Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Why do digital SLR cameras take such better photos than point and shoot cameras?

Question by Layla: Why do digital SLR cameras take such better photos than point and shoot cameras?
Even at 1/2 the MP of my point and shoot camera, digital SLR cameras take such better photos! Why is this? Also, why are they so expensive?


Best answer:

Answer by Alvin
The quality-type n size of the lenses used on SLR camera that's why
they capture good quality pictures, and why are they expensive?
because of the lense used. some lenses prices more expensive than the camera itself.



Add your own answer in the comments!

4 comments:

  1. Fact or Fiction??? The answer is both.

    DSLR's have larger sensors, and usually better glass.

    However, the most important thing is the photographer. If the photographer is shooting on auto, then the results will be similar to a point and shoot. If the photographer knows how to control the camera, then that's a different story.

    The key to great images is in the lighting, composition, and exposure!

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  2. Digital SLR does not take photos, nor does your point and shoot. The person behind each camera does that (we call these people "photographers"). And usually a good photographer behind a p&s will take a better picture than a lousy one with an SLR.

    That said, all others being equal (same photographer, different equipment) - SLR cameras have tons of advantages over p&s.

    Let's start with megapixels. As you've already learned - they have nothing to do with picture quality. I mean not at all, despite all the things camera salesmen at Best Buy and similar stores will tell you. So let's cross that out of a list.

    Now the real stuff. SLRs have great lenses. They are big, featuring very high quality glass and allow lots of light through. This is something that will kick most p&s cameras out of competition right there. This is because, no matter how sophisticated your camera is, it won't record a picture any better than that projected by a lens. The other thing is the sensor - that's the light sensitive element behind the lens, which records the projected image. In SLR's it's huge, as compared to p&s. We talk about 10-15 times bigger. Yes, that much. Compare a size of a match head with a size of your memory card to get a good idea. A larger sensor means it's individual elements are larger, allowing to record more clear and accurate image with less noise and guessing, also allowing higher sensitivities with much less noise penalty and more.

    Then there are lots of other things, but the two above what makes SLR stand out near a p&s. This is also what makes it so expensive. Building these huge sensors costs a lot more, a good glass is also not cheap. Another expensive part of SLR we didn't talk about - it's real optical viewfinder with flipping mirror and prism (or set of mirrors in cheaper models). These provide tons of convenience, though have little direct effect of picture quality (indirectly it allows photographer to hold camera more steady to save from motion blur, and to see exactly what they are photographing to aid in composition).

    But then again - if you want YOUR photos to become better, first step is to learn to use the camera you have already, to become familiar with the art of photography as opposed to just "snapping", and then you can start thinking of getting a more expensive camera. Or at least when you are sure you want to walk that path all the way.

    Good luck,
    LEM.

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  3. The sensors on most DSLR's are nearly 15 times larger than the sensors on point and shoot cameras. Therefore the pixels are 15 times larger. Larger pixels deliver better detail and less noise than smaller ones
    The image quality of even the cheapest DSLR will be far greater than even the best point and shoot cause DSLR's have much better optics, much larger sensors, better faster processors

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  4. Unfortunately, the entire controversy surrounding the issue of which camera, the DSLR versus a point and shoot is superior: is specious when you limit yourself to an 8X10" finite print. No one can tell the difference when comparing 8X10s.

    Good luck!

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