SLR Digital Cameras

An SLR camera always produces a first generation image, which captures the details of an object through the aperture of the camera. These images are very difficult to fabricate, whereas digital files can be easily modified using a computer. Thus under circumstances requiring high security like law enforcement and in cases where the authenticity of an image is important, like passport or visa photographs SLR photos are considered to be more secured than digital photos.

Where SLR cameras are said to be more secured in terms of image authentication, they lose to their digital counterpart when it comes to giving performance in rugged environment. Cleanliness of SLR cameras is a constant issue with even one grain of dust having the capacity of destroying the entire film. On the same ground digital cameras are much hardier with their fixed lenses and mechanism to keep dusts at bay.

Also, spatial resolution is a constant issue with the SLR cameras. For film cameras the resolution, often measured in mega pixel, depends on the size of the film. So for a greater resolution you will require a bigger film which may be difficult to handle. The problem does not arise with digital cameras where a small compact camera can capture images as high as 40 mega pixel.

Digital or SLR, whichever camera you choose finally, depends on a lot of factors including your budget and availability. But it is required that you maintain both form of cameras very well. In case you have in some way damaged your camera, take it to the nearest camera repair shop. Camera repairs are not a costly affair anymore. You may also take your camera to the repair shop occasionally for lens and sensor cleaning and to keep it well ready for those rare moments.

The Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III and EOS-1D Mark III have some of the finest features, but the IDs Mark III is a 21.1 megapixel full frame SLR digital camera while the ID Mark III is a 10.1 megapixel SLR digital camera. The IDs shoots five frames per second while the ID shoots 12 frames per second. The comparison between the camera s for RAW images and full resolution pictures is 12 RAW and 56 full resolutions for the IDs and 30 RAW and 110 full resolutions for the ID. Both cameras have a three-inch LCD screen. The best camera between the two is the EOS-ID Mark III.

The Canon EOS 5D Digital, EOS 40D Digital and the EOS 30D Digital cameras have different features and prices. The EOS 5D shoots 60 full resolutions and 17 RAW, the 40D shoots 75 full resolutions and 17 RAW and the 30D shoots 30 full resolution pictures and 11 RAW. The 30D and the 5D have 2.5-inch LCD screens and the 40D has a 3-inch LCD screen. The megapixels for the 40D are 10.1 while the megapixels for the 30D are 8.2 and 12.8 megapixels for 5D. The best camera for megapixels and resolution is the Canon EOS 5D.

The Digital Rebel XTi and the Digital Rebel XT SLR cameras are comparable in price, but for the features and megapixels, they are very different. The XTi provides 10.1 megapixels while the XT has 8 megapixels. The XT does have a DIGIC II image processor but so does the XTi. The frame burst is different on each with the XT 14 and the XTi having 27. The best camera for the Canon Rebel is the Canon Rebel XTi.

Between all the Canon SLR cameras listed here, the best camera is the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III.

The best Christmas gifts are those that are carefully thought about with the receiver’s wishes and wants in mind. So, if you want to give the perfect gift this Christmas, you better plan ahead. If you know someone who wants a digital SLR camera, then this list of the Top 10 digital SLR Cameras – Christmas gifts for 2008 would help you narrow down your choices. The lucky person who gets your gift would definitely know you spent time searching for the perfect camera. Read on and take notes!

1. Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black) -this baby right here is equipped with a 12.2 MP CMOS sensor that takes really outstanding and crisp shots. Add to that extra functions such as Auto Optimization for better picture quality, and you have a digital SLR camera that would surely thrill the receiver. It’s also very easy to use and solidly built.

2. Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black) - this is the Rebel XSi’s younger brother, so to say. The main difference between the two is that this camera only has 10.1 MP, whereas XSi has got 12.2 MP. However, the rest of the features are still present, making this slightly less expensive digital SLR camera a good choice.

3. Nikon D90 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens – rounding up the top 3 of this list of the Top 10 digital SLR Cameras – christmas gifts for 2008 is this very nice piece of work from Nikon. The D90 boasts of a 12.3 MP image quality, a movie mode feature, Scene Recognition and lots more. This is the best camera for both serious photographers and those just starting out.

4. Nikon D90 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) – even without the lens, this camera is still a formidable choice and it boasts all the other features that the D90 (12.3 MP CMOS sensor, Movie mode, 4.5 framers per second shooting, etc.) with the lens has. It’s the perfect Christmas gift if you want to leave the lens option to the receiver.

5. Canon EOS 50D 15.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) - this compact and solid digital SLR camera is most definitely one of the best in the market. It boasts of a 15.1 MP CMOS Sensor, Enhanced Live View which still allows Face Recognition, and can capture 6 frames per second. These are just a few of the outstanding features of this camera, and it surely belongs in the top 5 of the list of the Top 10 digital SLR Cameras – christmas gifts for 2008.

6. Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12MP Digital SLR Camera (Black Body Only) - without the lens, this camera comes in at number 6 in our list. Still, it has all the remarkable features of the Rebel XSi with the lens; so basically, you can leave the lens choice to the receiver of the gift.

7. Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens – this is a great camera for starters. It can take 6.1 MP images and can take 2 frames per second. It’s quite easy to use, so it’s really good for someone who’s just getting the hang of using a digital SLR camera.

8. Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Black) - the pictures that this baby can take are good enough for prints as large as 18×24 inches. It is a compact, easy to use gadget which also boasts of a quick processing system, and even a self cleaning system.

9. Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens – this baby can take poster quality pictures, and at the same time, it can take up to 6.5 frames per second. Like most Canon cameras, it is also very easy to manage and has a self cleaning sensor unit.

10. Canon EOS 50D 15.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens – coming in at number 10 in this list of the Top 10 digital SLR Cameras – christmas gifts for 2008 is another Canon offering. This time, it’s the 50D with the lenses. The same astounding features (15.1 MP picture quality, face detection, Live View, noise reduction, etc) are maximized with the addition of the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lenses.

It’s useful to think of telephoto lenses as telescopes for your digital SLR camera. Like a telescope, a telephoto lens enlarges your subject, bringing it closer and making it appear larger in your viewfinder and on your camera’s digital sensor.

Lenses with a focal length longer than that of a 50mm standard lens can be classed as telephotos. In practice though, 85mm is regarded as the shortest telephoto focal length for fixed or prime lenses, while for telephoto zoom lenses, the short end of the telephoto range starts around 70mm, as in a 70-200mm telephoto zoom.

The longer the focal length of a lens, the greater its magnification. Thus a 100mm telephoto lens gives twice the magnification of a 50mm standard lens. In practice, this means the subject’s height and width in the viewfinder – and hence on the digital sensor or film – is doubled when you attach a 100mm lens to the camera. Similarly, a 400mm telephoto lens gives eight times (x8) the magnification of a standard lens.

If you’re on safari and there’s a big male lion staring at you from 50m away, he’s going to appear very small in the viewfinder with a 50mm lens on your digital SLR. Change that to a 500mm telephoto lens, and the lion is magnified 10 times. Now he nearly fills the frame and you can even see the scars on his face and the piercing yellow eyes boring into you.

From the above example, it should be clear that telephoto lenses prove invaluable when you can’t get near enough to the subject you’re photographing. With a tele lens you can, for example, take sports shots from the sidelines or shoot pictures of wild animals from the safety of a vehicle or hide.

They’re also very handy for taking candid shots of children, for reportage, or any other situation where you want to remain inconspicuous, as they allow you to shoot unnoticed while you’re some distance from your subject.

Medium telephotos in the 85 to 105mm range are also highly prized as portrait lenses as they tend to flatter the subject and allow a shallow depth of field that throws distracting backgrounds out of focus.

Prime v Zoom Telephoto Lenses

Telephoto lenses fall into two main categories:

1. Fixed focal length, or prime, telephotos

2. Zoom telephotos, offering variable focal length

1. Prime telephotos offer optimum image quality because they have fewer lens elements, so fewer compromises have to be made. Their main disadvantage is the fixed focal length, limiting your options when composing the shot.

When photographing fast moving subjects, as in sport or wildlife, you can find the subject suddenly looming too large in the viewfinder. Fixed focal length telephotos can also be large, heavy, and expensive.

They are nevertheless the first choice for professional sports, news, and wildlife photographers because the image quality can’t be beaten and they offer wider maximum apertures than zoom lenses of equivalent focal length.

This allows for shooting in low light conditions, which is often a necessity for professional photographers in the following situations:

* shooting sports under artificial lighting at night, or at indoor arenas;

* wildlife photographers shooting early in the morning or late afternoon when the animals are most active and the light is soft and less contrasty;

* news photographers when shooting under a variety of breaking news situations, when they may be too far from the subject to use flash or want a more natural look to their images from available light.

Within the family of prime telephoto lenses, some of the most prized are:

* 600mm f/4.0 — for wildlife and sports such as surfing and cricket where these huge lenses can be firmly attached to a heavy tripod to keep them steady.

* 300mm f/2.8 — a brilliant lens for wildlife and sport because of the wide maximum aperture combined with smaller size and weight that makes it easier to use on a monopod, giving the photographer more freedom of movement. These lenses can also be used with matching tele converters or extenders to increase the focal length without a sacrifice in size or weight.

* 85mm portrait lenses with wide f/1.2 maximum aperture that are also good for indoor sports or low light situations such as concerts or theater.

2. Zoom telephotos are hugely popular because of their versatility and often affordable price tag. Lens technology has improved dramatically in recent years and today’s top-of-the-range zoom lenses compare favorably with prime lenses when it comes to image quality.

For all-round usefulness, combined with affordability and very acceptable image quality, telephoto zoom lenses are a “must-have” lens for most photographers as it costs a lot less buying one zoom lens than two (or three) prime lenses to cover the same range of focal lengths.

Popular zoom telephoto lenses include:

* Professional quality 70-200mm f/2.8 telephoto zooms

* 80-400 or 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 telephoto zooms

* More affordable 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 telephoto zooms.

Whatever your situation, whether beginner or veteran photographer, telephoto lenses are invaluable tools that greatly increase the chances of capturing remarkable images with your digital SLR camera.

SLR Means Single Lens Reflex. That is a single lens is used viewing and as well as taking pictures. A mirror is fixed which will direct the light from the lens to the prism for viewing. There is an elctronic sensor behind the shutter in a SLR system.

This SLR digital cameras are made from the base design of Konica/Minolta SLR system. This type of Sony cameras are best suited for photographers with autofocus lenses. They are also best suited for hobbyist and

professionals.

Different types of SLR cameras

1. Big lenses with big sensor

2. Big lenses with small sensor

3. Small lenses with small sensor

Types of Sony SLR Cameras

The first DSLR in Sony Alpha Series is SOny Alpha A100. This is slightly heavier which has a CCS Sensor, Autofocus, LCD screen and more. The other types are Sony Alpha A200, Sony Alpha A250, A350 and so on.

Other Features in Sony SLR Cameras

Other special features in this Sony SLR cameras are it can be used to focus an individual among a group of people. This is done with a special object a speical pen using which it can be used to focus and take the picture of a particular person.

For example if in a party you would like to take pictures of your mom and dad among a group of people then this is possible with Sony SLR cameras by using this focussing technique. It will take only the desginated person. Even you can set the camera to take the picture of the person when he smiles.

The smiling range also varies from slight to high. This feature is named as Smile Shutter. The advantage of this feature there is no wastage of shots and hence you can save your precious time.

Sony Cyber-shot Cameras

The new sony cyber-shot cameras comes with a high quality 24mm-120mm zoom lens. The lenses are designed in such a way that it reduces chromatic aberration.

It also protects lens from dust, scratching or damaging the sensor due to lens changes. There is no need to change the lens for different shots. It also allows to take photos horizontal, vertical, high or low angles or upto waist height and so on.

Sensor bodies of sony cameras

Usually the sensor bodies of sony cameras are small and hence compatible photos can be taken with the compatible lenses and it also reduces camera shake.

Buying Canon SLR Cameras

Canon is the strongest competitor in the digital SLR market. This is because of their big lenses and small sensor options. Some of the recommended digital SLR cameras are

1. Canon Digital Rebel XTi

2. Canon EOS 30D

Check the prices before you buy

Have a look at the prices of the SLR cameras. The prices for digital slr cameras start from range from 800$ to 5000$ which are quite higher. Canon and Nikon are coming out for cheaper prices that are affordable. It may range from 1000$ but without additional lenses. Always check in the internet for latest prices before you buy. You will surely find good bargains in many websites

The single lens reflex (SLR) design, in which the lens that projects the image for recording is the same as that used to view and focus the subject, is the most versatile available. With digital cameras, however, there are now two different types of SLR. In the focusing-screen type (the most common) you look through an eyepiece to view the image on a focusing screen. The advantage here is that no power is consumed. In the second type you look through an eyepiece but what you see is a magnified LCD. As this is not an optical view, but depends on a sensor sending signals to the LCD screen, it consumes power.

If it is important that you view the actual image, you will need the more professional digital cameras such as the Canon D60, Nikon Dl series, Fuji S2, and the sturdy Kodak professional SLRs.

Another distinction between SLR digitals is whether or not the lens is interchangeable. The less-expensive SLRs do not feature interchange-ability, but their zoom lenses may accept accessory lenses. These are screwed into the front to extend both wide-angle and telephoto coverage.

For the type of performance required by sports photographers, photojournalists, and the like, three features of digital SLRs to consider are burst-rate, capacity, and latent period. The first is a measure of how many shots the electronics will allow you to take in rapid succession: a burst-rate of 3 fps (frames per second) is regarded as a minimum. The capacity indicates how many pictures can be taken before the camera needs to stop and process the information. This is follows by a latent period in which images are written to the memory card, which can take a minute or more. Needless to say, film-based cameras have an advantage here, as some can shoot 36 frames in less than five seconds. The film-based latent period is, of course, the time needed to change films.

SLR cameras have constantly evolved every year. There are at least ten hot picks which suit the tastes of the shoppers. The common features that are mostly considered by buyers are the resolutions whether it is low end at about 6 megapixels for this year evolutions or high end at about 21 megapixel and frame rate. However there are other features and performances that are reconsidered especially professional photographer, among these are burst depth, AF speed and tracking, ruggedness especially those who are into sport photography or are sports enthusiast, viewfinder coverage, start-up, playback and mode-switching times, viewfinder information, quality of auto white-balance system, ergonomics, and image stabilization. Though some of these features are hard to quantify since some features vary and some are a matter of liking and choices.

In the recent review, Fuji SLR maker has made four cameras on the top ten based on reviews, choices of common shoppers and most importantly the value it gives for money. However, among the four Fuji SLR cameras, three cameras are highly competitive to other SLR Brands. The first one is the Fujifilm FinePix S9600 / S9100 – Digital Camera. This is a 9 megapixel digital camera with a 10.7x optical zoom lens and a 2.0″ (230,000 pixel) tilting LCD screen for easy high and low angle shooting. What made this a hot pick are its sharp screen feature that shows the resulting photos with excellent clarity, the manual zoom ring gives full control when composing images. In addition, it has multi-frame bracketing. It is also fast and responsive.

Its menus have plenty of options to suit ‘artistic’ photography. Its RAW format enables full control of final images. Its output gives excellent quality images from ISO 80 to 800 with low-noise. And it has good battery life and they’re AA size which never runs out in the market.

The second one is the Fujifilm FinePix F40fd. It is the 8 megapixel version of the Fujifilm FinePix F31fd. The F40fd is a compact digital camera with a 3x optical zoom lens which the 3x optical zoom lens is equivalent to 36 – 108mm on a 35mm camera, and a large 2.5″ screen. What makes this camera gain good review are its large, sharp screen that shows resulting photos with excellent clarity. It is also fast and responsive with high speed mode.

This also got plenty of options to suit ‘artistic’ photography like it has plenty of scene positions to help ordinary people take better photos not only that but it gives excellent quality images with very good color. This too has good battery life (rated at 300+ shots). The ‘Immediate zoom’ mode help check sharpness and exposure straight after taking the photo and with good zoom control button. The Stylish compact metal body adds chic to this camera.

And the third one is the Fujifilm FinePix F480. This is an ultra compact, wide angle 8.2 megapixel digital camera with a 4x optical zoom lens that is equivalent to 28-112mm on a 35mm camera, and a 2.7″ (230,000 pixel) LCD screen which also has an ISO range from 100 to 800. The F480 can record video in 320 x 480 resolution at 30fps with sound. The things that made it a hot pick are its large 2.7 inch screen that shows the resulting photos with good clarity, its 28mm wide angle is excellent for a compact camera. This is deal for indoor photography and the compact metal body makes this camera handy and stylish in evening parties.

In photography, there are cameras that are used for professional shoots and most times it is the professional photographer who handles this kind of camera’s but that doesn’t mean you can’t. The Digital SLR cameras are one such model of cameras that is used by professionals. Even you can get the chance to use the digital SLR camera, especially if you are planning to take photography professionally or as a serious hobby. Since this camera was created to take photos at really high speeds, you will probably have to stay on Auto or Automatic for a while which will guide you or help like on auto pilot until you learn the ropes from reading the manual or from a professional.

The setup of the digital SLR camera is kind of difficult which would be best if you also learnt the ropes from a professional. The camera is filled with many functions which have to be set right in order to get the perfection when it comes to clarity and color.However in the long run you will end up understanding the functions and you will find out that the camera is easier to use than you thought. With the SLR you will look more professional when you are taking your photos and the clarity you get will speak for itself.

As a beginner it would be wise to leave the camera setting mode at automatic and as you grow you can advance to semi-manual and when you know you are good enough and you will know when you are good enough you can switch to full manual.

A basic review of SLR camera features is what this article is about. I’ve also tried to include a bit of a primer on the general technology that makes SLR cameras work. Cameras that are also called single lens reflex (single lens reflex) or DSLR (digital single lens reflex) received their names due to their design which permits the picture taker to see in the viewfinder the picture soon to be memorialized by the lens. The best SLR review I’ve written this year, was for the Canon Rebel T1i.

While most inexpensive point and shoot digital cameras have a single fixed built in lens, digital single reflex cameras provide for more creative expression thru the modifying of lenses. Many lensman world wide select digital single reflex cameras for this feature alone. If your utilizing a non-single lens reflex camera, the angle of the viewfinder can’t be as equal as what is being delivered to the primary lens. The focal length of your lens becomes an issue here, when what the photographer sees, and what the camera sees are two slightly diverse things. If your fortuitous enough to have a digital single reflex camera, then the problem melts as one picture is delivered to both the artist and the camera itself.

Those first time SLR users, will be delighted to know that “Live View” is a new feature amongst many SLR cameras that permit the use of the LCD screen instead of the viewfinder.The first step in Live View, is to utilise an additional alternative sensor to maintain the image coming from the prism mirror. The whole process is somewhat slowed down a bit, as that auxiliary sensor image is displayed to the photographer via the display. While live view has been in demand, it often meant giving up autofocus which can be a pain. The the Canon T1i has made some inroads towards compensating for this.

SLR Camera Types

The Single lens reflex Camera That Allows For Multiple Lenses

When an individual thinks of digital SLR cameras, these are the type that come to mind. For our purposes, these are the cameras we will be talking over here. As you would expect, these single reflex cameras allow for the mixing of lenses. If you demand wide, macro, or super-telephoto, you’ll be able to ad-lib with any of these cameras.

For example, the majority of cameras with the single lens reflex label would fall into this family.

Digital SLR Camera Features Without Expensive Lenses

You can get yourself a digital single lens reflex camera that creates grand images, but doesn’t require changing lenses. These types of cameras are almost extinct and aren’t really mass-produced much anymore.

As with researching any digital camera, it seems logical to research online for sales, and hard to find cameras. Small local camera boutiques simply can’t compete with their high overhead and fewer brands and models.

In the modern day of point and shoot digital cameras, it has to be queried as to whether there is any place for the SLR digital camera any more. Well for the fans of SLR rest assured as SLR cameras are still being made by companies such as Canon, Minolta and Olympus to name but a few. As you are already probably aware SLR cameras are bigger but have more options, and for this reason SLR cameras tend to be more expensive than point and click ones. But what exactly is an SLR camera

SLR stands for single-lens reflex. This means that the composition and metering as well as the actual film exposure are being done through a single lens. Another way that these types of camera are known is TTL (through-the-lens). As cameras go, SLR has been the favoured type used by professional photographers for decades. The reason for this is that SLR cameras offer a direct view between your eye and the target of your pictures, which ensures a photo reflecting your vision. One thing that you do have to be wary of though is that, unlike the old fashioned more robust film versions, digital SLR cameras are quite sensitive and easily broken.. The reason for this is because there are a lot more electronic components to a digital SLR camera than there were on film cameras, and once these are damaged, you probably will need to get a replacement, although repairs may be possible. But do not let that deter you from buying one, as if you look after it properly then the vast majority of digital SLR cameras sold work perfectly well for a long time, and give you good quality images for years to come.

One of the qualities and even an advantage of using a digital SLR camera, is that it is generally easier and faster to shoot and it tends to be more flexible than a normal camera. This is because it generally allows you to be able to change your lens as a feature. And quite often with digital SLR you will get an Auto focus feature. This feature enables automatic focusing and will help to give you superb image quality even in situations with low light availability . If you really push the boat out and invest in a really professional digital SLR then you will find that these use the best sensors the camera manufacturer can produce, resulting in exceptionally clear, vibrant images. But even if you just get a standard camera, you will find that the lenses made for SLR cameras are generally of a higher quality than those found in most point and shoot cameras, so you are always going to get a better final image.