9 Reasons to Buy Yourself a Digital SLR

We often hear that a DSLR is better than a compact. For those of you who kind of know this but would like to find out exactly how an SLR is better than a point-and-shoot. This article would be most helpful.

1. Image Quality – You get better quality photographs! Digital SLRs usually come with physically larger size sensors, and this in turn leads to larger pixels, which leads to the possibility of higher shutter speeds and higher ISO levels, and less image nose as you use these advantages.

2. Versatility is Unmatched – An SLR allows the use of interchangeable lenses. Although many modern compacts are fitted with zoom ranges extending to 10x, nothing can beat the versatility and choice of lenses available to the DSLR user. Add to that the choice of accessories such as flashes, and you have an unlimited number of permutations and combinations to get your kit into exactly the shape YOU desire.

3. Speed – DSLRS are on the whole faster to use, be it start up time, flash recycle time or the time they take to auto focus.  Many compacts have that nagging habit of taking so much time to focus on the subject that the decisive moments pass away, sadly un-captured.

4. Optical Viewfinder – The mirror mechanism in an SLR shows you EXACTLY what the sensor ‘sees’, thanks to the optical viewfinder.

5. ISO Levels – ISO ranges in a DSLR are generally much more than their compact brethren, be it the lower end or the higher. This is thanks to the usually larger sensor, and more technology packed into the housing.

6. Manual Options – Digital SLRS have more manual controls than the most advanced compact. If you are a photographer who knows the craft well, you will appreciate the use of totally manual controls.

7. Retaining Value – Digital SLRs also have more retaining value. They hold their monetary value longer than the average compact. This probably isn’t a deciding factor for most people buying a camera – people who buy a DLSR usually don’t want to sell it in a hurry! And then, when you do want to invest into a new DSLR body, your existing lenses of the same brand are compatible with the new body (in most cases).

8. Depth of Field – Depth of Field is a crucial creative aspect of photography, and the depth of field preview on a DSLR is a an enjoyable tool while composing your photographs. For those of you who would like to know more about this, do read up on depth of field and the factors that have an effect on it, the most important of them being the lens aperture.

9. Optics – The optics are better! This could be an arguable point, but it is safe to say that on the whole, the average DSLR houses better optics than the average point and shoot. DSLR lenses are aimed at the advanced amateur and the professional photographer, and nothing less than the best is acceptable to this genre of user. A compact on the other hand is targeted at the everyday layman who is not too fussy about things like optics.