Pros and Cons of an SLR Camera

Well, I debated on whether or not to make my first post a “tech related one”, but I decided to just go for it!

If you’re reading this post, you’ve been asking yourself – do I really need to upgrade to that SLR? What’s the big deal anyway? You’ll get many differing opinions, but the truth is, the SLR vs. Point and Shoot debate boils down to having the right tool for the right job.

SLR Pros:

1. Image quality - There is no doubt that these guys are capable of pumping out crisp, clear, noise free pictures. How is this possible? SLRs have much larger sensors than Point and Shoots. By much larger, I mean MULTIPLE times larger. Here is a good comparison on Wikipedia.

2. Interchangeable lenses – If you are someone who wants to have ultimate control over how your photographs look, then you will want to be able to select from a variety of different focal lengths and specialty lenses. You’ll be able to get that nice background blur with a “fast” SLR lens. You can get that super wide-angle landscape with the right lens too.
Canon Lens Lineup
Nikon Lens Lineup

3. Speed – If you want to shoot sports, or just prefer to not watch paint dry, then this is a big one. When you press the shutter button on an SLR, the camera takes the picture right away. If you do the same thing with a Point and Shoot, you get an agonizing delay, and then the picture is taken. Sometimes, by that point, your subject is long gone! Generally, I have found that scrolling through the menus and reviewing pictures is faster too on an SLR.

SLR Cons:

1. Size and Weight – The really big issue here! Who really wants to lug around a huge body and heavy lenses? I love my SLR, but am I really going to enjoy carrying it around an entire day at Disney World? While traveling, I have an entire gear bag dedicated to my photo gear.

2. Cost – Even entry level SLR cameras are quite a bit more expensive than Point and Shoots. Plus, once you add the cost of good lenses, flashes, and accessories, the bill has really shot up! (By the way, please don’t assume that buying gear will make you a better photographer!)

3. Steep learning curve - If you are new to photography or have never learned the basics of operating a camera, using an SLR to its full potential will be a long battle. Between all the different manual mode settings, and getting used to shooting through a viewfinder, it will take a while before you feel comfortable!

I hope you enjoyed this little primer, and consider these points before purchasing an SLR. I think my next post will be a walkthrough guide for the “newbie” SLR user….stay tuned!

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