Nowadays, digital cameras have entered thousands of households and become electronic products for daily consumption. However, more and more people are not satisfied with the performance of small digital cameras and have set their sights on more "professional" products. and "trendy" SLR cameras. So, before buying a SLR camera, have you carefully considered whether you really need a SLR camera?

To answer this question, you must first understand: What is the difference between a digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) and an ordinary digital compact camera (DC)?

Do you need a SLR camera - Bob - Qingyun

Digital SLR camera, referred to as "SLR", is the abbreviation of digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR - Digital Single Lens Reflex). The single lens reflex here refers to the framing method. In the process of camera development, many viewing methods have appeared and become popular, so it is customary to name the camera type after the viewing method. However, for ordinary users, the current SLR and ordinary digital cameras (DC - Digital Camera) have the largest difference. The difference still comes from the size of the photosensitive element (CMOS/CCD). The function of electronic photosensitive elements is equivalent to that of traditional film cameras, that is to say, the size of the "film" they use does not vary.

To summarize, the main differences between digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) and digital compact camera (DC) are as follows:

1. Better picture quality. Since the area of ??the photosensitive element of an SLR (equivalent to the film size of a traditional camera) is more than 10 times that of an ordinary small digital camera, and a full-frame SLR is 25 times that of an ordinary small digital camera, the image quality of an SLR camera is different from that of an ordinary small camera. There is an obvious gap in image quality. This gap is manifested in purer images, less noise, more complete and delicate details, richer color levels, higher tolerance and better image quality at high sensitivities.

2. Greater depth of field. You may not have much idea about the term depth of field, but you have probably seen many portraits in which the person is sharp and the background is blurred - this way the subject is highlighted and impressive. Such photos are taken by a SLR. Due to the short focal length of a small camera, the photos taken by a small camera are basically clear throughout the entire screen. However, only a SLR can adjust the depth of field to a greater extent, so that the entire picture is clear. , or only the focus can be clear and the background is blurred to highlight the subject.

Do you need a SLR camera - Bob - Qingyun

Do you need a SLR camera - Bob - Qingyun

Shallow depth of field photo, background blurred, subject More prominent

Photos with large depth of field, both front and back are clear

3. Faster focusing and stronger continuous shooting. Since SLR cameras use optical focusing modules, they focus much faster than ordinary digital cameras. The SLR processing chip is more powerful, and the continuous shooting speed is much better than that of ordinary small digital cameras. It is much easier to capture images that we usually cannot capture with small cameras using a SLR.

4. Interchangeable lenses. When we buy a small camera, we never consider buying another lens. SLR is a system. There are various specialized lenses in different fields: telephoto lens, wide-angle lens, macro lens, etc. Although small cameras can also have telephoto lenses. Small cameras can also have macro functions, but compared to the telephoto and macro effects on a SLR camera, it is like the difference between a real gun and a toy gun.

Due to the advancement of technology and market, the removal of reflectors has become a general trend. The category of SLRs we are currently discussing here can be considered to be cameras with large-size photosensitive elements and interchangeable lenses, including Panasonic's GF series, Sony's NEX series, and Olympus' 4/3 series.

Do you have any reason to buy a SLR?

Generally before we buy a SLR, we will give ourselves a high-sounding reason: after buying it, I will study photography hard. But unless you like photography before you own a SLR, if you plan to develop it after buying a machine, you will most likely not succeed. Before long, you may find that your DSLR has been covered in a thin layer of dirt.

Since SLRs have always presented themselves with a professional image, many friends think that because I hold such a machine in my hand, I am a photographer.

Maybe the satisfaction that a SLR can give you is limited to this. You look at the viewfinder and don’t know what to shoot or how to press the shutter. When you look at your own works, you don’t find that good equipment can bring a “qualitative change” to your photos. . Ask yourself, do I really need a DSLR? Or does my vanity require a DSLR?

Following major photography forums, the equipment discussion section is even more popular than the photography exchange area. There are many players who seem to buy SLRs not just for photography. After these friends bought their SLRs, they held their cameras against brick walls and newspapers and clicked the shutter all day long, euphemistically testing distortion and resolution. Maybe the photos they took over the next few years would be a bunch of these things. As the equipment burns deeper and deeper, the body and lens are getting better and better, but what's the point of continuing to shoot brick wall newspapers with a top-notch body and lens? On the day when you can no longer afford to burn, look back and think about it, what has your SLR left for you?

Can you tolerate the size and weight of a SLR?

The size of the photosensitive element determines the image quality and the size of the camera. The smallest SLR camera currently available is still a giant compared to the ordinary DC.

SLRs basically do not have a "one lens that can rule the world" lens. Although there are ultra-large zoom lenses such as 18-200mm, due to technical limitations, the optical performance is still at a low level. Almost all large zoom lenses are dubbed "dog heads" by enthusiasts. They cannot fully utilize the high-resolution capabilities of large photosensitive elements, and the image quality advantages of SLRs are naturally not well reflected.

Therefore, the vast majority of SLR players have at least 2 to 3 lenses, including wide-angle, telephoto, macro, large aperture and fixed focus lenses suitable for different shooting themes. Tripods, flashlights, filters and other accessories are also essential. 10 pounds of camera equipment is by no means too much when you go out.

Are you switching to DSLR?

You bought a SLR, are you really good at using it? Nowadays, about 10% to 20% of SLR users leave their cameras in automatic mode for long periods of time to shoot, and even program exposure is not often used, let alone the full manual "M" mode. What fun is there in shooting like this?

Many friends complained that the shooting results after buying a SLR were not as good as the previous DC. This is not groundless. Since the depth of field of a SLR is larger than that of a DC, it is necessary to focus accurately when shooting with a SLR. Otherwise, it is easy to happen that you obviously want to take a clear picture of the person in the middle, but actually the person is blurred, while the branches on the side are clearer.

So, for friends who have never been exposed to photography and SLR, you must understand: it is not easy to use a SLR well and take advantage of its advantages. You must also put in a certain amount of effort. If you don't have this intention, then don't use a SLR, it will only increase your troubles.

Can you afford a SLR?

If you want to make a man bankrupt, give him a camera. This saying is not unreasonable.

At present, the price of entry-level SLR cameras has dropped to the price of a high-end ordinary small DC, or even less than that. Choosing whether to choose a SLR is no longer just a matter of price.

For those who have not yet started, please note: SLR is a system. As you learn more, various lenses (telephoto, wide-angle, macro, fisheye, etc.), flashes, tripods, etc. Other accessories will slowly drain your pocket. As the saying goes, once you get into the mud (Nikon), no one will live forever. Once you get into Canon, you can't stop...

Buy one that costs several times the price of the camera body. Lens, are you really willing to give it up? If there are brands like Carl Zeiss and Leica, and the starting price is five digits, as an ordinary working-class person, can you afford it?

Even if you can’t bear to buy lens accessories, SLR cameras and lenses are precision instruments. If they are left at home and get moldy, the damage will be great, so you usually need to buy a moisture-proof box to store them. Every time you change the lens, dust may enter the photosensitive element. Although many SLRs are now equipped with dust removal systems, the effect is still relatively limited. It is expensive to take your machine to a professional maintenance center for cleaning. The cost of cleaning CMOS at Canon and Nikon repair stations is 200 yuan.

Ask yourself three questions before buying a DSLR

Before buying a DSLR, you need to clarify the following points:

First of all, I love photography (not photography) ?

Second, can I bear the weight and size of the SLR?

Third, can I afford to play SLR?

Although it is said that "if you want to do your job well, you must first sharpen your tools", but the more important thing is definitely the head behind the camera. Little DC also has the power to turn decay into magic. A DSLR is not a single camera like a DC, but a large, complex and expensive system that is not suitable for everyone. Whether you shoot with DC or SLR, the key is that you can enjoy the fun of photography.