What is the difference between a camera and a DSLR? Difference between digital camera and DSLR

On modern market In photography equipment for amateurs, the most active competition is between SLR and compact digital cameras. Each of these two classes of photographic equipment satisfies different buyer needs. Let's try to figure out how DSLRs differ from digital cameras. Compare two various types Cameras can be based on several criteria: quality and speed of shooting, the ability to set your own settings, the ability to connect additional accessories, compactness, price.

Shooting quality and speed

The differences in the shooting quality of a DSLR and a compact digital camera can be quite significant. DSLR cameras have the advantage. Firstly. Thanks to a rather complex optical viewfinder, the photographer can determine before shooting what the finished shot will look like. Secondly, with a DSLR, the focal length, shutter speed and aperture can be adjusted most clearly.

Therefore, the picture will turn out very clear, sharp, and high quality. In general, the result will be as close to ideal as possible. Compact cameras often produce unclear and blurry images.

As for speed, DSLRs again have an advantage: they can take up to several frames per second. Naturally, compact point-and-shoot cameras cannot boast of this.

Settings

Here you should focus, first of all, on the professionalism of the photographer. DSLR cameras, as mentioned earlier, offer many options when shooting. Compact cameras, most often, have a rather limited range of shooting settings.

This, on the one hand, seriously limits the photographer’s capabilities, but, on the other hand, it is very convenient for beginners or people who do not want to bother and scrupulously build the desired mode. Sometimes they have enough standard settings, and even the modest functions of a digital “point-and-shoot” are not fully utilized.

Additional accessories

A DSLR camera allows you to use a variety of accessories. For example, you can select a lens for certain shooting conditions: macro, portrait, wide-angle, etc. An additional flash is also available. Compact digital cameras have a non-removable lens and a built-in flash.

This is again convenient for amateurs who either cannot or do not want to change lenses or flashes. There is one big advantage to this: even as an inexperienced user, you have a chance to take a good shot. In addition, a non-removable lens ensures that dust does not get on the camera’s sensor, and therefore will not appear in your photographs.

Compactness

Despite all the advantages of SLR cameras, they cannot be called convenient in terms of transportation. Even the smallest DSLRs look bulky compared to digital point-and-shoot cameras. You can't put a DSLR camera in a handbag or pocket. With a compact digital camera, this trick is easy to do.

If you are going on vacation with a camera, keep in mind that a DSLR camera will take up quite a significant amount of space in your suitcase and will weigh accordingly. As for the “soap dish,” it weighs and takes up about the same amount of space as the bathroom accessory after which it is named.

Price

The price difference between these two types of cameras is as big as an abyss. Roughly speaking, for 10 thousand rubles you can buy a pretty decent “soap box”.

You either won’t find a SLR camera for the same money, or you’ll buy one the simplest model with a minimum set of functions.

If the priority is compactness and simplicity, then point-and-shoot cameras are an option that meets your needs.

Hello, dear readers of my site! Today I will tell you how DSLR cameras differ from compact cameras. Let's consider their advantages and disadvantages.

First, let's take a look and see the scientific definition of a DSLR. I recommend adding the dictionary to your bookmarks; in the future this will save enormous time.

To identify the characteristic distinguishing feature between a SLR camera and a compact, popularly also often called a point-and-shoot camera, consider how does a DSLR work.

Operating principle of a SLR camera

After passing through the lens system in the lens, it falls onto the mirror, hence the name "Reflex camera", which at the initial moment (position 1) closes the matrix with the shutter.

Next, the rays, passing through the focusing frosted glass, enter the optical system called a pentaprism, in which the image is flipped 90 degrees so that it does not appear upside down at the output of the eyepiece.

The next step is to press the shutter button. As soon as we have done this, the mirror in the camera body rises to position 2, the shutter moves back and the image is freely projected onto the camera matrix.

The final stage, for which the camera electronics are responsible, is reading, processing and displaying the information received from the DSLR matrix. This is where the operating principle of a SLR camera ends.

As for digital compacts, there are no mirrors. The light is immediately projected onto the matrix and, after pressing the shutter button, the photograph appears on the screen. The design is simple, but such cameras have technical specifications much worse than DSLRs.

So what's the most important thing?difference between SLR cameras?

The digital camera has on board a mirror optical viewfinder, which is not subject to the phenomenon of parallax, since the light enters through the lens.

Note: if the manufacturer does have a viewfinder built into the compact, then light, as a rule, enters it through an additional window offset relative to the optical axis.

Let's consider advantages of a DSLR camera:

1. The presence of a mirror optical viewfinder, as a result, the absence of the phenomenon of parallax, more accurate aiming and focusing of the object.
2. significantly more than that of digital compacts, so the amount of noise and defects in the image is less, the colors in the photograph look more natural and richer, the range of depth of field is wider, and the detail of objects is much higher.
3. Phase detection autofocus sensors, not contrast sensors like point-and-shoot cameras. As a result, we have fast autofocus and a high rate of fire.​

​K other differences SLR camera The following advantages can be attributed to digital compacts:

• Possibility of connecting an external flash.
• for different shooting scenes.
• A huge number of accessories from different manufacturers: filters, cases, remote shutter buttons, tripods, diffusers, and other goodies.

Basic cons of DSLRspeak for themselves:

• Price. For the price of a budget DSLR you can buy a couple of decent digital compacts.
• Weight and dimensions. Weight - 510 grams (according to the passport) and this is without a lens, the weight of compacts is at least 3 times less.​

What's better: a DSLR or a point-and-shoot camera?

The answer is neither one nor the other. The devices are designed for different purposes. Due to their light weight and size, point-and-shoot cameras can easily fit into a pocket, while a DSLR camera will have to be carried around your neck or placed in a backpack. These two types of technology have different philosophies. Compacts are designed for point-and-shoot or "I was here" photos, but a DSLR is a lifelong hobby.

I think this is a mistake: “a wider range of depth of field.”

A DSLR has a narrower depth of field.

Thanks for your comment. No, I don't see this as an error. If we are talking about the POSSIBILITY to control the depth of field, then the range on a DSLR camera is wider, and if we are talking about the MAXIMUM depth of field, then the compact (if you compared a DSLR with it) will have more.

With this age of IT technologies and the transition from film photography to digital photography, I have almost forgotten how to take photographs. At one time I shot with Zenit-ET and Zenit-TTL SLRs, there was a pretty good film photo archive, and slide deposits as well. Then, from 2007. Having switched to a compact digital camera, I slowly began to lose my photography skills through a mirror.

Now I’m glad that I returned to the DSLR again, now to the imported Nikon 😉

Although I’m not parting with my Canon IXUS 1100 HS soap dish yet. In particular, due to good quality videos being shot. On a 16 GB card, the camera shoots for more than 55 minutes, plus excellent color quality

Cool article. I also recently switched to a DSLR. I used to shoot on a point-and-shoot camera and didn’t bother, but then I realized that I wanted more. Now I don’t want to pick up a soap dish. Although there are also a lot of difficulties with a DSLR - it’s hard to carry, lenses need to be changed. But the quality of the photographs justifies everything.

Alexey, what did you choose as your first DSLR?

I am a fan of taking photos, but not a professional, I didn’t understand the intricacies...thank you for the article, it expanded my horizons

Thank you, Alexey, with great pleasure!

Which most expensive and professional DSLR has a matrix larger than that of the Sony RX1 point-and-shoot camera? And the lenses are interchangeable?!

Sergey, here’s Nikon D810 Body offhand

A very mediocre article.

Why are there 2 rectangles in the path of light after the lens? Maybe it's the aperture and shutter/curtain?

They have a huge "frosted glass" sign on them with a small arrow pointing towards the truly frosted glass - confusing.

The principle of operation of a SLR camera ends earlier - immediately after the mirror moves away and the shutter is released.

Again, what does “the shutter was triggered” mean? It would be nice to explain that the shutter moves back for milliseconds, and the mirror can return to its original position much later.

The rest of the process is no different from the process in a non-mirror device.

The advantages of a DSLR camera are exaggerated in the article:

The size of the matrix is ​​not an advantage of a DSLR, but an advantage of a large device. If you increase the size of the soap dish, you can make the same matrix as in a DSLR.

You can reduce the matrix, but leave the mirror and the rest - the device will still remain a mirror.

Non-DSLR cameras (for example, Canon G10) also have the ability to connect an external flash.

It is not at all necessary that the range of depth of field be wider - it is determined by the capabilities of the lens, not the camera.

A huge number of accessories from different manufacturers: filters, cases, remote shutter buttons, tripods, diffusers, and other “goodies” are also no different.

In summary, from my point of view, there is only one fundamental difference between a DSLR - the future photograph is immediately visible in the viewfinder and you can immediately see how focusing and aperture (the same depth of field) influence it - what will be visible clearly and what will be blurry. Even autofocus is not a fundamental difference, because... 30 years ago, DSLRs did not have autofocus.

Don't be offended by your opinion.

Oleg, hello.

Two squares + lens - tried to show a lens system. Apparently unsuccessful.

I completely agree that the main difference is the mirrors, hence the name - DSLR. But I’ll argue about the range of depth of field... It’s very difficult to get a shallow depth of field on a small matrix (you can experiment on a mobile phone).

Everything else... matrix size, flash, buns were written according to average models, meaning by digital compacts ordinary point-and-shoot cameras (modern mirrorless cameras and other expensive models were not taken into account).

P.S. I agree 100% that the article should be of higher quality. There are plans to rewrite a couple of dozen articles on the blog, add examples, etc., but this is not my main job and I have to spend time whenever possible.

Thanks for the criticism and detailed answer.

Alexey, thank you very much for calmly responding to my criticism. Many people in your place would simply ban me. This highly characterizes your moral qualities.

As for the depth of field, it completely depends on the aperture. The aperture value is the ratio of the area of ​​the image to the area of ​​the lens not covered by the aperture. The smaller the hole in the lens, the larger the aperture number. Old cameras even had a depth of field table combined with the aperture value. In a mobile phone, therefore, it is theoretically impossible to experiment with depth of field, because... there the aperture is always constant.

Thank you, gentlemen, your criticism is the source of our development!

Kozma Petrov

Oleg, regarding the depth of field. I have read debates on this topic many times on various forums. Many people write that it is connected indirectly, because A small matrix has less sensitivity to light, etc.

I accepted math for myself. point of view, the formula for depth of field contains a focal length, so I think it is more correct to use the equivalent focal length, which already depends on the size of the matrix.

Oleg writes:

This highly characterizes your moral qualities.

Not a fact... If the criticism is constructive, normal, without insults, trolling, etc., then on the contrary, I’m glad, it means people read the article. In general, this blog was created for the main goal - to understand the whole theory, etc., over time, of course, the goals were adjusted.

I doubt that the sensitivity to light of a small matrix is ​​less; it is determined not by the size of the matrix, but by the sensitivity of its individual elements - pixels. The film had no pixels, but the film speed was indicated on the packaging. In photography theory, I consider myself to be at an average level, far from professional.

Here interesting articles on this topic

fototips (dot) ru/teoriya/grip/

www (dot) cambridgeincolour (dot) com/ru/tutorials/camera-lenses.htm

Oleg, I agree about the photosensitivity of pixels. The same point of view was expressed in an article about Megapixels.

www (dot) 64bita (dot) ru/basicshot.html

Nice site. Thank you. I'll read it later. By the way, the photo shows a lens on which there are scales of apertures and corresponding depths of field.

I saw and the site is really good!

I don’t know about anyone, but for myself I came to an unexpected conclusion and result:

A DSLR camera only has the advantage of having a viewfinder, but this is often found in regular cameras. And the fact that additional accessories... there are mirrorless cameras with such capabilities. From my own experience I am convinced that... the most important thing is not accessories, but skill and a head with straight arms. Now I've generally moved to full digital equipment. The camera is a point-and-shoot camera, the video camera is hand-held, like an amateur one. So I will say one thing - and all this can be mounted on a tripod. Normal lighting is required for photo and video shooting. In the studio it’s enough that I don’t use flash on the point-and-shoot camera anymore. Outdoors in sunny weather, even more so. So the advantages of this technology are its mobility and ease of transportation, instead of kilogram equipment. And the results can already be processed and mounted on a computer in such a way that no one can tell the difference. So it's a matter of taste and color. The main thing is not the artist’s brush and canvas, but how he knows how to paint and paint. And I realized the benefits of technology at the moment of mobility, when I picked up and put the camera in my pocket...

And in general... Now I consider all this bulky equipment just a visual show-off. Like “you’re a photographer or a video studio operator.” More than once during filming I noticed how people around me looked - like a new amateur showing off and pretending to be a professional, and how other photographers with huge lenses smile condescendingly... But I’ve already forgotten about it and don’t pay attention. On the contrary, sometimes you even feel sorry for the same operator with his bulky camera. But the IT age does not stand still. We must keep up with the times and admit that it is not the size of the device that plays a decisive role... I realized this in time.

Thanks for the informative article. Very simply told about the complex)

Well, you wrote an article!

The quality of ANY photo depends on 3 parameters: SHARPENESS, SHUTTER SPEED and APERTURE.

For precise focusing, SLR cameras appeared. This was huge progress! The photographer could fine-tune the sharpness at the MOMENT OF THE SHOT.

DSLR cameras only make sense for FILM cameras!!!

In the age of digital cameras, the viewfinder is an LCD monitor: everything that appears in the photo you immediately see on it. A digital SLR is a scam for those who don’t understand anything, but are willing to pay a lot to make it cool...

In digital photos, the decisive word lies with the lens and electronics (primarily the bit depth of the CCD matrix).

For many decades, photography has been one of the most popular human creative activities on earth. Of course, with the advent latest technology, there have been changes in photographic equipment.

Read also

Modern SLR cameras appeared, and digital devices became very popular. The characteristics of such devices are well known to professional photographers.

For beginners who decide to take up photography for the first time, it is very difficult to immediately figure out which camera is better, an SLR or a digital one. To do this they need to get to know characteristic differences SLR cameras from digital ones.

About modern digital and SLR cameras

SLR cameras are currently available in two types:

• Digital;
• Film.

Important: The main difference between a DSLR camera is the ability to see the image you are shooting directly in the viewfinder. In this form, it is projected onto the film or inserted matrix.

The light beam passes through the lens and is reflected in the mirror, which directs it directly into the viewfinder. When photographing occurs, the mirror moves to the side, the stream of light directly hits the film (matrix). This way you get the shot you had in mind in advance.

Moreover, despite the rapid development of digital technology, many professionals prefer to work with film. However, for the amateur digital technology preferable because further storage and processing of files for digital media much simpler.

One of the advantages of a modern camera is the presence of a built-in display. With its help, the photographer can structure the frame. Rotating the display allows you to shoot with your arms raised high above your head.

Mostly modern cameras equipped with a self-adjusting device. They are capable of performing automatic mode several operations:

• Set shutter speed;
• Aperture
• Focal length;
• Shooting options.

All this makes it possible to obtain a high quality image as a result.

Which is better, a DSLR or a digital camera?

When comparing these two devices, you can see some important differences.

Mirror devices have accurate color rendering. They are equipped with interchangeable lenses that allow for a wide variety of shooting, for example, photographs of architectural objects, photographic portraits, and micro photography. Photos taken with a DSLR camera are always of higher quality when compared to their digital counterpart.

Important: One of the most important differences between a DSLR camera and its digital counterpart is the ability to instantly focus on the desired object. In other words, you can take a dozen pictures within a few seconds. This system makes it possible to shoot moving objects with high sharpness.

It is very important for any photographer to be able to independently adjust the focus. This operation in all digital models is performed automatically. Unfortunately, automation often fails, which cannot be said about mirror models equipped with both automatic and manual settings.

General characteristics

The main elements of these cameras are:

• Viewfinder;
• Sensor;
• Lens.

To use your DSLR camera and get the best performance and image quality, you need to remember that you will need additional accessories. This could be an additional flash or a wide-angle lens. All these differences are reflected in the cost of the devices. DSLR devices are always significantly more expensive than a digital camera.

In a digital camera, the viewfinder cannot show the exact image, it only estimates it. As a result, the sensor receives an inaccurate image.

It must be said that some digital camera manufacturers equip them with electronic viewfinders. They, based on sensor readings, try to replicate the viewfinder operation SLR camera. Sometimes on digital cameras there may be no viewfinder at all; it is often replaced by a built-in rotating display.

Important: If accurate and high-quality image transmission is required, mirror technology should come first.

The most noticeable difference between these cameras is the interchangeable lens. During their work, photographers need to capture a variety of subjects. They do portrait photographs, reports, talk about cultural events. It is very difficult to find such a universal lens with which you can do various shootings without losing quality.

Removable lenses allow you to achieve better depth of field and take high-quality pictures in poorly lit areas. Sometimes powerful telephoto lenses are used for filming. They allow you to take high-quality professional photos.

A regular digital camera does not have interchangeable lenses; it is impossible to take pictures with the quality of a SLR camera.

Disadvantages of interchangeable lenses

• You always have to carry replacement optics in your bag, which is quite inconvenient;
• When your shooting style changes, you need to change lenses. This operation disrupts the shooting rhythm;
• When replacing a lens, it is possible that dust may get on the sensor. Sometimes, it can be very difficult to clean the sensor, and this leads to a decrease in the quality of the image;
• Of course, anyone professional photographer It has a versatile lens that allows you to take a variety of shots. This makes it possible to avoid any inconvenience. It must be said that even photographing with a SLR camera with one universal lens allows you to obtain image quality that is much superior to a digital camera.

Other characteristics

Typically, DSLR cameras have larger sensors than compact digital cameras. This also affects image quality.

• A DSLR camera is always heavier and larger than a compact device.
• Using a larger sensor reduces the depth of field. This is a positive characteristic for portrait work, but is not suitable for landscapes. Lens change required.
• Thanks to large size sensor, the pixel sizes increase. As a result, the visual noise of the photograph taken is reduced. DSLR cameras have high ISO sensitivity and the same parameter, visual noise.

DSLRs have a large dynamic range. They are able to cover a huge spectrum of light and shade, located between black and white. A photo taken in a darkened room will have a much greater variety of fine details.

Positive properties of a digital camera

• The screen can be used as a viewfinder;
• You can customize a wide variety of creative modes;
• Affordable price.

Advantages of DSLR cameras

• Minimum shutter lag.
• Instant auto focus.
• High speed for continuous shooting.
• It is possible to shoot in a special RAW format. Note that the most modern compact cameras can also take similar pictures.
• You can manually perform long exposures of up to 30 seconds. If necessary, you can connect an additional external flash to such devices.
• The focal length can be controlled manually.
• High level of ISO sensitivity.

So what is better: a DSLR or digital technology?

Knowing all the positive and negative aspects of this technique, you can make the right choice.

The first place when choosing a camera should be the quality of the future photograph. Many people are trying to find cameras that have large number megapixels. However, even the most top-end, expensive models with up to 30 megapixels cannot guarantee high-quality photography.

Therefore, when making a choice between a digital or SLR camera, you must definitely pay attention to what matrix is ​​installed and what quality the graphics process shows.

Important: You should not choose a camera based only on the number of pixels; it is better to choose a camera with a good lens.

When making a choice, you must always remember that these models have positive and negative characteristics. For example, the “mirror technique” has high speed shooting, she has a lot more possibilities focusing, higher quality contrast and sharpness. However, all these positive characteristics increase the cost of the device many times over. DSLR cameras are large in size and weight.

Digital models look completely different. A weak matrix does not allow achieving high image quality. But the affordable price and small dimensions compensate for these shortcomings.

Conclusion: According to professionals, only those who have decided to learn the secrets of photography should buy expensive SLR photographic equipment. For everyone else, it is best to use an ordinary digital camera.

" But somehow they avoided the question of what is better, a DSLR or a mirrorless camera? Today we’ll catch up and talk about the differences between the two types of photographic equipment – ​​mirrorless and DSLR cameras. Let's go.

What is a SLR camera?

Reflex camera is a camera whose viewfinder is based on a mirror. In general, there are single-lens and double-lens SLR cameras. But since in the world digital photography There is only room left for the first type, which will be discussed further.

The first single-lens reflex camera appeared in 1861. Yes, while serfdom had just been abolished in Russia, the camera had already been invented in England. That is, the history of the SLR camera began in the century before last, more than 150 years ago.

Of course, the first SLR cameras were very different from what we have now. One of the differences is the use of film. Today, film, as you all know very well, is practically extinct and exists only thanks to enthusiasts who fell in love with film photography once upon a time. Digital technologies have made it possible to replace the film in the camera with a matrix.

Let's return to the design of a SLR camera. Every DSLR has a mirror-based viewfinder. The mirror stands at an angle of 45 degrees and allows you to see a real non-digitized image through the viewfinder. The mechanism, in general, is quite simple from the point of view of understanding. Through the lens, light (and the image, respectively) enters the camera body, where a mirror is installed at an angle of 45 degrees. The light reflected by the mirror rushes upward, where it enters a pentaprism (or pentamirror), which wraps around the image, giving it its normal orientation. Simply put, if there were no pentaprism, the image in the viewfinder would appear upside down. That's it. This is the optical viewfinder - distinctive feature any DSLR.

What is a mirrorless camera?

Mirrorless Just like a SLR camera, it has interchangeable lenses. But, as you understand from the name, it does not have a mirror viewfinder. Inexpensive cameras use a screen instead of a viewfinder, while more expensive cameras use an electronic viewfinder. In fact, unlike an optical viewfinder, such a viewfinder shows us a digitized image. We can say that this is a small screen. It has a certain resolution, which is indicated in the camera specification. Naturally, as with a monitor, the higher the resolution, the better.

Why is a DSLR camera better than a mirrorless camera?

Let's first talk about why a DSLR is better than a mirrorless one.

• Optical viewfinder- not only a feature of a DSLR camera, but also its advantage over a mirrorless one. There are several reasons for this. First, the optical viewfinder shows the image in real time, raw and undigitized. That is, as your eye would see it without a viewfinder. Secondly, when using an electronic viewfinder there is a slight delay in the image, which is not present with an optical viewfinder. Those. with the latter you always see the picture in real time.
• Phase detection autofocus– it is typical only for SLR cameras. The latest models of mirrorless cameras have learned to use phase sensors on the matrix, thereby giving birth to a hybrid focusing system, but today it still does not reach the focusing speed of a SLR camera.
• Ergonomics DSLRs are better. This is due, among other things, to the fact that the mirror itself with the pentaprism takes up quite a lot of space in the carcass. Because of this, in fact, these cameras are so large. But this minus turns into a plus when you need to control the camera: especially professional cameras have excellent access to all important functions using buttons, wheels and other controls located on the carcass. Special attention deserves an additional monochrome display, which is found in large SLR cameras, and never found in mirrorless cameras. This display is very helpful in professional photography, and it is never superfluous for amateur photography.
• Huge optics park. Remember when we said that SLR cameras have been produced for a century and a half? Nikon began producing cameras in the 50s of the twentieth century. Today, Nikon's optics fleet is huge and continues to grow. Of course, mirrorless cameras are still far from achieving such richness.
• Price DSLR cameras are generally lower. A specific example. There is a Nikon D5100 with Nikon lens 35mm 1.8G DX. This is a very inexpensive kit, costing less than 20 thousand. To get similar quality with a mirrorless camera you need to spend a lot more money.
• DSLR camera turns on much faster than mirrorless. In a split second, while mirrorless cameras can turn on in 3 seconds.
• Opening hours DSLR cameras' battery life is significantly higher than that of mirrorless cameras. And the batteries themselves are usually more capacious. Thus, amateur cameras like the Nikon D7100 can shoot one and a half thousand frames on a single charge. Professional technicians, like Nikon D4, is capable of taking more than 3 thousand pictures with a single battery charge.
• DSLR cameras more reliable. Some of them have dust and moisture protection. This is why you are unlikely to see a photographer with a Sony A7 in the savannah. But with Canon 1Dx there is nothing to do. There are more of them there than lions and bison...

So, the main thing: for today professional photography almost impossible with a mirrorless camera. A DSLR camera is preferable for commercial photography. And the amateur must decide for himself whether the advantages of a DSLR are important to him, or whether what a mirrorless camera offers is enough. More on this below.

Why is a mirrorless camera better than a DSLR?

Yes, but are there any advantages to a mirrorless camera that a DSLR camera doesn’t have? Eat. And now we will talk about them.

Olympus technology is one of the most popular mirrorless cameras on the market

• Size. This is the most obvious. Mirrorless cameras are smaller. The optics for such cameras are also more compact. As a result, you can get a mirrorless system that will be smaller than a DSLR, but will allow you to get the same high-quality images.
• Electronic viewfinder. Electronic viewfinders also have their advantages. Firstly, they can display different additional information. Secondly, such viewfinders will be more convenient for nearsighted people. You need to use the optical viewfinder with glasses or use the diopter correction function, which is enough for vision of -2.5, but if the minus is greater, then alas. The electronic viewfinder, as we said above, is a screen. And, of course, when used by a myopic person, there are no problems with it.
• Large selection manufacturers. Mirrorless cameras are now produced by the following companies: Nikon, Canon, Sony, Panasonic, Olympus, Fujifilm, Samsung. But affordable DSLRs are produced only by the first 3 companies plus Pentax.

What do DSLR and mirrorless cameras have in common?

There is also something that unites these cameras.

• Matrix. The most important part of a digital camera. Just a couple of years ago, I would have said that mirrorless cameras do not have a full-frame sensor. But Sony corrected this by releasing the A7 series cameras. They have matrices that are not inferior to those used in SLR cameras. We have already talked about matrices more than once; there is no point in repeating ourselves.
• Systematicity. For some reason, many people call mirrorless cameras system cameras, forgetting that SLR cameras also belong to this class. This is the similarity between DSLRs and mirrorless cameras - these are system cameras that feature interchangeable optics.

What's better? DSLR or mirrorless?

There is no clear answer to this question. Everyone must make their choice based on their needs. My opinion is that DSLR cameras today are still too much superior to mirrorless cameras. For me personally, when choosing a camera, the most important criteria are speed (focusing, switching on), a wide selection of optics and price (both for the camera and lenses). Yes, you don’t always want to take a huge mirror set with you. It's better to have a choice. For example, for large (long, important, etc.) filming, have a DSLR, but for the soul - something small, maybe not even a mirrorless camera, but a compact camera like Fuji x100s or the like. But if you choose one single camera, then again, I would choose a DSLR. But that's just my opinion. What would you choose?

In order to choose a digital camera, you must first decide which category of users you belong to, where and how you will take photographs, and also determine the price category that suits you.

Types of digital cameras

Digital cameras are divided into four groups:

If you are a pro, then the choice is clear, but if you are a beginner or an amateur, the functionality of the camera is not the only criterion choosing a camera. There are design features, according to which the following types of cameras are distinguished:

• compact. They are also called digital cameras. Compared to SLR cameras, they are small in size, have a fixed lens and a minimum of buttons;
• mirrored For DSLRs interchangeable lenses, an optical viewfinder that displays the real picture;
• mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses. Models in this class can change lenses, but do not have mirrors or an optical viewfinder;
• digital cameras with a translucent mirror. They have no visual differences from mirror ones, but instead of a lifting mirror, translucent glass is installed. The viewfinder here is electronic. Such cameras are manufactured by Sony.

Video: what to choose - a DSLR or a digital camera

But this is not all types of cameras. It turns out that there are different types of digital cameras, and there are models even for advanced users.

Compact cameras

There are four types of compact cameras:

Table: comparison of compact and SLR cameras

The RAW format has greater color depth than JPEG. If you are not going to post-process the image, then you can use JPEG. RAW allows you to change the color, brightness and contrast of the frame after shooting. If the photo turns out to be overexposed or dark, it is very difficult to correct JPEG without losing quality, but RAW allows you to do this.

Selection criteria

Based on the above, you can start choosing a camera:

1. If you are undemanding about super-quality photos, don’t want to carry a kilogram carcass with a lens, bother with settings, and even more so improve your photography skills, then feel free to take a digital camera.
2. Want something more? First, decide for yourself which design you like: a camera with a built-in lens or with a fleet of optics. Then determine your price category. If you like interchangeable lenses but don't have the money for a DSLR, take a look at mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses. Their price ranges from 10,000 to a million rubles.
3. Do you like to shoot from a distance? Then choose between ultrazoom and a DSLR with telescopic lenses.

Video: how to choose a camera - comparison of different systems

Rating of compact cameras

Here is a list of the most popular cameras according to Yandex.Market data.

Top 5 compact cameras of all levels

Most popular compact cameras are:

Photo gallery: popular compact cameras

Fujifilm camera The X70 has a wide-angle lens that allows you to take high-quality pictures in all modes The Olympus Tough TG-860 has a protected body and can be used for filming sports events The Leica Q (Typ 116) camera has a full-size sensor and a fixed lens The compact waterproof body of the Nikon Coolpix S2 is designed for shooting in any weather The Nikon Coolpix S9600 model will allow the user not to think about setting the necessary settings

Top 5 entry-level compact cameras

For beginners and amateurs, the best choice would be the following models:

1. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W 800.
2. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W 610.

Photo gallery: the best camera models for beginners

The Canon Digital IXUS 160 perfectly combines ease of operation and quality images The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 has special modes for shooting at parties and in low light conditions Lightweight and compact, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W610 offers multiple fully automatic intelligent shooting modes Nikon Coolpix L26 camera allows you to take pictures with a resolution of 16 MP and has built-in anti-blur technology Compact digital camera Canon Digital IXUS 145 allows you to record stills and videos in HD format in fully automatic mode

Top 5 Compact Ultrasonic Cameras

1. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX 60 V.

Photo gallery: the best cameras with ultrasonics

The Nikon Coolpix S9600 camera has a 22x zoom and built-in Wi-Fi module The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX60V takes excellent quality pictures despite compact body weighing only 300 g The Nikon Coolpix L120 camera has professional look and a minimum of controls Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 is good alternative mirror apparatus Nikon Coolpix L110 camera will be good choice for those who are looking for a budget model with high quality filming

... if you need an inexpensive device for amateur everyday photography, so that it has “everything” and you do not have ambitious plans to shoot “masterpieces of photographic art”, it is not necessary to purchase a DSLR - you can get by with a compact device of the mid-price category.

Artyom Kashkanov

http://www.artem-kashkanov.ru/article36.html

Rating of professional cameras

Among professional models Let's highlight mirrored and mirrorless models separately.

Top 5 mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses

The following models stand out among mirrorless cameras:

1. Olympus OM-D E-M 10 Mark II.
2. Olympus Pen E-P 5.

Photo gallery: mirrorless cameras

The Fujifilm X-A2's 26mm wide-angle lens is great for most shooting modes The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II camera has a retro-style design traditional for this manufacturer The Sony Alpha ILCE-5100 model is equipped with a high-quality lens and a powerful processor that can process photographs taken even in poor lighting Pen E-P5 is the flagship model in the Olympus mirrorless line Sony Alpha NEX-3N rightfully claims to be the most compact mirrorless device with an APS-C format matrix

Top 5 DSLR Cameras

In the class of mirror models, experts identify the following:

Photo gallery: the most popular SLR cameras

The Pentax K-3 camera has a powerful processor and a large number of frame post-processing modes The Pentax K-S1 model stands out mainly for its design and layout of controls The Nikon D3100 camera is an entry-level SLR camera, but can compete with more advanced models Canon EOS The 600D is an excellent hobbyist DSLR that can pretty much do all of a photographer's tasks for him. Canon EOS 1100D is budget option SLR camera with a full range of necessary functions

As we can see, there are many different cameras, but we need one. Experts advise first deciding what you need a camera for. Then - what you will have to sacrifice. There is no such thing as the perfect camera, so you're unlikely to find a camera for every occasion.

Learning to take photographs

To turn on the camera, press the ON/OFF button located on the body. In compact cameras, the lens extends forward, so do not cover it with your hands when turning it on.

Basic shooting modes

Modern digital cameras have scene, automatic, semi-automatic and manual modes. Usually the mode is selected using a round switch.

For those who do not know how or do not want to configure and switch, there are two modes:

• easy - there are very few available functions, usually these are two options for image sizes (small and large) and the inclusion of GPS, if available;
• intelligent - in i-Auto mode, the camera itself recognizes scenes and selects one of them that is most suitable for the shooting conditions.

If the simple and intelligent modes limit you, story programs come to the rescue, giving you more freedom of action. The camera itself sets the aperture and shutter speed in accordance with the selected program:

• portrait,
• scenery,
• sport,
• night portrait,
• twilight,
• landscape,
• firework,
• macro.

For more professional management cameras offer the ability to set all or part of the parameters manually:

1. In semi-automatic program mode, the camera selects exposure parameters, but gives the user the opportunity to set some others: turning on the flash, white balance, etc. To optimally set the white balance, you need to point the camera at a bright white object and move the cursor one by one to the proposed values. When the object appears as white on the camera display as in reality, press the confirmation button.
2. In shutter priority mode S or Tv and in aperture priority mode A or Av, you can only change the shutter speed or aperture, respectively. The camera will select the second parameter itself. For example, if you open the aperture to more light, the camera will set a fast shutter speed to maintain the same exposure. This way you can shoot moving objects.
3. In manual mode M, you can set the aperture and shutter speed yourself.

In photo viewing mode, you can see the gallery or view one photo at a time.

Video: Camera shooting modes

What is zoom

Most cameras allow you to zoom in and out of subjects. A variable focal length lens is also called a zoom lens. The parameter of such a lens, depending on the size focal length, called zoom. It can be optical and digital:

In macro photography, photographs are taken from a distance of up to several centimeters. This mode is also called macro zoom.

Image Stabilizer

A tripod provides the best image stabilization. But its large size does not allow you to always take it with you. And a small tripod of 15 cm cannot be placed everywhere. Therefore, manufacturers created image stabilizers. There are two varieties:

• optical - can be located in the lens or in the camera. The camera moves in one direction, and the objective lenses move in the other. Stabilization in the body of the device works based on the movement of the matrix, which allows you to use lenses without a stabilizer, which are much cheaper. Optical stabilization does not degrade photo quality;
• digital - works on the basis of programs, due to which information at the edges of the matrix is ​​lost, the clarity of the photograph decreases, especially in combination with digital zoom.

Video on a digital camera

You can also shoot video with a digital camera. And there are important advantages here:

1. The filming quality is better than that of a video camera. Even a simple digital camera shoots video in Full HD format, because the size of the camera sensor is larger than that of a video camera.
2. No need to take two devices. You can take photos and videos with the camera.

But there are also pitfalls:

1. Settings. In digital cameras you can choose the frame size and sometimes the bitrate. DSLRs have the same settings as camcorders.
2. Bad sound. If you do not use an external microphone, noise from pressing buttons on the camera will be recorded.
3. Stabilization is worse than in video cameras. This is essential when shooting handheld.
4. Zoom. All video cameras are ultrasonic cameras and the sound of the drive is not recorded, unlike cameras. With mechanical zoom, it is impossible to rotate the ring smoothly and continuously. And a video lens costs a fortune.

It is better to shoot video with a compact camera with a tripod and an external microphone.

Modern cameras allow you to shoot videos, but it is better to do this using a tripod

Some manual settings

It’s not always possible to get a beautiful photo using an automatic camera, because the camera doesn’t know your ideas and makes the settings at its own discretion. Therefore, you need to be able to use manual settings.

The amount of light hitting a photosensitive material in a given time is called exposure. It is influenced by:

• excerpt. This is the shutter time;
• diaphragm. With its help, the amount of light passing through the lens is controlled;
• ISO. This is the sensitivity of the matrix to light. As ISO increases, the noise in the photo increases, i.e., multi-colored dots appear on it.

The wider the aperture is open, the shallower the depth of field, and vice versa. Closing the aperture is used when shooting landscapes. If, with a closed aperture, too little light enters the frame and the photos turn out dark, you can work with the exposure.

To shoot portraits and in macro mode, the aperture is opened, the depth of field is reduced, and the background is beautifully blurred.

You can set automatic shooting of one frame with different meaning exposition. This is called exposure bracketing. A series of photographs with different white balance values ​​is called white balance bracketing.

Photo gallery: cheat sheets for beginner photographers from Nikon

The shutter speed also depends on the exposure. You can choose a mode that suits your existing skills An open aperture is suitable for shooting landscapes, a closed aperture is suitable for portraits The wider the aperture is open, the brighter the images come out, and vice versa

Video: how to set aperture, ISO and shutter speed

Photo histogram

To avoid problems with exposure, you need to look at the histogram of the image. It should fit into the range of the graph, start at the base of the lower axis and not go beyond the lateral boundaries.

A proper histogram looks like a parabola and tapers off towards the edges of the photo.

The correct histogram should look like a parabola

Interesting features of a digital camera

The camera can be used not only to photograph the surrounding reality, but also for other purposes.

Digitizing old images

You can retake negatives and slides using a digital camera. The principle of operation is that they need to be re-shot in the light. The light source must be behind the film. Then the resulting images are corrected in any graphics editor. To reshoot old photograph, you need to place it on a flat surface and provide uniform light on both sides. You should use macro photography or zoom.

Video: digitizing film and slides

Using a camera as a web camera

To use the camera as a webcam, you need to read the instructions. If there is no such function, then you can check it. We take a cord with USB, tulips and a connector for the camera and connect the device to the TV. If the screen contains an image captured by the camera in at the moment, then you can make a webcam from the device.

Video: webcams from a camera

DIY digital camera repair

Common malfunctions:

1. Cracked or crushed screen.
2. The lens does not extend or retract, the curtains do not open, the camera does not focus. The following messages appear: Lens Eror, Zoom Error, “Lens Error”, an incomprehensible sound appeared in the area of ​​the lens. Causes: impact or fall, sand or moisture getting inside.
3. If there are red-blue streaks on the display and pictures, the matrix needs to be replaced.
4. If the camera does not see the flash drive, the connector may be broken.
5. When you press the shutter release, you cannot take a photo or the flash does not work.
6. If the camera does not turn on, diagnostics are required for a variety of reasons.

You can repair your digital camera yourself. To do this, you need to purchase watch screwdrivers. The room must be very clean so that dust does not get on the matrix or lens. Good lighting is also important. Below are several videos that describe how to troubleshoot the most common problems.

Video: lens does not open

Video: curtains do not open or close

Video: broken and skewed lens

Video: the camera does not see the memory card

If you are afraid to disassemble the camera yourself, then it is better to turn to professionals. They will do high-quality repairs and give a guarantee on it.

Now you can determine the category of digital camera you need, select the device to suit your needs, configure it and even repair it.