Digital single-lens reflex cameras are the high tech version of those long time companions of professional photographers. Point and shoot cameras on the other hand are descendants of the instamatic camera and are made for average consumers.
- Size and Weight. One very noticeable difference between a digital-single lens reflex (DSLR) and a point and shoot camera is the size. Point and shoot cameras are handy and portable. DSLR cameras, on the other hand, are bulkier and heavier. This is because DSLR cameras have more complex electronic components as compared to point and shoot cameras. Add to that the fact that DSLR cameras have bigger and heavier lenses.
- Settings. Point and shoot cameras are pre-configured with settings that are aimed to assist an amateur user. These include light settings, depth of field and even reduction of red eye. Most of the complicated and oftentimes confusing camera settings have been made automatic in point and shoot cameras so all the user needs to do is literally to point, shoot and click away and relatively satisfactory photographic images are produced. DSLR camera settings, on the other hand, are much more sophisticated and complex. Reading the DSLR camera user's manual surely won't be enough to enable one to master its functions.
- Lens. Point and shoot cameras are installed with specialized lightweight lenses. And since these lenses are lightweight, naturally there are inherent limitations. Firstly, point and shoot camera lenses can not be replaced with other sets of lenses as opposed to DSLR cameras where the user can mix and match lenses so long as they are compatible and can readily fit into the DSLR camera's body. Secondly, since the lenses have been pre-configured and permanently installed then additional components such as photographic filters can not be put in to enhance the performance quality of point and shoot cameras.
- Resolution. Resolution in terms of graphics is referred to as the number of pixels or picture elements in a single frame. The more picture elements, the better the resolution of the photographic image is. And in this battle over which has better image resolution, the Digital SINGLE Lens Reflex cameras win hands off over point and shoot cameras.
- Price. Point and shoot cameras are definitely much cheaper when compared to the monetary value of digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. One can find high quality point and shoot cameras for around $400 while decent consumer DSLR cameras are priced lowest at $ 600.
With advances in camera technology as well as image editing software it's quite hard to tell which kind of camera was used by just looking at the picture. Whether they're professionals using high tech equipment or amateurs using small automated gadgets, a picture's quality is ultimately determined by the photographer's visual sensibility and eye for imagery.
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