Why buy a 10 mega pixel DSLR when the supercompact too has 10 mega pixel?

Question

Why must one buy a 10 mega pixel DSLR camera when a super compact too has 10 mega pixel? All I can think of is the felixibilty to change & use more than one lens. Is the resolution any better than a supercompact digital camera?

Answer 1

1. As Kirk said, there is a big difference in the sensors. The sensors on the compact cameras are tiny compared to an SLR sensor. In general the bigger sensor is better.

2. Speed. Most point-and-shoot cameras suffer from shutter lag. That is you press the button the camera autofocuses, does some other internal stuff, and then takes the image. SLRs do not have this lag. That is very important if you are shooting action photos.

3. Creative ability. SLRs have settings that allow the photographer to more easily change the f-stop. That change can transform a picture. Some point-and-shoot cameras can do this but it is usually a little troublsome.

4. Better lens translates to sharper images, less distortation, less chormatic aberation, etc.

Deciding on buying a point-and-shoot or an SLR really depends on where someone wants to go with their photography. With a digitial SLR the person needs to be prepared for a learning curve. Many first time users are disappointed with their results because they haven't yet learned how to get the most out of the camera and how to post-process the images. If a person is only doing basic family/friends/vacation pics then buying a digital SLR may not be where they want to go.

One word about megapixels. Unless a person is getting really big prints made the mega pixel count is not so important. You can get good 4x6 prints on a 2 meg camera, good 8x10s on a 4meg camera, etc. It was only a couple of years ago that professionals were doing their work with 4MP cameras.

Answer 2

If it's a good camera, with good components, then the difference is that you'll have more pixels per square inch. The 10 mega pixel camera will allow you to do some serious cropping where as the 6 mega pixel not as much (although more than most people who just take family photos will do). If you try to crop too much with a lower pixel camera, you end up with a picture that looks like it's made up of little tiny squares (pixels) rather than a fluid 35mm type picture. When going for the 10 mp, remember too....those pictures will take up TONS of space in your PC. More pixels does not always mean a better picture!!!!

Answer 3

There are a lot of reasons but briefly the DSLR will take better pictures due to the lens and the placement of the flash. DSLR also has the ability to change lenses and flashes. megapixel is not the only performance factor to consider. Actually the picture quality could actually degrade the higher the pixel level because the camera is compressing the image more. If all you ever do is print pictures less than 8.5 x 11, then anything over 5 MP is overkill. Also, compact cameras are fine for the typical non-professional user.

Answer 4

There is a lot more to it than pixel count. The DSLR sensor is almost ten times bigger than the biggest sensor typically found in a point and shoot camera, so there is FAR less digital artifact or noise in the picture. The flexibility to change lenses is a MAJOR consideration. The quality of lenses used for SLR's is generally FAR superior to the tiny little pieces of glass used for point and shot cameras - even the best of them. Most of the lenses I am using cost between $800 and $1200 and it's not just because I am stupid enough to pay a lot of money just to say that I paid a lot of money. They really are worth from 2 to 5 times as much as "supercompact" digital cameras - just for a lens - because of the image quality.

Answer 5

The sensors are very different and the lenses on a DSLR are better than that of a supercompact. Check out www.dpreview.com

Answer 6

a supercompact cameras sensor is roughly the size of your pinky fingernail

Nikon/Pentax/Olympus/Sony and Canon Rebel series (and 30D)'s sensor is about the size of nickel. The Canon 5D is the same size as 35mm film.

now just imagine shoving 10 people into a VW Bug (Subcompact car) vs 10 people into a minivan.... one works better then the other.

Answer 7

DSLRs offer instant startup, no shutter lag, interchangeable lenses and a much larger sensor. A larger sensor allows better picture quality.

Answer 8

i wouldnt think so, i suppose a dslr would have a lot more features and professuional tools. I know that they usually have a lot more manual set-ups compared to compacts where most is automatically done, fine for holiday snaps but a pain for pro set-ups.

Answer 9

What everyone has said :-)
I guess if you have to ask, then you probably don't need a SLR. Not everyone does, and some of the p&s digicams are fine cameras.
Cheers!