How is a dSLR camera better than a regular digital camera?

Question

I have an Olympus 4000 Camedia camera for 5 years that takes great pics. But I want to get more into photography and they all say to get a dSLR. But why? I'm looking at the Nikon D40 (hubby doesn't like the price) and the aperture for the lens seems really narrow. So I need to get more lenses? Is it really going to be that much better than my old one and why? Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

First...you can adjust the aperture.

Second, the lens quality is better on an slr. That alone is worth the extra money.

Yes, you will get more lenses, but it's not necessary. You could shoot with the basic lens forever if you want. But chances are you'll get more just because different situations call for different lenses.....depending on how serious you take your photography.

Overall.....better picture quality, the ability to adjust to every situation and every shot, and the ability to turn your camera into any kind of camera you want (ie-lenses, filters, flashes). It's DEFINITELY worth the extra money. Being able to get depth of field in your pictures is worth the price. That's what I hate most about my P&S.....NO depth of field. VERY annoying!

Answer 2

Hmmm, let me think...a roll of film has 12, 24 or 36 exposures of the same film.  You have to drop the film for processing and wait...How many rolls would you shoot just to find out a couple of 'good' shots?  How are you going to store all those snapshots...shoe box or Album?

Digital allows you to switch ISO settings (Film types) on the fly and you can instantly know whether or not you got the shot or missed and try again.  You don't pay for this but pay only for the 'good' shots worth printing.  Is a lot easier to store the files on your computer and give copies to everybody in your family with just a single E-mail

...some thoughts to consider

Answer 3

I have a D40.  Bought it about 3 weeks ago.  What I like about is I can set the camera on manual like my old film SLR and do the adjustments myself.  I can set the aperture and shutter speeds.  I can manual focus as well.  It has some nice built in features that you will need to learn such as type of lighting adjustment - or you set the camera on auto and let it do all the work.  The built in flash is nice and has available hot shoe for additional flash.  The rechargeable battery lasts a heck of a long time.  I've got some beautiful photos with mine and for the money recommend it.  For one photo go here:

http://s522.photobucket.com/albums/w349/...

I'm still playing with the image and this is scaled down but I like it for a nice scenic.

EDIT - Just in case anyone is wondering the bright glow above the cloud is natural. The only real editing I have done is to darken the overall photo so the glow was more easily seen.

Answer 4

dSLR cameras allow you to change lenses and you will have vastly more control over your photos.  You can control what is and is not in focus, you can control how dark or light your photos are and a thousand other things.  The only bad thing about them is that they're heavier and bulkier than digicams.  Here's a good source for more info on the Nikon D40:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum....

This particular link has info on several different Nikons, but you can browse through and see other people's questions and opinions about the D40.

Answer 5

The main reasons are versatility and control.  DSLR's have interchangeable lenses.  They have all of the same auto modes that most point-shoot cameras have but have many more and allow full manual control  - which can be very important when trying to get specific images in unusual conditions.  

But if you have a 5 year old digital - just about every camera from the medium price range on up is going to blow it way in image quality.

Answer 6

Tell your hubby that what you get for the dollar in the D40 is more than in any other DSLR ( or tell him you want a Nikon D3 at 5K then "sette" for the D40 ~chuckle~  )

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm

What will you get over your point and shoot

first and probably most important a sensor that is many many times  the size of the one on the point and shoot. Bigger sensor= more light to each pixel = clearer, crisper and better color saturation in the output

it will give you a better image processor, better metering better autofocus, less shutter lag, and the ability to shoot in RAW if you choose to.

It will let you change lenses to meet any need and have a wide array of flashes depending on your needs. It will let you grow and do more as a photographer as your skill increases taking more control of your work.

feel free to email me if I can you want more info on any of this and good luck