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I definitely fall into the hobbyist photographer category. I started with an instamatic when I was a child and moved to a 35 mm film camera as a teenager. (Read about my journey into photography HERE.) I have a lower end Canon DSLR that I have had since 2002. I love my phone camera and use it almost daily, but I do use my DSLR for nearly any event I photograph. I like having the zoom in particular because I can take photos without being in everyone’s face. That is, by far, my biggest draw to a DSLR camera. Not sure that I could ever be happy without the chance of grabbing it to get certain shots.
Camera phones are great… so why consider a DSLR?
There are only 4 types of cameras when it comes to making a decision.
- Phone cameras
- Point and Shoot cameras (P&S)
- Mirrorless cameras
- DSLR cameras (digital single-lens reflex)
Let’s take a look at what a DSLR can offer you.
Zoom!!!!!
The biggest reason to consider a DSLR is the variety of lens with an emphasis on zooming. ( Check out this post for another reason why zoom makes a difference. ) All cameras have the ability to zoom to a degree, but when manufacturers talk about zoom they use 2 different phrases that most people don’t see, let alone understand.
Cameras are described as having a “digital” zoom or an “optical” zoom. Some cameras will even tell you that they sport both types, but let’s look into that a bit more.
Optical zooms are actual optic lenses that can create a zoomed image just like the older film cameras. The image quality will be much higher.
Digital zooms are done the same way you would zoom an image in your photo editing software. The actual image (zoom) is simply enlarged and cropped. In your photo editor, the image size may be smaller since you cropped it or you can opt for the image to return to the original size but with the smaller area. This will cause the program to “fill in” all the missing space and “guess” at what it will fill it in with. Frequently the “guess” will be to “stretch out the image with similar pixels in the adjoining areas. The result is an image with lower quality at the same size. In a digital zoom, the camera is making all those decisions for you. So you do not get a true zoomed image.
Macro
A macro lens is just the opposite of a telephoto lens. The macro lens is intended to photograph very small items. To get a full frame image of something very small, the camera needs to be very close. At these close ranges, most lens cannot effectively focus on your subject. A true macro lens will result in a far superior quality image.
Sensor Size
The sensors in every camera capture light entering through the lens and create the image. It would be the digital version of film on the older film cameras. Different kinds of cameras have different size sensors. Phones and small point-and-shoot cameras needed to compromise on the sensor size in order to pack everything into a small camera. Most DSLRs use the APS-C sensors and high-end DSLRs will use a full frame sensor. You can see by the graphic that the different sizes can make a huge difference in the amount of information that can be saved in an image. Hence, the bigger the sensor, the more light can be gathered giving you a better image quality.
Low Light
Because of the sensor size and the manual settings available, DSLR cameras are able to collect more light making it possible to get quality images from low light situations.
RAW Format
RAW is am image format that allows complete refinement capabilities when you are in post processing. The image is saved with no processing done by the camera and is not compressed in any way. This makes for a VERY large image, but also gives the photographer the ability to edit the photo in any way he desires giving you the highest chance for amazing images.
This format would be useful only to professional photographers (like wedding and portraiture), photo journalists, and OCD hobbyists. 🙂
So….
If you’re not sure about whether you would use a DSLR, it is definitely NOT the time to jump into the arena. But… if you like the idea of capturing some moments that your phone or point-and-shoot can’t handle, then check out some DSLRs.
My Canon is obviously an older one… a Canon EOS SL1 Rebel. The current SL2 is something I’ve considered, but just haven’t bought yet. The T6 EOS Rebel or the T6i are similar choices that are newer. On the Nikon side, I have a very good friend who uses a D5100 and has taken some superb photos. (The D5300 is the newer model). There are obviously many different DSLRs that you may have heard about or had some experience with. Check out these as a stepping off point or talk to your friends about what they’ve used and liked.
Take a moment to check out where a DSLR might take you in your efforts to
“photographically” Preserve Your Journey.
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I love my DSLR camera! I’ve always loved taking photos and the pictures come out so great!
Lot of useful information for some one trying to explore the world of DSLR photography. This will be very helpful for a person to assess whether he or she is yet ready for a DSLR. Some of the phone cameras have such great features that unless some one is really passionate about photography, jumping for a DSLR is not worth these days. Your post has a lot of insights for beginners to know about some of the unique features of DSLRs!
This is helpful. I have been using my phone camera, considering getting a digital one, not knowing where to start from. Zooming adds a certain touch to photography.
Awesome, Joanna! I hope this has given you some help in making that decision. I’ll be posting in the future on point and shot cameras and mirrorless cameras. Stay tuned. 🙂
Your article was enlightening for me since I have always wondered whether I should buy one.Thanks for the knowledge.
You’re very welcome. Hope it’s been helpful.
I love my Canon DSLR camera! I believe that the photos taken by my camera is way better than phones. I use the Iphone XS Max and it takes really good pictures but compared with the ones taken by the DSLR, it always stands better in terms of quality.
I agree with you. The quality is definitely better. Most of the decision is based on what you are using the photos for. With the quality required on the internet, many phones have what it takes. But I wouldn’t trade my DSLR when it came time to print them.
See, I am a fan of Prime lenses, so I kind of neglect the Zoom capabilities of DSLR lenses! Great insight.
Mary, I’m just the opposite. I love the candid pictures that my zoom lens can capture because I can stand back. A good prime lens is a must have, though, too. There are advantages with both, for sure.
You can take a great photo with a phone, but I LOVE my DSLRs. I have 2 Canon 5D MK IIs, and even though they’re older, they still get the job done. Also, I am partial to the bokeh and sharpness a good prime lens provides.
Bokeh is Fun!!! I love my DSLR also. Your Canon is one I looked at a while ago and would love to get. I even checked it out more recently. One of these days I’ll dive into the next level up.
I’ve really be considering getting a better camera. I usually use my phone now, but am intrigued by all the things a DSLR camera can do.
Look into them and check with friends who might have one. They are a LOT of fun!
I want to up the images that are on my blog so I got the iPhone XS Max for its camera. I know that a real camera like what you’re talking about is probably way better, but it seems so overwhelming and a huge investment. Good for you for specializing in something so artful.
Ashley
mixtapeyogi.com
Blog pictures don’t need near the resolution that prints would need. For most blog posts, a camera phone will do awesome. And the learning curve is great! There’s no need to go bigger unless you find a need or are just plain interested in learning more about photography. i don’t encourage a big camera purchase in most cases. Enjoy your camera phone. If it’s frustrating to take pictures, you won’t do it. So enjoy!
I just purchased a Canon Rebel T61, and I must say its a game changer between using my phone and the camera.
I feel like a pro now.
It definitely can make a difference. Enjoy!
I’ve been wondering if I needed a camera to take pictures for my blog. I use my iPhone currently, and for a beginner that’s great. But I never really understood the different camera types until I read your post. You really helped clear up some questions I had, to make a far better investment into a camera. Thank you!
That’s great. Erica. Really happy that it is helping. Feel free to ask questions if anything comes up.
I’m a total novice when it comes to photography and cameras, so your blog is really providing a lot of information. I love how knowledgeable your articles are, I’m looking forward to reading more!
Awesome, Lindsey! I’m glad it’s been helpful.
I love my DSLR camera! My mama bought me a Canon Rebel T3 on Black Friday years ago and I used it to take pics all the time. I didn’t know what the raw setting was even for until I met my wife, who just happens to be a professional photographer. Since dating her, I didn’t do too much photography. I leave that to her and I focus on my digital illustrations. But yeah, these cameras are a great way to get introduced to photography!
This is a helpful post! Thanks for writing out so much info on the subject, it is always nice to know more info about different cameras.
Wonderful thanks for this. Ive learned a lot tonight. Can’t wait to implement
I have never been a photophile (if that’s a word), but since I started to blog, I think it would be a great hobby that could add a great personal touch. This article is a great resource. Thanks.
You’re very welcome. As a blogger, an extra camera that can take that needed picture could be invaluable. Good luck with your blog.
A lot of my friends have DSLRs and they take beautiful pictures. Photography can be a costly hobby to keep up.
I love my Olympus DSLR camera but admittedly I don’t use it as much as I used to. I also told myself I’d take a class to really understand the settings and how to properly use it. Unforantuley I never did but I recommend anyone purchasing a DSLR to do this.
It’s so true that DSLRs are being beaten out by the amazing results we can get from phones and smaller cameras. You need to have a purpose for the higher end photos or just an incurable interest in controlling your camera. 🙂 There are a LOT of online classes now that can walk you through the basics of all those little settings and gizmos on your camera.