What is the difference in a DSLR?

basroil wrote in post #3938013
can't forget raw images...

Actually many compacts do raw as well. RAW is not limited to SLRs.

RAW is a type of image. A RAW image is the information just as it comes off the sensor with no additional processing by the camera.

A JPG image is an image that has been modified by the camera - this modification will include sharpening, color enhancement and compression.

RAW images can be thought of as digital negatives - it is easier to rescue a imperfect RAW image than a imperfect JPG because you have all of the information that originally came off the sensor. During the in camera processing that is done to create a JPG some sensor information is lost forever.

RAWs files are bigger and more work in post processing but yield better prints. JPGs are smaller, can often be used with no post processing but do not yield as high quality prints.

It depends on what you want. JPGs are fine for the web or simple snapshots but if you are serious about your images you will probably shoot in RAW.

Being relatively new to DSLR photography myself, what I've found is that not only do you need to learn how to use the camera, to get the best from it you also need to learn how to process the pictures if you shoot raw (which is desirable for all the reasons already stated.)

That means buying and learning software (or using free software) for which the learning curve shouldn't be underestimated. But there's heaps of help and support and it is so satisfying when you get there.

Also, you can phase into it you don't have to know everything at once. Eg shoot in raw and jpeg and just save the raw for when you have the time to learn how to get the best from it, and print from the jpeg in the meantime so you are still getting great pictures straight away.

Performa01 wrote in post #3937124
Advantages of an DSLR are:

1. Fast autofocus
2. Auto focus also works in low light
3. Much decreased depth of field for selective sharpness of main subject
4. Wider usable range for shutter speed and especially apertures
5. Low noise even at high sensitivities such as ISO-1600
6. Suitable lenses for almost all conceivable shooting situations available
7. Generally much faster operation, e.g. no pause between shots
8. High sophisticated external flash system easy to use
9. Long battery life
10. Better image quality for large print sizes (even if the P&S has more megapixels)

The disadvantages (bigger, heavier, more expensive, no video mode, …) are obvious, but these are the prize to pay for the option to take a picture exactly the way you want it and, consequently, get the result that you want.

Also, compacts have a geometry more similar to the human eye, and so are good at pointing down telescopes and microscopes. In fact they are generally better for close-ups due to their superior depth of field.

They also all have live view and sophisticated exposure/focus control like face recognition. I think the latest Sony even takes the picture for you when the subject smiles...

For SLRs, another advantage is that you look more like a Pro; especially with a white lens

gjl711 wrote in post #3938456
Actually many compacts do raw as well. RAW is not limited to SLRs.

Please list them. I'm finding that the are few and far between. I really need one that I can put in an underwater housing.

J

JohnJ80 wrote in post #3948751
Please list them. I'm finding that the are few and far between. I really need one that I can put in an underwater housing.

J

Ok, I spent a little time going through the list. There are quite a few cameras that offer either raw or tiff. I stopped just before the “Ns” as you know what’s coming next but there are several in that camp as well.Anyway here is the list of currently sold cameras up to N that provide raw functionality. Some are simple P/S, some are compacts and others are SLR-like. I do not list any of the SLRs.

Canon Powershot S60 = raw
Canon Powershot S70 = raw
Canon Powershot G6 = raw
Canon Powershot G9 = raw
Canon PowerShot Pro1 = raw
Casio QV-3500EX = tiff
Casio QV-4000 = tiff
Casio QV-5700 = tiff
Casio Exilim EX-P700 = tiff
Fujifilm FinePix E550 = raw
Zoom Fujifilm FinePix E900 Zoom = raw
Fujifilm FinePix F700 = raw
Fujifilm FinePix F = raw
Fujifilm FinePix F810 Zoom = raw
Fujifilm FinePix S602Z = tiff
Fujifilm FinePix S602Z Pro = tiff
Fujifilm FinePix S7000 Z = raw
Fujifilm FinePix S9000 Z = raw
Fujifilm FinePix S20 Pro = raw
Fujifilm FinePix S5000 Z = raw
Fujifilm FinePix S5100 Zoom= raw
Fujifilm FinePix S5200 Zoom = raw
Fujifilm FinePix S6000 fd = raw
Fujifilm FinePix S8000 fd = raw
Fujifilm FinePix S9100 = raw
Fujifilm FinePix IS-1 = raw
HP Photosmart C618 = tiff
HP Photosmart C912 = tiff
Kodak P850 = raw, tiff
Kodak P880 = raw, tiff
Minolta DiMAGE S304 = tiff
Minolta DiMAGE S404 = tiff
Minolta DiMAGE S414 = tiff
Minolta DiMAGE F100 = tiff
Minolta DiMAGE F200 = tiff
Minolta DiMAGE F300 = tiff
Minolta DiMAGE X = tiff
Minolta DiMAGE Xi = tiff
Minolta DiMAGE Xt = tiff
Konica Minolta DiMAGE Xg = tiff
Minolta DiMAGE 5 = raw, tiff
Minolta DiMAGE 7 = raw, tiff
Minolta DiMAGE 7i = raw, tiff
Minolta DiMAGE 7Hi = raw, tiff
Minolta DiMAGE A1 = raw, tiff
Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 = raw, tiff
Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 = raw
Konica KD-300 Zoom = tiff
Kyocera Finecam S3 = tiff
Leica Digilux 1 = tiff
Leica Digilux 2 = raw
Leica D-LUX 2 = raw, tiff
Leica D-LUX 3 = raw
Leica V-LUX 1 = raw
Leica M8 = raw

The list of cameras you have supplied are lists of cameras that have Raw support but it is not a list of cameras currently for sale that do. Most of the cameras you list are not currently available and most are no longer manufactured.

I've been looking at the G9 for a while to complement my DSLRs but it is one of the few that does have good raw support and is currently in production. The list of production cameras that have RAW is not the list that you supplied (thank you for your efforts though).

For example - in Canon:

Canon Powershot S60 = raw - no longer made or offered by Canon
Canon Powershot S70 = raw - no longer made or offered by Canon
Canon Powershot G6 = raw - no longer made or offered by Canon
Canon Powershot G9 = raw - this newest camera from Canon and it does have RAW
Canon PowerShot Pro1 = raw - no longer made or offered by Canon

in Fujifilm (http://www.fujifilm.co​m …igital_cameras/​index.html)
Fujifilm FinePix F700 = raw - not available on fujifilm website, presumed not available
Fujifilm FinePix F = raw not available on fujifilm website, presumed not available
Fujifilm FinePix F810 Zoom = raw not available on fujifilm website, presumed not available
Fujifilm FinePix S602Z = tiff not available on fujifilm website, presumed not available
Fujifilm FinePix S602Z Pro = tiff not available on fujifilm website, presumed not available
Fujifilm FinePix S7000 Z = raw not available on fujifilm website, presumed not available
Fujifilm FinePix S9000 Z = raw not available on fujifilm website, presumed not available
Fujifilm FinePix S20 Pro = raw not available on fujifilm website, presumed not available
Fujifilm FinePix S5000 Z = raw not available on fujifilm website, presumed not available
Fujifilm FinePix S5100 Zoom= raw not available on fujifilm website, presumed not available
Fujifilm FinePix S5200 Zoom = raw
Fujifilm FinePix S6000 fd = raw not available on fujifilm website, presumed not available
Fujifilm FinePix S8000 fd = raw - does not support RAW (jpg, AVI, WAV only)
Fujifilm FinePix S9100 = raw not available on fujifilm website, presumed not available
Fujifilm FinePix IS-1 = raw not available on fujifilm website, presumed not available

Some of the Leicas do, but they are not all available either.

RAW support is a diminishing attribute in the non DSLR world - of course there is always the Leica M8 rangefinder for $4995 with its interchangeable lenses....

J

JohnJ80 wrote in post #3949449
The list of cameras you have supplied are lists of cameras that have Raw support but it is not a list of cameras currently for sale that do. Most of the cameras you list are not currently available and most are no longer manufactured.

J

John if you are going to put it in an underwater housing, buy a second hand p&S with RAW capability from e-bay. If you trash it you won't lose more than £20.

I have a Dimage 7i which was my first digital camera, it takes great RAW images, second hand they sell for buttons.

Hartness...

dSLRs' are not for everyone, they have many advantages which have been listed here but they also have disadvantages. Or should I say that modern P&S's have many advantages over even the best dSLR.

Weight
Super zooms
Cost
ease of use
image quality with little skill

I love my dSLR but there is still a place for my P&S and I also borrow my wifes copact digital from time to time - one thing in common, they all take great pictures.