What is the difference between SLR cameras and not SLR cameras? Is one better than the other? Why?

Answer 1

SLR = you're looking through the lens

Non-SLR = you're looking through the viewfinder

With the SLR you have more control over your picture placement (i.e. what your taking a picture of will actually fit in the photo). Some SLR cameras offer manual focus and interchangeable lenses for greater flexability. You usually get more resolution as well. Simply put, you generally get more available tools to make better quality pictures.

H a p p y
S h o o t i n g !

Answer 2

An SLR camera (Single Lens Reflex) lets you 'see' exactly what the lens 'sees', this is not so important on digital cameras, as the viewfinder/screen shows that anyway.

However a lot of SLR's allow either different lenses or lens attachments to be added (Wide Angle or Telephoto or even true macro)


I have both types, the SLR is used on land and is a Fuji S20 Pro, and I also have a Sony P150 with an underwater housing that is non SLR (smaller/lighter)

Also SLR's 'usually' have a higher quality lens.

If it is a film type camera, then the SLR is important for all the above reasons and also to be able to see what you are taking as the lens sees it.

The one disadvatage is that you lose the viewfinder the for the instant that the camera takes the picture as the mirror which allows the view in the first place has to swing up and out of the way. Also this mirror can be quite noisy too.

Answer 3

Basically, SLR cameras are those bigger (usually black ones) that usually more experienced photographers use. They have detachable lenses, and you are able to buy ones with more "zoom" or different filters. SLRs have more options and modes in them and give you much more control. Non SLR cameras are usually smaller, less expensive, you have less control over what you can do with your photos while they're in your camera, and the quality may not be as good. If you are new to photography, an SLR might be a very steep learning curve for you. I personally have one after I had a cheap little 3.2mp camera for 3 years. Decide exactly how into it you are before paying the big price...a good SLR costs around $1000! Good luck!

Answer 4

yeah, what they said.

well, the SLR/non-SLR distinction applies to film cameras as well as digital, but i'll assume you're asking about digitals. almost no one uses non-SLR film cameras anymore....well, that's not quite true, but i'll stick with that statement for the sake of simplicitiy - there are LOTS of different kinds of non-SLR film cameras in lots of different formats.

but anyway, most digital cameras are either SLRs (also called DSLRs) or 'point and shoots.' In general, DSLRs are larger and heavier, have interchangeable lenses (which allows you to better address different photographic situations - sometimes you may want a wideangle lens, sometimes a telephoto), have larger sensors which allow better low-light performance, are a lot quicker in terms of shutter lag and writing files to the memory card (this is important if you're shooting any kind of moving subject), and provide more manual control of camera settings.

so in general, DSLRs perform better and give you better photos than point and shoots...though it's possible that a really nice point and shoot may outperform a crappy DSLR....these are just general guidelines.

usually the only advantages of point and shoot digital cameras are their size (they are usually a lot more compact and easy to carry) and their simplicity of use. they call them 'point and shoots' because their operation is typically entirely automated - you just point the camera, maybe zoom in or out, and press the shutter button.

one nice thing about digital point and shoots is that you can usually compose using the lcd screen on the back. this doesn't work with DSLRs because of the mirror setup....you have to look through the viewfinder.

oh, and most point and shoots are cheaper than most DSLRs, though this is not alway true.

Answer 5

dSLR cameras have the following advantages:
* You can select the perfect lens for every occasion. From microscope to telescope, low light/ razor thin depth of field, tilt-shift lenses for architecture, you name it.
* Better image quality. Big sensors and lenses produce better pictures. With point & shoots, everything is miniturized.
* Better in low light situations. Most point & shoots need flash for indoor shots and at dusk. With a dSLR you can do proper night time photography.
* Much more responsive. They are as fast as film cameras. Point & shoots are sluggish and horrible for action photography - even the $800 'prosumer', or 'SLR-like' cameras.
* More creative control. You can put a dSLR camera in 'idiot-mode' or you can take control of various settings to get more out of a shot. Advanced point & shoots have a lot of these settings too, though.
And the down sides of dSLR cameras:
* Cost. A nice setup will cost +$700. If you want to take it to extremes, you can even get +$1000 lenses.
* Weight/ bulk.
If you want the best in image quality, get a dSLR. If you do sports photography, get a dSLR. But if you just looking for something to take snapshots around the house, get a point & shoot.

Answer 6

Single Lens Reflex means that when you are looking through the view finder, you are looking through the lens. Not SLR is not looking through the lens, SLRs are better because they allow allow you to compose the picture better.