Although a good number of people are ditching compact digital cameras altogether for their cellphone cameras, there has still been an increase in the number of consumers making the switch to DSLR cameras -and I’m not even talking about professional photographers and hobbyists. I have several friends who have little photography skills upgrading and it’s not difficult to understand why.
Even if you’re a little unsure about what ISO and aperture mean, DSLR cameras are still simple to use and will give you wonderful results. The big advantage to these cameras is that they’re fast. How many times has your compact camera not focused properly and by the time it does, there is still a second lapse in time between pushing the button and the camera actually taking the shot. And of course the moment has passed, the scene ruined. There is never a delay with DSLR cameras thanks to the shutter. This alone is reason enough for some camera lovers.
Although a sunny day is the “ideal” for taking excellent photographs, we can’t always rely on our surroundings. We might be at a nightclub checking out a local band or at an outdoor evening wedding and the lighting just won’t cooperate as nicely as we hoped. As long as the flash is on, the pictures will come out decently. With a DSLR, you don’t even need the flash on. The ISO, which I mentioned earlier, is a digital sensor that is sensitive to light. As you increase the ISO, you increase the sensitivity to the light so you will be able to take a photograph in dimly lit areas. The only downside is that an increase in ISO also means an increase in graininess or background noise. Even still, the photographs will be noticeably better and clearer.
DSLR cameras offer complete control over the photographs. Yes, you can definitely switch to manual mode on compact digital cameras, but it simply won’t compare. Not familiar with all the modes and settings? No worries, because you can use the automatic settings on the DSLR until you become comfortable with the controls. Many have intuitive manuals right on the camera itself that explains what each setting/feature is. Twenty years ago you would have had to read through a manual longer than The Lord of the Rings to understand all these concepts. Now you can view simple tutorials on the camera or do a bit of research online. Within just a few weeks you can learn the basics and be on your way to taking great pictures.
Then when you’re ready, you can experiment with tripods, interchangeable lenses, external flashes, and all that other “good stuff.” You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy high quality, just a few hundred dollars and the willingness to learn.