Digital vs DSLR?

[Frankp]

Hi folks, I'm a stone cold rookie camera buff. I keep reading reviews for digital camers and DSLR cameras but I have not seen an explanation of the difference(s) between them. Can someone enlighten me? thanks Frankp

 

[usayit]

"Digital cameras" are cameras that capture images digitally on a sensor.

A DSLR or Digital Single Reflex Camera is a type of digital camera.

 

[kundalini]

Digital Camera

DSLR

 

[stsinner]

Basically, with a DSLR, the only difference is that you can use different lenses.. With a digital camera, or "point and shoot" you have the lens that it's made with, and that's it.

 

[djacobox372]

Digital Single Lens Reflex

"SLR" means the viewfinder looks through the lens via a mirror that moves out of the way when the photo is taken.

The most important difference between a DSLR and a digital point and shoot is sensor size, DSLR's typically have sensors that are three or four times as big which allow them to take higher quality photos.

 

[reg]

Basically, with a DSLR, the only difference is that you can use different lenses.. With a digital camera, or "point and shoot" you have the lens that it's made with, and that's it.

lol wow!

 

[stsinner]

lol wow!

Amusing why? Unless you want to get into some technical babblespeak that this person will clearly not understand, that is the main difference.. With, "digital cameras" you buy a camera with a certain zoom, etc, no hotshoe, and you take pictures with it. A DSLR give you the ability to change lenses, used speed lights, etc..

Would you think it's more appropriate to talk about pentaprism viewfinders and battery grips and all the things that just muddle the novice's understanding, or just a basic low down?

LOL... Wow.

 

[manaheim]

^^^ I think the key is in your oversimplification you kind of misrepresent it a bit, since "DSLR" is a subset of "digital camera". All DSLRs are digital cameras, whereas all digital cameras are not DSLRs. etc.

No worries, of course. usayit kinda covered it.