Digital Photography Guide: Digital SLR Photography

Digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras offer more versatility and higher quality images than most digital cameras as digital SLRs use larger sensors and have a wide range of interchangeable lenses from extreme wide angle to super telephoto for more creative possibilities. Unfortunately many of the more exotic digital SLR lenses with large apertures are very expensive and therefore mainly used by professional photographers or photographers with deep pockets or large overdrafts. Buying from an independent lens maker such as Sigma or Tamron can help reduce costs.

Nearly all digital slr cameras come with a hotshoe as standard for use with an external flash or studio flash setup. Some cameras also have a PC sync socket for connecting the camera to an external flashgun or studio flash.

Digital SLR photography has grown rapidly over recent years as the price of digital SLRs have tumbled while specifications have increased and many manufacturers now produce smaller SLR cameras which may suit photographers moving up from a digital compact camera to a digital SLR camera. The smallest and lightest digital SLR camera as of early 2008 is the Olympus E410 which weighs in at a light 435 grams including batteries and is much smaller than many bridge cameras with dimensions of only 130 x 91 x 53 mm. Olympus Zuiko four thirds Zoom lenses are also very small and light but for the ultimate in miniaturization, an Olympus E420 DLSR camera body coupled with the tiny Olympus Zuiko 25mm f2.8 pancake lens is hard to beat and ideal for travel photography.

Digital SLR Camera

The digital slr camera market is changing rapidly but below is a list of the most popular bestselling DSLRs on the market today:

Top 10 Bestselling Digital SLRs

1. Canon Digital Rebel XSi

2. Canon EOS 50D

3. Nikon D90 DX

4. Nikon D60

5. Canon EOS 40D

6. Canon Digital Rebel XTi

7. Nikon D300 DX

8. Olympus Evolt E510

9. Nikon D700

10. Sony Alpha DSLRA300K

For photographers requiring total control over the digital photography process, a digital slr camera is the best choice in terms of image quality, manual controls, speed of operation, versatility, creative possibilities and in the use of raw images which provide the equivalent of a digital negative without any loss of quality through compression. In addition, standard digital cameras cannot compete with the range of accessories available for digital SLR cameras. These range from ultra wide angle zoom lenses to large aperture telephoto lenses for professional photographers in sport photography, advertising, fashion and other commercial areas as well advanced amateurs or enthusiasts.

Finally, digital SLR cameras also benefit from the wide range of high powered versatile flashguns which clip onto a DSLR's hotshoe. Flashguns can also be used externally in a wireless multi flash studio setup for a more professional approach and most flashguns have flash heads which swivel or tilt for a more natural light via bounce flash.

Digital Photography: Digital SLR Photography

Digital Photography Guide: Digital SLR Photography