There are three main types of digital cameras: Number 1. The most popular type, the compact camera.
Number 2. The "Prosumer" or "Bridge" camera, these are a midpoint or "Bridge" between a compact and a DSLR.
Number 3. The Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera.
First I will list the pros and cons of the compact camera:
Pros.
Small, you can carry it around in your pocket, it doesn't take up much space, and you can quickly produce it from your pocket for that once in a lifetime snapshot!
Most modern compacts have very high resolution sensors for the price you pay, for example a £600 DSLR camera may have a 12MP sensor whereas you can purchase a 14MP compact camera for around £200.
Simple, most modern compact digital cameras are very easy and simple to use, therefore newbies to the photography world won't be thrown in at the deep end!
Fully Manual, a lot of compact digital cameras now have fully manual functions so if you wish you can easily start to learn the world of photography in more depth and gain more control over your images.
Cons.
Very small lens, because of the size of the lens of compact digital cameras, very little light is let in compared to DSLRs and your aperture range is much more limited.
Unsubstantial optical zoom, your optical zoom range is often very limited on digital compact cameras.
Small sensor, even though the sensor might be able to record images made up of lots and lots of Mega Pixels compared to DSLRs for the price you pay, the sensor is physically, very small because it has to be compact, therefore digital compact cameras are effected quite badly by noise, compared to DSLRs.
Now the "Prosumer" or "Bridge Camera"
Pros.
Large sensors, because they are much larger than compact cameras, they often have larger sensors (physically) so are generally less effected by noise at high ISO values.
Bigger lens, Because the lens' on these cameras are much bigger than on compact digital cameras, they are able to let in much more light, this also means this type of camera has a greater aperture range.
Much greater zoom range than on most digital compact cameras.
Cheaper than a DSLR.
Cons.
Not quite a DSLR, this means you are greatly hindered by the inability of being able to change your lens, therefore these cameras are not as flexible as DSLRs.
Not as fast or responsive as a DSLR.
Most of them don't have real views through the viewfinder, a lot of these types of cameras simply have a digital replica of the LCD projected through the viewfinder.
Now Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras.
Pros.
Larger sensor again, DSLRs normally have the largest sensors (physically) of all three camera types and therefore suffer the least from noise at high ISO values.
Ability to change your lens, there is a massive range of lens' you are able to purchase for DSLR cameras and therefore they have amazing flexibility, with a DSLR you are able to delve into any type of photography you desire! (although it may cost you quite a bit of money).
Great image quality, DSLR cameras usually have great processors and offer some of the best post processing, therefore creating spectacular images.
Extremely fast and responsive compared to the other two types of camera.
Cons.
Very expensive, as if the camera body itself doesn't cost enough, you have to also purchase expensive lens' which can sometimes cost more than the camera body itself, although some DSLR bodies are available in a kit, meaning they come with a lens (usually 18-55mm), which saves you money.
Not very compact, DSLRs are usually very bulky and heavy compared to compact cameras.
I hope this intel has helped you make your mind up about what type of digital camera to purchase.
I have included a picture of all three types of camera at the bottom of this intel.
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Contributor's Note
I am the author of this article, and I am a enthusiastic photographer, and have been for many years, I am very knowledgeable in the subject area, and I hope you trust my intel. Kind Regards
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