Types of Camera

Which Kind of camera should I buy?

What kind of cameras are available in market?

How is SLRs different from other cameras?

Many such questions would have crossed your mind.There are various types of Cameras to choose from. 

In this blog I have touched briefly upon a few popular type of Digital cameras that you might be interested in. Hope this helps you a bit in making your buying decision if you are planning to buy one.

Compact Digital Camera:

Also know as Point and shoot camera, these are the simplest in terms of use, tiny and easy to carry. Some of these camera provide various presets that user can select for adding verity to their photography though these are best for casual photography.

Advantages:

• Fits well within budget for most of photography enthusiasts.
• Thin and  small in size, very easy to carry around, most of the cameras are close to size of visiting card.
• Least complicated way of taking pictures. You don’t have to worry about various modes and settings, let the camera do all the thinking.

Disadvantages:

• Camera decides on how the output picture will be. Photographer will have least control over the output.
• These cameras have very small sensors and produce lower quality of picture output.
• They have limited zooming capabilities. There are a few exceptions. 
• Support comparatively smaller megapixels.
• These do not support external accessories used with camera for photography such a polarizer, filter, remote trigger etc.
• Photographers cannot shoot in RAW file format.

Targeted users:

• These cameras are purely consumer model and are meant to be used by anyone who want to take casual pictures.

Bridge Camera

Also know as Prosumers meaning mix of professional and consumer camera models.  These cameras are one step above the point and shoot cameras, which would suit you if you are planning to start with some serious photography.

Advantages:

• These are comparatively smaller in size, comparatively easier to be carried around.
• Most of latest digital prosumer cameras provide good wide angle and zoom capability, meaning you don’t have to change lenses for getting desired results.
• Provide good flexibility to the photographer for choosing a desired mode and control quality of output.
• If you have a comparatively smaller budget and want to have a camera that will provide you lot of features and flexibility to use different modes including manual then you can consider buying.

Disadvantages:

• These cameras have comparatively smaller sensors than their bigger brothers and sisters (SLRs) and hence produce lower quality of picture.
• Does not provide photographer flexibility of using lenses of their choice to suit the situation.
• Most of these do not support external accessories used with camera for photography such a polarizer, filter, remote trigger etc.
• Overall quality of equipment, sensor, lens, electronics, technology is low and cannot be compared to higher end SLR cameras.
• Photographers cannot shoot in RAW file format.

Targeted users:

• Anyone wishing to take their first step towards serious photography,
• Casual photographers who like to get better control over their pictures.

Digital Single-lens reflex camera

In-short DSLRs are the one of the most advanced cameras in existence today. These are the digital version of single-lens reflex cameras. SLR comes from fact these camera uses single lens to transmit light (Image) which is further reflected by a mirror so that you see what you are going to capture through the viewfinder. Too technical for this article? May be, though if you are going the DSLR way these things are good to know.

Advantages:

• These cameras come with cropped sensor and full sensor which are bigger than above mentioned siblings. Output picture is much better.
• Allows photographer flexibility of using lenses of their choice. Different kind of lenses can be used with camera body to suit the kind of photography like Landscape, Portrait, Sports, Macro photography to name a few.
• These support external accessories such a polarizer, filter, remote trigger etc. to give further control over the picture output.
• Provide complete flexibility to the photographer for choosing a desired mode and control quality of output.
• Photographer can shoot in RAW file format. This providers further flexibility during processing the pictures.
• Overall quality of equipment, sensor, lens, electronics, technology is way better.

Disadvantages:

• These are bigger in size, comparatively heavier, and not so easy to be carried around, especially while travelling. If you are carrying more lenses and accessories, this add ups to a separate luggage in itself.
• Quite a costly option. Bigger the sensor, better the technology higher the price.

Targeted users:

• Serious hobby photographers.
• Professional photographers.

There are many more types of camera you may want to research on, few are listed below:

• TLR - Twin-lens reflex camera
• Rangefinder camera
• Pinhole camera
• Toy Camera
• View Camera