Most amateur photographers now have access to a wide range of reputable photographic equipment, from basic point-and-shoot cameras to the more professional digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. However, there is a huge cost disparity in the range of photographic equipment. For a hobby photographer, upgrading to a DLSR (or even a crossover) is a decision that requires careful thought. To make that decision, you need to understand the fundamental differences between these types of cameras and consider whether the improvement in photographic ability is something you really need.
1. The sensor: DSLR cameras have a much larger sensor than a point and shoot, capturing more light and more accurate data, which will result in much higher quality images. It is important not to confuse megapixels with sensor size. A DSLR with the same megapixel rating as a compact camera will take better quality images due to the larger sensor size. The result is that you will be able to print images at much larger scales. However, most point-and-shoot cameras take pictures for personal use that can be comfortably printed at 8 x 10 inches. Unless your photographic ambitions run higher, a good point-and-shoot camera will suffice in terms of image resolution.
2. Lenses. This one is pretty simple and obvious. Most mirrorless cameras don’t have the ability to switch lenses between standard wide angle, zoom, telephoto, prime, or macro. This disparity tends to manifest itself in a variety of technical imperfections stemming from a lack of lens capability that can render an image commercially unusable. This includes tools like digital zoom, which can never be a truly viable alternative to optical zoom.
3. Program configuration. Point-and-shoot cameras offer the user relatively little control over aperture size and shutter speed, instead often offering a “macro”, “landscape”, or “sport” mode. While these settings may satisfy a casual user, creative control is severely limited in a point-and-shoot. On a DSLR, the ability (and even the desire) to manipulate combinations of shutter speed and aperture size differentiates the professional from the casual user. So if you have any kind of photographic ambition, we recommend ditching the auto setting and learning how to use a DSLR.
4. Exposure control. As described above, point-and-shoot cameras offer only limited creative control. This also applies to exposure, where the camera will automatically adjust the ISO to create an image with the right balance of light and shadow. The downside to this is noise, which has the potential to harm image quality if used for business purposes, rather than personal. Semi-professional level photographers and above should aim to control ISO themselves.
Obviously, continuing advances in photographic technology will eventually begin to bridge the gap between DSLR and ‘point and shoot’. However, it is these points that, for the moment, differentiate the two. Many professional photographers will carry a cheaper and more accessible camera for convenience. However, very few of them will consider a scenario in which the DSLR becomes an extinct concept in the art of digital photography.