy with the camera is the lens that you will have for the life of the camera. There is no changing it. You want to make sure that you get yourself a camera with a lens that is as wide as you will want, which I would say is either 24 or 28 mm.

The Panasonic DMC-FX37 offers a very wide angle lens (25 mm) for $255, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/573603-REG/Panasonic_DMC_FX37A_Lumix_DMC_FX37_Digital_Camera.html.

The Canon SD880 IS offers a slightly narrower, 28 mm lens for $247, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/584419-REG/Canon_3197B001_PowerShot_SD880_IS_Digital.html

Size
Compact=small; SLR=large to larger. To state the obvious, compact cameras are generally small and SLR cameras are generally large. There are some larger compact cameras and smaller SLRs, though. If having an SLR is important to you, but size is an issue, consider buying a camera in the Micro 4/3 system, the only on currently available being the Panasonic G-1. Panasonic makes really interesting cameras. The Nikon D40 and the latest Canon rebel series camera are quite small as well. Especially with a small prime lens on it.

Will YOU carry it?
The ultimate question, however, is whether you will carry a large camera with you to places that you want to take pictures. The best camera in the world won't take good pictures from your closet while your out at parties or hiking, etc. Many professionals deal with this by owning both professional SLR cameras and a more compact, take-anywhere camera, so they are never caught without it. I carry my oversized camera bag a lot, and it strains my shoulder and frequently looks ridiculous and out of place. Professionals these days are carrying the Panasonic LX-3 camera, which is compact enough (still has some size to it), but offers great image quality and easy to access controls (but with a somewhat limited range), however, is limited. If this were not the worst financial crisis since the great depression, I might own one of these in addition to my other cameras. It currently costs $410 at B&H Photo Video, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/573592-REG/Panasonic_DMC_LX3K_Lumix_DMC_LX3_Digital_Camera.html.

Midsize. For those who want a little bit of everything, you can trade in a bit of size and a bit of image quality for a larger it all, you

Features
All About You. What features you need and what camera you get depends on what you are trying to do. If you want a small camera to take pictures are parties but will also work on trips, then the Canon SD 880IS seems like a great option.

Control, Control, Control. If you are looking to really drive your camera to take pictures in low light, then the SLR is for you. The most important features on any camera is the ability to access easily the three 3 basic controls: aperture, shutter speed, ISO and white balance. Incidental controls are exposure compensation and flash exposure compensation. While compact cameras may offer some of these, they are generally buried in menus and difficult to access, especially when learning or trying to make photos.

Creative Modes. Compact cameras are offering a number of creative modes on their cameras now that are worth exploring, like special color modes. These are fun, buy I would not buy a camera system because of them. These are easily duplicated in software after the fact.

Raw Format. Cameras save pictures in a couple of different formats. All will offer a JPG format, which is a compressed file that is kind of the like what a print was to a film negative. If digital had a negative, it would be the Raw file, which is offered by most SLR cameras and some compact cameras. The JPG might be perfect for making pictures of the JPG exactly as it came out of the camera, but if any adjustments need to be made after shooting (like exposure or white balance), and there often are, then the JPG will probably not look as good. RAW files have so much more information saved in them. The JPG is compressed by getting rid of all that information that is not being used. With a RAW file, the camera applies limited processing, and instead lets camera software on a computer do the processing according to instructions that the camera sends with the RAW file. If you disagree with what the camera thought would be the best settings, you have a good deal of latitude to fix them.

Video Recording. Point and shoots offer ready access to video, even HD video recording. Until recently, SLRs were not offering video recording. Video recording has not come far below the $1000 mark on SLR cameras yet, but it will. If this is a feature that is important to you, then get a non-SLR camera.

Build.
SLRs are generally better built and better SLRs are made of mostly metal (as opposed to plastic) and may be sealed against weather elements. If weather sealing is important, then there are some Pentax and Olympus compact cameras that are waterproof and worth looking in to. Better built SLRs will take more abuse. Compacts don't weather being dropped well.

Cost.
The cost differential is substantial, with amazing compact cameras selling for between $100 and $300 now. SLR cameras range from about $400-$450 and up with kit lens. To me, SLRs are more valuable for what I try to do with my camera. I have since purchased additional lenses, flashes, filters and accessories for my camera. I started with a compact point and shoot and film cameras, then bought a panasonic superzoom camera, which I loved, and then moved to the Canon 40D. While I loved my superzoom, I now wish that I had been able to spend the $400 or so the I spent on that superzoom on additional Canon lenses for my current cameras, rather than on a disposable lens/camera combo. Then again, camera bodies at the time did not have the features that I wanted, so the $400 got me great images until I saw the right combination of features and bought the Canon 40D $1300. It sells for about half that a year and a half later.

Steel yourself against price drops. Be ready to buy your digital and watch its price sink daily. I waited and delayed the purchase of an SLR until I saw the right combination of features and bought the Canon 40D $1300. It sells for about half that a year and a half later. I feel absolutely no remorse about it the purchase. I do not think that I should have waited longer or feel like I got a bad price. The price has gone down about $600 since last year, so I think 'would I have paid $600 to have the camera for the past year, for trips to Argentina, Greece and Italy, and everything in between?' ABSOLUTELY. I would not have it any other way. New cameras and new features have been offered since then but mine does what I need. I've probably taken 70,000 frames with my camera. I'd say I've gotten my money's worth.

In conclusion.

If you choose to go with an SLR, then there are a number of different brands and models to choose from, as well as lenses. Enough has been written about Canon vs Nikon, which discussions often deteriorate into the equivalent of an online soccer riot. There are other really interesting camera companies out there, like Sony (offering image stabilization in-body), Panasonic (offering the possibility of much smaller SLRs), Pentax and Olympus.

If you choose to go with a compact camera, I would look into more of the full featured compacts like that

The Panasonic DMC-FX37 offers a very wide angle lens (25 mm) for $255, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/573603-REG/Panasonic_DMC_FX37A_Lumix_DMC_FX37_Digital_Camera.html.

The Canon SD880 IS offers a slightly narrower, 28 mm lens for $247, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/584419-REG/Canon_3197B001_PowerShot_SD880_IS_Digital.html

If you want to carry the compact camera that the professionals carry, check out the Panasonic LX-3.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/573592-REG/Panasonic_DMC_LX3K_Lumix_DMC_LX3_Digital_Camera.html.

If you would like more of an All-In-One Cameras, check out the Canon G10. Fuji also makes interesting all in one cameras.


For additional resources, you can see the following:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/27476/digital_slr_vs_digital_pointandshoot.html

http://www.creativepro.com/article/digital-camera-buying-guide-part-1

http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/SLRvsDIGICAM/SLRA.HTM

I saw a film today - oh boy!

Today, I could have sworn I heard my 1 ghz 12 inch powerbook G4 (the "Supercomputer") from 2004 sigh. It was the kind of sigh of relief I expect to hear from the Supreme Court Justices Stevens and Ginsberg when Barak Obama is elected president: it's finally safe to retire. Apple finally released a 13 inch metal laptop, and I can't wait to snag me one (better to spend it on something you want before your government spends it for you by buying more banks!)... maybe!

I got the Supercomputer on clearance for about $1000 four years ago and spent about another grand adding everything from airport, bluetooth and a full 1 gig of ram, things that come standard now. Battery is still fine and I purchased a backup on which alternates duty with the original (not the firestarter, which I think I sent back to Apple). The only trouble was a replacement of the hard drive earlier this year for $320 (Everything was backed up). I did not even blink when deciding to throw down to rehab the Supercomputer!

That powerbook is so small and durable that it goes everywhere with me. It has survived impacts (I would always catch it before it hit the ground) and spills, cold weather, hot automobiles, No plastic iBook or Powerbook for me, though some love swear by them . I've taken the Supercomputer traveling to Greece, Italy, Patagonia, New Orleans, France, Spain, etc. Everywhere. It runs all the photo programs I need and at comfortable enough speeds. Of course, Apple disabled Aperture from working on computers as experienced as this old workhorse, so HA, Apple, I didn't get myself a whole new computer so that I could use Aperture, I got Lightroom and it's perfect! After I got an iMac, the Supercomputer went to strictly mobile computing duty. Rarely does it have any data on it that is not on the imac and backed up from there.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that the Supercomputer might last me another four or five years in this role, so long as Lightroom continues to work on it (and I expect Adobe has little incentive to change that, unlike Apple). That money would go a long way towards that 5dii I've been lusting after. But I'm happy to know that if the Supercomputer doesn't outlive me, Apple's got its design priorities back in order regarding metal over the plastic.