Choosing a digital camera will be a lot easier when you look at each of the three types of digital cameras: the digital SLR, compact (automatic) cameras and Bridge cameras.
This article introduces you to the advantages and disadvantages of each, so that you can narrow your choices down to the type of camera you want. And by choosing the right type of camera, you’ll have more fun taking pictures and before you know it, you’ll be framing all kinds of pictures in a wide variety of frames- everything from unique panoramic picture frames to large picture frames.

Digital Single Lens Reflexes (DSLRs)

Digital SLRs (DSLRs) were almost exclusively used by professional photographers until recently when the prices started to come down. Prices have come down for entry level DSLRs like the Canon Rebel. However, just remember that when you get a DSLR you also have to buy lenses to use. Some DSLRs do come with a basic starter lens so you’ll be able to start taking pictures right away. If you want to take some pictures of something far away, you can’t just push a button to zoom but will need to get a telephoto lens. These come in all kinds of sizes to fit the many different needs of photographers. In order to keep costs down, many photographers buy used equipment.

One of the great benefits of DSLRs is that you can get telephoto lenses that will let you take a close up of a bird on the top of a tree and you’ll never be able to tell from the picture that the bird was so far away. And they’re fast! That means you won’t miss actions shots because the camera took too long to record the picture after you pressed the shutter release button.

DSLRs also work with accessories like external flashes and filters to give you more options when shooting. DSLRs are great for taking action pictures in low light situations where a flash isn’t allowed or won’t reach.

And due to their larger sensors, you can increase ISO to get shots in places without adequate lighting but where you need high shutter speed to capture action. Other camera’s smaller sensors mean that when you increase ISO sufficiently to get these shots, you end up with digital noise, a colorful, unsightly graininess. This can sometimes be removed with software but the DSLR allows you to avoid the whole mess.

These days, the main disadvantage of a DSLR is the higher price tag when you compare it to other types of cameras.

If you are serious about photography and want to advance your skills, then a DSLR is the camera for you. Most people just start out with the camera body and a kit lens and then add more specialized lenses as they go.

Point & Shoot Digital Cameras (also called compact or automatic cameras)

Digital compacts or points and shoots are the most popular cameras in the Western world and for good reason. A compact is so easy to pack around and can take such good quality shots that many a pro with an expensive DSLR and a bag of big lenses has a small compact tucked in a pocket. (Pocket size compact digital cameras are often called subcompacts).

As mentioned above, compacts biggest benefits is their small and compact size. Unlike DSLRs which are bigger and have “more parts,” compacts can go almost anywhere easily.

And while you can just point and shoot with these cameras, many have all sorts of modes from which to choose, and plus some also give you some manual controls, such as Aperture Priority and Shutter Speed Priority. And if your camera has an optical zoom, you can also get some great telephoto pictures too!

Bridge Cameras

These digital cameras are designed to bridge the gap between DSLRs and compact (or point and shoot) cameras. They are also called prosumer cameras (a blend of professional and consumer).

Bridge cameras almost always have higher price tags than compact cameras but are less than most DSLRs (as you don’t have to buy extra lenses with bridge cameras).

Bridge cameras have larger sensors and offer more megapixels than most compacts. Because of the larger sensor, you can increase ISO more than on a compact but not nearly as high as with an DSLR. If you don’t need to take action pictures in low lighting conditions, then this will likely not be a problem for you.

Many bridge cameras let you get better indoor pictures by having hot shoes that work with an external flash. Bridge cameras also have movie mode and allow you to compose shots on the LCD. Many are super zooms. This means they have optical zoom ranges of 10x to 20x. Plus bridge cameras have almost or as many manual controls as DSLRs.

Once you decide if you want a DSLR, bridge or compact, choosing a digital camera from an online or local venue, will be much less confusing. So no matter what type of digital camera you get, take time to learn how to use your camera and you’ll be sure to start taking some great pictures that you’ll want to put in beautiful wood picture frames.

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