- The simplest & the cheapest cameras.
- Have small sized sensors among the digital cameras.
- Have non detachable lens with optical zoom ratios up to 6X. Digital zooms worth nothing to discuss about.
- Can have either protruding or non-protruding lens.
- Only automatic selection of parameters (Shutter speed, Aperture, ISO).
- Only automatic focus.
- Compact in size.
- Price: $ 100 ~ $ 400.
Some specifications to look for:- Optical zoom ratio, minimum and maximum zooms, aperture range
- Still image resolution (Maximum)
- Battery type, stamina (number of shots/charge)
- Storage/memory type
- Startup time, Shutter Time Lag, Release Time Lag
- Dimensions & Weight
- Video capture format
- Face detection, smile shutter, red-eye reduction
2. Advanced or High-zoom Point and Shoot cameras
- The lens can not be detached / changed.
- Have optical zoom ratios above 10X (up to 20X).
- Have the medium sized sensors.
- Only automatic focus.
- Certain level of manual controls over the parameters (Shutter speed, Aperture, ISO).
- Medium in size (can not be kept in the pocket / small pouch).
- Have Electronic View Finder (EVF) to compose shots accurately even in bright sunlight.
- Price: $ 350 ~ $ 650.
- Budget cameras for the beginners who are interested in photography.
Some specifications to look for:- Optical zoom ratio, minimum and maximum zooms, aperture range
- Manual settings: Exposure, Shutter Speed Priority, Aperture Priority
- Still image resolution (Maximum)
- Battery type, stamina (number of shots/charge)
- Storage/memory type
- Startup time, Shutter Time Lag, Release Time Lag
- Video capture format
- Face detection, smile shutter, red-eye reduction
- Electronic / optical view finder
- RAW support (rarely available in this range)
3. Digital Single-Lens Reflex (D-SLR) Cameras
- The professional’s gear.
- Have bigger sized sensors to capture the details more clearly.
- Supports a wide range of lenses and accessories.
- Full manual control as well as automatic control over the parameters (Shutter speed, Aperture, ISO, Program).
- Both manual and automatic focus controls.
- Fast in response.
- Large in size.
- Accessories are of expensive side (price for the quality).
- Price: $ 600 ~ $ xxxx
Some specifications to look for:- Sensor size and type
- Processor
- Supported lens types
- Number and types of auto-focus points
- Colour depth per pixel (Eg: 12 bit, 14 bit)
- Still image resolution (Maximum)
- Battery type, stamina (number of shots/charge)
- Storage/memory type, and number of slots
- Startup time, Shutter Time Lag, Release Time Lag
- Video resolution and formats (SD/HDD, NTSC/PAL)
- Video auto-focus
- Raw editing software
- Image stabilization (inside the body or lens)
- Auto bracketing
- Live view support
- ISO sensitivity (specially the 'Auto' range)
- Shutter speed range
- Wireless Flash Control
- Weather protection (only in high end DSLRs)
- a. Entry level D-SLR
- Canon EOS 1100D, 600D, 650D, 700D, 100D
- Nikon D3200, D5200
- Sony (Alpha) A57, A58, A65V
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10,
- Pentax K-R
- b. Medium level D-SLR
- Canon EOS 60D, 7D, 70D, 6D, 5D Mark III
- Nikon D7000, D7100, D300S, D600, D610, D800,
- Sony (Alpha) A77V
- Olympus E-5,
- Pentax K-5
- c. Professional’s D-SLR
- Canon EOS 1DX
- Nikon D4, D3X
- Sony (Alpha) A99V
Combining some of the benefits of both compact cameras and DSLRs such as better image quality from larger sensors, lens changeability, compactness and lower price (when compared with DSLRs), these cameras are becoming popular in travel photography.
Yet, these cameras do have some drawbacks such as:
- No phase detection auto focus,
- No optical view finder (only electronic view finder),
- Limited number of lenses available, and
- No compatibility with SLR lenses.
Sony NEX-3N, NEX-5R, NEX-6 and NEX-7
Canon EOS M
Olympus PEN E-PM1, E-PL3, E-P3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3, DMC-G3, DMC-GX1
Samsung NX200
Nikon 1 V1
See also Equipments and Accessories of Digital Photography.
Note:
- Some updates were made on this page in 2013.
- Camera manufacturers are notorious in naming their model numbers, especially for DSLR models. A DSLR's capabilities cannot be simply guessed by just looking at its model number. Always look for the full specification.
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