Digital cameras fall into several categories based on functionality and quality, here are few common terms:
DIGITAL COMPACT
Also referred to as ‘point and shoot’, these cameras are the least expensive and are under £100. They can come with more functionality with a rise in price to circa £400. Compacts are quite small and portable (the smaller ones are the shape and size of a deck of playing cards), and are designed for ‘snapshots’. They should have zoom lenses and built in flashes. Because these cameras are not very dynamic they mostly function on automatic settings to allow picture taking without understanding the depth and complexity of photography.
DIGITAL SLR CAMERA
The term Digital SLR is an acronym for digital single lens reflex. These are larger in build and offer additional manual functionality, e.g. isolating the shutter speed or aperture settings for greater control. True SLR cameras have interchangeable lenses which are required for different photography subjects.
Amateur SLRs
Usually supplied as a kit, it would include the camera body and a selection of commonly used zoom lenses, and sometimes other useful gadgets depending on the manufacturer. Prices range from £450-£900. These are great for learning the basics by giving the amateur photographer a dynamic range of auto and manual functions to progress and build confidence.
Professional SLRs
Professional cameras are expensive because they are on the cutting edge of technology. The term ‘professional digital SLR’ refers to the camera body only and not lenses or kits. Prices for camera bodies can range for £2000-£10000 (and beyond) depending on the professional field of the photographer and camera manufacturer.
LENSES
Zoom lenses are measured in millimetres and have an aperture setting alongside such as f2.8 or f4.0-f5.6. Lenses with small aperture numbers are known as fast lenses. Commonly used zooms are 24-70, 70-200, and 100-300. These lenses are very useful because the zoom allows your image to be framed and composed standing on the spot without having to move closer or further from the subject. Compare these to Prime lenses which have a fixed focal length. However the zoom functionality is known to have a degrading effect on image quality which is why prime lenses are the preferred choice for photographers who do not require zoom functionality. General zoom lenses range from £400 for basic ‘glass’ and up to £1400 for quality ‘glass’. The difference in quality is clear. Lenses used for professional sports photography or wildlife can be as much as £8000 and beyond!
About the author:
Sam Qam (Wedding Photographer Edinburgh) has a passion for providing Wedding Photography Edinburgh.
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