Which digital camera should I use?

Digital SLR Cameras - Using a DSLR

Digital SLR cameras are built similar to a 35mm film format cameras. The sensor or CCD chip replaces conventional film. The earliest cameras of this design like the Nikon E3 were regarded as a professional camera. They were large and heavy - in 1998 it cost around $35,000 and at its highest image quality produced a 2.45 Mb file.

Nikon E3 left, & Fuji Fine Pix S3Pro right

Today some SLRs have full frame CCDs, produce files of 13mb or larger and have fast processing times that allow a series of rapid exposures. So it important to understand what age the camera was built in and what is capabilities are. At the top end these cameras have high-resolution powers.

This style of camera certain offer more possibilities but also offers more of a challenge – sadly many photographers who get these versatile  cameras never take them off Auto – they are too frightened to make a mistake -  if you do get one, just work through the key functions one at a time and apply the info by taking photographs before you move onto the next step.

But it is not the pixel-count alone that is responsible for the professional image results. Unlike most digital cameras, the Olympus E-500 utilises a Full Frame Transfer CCD sensor, a type specifically developed for the capture of still images. In comparison to Interline Transfer counterparts found in the majority of digital models, a larger pixel area, with bigger photodiodes, distinguishes the FFT-CCD and transfer channels. This means more electrons can be captured. A high signal/noise ratio can therefore be achieved together with a wider dynamic range. Final images benefit from more exposure latitude, greater detail and less noise.

Olympus EVOLT E-500 digital SLR camera

When making a transition from a compact with live view screen it can be helpful choosing a DSLR with live view.

Using a DSLR

File type and size

Histograms

Want to learn more? - do a workshop or one on one with Lloyd Godman