How to Buy a D-SLR Camera

If you've only used point-and-shoot cameras, digital single-lens-reflex (or D-SLR) models may seem intimidating and expensive—but they don't have to be. Tinkering with the many manual controls you'll find on a D-SLR to see how you can improve your shots can be fun and rewarding, and even an entry-level D-SLR will produce higher-quality photos than you can get from any pocket camera.

D-SLRs produce superior shots for a number of reasons. Mainly, they use larger image sensors, which reduce the appearance of noise that can make photos look grainy. These sensors also allow a larger dynamic range, so they can capture darker and brighter shades of colors. And because you can more freely manipulate depth of field (the area of an image that's in focus) with D-SLRs, you can, for example, choose to have your foreground in sharp focus and the background in soft focus to make subjects pop—if that's what you're going for.

In addition, D-SLRs give you greater control over operation. Because almost every feature is manually adjustable, you can tweak the way you take your photos so they look best in a variety of lighting or motion situations. You can also swap out lenses to get wide shots or increase your zoom level. D-SLRs' much faster shutter speeds mean you're less likely to miss a shot and you can take more photos in less time; fast point-and-shoots can snap a picture 0.5 second after you press the release, but a D-SLR can typically do it in about 0.1 second. D-SLRs also use an autofocusing system called phase detection, which employs a second smaller image sensor that is dedicated to autofocus-the experience is much more speedy than the contrast measurement system that point-and-shoots use.

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Shopping for a D-SLR isn't that much different than shopping for, say, a computer: To zoom in on the right model, first figure out your budget, and then choose the features you need. Entry-level D-SLRs start at around $500 and can go as high as several thousands of dollars when you figure in an expensive lens. (Some D-SLRs come bundled with a lens; others require you to buy the camera body and then choose a lens that you purchase separately.) The good news is we've recently seen some incredibly capable, feature-filled D-SLRs that ring up for less than $1,000 with a lens. Sure, these prices are considerably greater than what you'd pay for a pocket shooter, but because models aren't refreshed as often, D-SLRs don't get eclipsed by newer, flashier models as quickly as point-and-shoot cameras do. And the picture quality really is worth the extra money you'll have to spend.

Features
Even entry-level D-SLRs far surpass point-and-shoot cameras in terms of image quality. More expensive models have larger sensors for still better dynamic range and even less image noise (especially when used indoors without a flash), and use CMOS image sensors for much-improved image quality over what you can get from lower-end D-SLRs with CCD sensors.

Plus, just about all D-SLRs have automatic sensor cleaning, which gently vibrates the sensor to shake off loose dust that can degrade image quality.

You'll also often find LCDs that retract and swivel, and a feature called "live view" that gives you the option to frame and focus your shots with the LCD in addition to the camera's viewfinder.

Some midrange-and-higher D-SLRs can record HD video, but capturing footage is not as easy as it is on a dedicated camcorder because most D-SLRs don't allow you to autofocus in recording mode. Many models also include an HDMI port to connect the camera to an HDTV so you can view your photos or video on a big screen.

Lenses
Just as Mac-, Windows-, and Linux-based PCs can only use software compatible with one particular operating system, camera bodies and lenses typically work the same way: Nikon D-SLRs work with Nikon-branded lenses, Canon with Canon lenses, and so on. (There are some exceptions, however, including adapters and brands like Olympus that make lenses to work with Panasonic cameras.) But typically, within a brand, the lens mount on the entire camera line (from entry-level to professional models) is the same, meaning you can swap lenses between cameras at will—even traditional film-based SLRs.

The "kit lens" that typically comes packaged with a D-SLR is often limited in the amount of optical zoom it can provide. (To quickly calculate the optical zoom of a lens, divide the maximum focal length by the minimum focal length: A 28–280mm lens, for example, offers a 10x optical zoom.) Manufacturers offer many lenses that provide larger maximum focal lengths for more zoom or shorter minimum focal lengths for wider perspectives. They also typically offer lines of premium lenses that have the same focal length, but have coatings on the glass that improve light transmission. Lenses with poor light transmission produce images that are brighter in the center than on the edges (this phenomenon is called "vignetting"). Premium lenses can also be optimized to be weather resistant. Depending on what and where you plan on shooting, investing in a premium lens may be worth it—but it may cost you hundreds of dollars more than a standard lens.

Kit lenses are also typically limited to smaller maximum apertures, denoted by an f-number (typically f/3.5-5.6). Pricier lenses can offer larger apertures (typically f/2.8), which allow more light to reach the sensor, enabling faster shutter speeds in low-light conditions. Lenses with lower f-numbers are often referred to as "fast" lenses. This doesn't refer to its autofocus speed; rather, "fast" lenses offer lower f-numbers (wider apertures), allowing a D-SLR to achieve a faster shutter speed. Lenses with low f-numbers also offer shallow depth-of-field, so some elements in a frame can be in focus (sharp) while others are blurred (soft). The blur created by the out of focus area is often considered to be artistically desirable-it's called "bokeh."

Bigger Capabilities, Smaller Cameras
Right now, no manufacturer offers a camera that can fit in your pocket and produce D-SLR-quality images, but they're getting close. Compact cameras that feature image sensors as large as D-SLRs typically come with compromises. The Leica X1 and Sigma DP2 both use D-SLR-size image sensors, but neither can offer interchangeable lenses or blazing fast autofocus speeds.

New cameras from Panasonic, Olympus, and Samsung are inching towards offering an uncompromised D-SLR experience in a much more compact body. The Olympus E-P1 and the Editors' Choice Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 are both smaller than D-SLRs, but they offer much more than compact point-and-shoot cameras including interchangeable lenses, faster focusing speeds, and higher-quality images. The Samsung NX10 offers a similar experience, but this camera is slightly larger and isn't compatible with the Micro-Four-Thirds lenses that work with Panasonic and Olympus cameras. Sony has also announced that it will introduce a competitor in this market, which is expected to hit store shelves later this year.

Before you head to the store, check out the reviews linked below to help bring the best D-SLR for your needs and your budget into focus.