Digital cameras come in a number of categories to suit different kinds of users. There are camera phones, point and shoot compact cameras, advanced compact, and DSLR (digital single lens reflex) cameras.

Cell Phone Cameras

Digital cameras in cell phones are the product of numerous engineering and cost compromises. In general, you sacrifice image quality, focusing and zoom range, speed of operation, and versatility of control for the convenience of a camera incorporated into your phone. The flash power, if available is also limited. While a few use true zoom optics, the zoom function is generally obtained through digital zooming which crops the photo and enlarges one section, which usually results in poor image quality. However, the phone camera makes it easy to send images to friends and colleagues, and its importance in news gathering can only grow.



Point & Shoot Compact Cameras

For easy handling and automatic features, point and shoot is the way to go. As the name implies, these cameras are designed to do just that: Frame your picture and click the shutter, in that way they are very much cell phone cameras. The automated feature allows you to shoot various scenes and subjects. No extensive photographic experience is required. These cameras are perfect for beginners and hobbyists who don't require manual features but want handy tools that help reduce red eye and hand shake while they improve results with automatic scene selections. Want to take a portrait of your mom? Choose the portrait mode and away you go. Usually lightweight, easily portable, slim and very sleek, these cameras can fit into pockets and are great for taking snapshots at any time.


Advanced Compact Cameras

A step up from the point and shoots, advanced compacts are also fully equipped with automatic features. Many of these cameras have manual control over exposure, aperture, speed, and white balance (all of which are explained later on). Furthermore, additional image quality features are typically introduced in this level. Image stabilization technology can be incorporated into lenses to combat blurry photos in situations of low light or shaky hands. Red Eye Reduction is also built in to some of the flashes to reduce unsightly red eyes in portraits.


Digital Single Lens Camera

Besides the obvious size comparison, slim compact digital point and shoot cameras and digital SLRs have significant differences. A Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera, unlike a point and shoot model, uses a mirror behind the lens to direct light toward the viewfinder. This means when you are looking through the viewfinder, you see exactly what the image sensor will capture. Once you press the shutter button, the mirror moves out of the way and allows light to hit the sensor instead of the viewfinder. On the other hand, point and shoot cameras translate the image and show you a video version of your shot.

One of the major advantages of buying a DSLR is its ability to let you choose and change different lenses. From wide angle to telephoto, you can customize your angle of view with a wide variety of lenses available, instead of shooting with the single multipurpose lens found on a point and shoot. In addition to quality differences, DSLRs offer a larger variety of adjustable functions like aperture, shutter speed, and white balance, each capable of full manual control.






This concludes the Digital Camera Types section.  Please proceed to the next section, where you will learn about the Camera Modes.