Digital SLR: What is a DSLR?
The professional's choice
Digital single lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) are the choice of professionals and keen amateurs. Sales are climbing, thanks to falling prices and an increased choice.
Versatile
A key difference between a DSLR and a standard digital camera is that on a DSLR you can change the lens. You can buy lenses to give you different zoom ranges, and higher levels of picture quality than standard cameras. Some lenses are very expensive, but the image quality they can produce is stunning.
We tested each of our DSLRs with the standard 'kit' lens that's often sold with the DSLR body. With the kit lens, the best DSLR and lens combinations take everyday pictures that are about as good as those from Best Buy standard digital cameras.
But given more challenging environmental conditions, such as outdoors at sunset or in other low light conditions, good DSLR and kit lens combinations do better than standard digital cameras, producing sharper, less grainy pictures.
A higher quality lens gives even better pictures, but at times you have to look closely to tell the difference.
Speed and convenience
DSLRs are very quick, quicker than standard cameras. Turn them on, and most are ready to shoot almost instantly. Shutter delay, that bane of photographers, is quicker (especially if a high quality lens is fitted), and shot-to-shot time in both burst mode and in single shot mode is quicker too.
DSLRs also have more buttons and dials on the body to help you access settings quicker and easier. This is a key advantage when you only have a short time to take your shot.
Although heavier than pocketable cameras, many find them easier to hold due to their ergonomic design and comfortable handgrips.
Despite all the features and creative controls on a DSLR, stick them in full automatic mode and they are really easy to use.
Downsides
They can be expensive, especially when you factor in cost of lenses, and weight can be an issue – more so if you have more than one lens to carry.
No current DSLR has a movie mode and only some have an LCD live preview to enable you to compose your shots on the screen.
Dust can also be a problem. When changing lenses, there's a risk that dust can enter and cause problems (see 'FAQs' for more information. Many DSLRs now have anti-dust features though that help.