Can any one gove me a brief explanation as to how a DSLR excells over a normal camera

[rhino123]

Wow... three pages already... I have not read through all the posts so if what I am going to say is repeated by others, sorry.

Anyway, I find that the lighter and smaller the camera is, the easier and more convenient it is for people to bring around when on vacation (at least for me). I would not want to be lugging a DSLR on free and easy trip which I would most certainly be taking in the scene rather than clicking away. Anyway, I believe that small mirrorless interchangeable lens system is good enough for most of what TS wanted.

And for these, I would recommend the Sony NEX-5n, Olympus PEN series and the Panasonic G-series or GX1... also the Pentax K-01, all these system had bigger than most compact camera's sensor. and produce very nice pictures.

Another alternative would be Canon's G1X which sport a sensor that is larger than even the m4/3 sensor of the Olympus and Panasonic and it offer pretty good image quality with very good noise control for high ISO (price wise is not exactly cheap though and I believe some of the entry level DSLR is cheaper in comparism).

 

[Rashkae]

How much more control beyond PASM do you need? How much more convenient you wish to have? What other features u are looking for beyond just taking a picture? Vari-angle LCD? All these are what better DSLR can provide over entry levels like D3100.

Thanks!

Cowseye is correct - please do read through the "What DSLR to get?" FAQ. It covers a lot of things you may not even have realized.

 

[georgiee]

Ok, so what other functions does Higher end DSLR have which entry level DSLR doesnt.
Actually i had already sort of made up my mind to get the D3100 since there are so many positive reviews on it.
But may choose to see if the function on the higher end model Justifies the additional cost.

 

[rhino123]

Ok, so what other functions does Higher end DSLR have which entry level DSLR doesnt.
Actually i had already sort of made up my mind to get the D3100 since there are so many positive reviews on it.
But may choose to see if the function on the higher end model Justifies the additional cost.

For Nikon... higher end models had inbuilt motor, so it can use the entire range of lens for Nikon (except those that are specifically built to be manual lenses). If you use entry level Nikon camera, some of the lens will lost its AF capability. I believe some of the third party lens such as the excellent Tokina 11-16mm will not be able to AF if you use D3100. To me, that is a big deal breaker.

Second, I find that the top LCD information panel on higher end DSLR to be very important (but that is only personal preference).

 

[Rashkae]

Ok, so what other functions does Higher end DSLR have which entry level DSLR doesnt.
Actually i had already sort of made up my mind to get the D3100 since there are so many positive reviews on it.
But may choose to see if the function on the higher end model Justifies the additional cost.

Well, you don't need to look at "higher end". Sony (and for some features, Pentax) cameras in the same price range as the old D3100 (released in 2010) can offer some advantages like:

1. Built in anti-shake (no need to buy VR lenses)
2. Fast autofocus in live view (The D3100 is super slow here)
3. Tilting/articulated LCD
4. Fast autofocus in video mode
5. Fast FPS (7-12 depending on model)
6. AF with all AF lenses (if you get a D5100, you cannot AF with Nikons 50mm f/1.8 portrait lens for example)
7. Some models will also have built-in GPS to geotag your pictures
8. "Liveview in the viewfinder" - This would be with the Sony SLT cameras, where you can immediately see the impact of aperture changes, special picture effects, etc before you even take the picture
9. Sweep panorama and built-in HDR mode
10. More autofocus points

 

[Rashkae]

Actually i had already sort of made up my mind to get the D3100 since there are so many positive reviews on it.

Do remember that most of those reviews are from 2010- time flies very quickly in the digital world...

 

[georgiee]

I thought that usually applies to electronics such as mobile phones and Computers?
Usually electronics such as Cameras and Earphones tend to have pretty slow development.
cause currently i'm really into earphones but cant really find much new products.

 

[Sam-Gor]

Based on what TS has said, I think TS is not familar with the jargons we are talking about. He is making his choice based on reviews and other electronics he knew of. He just want to know what to buy without understanding the technical details. Despite the technical information we are giving him, it probably will not help him.

Please read up first before buying. Or I suggest you buying getting canon G series.. for people who started out on photography, they take really good photos... "DSLR" like quality without the need the understand the details. Also Big and professional enough

Or you can burn money to learn that it takes decent knowledge to take decent photos.

 

[snowc]

You can't really compare cameras and earphones. You sure that there not much development for the digital camera over the years?

 

[Rashkae]

I thought that usually applies to electronics such as mobile phones and Computers?
Usually electronics such as Cameras and Earphones tend to have pretty slow development.
cause currently i'm really into earphones but cant really find much new products.

Nope, cameras are developing at the same pace. Right now, cameras have some of the fastest development out there.

Mobile phone developent is actually relatively slow except for screen resolution and CPU/GPU power - especially Apple, which includes features from 2-9 years ago only now in it's phones.

As for earphones, the quad balanced armature sets are the newest innovation.

And really, comparing DSLR cameras to earphones??? Maybe true 20 years ago in the film days but not today. A DSLR camera, as the name implies, is a digital electronic device, and as such, develops and advances as fast as the digital world does.

 

[Sam-Gor]

photos taken by G10

 

[georgiee]

Wow thanks guys for all the beautiful and inspirational pictures

 

[Rashkae]

Wow thanks guys for all the beautiful and inspirational pictures

Those 2 pictures were taken with a compact camera. Not linked to your DSLR question, except to maybe make you ask if you really need a DSLR.

 

[Sam-Gor]

Yes, it appears to me he are not that into photography as he didnt take up the initative to read up on the basic terms on aperature, shutter speed, iso etc.

It is not just about buying the best equipment out there, you need to know how to use it.

Photography is not just about pressing the shutter button.

Those 2 pictures were taken with a compact camera. Not linked to your DSLR question, except to maybe make you ask if you really need a DSLR.

 

[georgiee]

Please dont be mistaken. Im highly interested into photography.
Recently have been going through many of the stuff that you guys have posted.
Seriously tried out some of the models.
But as most of u know DSLR requires huge amount of investment on time and money.
Which is why i would like to get all my facts well and sort up first before stating with this journey so that i would not regret in the future.

 

[georgiee]

AS u guys know im still a student with limited cash flows

 

[snowc]

TS, if you are serious about photography, you should at least be familiar with the basic such as aperture, iso and shutter speed. If not, I will suggest that you read the below link first before anything else.

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/newbies-corner/309544-photography-notes-newbies.html

 

[georgiee]

WOW ive read the notes its really informative. ive printed it out and im gonna study it for the next few days. Thanks for the Notes

 

[georgiee]

Hmmm anyway i was browsing through the web and saw Someone selling this Nikon F100. Its an SLR camera.
What function does a DSLR have that an SLR doesnt other than Lens changing

 

[spree86]

Hmmm anyway i was browsing through the web and saw Someone selling this Nikon F100. Its an SLR camera.
What function does a DSLR have that an SLR doesnt other than Lens changing

DSLR is digital, SLR takes film. Btw, SLR can change lens as well