BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Digital terms

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January 05, 2005

I own both. Personally, I prefer the dSLR over the PnS. I like using interchangable lenses. But, I also do more post-processing with my dSLR. I think you just need to research both and then decide on which is best for you!
Mel

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January 05, 2005

First, cameras in general are usually identified or categorized by the way the user views the image. An SLR is just one of these categories. There are a few others.
'SLR' stands for Single Lens Reflex. In an SLR camera, when you look through the view finder, you are looking through the actual lens (via a system of prisms & mirrors built into that big hump on top of an SLR. This is a major advantage over other types, since you are seeing virtually what the lens is seeing, thus there should be no surprises on your final image.

Other cameras (Point & Shoots, Rangefinders, etc. all have other less effective ways of looking at the image, such as looking through a peep hole or some optical reproduction, etc.

Also, most common SLR's have interchangeable lenses while most Point & Shoot's don't. Some very fine rangefinder cameras DO also, but viewing through a small 'peephole' with lines drawn in to represent different focal lengths can be a mind game trying to decipher exactly what your final image might look like.
There is obviously no better way to view a potential image than looking directly through the lens, and actually seeing what the lens sees. For this reason, along with the capability of interchangeable lenses, SLR's have arguably been King of the Hill since the introduction of the Nikon F back in the 1960's. The first actual SLR was the German Exacta, dating from the early 1930's.
Michael H. Cothran

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January 06, 2005

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January 06, 2005