Whats the difference between a digital camera and an SLR digital camera?

Answer 1

SLR is Single Lens Reflex as the others have already mentioned. The image that you see from the viewfinder is captured from the main lens and reflected onto the viewfinder with an intricate arrangement of mirrors (or prisms). When you click the shutter, the mirror moves out of the way and the image is imposed on the CCD sensor. What that effectively means is that you see EXACTLY THE SAME IMAGE from the viewfinder as is captured on the CCD. That helps, doesn't it?

Disadvantages with D-DLRs (or film SLRs) range from need to have expensive lenses, no inbuilt zoom, bulky size, extreme high costs etc.

Serious photographers prefer SLR cameras because they allow hordes of manual settings and addition of filters, zoom lenses, wide angle lenses, fish eye lenses and other unimaginable things. As vince here says, non-SLR cameras have come in with these features these days but those arent too many in number.

Please please please check out the Panasonic Lumix FZ-20 to get a really good camera with absolutely mindblowing features + 12x built-in optical zoom + image stabilization (very important when taking long range photos with zoom and in low light conditions) + east point-and-shoot modes for secondary users like your sister or mom or your little brother + ability to add lenses, filters, external flash....in short - the best possible combination of the features of an SLR and a compact non-SLR camera alongwith features unique to both (like image atabilization).

They have recently introduced FZ-30 which is even better and offers an extended zoom upto 19x (optical). Check out one of the sites I list below and search for both the cams.

Answer 2

First assume that digital means an image captured electronicaly and not on film. I mention this because so many people still dont get it.

SLR means Single Lens Reflex The lens that focuses the image to capture is the same lens you look through in the viewfinder. A camera that is not SLR uses a separate lense through to the viewfinder.

It's pretty much that simple. Swapping lenses, manual focus and such have nothing to do with it. Non SLR are made with these capabilities.

Answer 3

SLR means Single Lense Reflex. Normally a digital camera is more of a consumer camera, which doesn't offer different lenses. Where as a SLR allows you to change out the lenses. Most SLR digital cameras cost a lot more and have higher megapixels. I think SLR is past 11 megapixel, while consumer cameras are at 10 megapixels.

Answer 4

Point-and-shoot vs Single Lens Reflex (SLR)

SLR's have cool lens that you can swap out, do neat things with depth-of-field, over exposures, multiple exposures, zoom vs wide angle, and more.

Point and shoot may have zoom capability, and is good for just about all occasions. But if you really want to go to the next level and "compose" a picture like an artist, and get that kind of picture that Point-and-shoots can't,- then go SLR.

Ya need the money though !!

Answer 5

It depends on his photography level. DSLR are more advanced. The lenses can be changed, you can focus manually, and a few other things. It's really great for the amatuer photographer or the professional photographer (more wedding photographers are going digital). It's a great investment if he is really into photography. regular digital cameras are great for those not so camera savvy. Most are point and shoot but offer a few advanced options (but very simplified). There are usually limited buttons and functions. Again, it's a better choice if he's not camera savvy.

Answer 6

With an slr you can swap lenses and adjust the exposures to you liking.

Answer 7

With an SLR you can adjust the focus manually, and swap out lenses.