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Digital SLR (single lens reflex) cameras have recently surpassed equivalent film cameras in popularity. Digital cameras have always offered outstanding value, and now that the imaging technology has caught up digital cameras have the capacity to take crystal clear, brilliant photographs on par with those from film cameras. The SLR format is popular with professional and serious photography enthusiasts because it is the most versatile and convenient – the viewing lens is conveniently the same as the picture-taking lens, and lenses can be changed quickly and easily.

Contents

• Digital SLR Camera Advantages
• What to Look for in a Digital SLR Camera
• Popular Digital SLR Camera Brands

Digital SLR Camera Advantages

Digital SLR cameras offer significant advantages over film cameras. Images are immediately available for review – there's no need to wait to develop them to find out what you have shot. Digital removes film from the expense equation, which is a huge savings in both money and time. Digital also offers greater flexibility and convenience in changing white balance, ISO settings, and other technical settings from one shot to the next.

Digital SLR cameras also provide many benefits when compared against standard digital cameras. They have greater versatility among lenses, and invariably offer enhanced picture quality at comparable resolutions. Digital SLR cameras are made with photography enthusiasts in mind, and offer a range of professional-level features that non-SLRs do not have.

What to Look for in a Digital SLR Camera

Resolution – Casual photographers will only need resolution in the 6-8 megapixel range, intermediate users should consider 10-12 megapixels, while serious photographers will want the clarity offered by 12+ megapixels of resolution.

Frame Rate – 2-3 frames per second is appropriate for most consumers. If this is too slow, upgrade to the 6-8fps range. 8-10fps is necessary for some professional applications that require high-speed photography.

Autofocus Speed/Tracking – Most digital SLR cameras offer autofocus that is quick enough to handle everyday applications. If you notice a need for more speed, then consider a model that is optimized to compensate for fast-moving subjects.

Sturdiness – If you travel a lot, or are taking pictures in areas that are rugged in terms of terrain or weather, look for a model with metal construction, heavy-duty lenses, and water resistant and all-weather capabilities.

Additional Features – Which of these you need depends on what you are using your camera for, but improved digital SLR camera models feature an image histogram, comprehensive flash control, additional output and software capabilities, added battery life, and more.

Popular Digital SLR Camera Brands

Nikon, Canon, and Olympus are names that everyone is familiar with, regardless of the type of camera. Each of these manufacturers has a long and storied history of delivering popular cameras at competitive prices, and their range of digital SLR cameras is no exception. Their cameras often lead the market in performance and advanced accessories, but they make digital SLRs for every level of price and performance. Pentax and Panasonic have specialized in offering affordable models – though they may lack some of the more advanced features of high-end models, they provide solid performance and outstanding value. Sony is a more recent entrant, and has won fans with its complete line of cameras, from bargain-priced entry models to high-end performers with all the bells and whistles, and everything in between.