| p>Digital cameras fall into several categories based on | | | | progress and build confidence. |
| functionality and quality, here are few common terms: | | | | Professional SLR's |
| DIGITAL COMPACT | | | | Professional cameras are expensive because they |
| Also referred to as 'point and shoot', these cameras | | | | are on the cutting edge of technology. The term |
| are the least expensive and are under £100. | | | | 'professional digital SLR' refers to the camera body |
| They can come with more functionality with a rise in | | | | only and not lenses or kits. Prices for camera bodies |
| price to circa £400. Compacts are quite small | | | | can range for £2000-£10000 (and |
| and portable (the smaller ones are the shape and size | | | | beyond) depending on the professional field of the |
| of a deck of playing cards), and are designed for | | | | photographer and camera manufacturer. |
| 'snapshots'. They should have zoom lenses and built in | | | | LENSES |
| flashes. Because these cameras are not very | | | | Zoom lenses are measured in millimetres and have an |
| dynamic they mostly function on automatic settings to | | | | aperture setting alongside such as f2.8 or f4.0-f5.6. |
| allow picture taking without understanding the depth | | | | Lenses with small aperture numbers are known as |
| and complexity of photography. | | | | fast lenses. Commonly used zooms are 24-70, 70-200, |
| DIGITAL SLR CAMERA | | | | and 100-300. These lenses are very useful because |
| The term Digital SLR is an acronym for digital single | | | | the zoom allows your image to be framed and |
| lens reflex. These are larger in build and offer additional | | | | composed standing on the spot without having to |
| manual functionality, e.g. isolating the shutter speed or | | | | move closer or further from the subject. Compare |
| aperture settings for greater control. True SLR | | | | these to Prime lenses which have a fixed focal length. |
| cameras have interchangeable lenses which are | | | | However the zoom functionality is known to have a |
| required for different photography subjects. | | | | degrading effect on image quality which is why prime |
| Amateur SLR's | | | | lenses are the preferred choice for photographers |
| Usually supplied as a kit, it would include the camera | | | | who do not require zoom functionality. General zoom |
| body and a selection of commonly used zoom lenses, | | | | lenses range from £400 for basic 'glass' and up |
| and sometimes other useful gadgets depending on the | | | | to £1400 for quality 'glass'. The difference in |
| manufacturer. Prices range from | | | | quality is clear. Lenses used for professional sports |
| £450-£900. These are great for learning | | | | photography or wildlife can be as much as |
| the basics by giving the amateur photographer a | | | | £8000 and beyond! |
| dynamic range of auto and manual functions to | | | | |