Slr?

[Beks101]

Hi there!


I am a newbie to the board here and also to photography. I have what may seem like a really dumb question but it has been bothering me for quite some time.

What is the difference between an SLR and a regular digital?


So sorry, and please don't think I'm dumb, I just was wondering b/c I think I know what the difference is I just want to know what you all know.

Thanks so much!!!

Becky

[Nai no Kami]

It think this pretty sums it (nothing you couldn't have done, for such a basic question).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital..._reflex_camera

[Beks101]

well I did do that I but I thank you anyway for your time!

[RexK_Cozumel]

So I am not sure if the link answered your question but basically SLR stands for single lens reflex. So a slr camera has a mirror that directs what the sensor "sees" into the viewfinder. When you press the shutter release the mirror flips up out of the path of the light and the light hits the sensor which records your image. This is why most digital SLR cameras do not have a live view function. You can debate the good points and bad points of a "normal" digital camera compared to a DSLR but basically the main difference (other than the price and size) is that a DSLR give you a lot more options for you to play with since the lens is removable and you have full control over different setting like ISO, aperture, shutter speed etc..etc... So which camera would fit your needs really depends on you. There was a good thread earlier today on deciding which camera to buy. I dont have a link on hand but I will look for the thread and repost it later.

[Beks101]

Thank you! Now it all makes sense and I appreciate you telling me what the difference was! Thank you again and have a great day!

[Nai no Kami]

Originally Posted by RexK_Cozumel

a slr camera has a mirror that directs what the sensor "sees" into the viewfinder

Actually, this contains a slight imprecision: the mirror direct what the lens see, not the sensor. I'm sure RexK did want to say that. Anyway, this is the most noticeable difference between a digital SLR and a "regular digital", to employ your terms.

Also, in the way your question is formulated, it should be noted that a SLR camera may or may be not digital. The fact of being SLR has nothing to do with being or not digital, but it is related to the method of displaying the viewfinder. If you see exactly what the lens see by means of using a mirror, it is a single lens reflex camera. It is "single lens" because you don't have separate lens for the viewfinder and for doing the exposure and it is reflex, because that image is... well... reflected.

This leads us to another main difference between SLRs (we will assume we are talking about digital SLRs from now on) and "regular digitals". The latter use the sensor itself to display the picture and do the calculations in order to determine a "correct exposure" (which may or may not be what you want), hence not really displaying what the lens see on the viewfinder, but a kind of interpretation of what the photo will look like or, at least, of what the lens see.

A SLR will show you what the lens see and will not use the sensor to make the calculations to determine a "correct exposure", but a series of auxiliary sensors. Thus, getting what you want with a SLR usually implies knowing very well what your tool can do and how your tool will react to certain conditions. Also, if you are to get an underexposed photo, the viewfinder will not show you a darkened image, like the LCD on many "regular digitals" do (same goes for overexposed).

Although some "regular digitals" will give you a lot of control in your hands (like many Canon PowerShot models do), the degree of control available in a SLR is even wider. Moreover, detach and attach different lenses to a SLR, which are often better in quality to those included in a regular digital.

Another reason for choosing a SLR over a point & shoot camera is the size of the sensor: this will ensure you lower noise on your photos and a much shallower depth of field for the same f/ number (point and shoots, on the contrary, will excel at deep depths of field, since you will be able to achieve deep focus using faster speeds than a SLR).

I'm glad to see that you read the article. I tried to cover things that most articles do not in the less overwhelming possible way. I have re-read my previous post: I apologize if I was rude.

[Beks101]

Its no problem at all and I appreciate the more detail! I'm just trying to understand it all!!! Thanks so much again for your help! I really do appreciate it!