Should You Buy a DSLR or Point and Shoot Digital Camera?

When it comes to photography, then there are tons of ways by which you can accomplish it. But most commonly, it is done digitally, and cameras rule in the world of digital photography.

Familiarizing, using, and adapting to a camera is easy, but the biggest problem that photographers face is choosing a certain type of camera. There are literally tons of options available in the market, and due to the rapid advancement of technology, this problem is further increasing.

Broadly, there are 2 popular and recommended types of cameras.

These are point-and-shoot and DSLR cameras.

One thing that you should be aware of is that none of these 2 are perfect. Both have pros and cons, and the suitability of these cameras varies from photographer to photographer.

Now, which one you should go for will totally depend upon your requirements and skill level.

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Point & Shoot Cameras

The definition of this type of camera is pretty straightforward, and it gets quite clear from its name itself. The basic idea behind this camera is just pointing at something and then immediately shooting or capturing it. The rest of the things are taken by the camera itself automatically.

These types of cameras are also known as compact cameras. They are packed with features and are a good choice for photographers on a tight budget or those who have just started with photography.

In its early days, using point-and-shoot cameras was a big hassle, but thanks to technological advancement, these cameras have become much more sophisticated.

Generally, features such as autofocus, zooming lenses, pre-set photographic concepts, shutter speed controllers, etc., are found in such cameras.

PROS

• AFFORDABILITY: Probably one of the biggest advantages of point-and-shoot cameras is that they are lightweight in your pockets, and you can purchase yourself a decent camera without spending big bucks. Furthermore, these cameras are packed with basic photography features, which make them an optimal choice for casual or newbie photographers.

• SIZE: Point and shoot cameras are available in a number of sizes. You can purchase a big as well as a very small sized camera which makes them easy to use and carry.

• SILENT OPERATION: One thing that is noticeable about cameras is that when a picture is clicked, it makes a loud sound. Fortunately, the working of these cameras is so quiet that the picture will be taken without you even realizing it.

• AUTOMATION: Many things in point-and-shoot cameras are on the automatic side. This benefits those who don’t know or aren’t in the habit of manually configuring each and everything of a camera.

CONS

• PICTURE QUALITY: The biggest drawback of using a point-and-shoot camera is that the picture quality is not up to the mark, especially if your expectations are professional.

• LAGGING ISSUES: Such cameras often possess a slow processing power, and in the long run, this problem even worsens. This causes the device to lag and one such example of this is shutter lag which is persistent in most of the point and shoot cameras.

• CONTROL: Most of the work is automatic in such types of cameras. Although it is beneficial to many those who need manual control, it might get troublesome.

A DSLR camera stands for a “Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera.” DSLRs possess digital imaging sensors and are simply a digital form of SLR and both of them have the basic concept of bringing in variations on as to how the light enters into the camera.

What separates a DSLR from other cameras is its reflex scheme in its design and mechanism.

This revolutionary technology has made this camera highly distinct from others, and its effectiveness is one of the major reason of it is so popular among professional photographers. I recommend you to check out this article related to DSLR on Wikipedia for in-depth info about it.

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PROS

• IMAGE QUALITY: Undoubtedly the biggest advantage of using a DSLR camera is its unmatchable picture quality. It’s the sole reason why so many professionals rely on this technology. The image quality of a DSLR is very superior to any other cameras available in the market.

• FLEXIBILITY: DSLRs are very flexible and adaptable in nature mainly because of a higher ISO range as well as due to the option of lens changing. The quality of the lens that is being used in a camera greatly influences the picture, and in a DSLR you can use several high-quality lenses. Furthermore, it is also adaptable to external accessories, which further enhances its functionality.

• DEGREE OF MANUAL CONTROL: Unlike a point-and-shoot camera, the degree of manual control in a DSLR is way higher. Point and shoot cameras rely on automation and in the case of a DSLR, it’s completely opposite. These cameras are designed solely for complete manual control.

• SPEED: The processing speed of such cameras in on a whole new level. You can literally take multiple shots in a single second without any worries of lagging or any other speed issues whatsoever. Furthermore, the technology is of such advanced level in these cameras that there is not even the slightest error in quality. In short, you shoot what you see, each and every single time!

CONS

• PRICE: In the market for cameras, DSLRs are usually the most expensive cameras. These are the cameras with those big price tags, and if you are thinking of purchasing one, then you will have to spend way more than other camera options especially point-and-shoot cameras. But if you can afford to pay big bucks for it, then I would like to add that it’s definitely worth that extra spend.

• TECHNICALITIES: With DSLR there are many complexities and technicalities involved in the process of taking a picture. For a person who is completely new to photography or is unknown to technical knowledge of a camera then using a DSLR may prove to be difficult.

• SIZE: Unlike point-and-shoot cameras, the size of DSLRs is a lot bigger, and generally, they are not meant for casual photographers or situations. Furthermore, you will also need some extra equipment in case you are using any enhancements to the original camera which will in turn further add on to weight and size.

• MAINTENANCE COSTS: Initially, the DSLR is already very costly and chances are that you will also need to incur some maintenance costs for it in the future. This is because whenever you change the lenses, you run the risk of letting dust get into your camera, especially on the sensors which can result in the malfunctioning of your camera if not treated. Therefore, from time to time maintenance is necessary due to such reasons.

Final Words…

Both DSLRs, as well as point-and-shoot cameras, have their own pros and cons. The suitability of a specific camera will ultimately depend on your needs and requirements.

In general, a point-and-shoot camera is recommended for someone who has just entered into photography and as he grows in his career moving on to a DSLR is recommended. Using a DSLR right from the beginning will probably cause your more trouble than any good so it’s recommended to advance your equipment as you and your photography skills grow.

Suggested Further Reading

If you are interested in finding out the best camera choice for you, based on the information you just read, then I would recommend you to take a look at the comprehensive comparison on the best digital cameras by Reviews.com.

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