Define a Digital SLR Camera
In camera terminology, SLR stands for single-lens reflex. A digital SLR camera is one that utilizes this technology, which allows the image in the viewfinder to represent exactly the image that will appear in the photograph. Modern digital SLR cameras are geared toward enthusiast and professional photographers, and offer several specific benefits over standard point-and-shoot digital cameras not using single-lens reflex technology. Two chief advantages are swappable lenses and full manual controls.
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Digital SLR Technology
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To bring the image to the photographer's eye in a digital SLR, the camera uses a mirror and a pentaprism. The mirror is placed at a 90-degree angle to light entering through the camera's lens. The prism then reflects the light several times, flipping it in a way that the image looks correct in the viewfinder. Non-SLR cameras, by contrast, have a separate lens for the viewfinder, leading to a less-accurate perceived image during shooting. A digital SLR camera's digital image sensor is typically larger than that on a point-and-shoot camera. A larger image sensor means photographs will be taken with greater clarity, even at an equal number of megapixels. Many professional-level digital SLR cameras have image sensors approximately the same size as a 35mm piece of film.
Lenses
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While standard digital cameras make do with a single zoom lens, digital SLR cameras offer the benefits of removable lenses. This allows the use of macro lenses designed for extreme closeup work and telephoto lenses for distant action, without the need to switch camera bodies. Camera manufacturers use a standardized lens mount capable of accepting both their own lenses and those produced by third-party manufacturers. Not all lenses that fit a given camera body will fully support some camera functions, such as autofocus.
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Manual Controls
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Digital SLR cameras offer full manual control of key camera functions such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity and focus. These controls can be actuated with hardware dials and buttons designed to be used quickly without resorting to fishing through menus. Professional-grade digital SLR cameras allow for manual control of more advanced functions and usually feature a secondary screen for quick reference of the camera settings that are currently active.
Price Range and Target Markets
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Entry-level digital SLR cameras targeted at the casual enthusiast photographer usually start at around $500 to $800 for a kit including a camera body, a single zoom lens and the associated hardware. The next category is sometimes referred to as "prosumer," cameras with better image quality and advanced functions but not quite in the professional realm. These devices typically cost up to around $1,500, while professional cameras can retail in the many thousands of dollars.
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References
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