SLR-Like Cameras

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<< Cameras Index - SLR-Like Cameras

Introduction

These types of cameras are built in such a way to simulate the body construction and shooting versatility
of a Digital SLR camera, thus the name SLR-Like. It's based upon the same point and shoot system like the compact digital cameras. They have larger and sturdier bodies, are a little faster in operations and have
a broad options for manual settings. Outside of still pictures can record movies, the storage media is the memory card. One of the first SLR-Like cameras was the DIMAGE 5 manufactured by Minolta, among
the first to try imitate the Digital SLR systems. Was equipped with a 1/1.8" size CCD sensor with
a resolution of 3,1 megapixels and with a 35-250mm zoom lens.

Now the technology gifted SLR-Like cameras with sturdier bodies, larger image sensors, lots of megapixels, huge high quality tele-photo lenses, faster operations and impressive shooting versatility both in picture and video mode.

Construction

The first obvious difference in comparison with other digital camera types, is the bigger body and the
prominent lenses. The body which fits better in the hand and the buttons with important functions disposed
in accessible positions, makes these cameras very practical to use and easy to manipulate.

The camera lens is fixed but usually have a large focal range, in tele-photo mode can go up to 420mm -12x zoom (for a 35mm camera). Some camera manufacturers like Panasonic FZ30 or Fujifilm S9500 have implemented in their camera lenses a mechanical ring which makes easy to zoom or focus the lens,
simulating the classical 35mm lenses.

The sensors are usually the same size like the ones used in compact digital cameras, meaning very small.
A few SLR-Like models have the sensors a little bigger, being able to capture a little more detail without too much noise. Some of them are; Sony F828, Nikon 8800 and Olympus C8080 which feature a 2/3" size sensor. Still, these sensors didn't catch-up the image quality of a half-frame sensor used in many Digital SLR cameras.

Some cameras may be equipped with anti-shake technology that correct the movements created by hands trepidation, assuring a clear captured image. This technology can be implemented inside camera lens or onto the sensor's supporter. This option is very useful when hand-holding the camera in bad lightning, and particularly when using telephoto zoom.

Built-in flashes are a little more powerful than in compact digital cameras and many SLR-Like models have
a slide socket for attaching an external, more powerful flash. Simulating again the Digital SLR features.

Features

Compared with other digital cameras, the SLR-Like allows an expanded control over manual camera functions and have features which are very close to the Digital SLR's.

Unlike digital compact cameras, the SLR-Like will certainly have options for changing the next photographic parameters:

Exposure time - longest time can be 30 min or bulb
Lens aperture
Sensor iso - can go to 1600
Flash on or off
Lens focus - can be mechanically changed
Focusing points
White balance
Metering type - average, center weighted or spot
Shooting mode - single, continuous or last frames
Contrast
Sharpness
Picture quality
Movie quality

Another camera parameters that can be changed, but depending of the camera extra-features, can be:

Image filters
Special effects
Bracketing
Depth of field preview (dof)
Image audio attachment
Image ratio (2/3 - 4/3)
JPEG, TIFF or RAW mode

They also have preset modes that will allow the the camera to take adequate images in a given selected
mode, adjusting its automated settings accordingly. Some of this modes can be: portrait, sport, macro, landscape, night, etcetera.

In picture mode, usually the SLR-Like cameras are a little faster than compact cameras, they have a shorter response time and can record more frames in continuous shooting mode, still, these times are very slow compared with Digital SLR. In auto shooting modes the camera its based on the same point and shoot
principle: half pressing the shutter button allow the camera to measure the correct exposure and to focus
the subject right, and full pressing the button will capture the scene. Keeping the in-camera picture settings
at the highest values, will afford the best results in image quality.

In movie mode, full pressing the shutter will start capturing the movie and the second press will stop
recording. Many SLR- Like cameras have the ability to capture sound and zoom the lens while recording movies. The movie resolution and frames per seconds can be changed starting from 320x240 with 15 FPS
up to 800x600 with 30 FPS. Often, the movie recording time is limited only by the memory card size, making possible the recording of complete movies of one hour or more.

Advantages

The built-in lens with a wide zoom range
The body which confer a good grip
The versatility of photographic features similar to Digital SLR cameras
Advanced video mode

Disadvantages

Usually equipped with small size sensors resulting image noise
Are not yet faster enough for action shots
The fixed lens, considering that is not detachable, will require increased attention

Conclusion

SLR-Like cameras are suitable for the amateur photographer who wish a broad control over numerous photographic parameters and need the versatility of a telephoto zoom lens, still avoiding to invest hundreds
or thousandths of dollars into a Digital SLR system just to cover the lens zoom range of a SLR-Like camera.

Tough, serious amateurs, may consider that despite its closer imitation of body construction and shooting versatility to Digital SLR's, these cameras aren't closer to the image quality and time response performances
of a DSLR. Therefore, for the amateurs which are serious about their photographic work, I recommend them
to not make compromises, and choose at least a low entry Digital SLR camera which these days is under
$800. Provided that you are not interested about the video recording option which DSLR's misses. Helped
by the working speed and image quality of a DSLR, you will create better and more easier your desired pictures. In time, you can purchase more lenses for different applications.

However, not many serious amateurs are doing street photography for example, where the working speed
of a camera is a decisive factor. And other amateurs may not be interested in printing their works on photographic paper bigger than A4 size. Considering this, if you find a SLR-Like camera who fulfill your
needs and is comfortable to work with, then is no problem in using one.
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			<< Cameras Index - SLR-Like Cameras Introduction These types of cameras are built in such a way to simulate the body construction and shooting versatility of a Digital SLR camera, thus the name SLR-Like. It's based upon the same point and shoot system like the compact digital cameras. They have larger and sturdier bodies, are a little faster in operations and have a broad options for manual settings. Outside of still pictures can record movies, the storage media is the memory card. One of the first SLR-Like cameras was the DIMAGE 5 manufactured by Minolta, among the first to try imitate the Digital SLR systems. Was equipped with a 1/1.8" size CCD sensor with a resolution of 3,1 megapixels and with a 35-250mm zoom lens. Now the technology gifted SLR-Like cameras with sturdier bodies, larger image sensors, lots of megapixels, huge high quality tele-photo lenses, faster operations and impressive shooting versatility both in picture and video mode. Construction The first obvious difference in comparison with other digital camera types, is the bigger body and the prominent lenses. The body which fits better in the hand and the buttons with important functions disposed in accessible positions, makes these cameras very practical to use and easy to manipulate. The camera lens is fixed but usually have a large focal range, in tele-photo mode can go up to 420mm -12x zoom (for a 35mm camera). Some camera manufacturers like Panasonic FZ30 or Fujifilm S9500 have implemented in their camera lenses a mechanical ring which makes easy to zoom or focus the lens, simulating the classical 35mm lenses. The sensors are usually the same size like the ones used in compact digital cameras, meaning very small. A few SLR-Like models have the sensors a little bigger, being able to capture a little more detail without too much noise. Some of them are; Sony F828, Nikon 8800 and Olympus C8080 which feature a 2/3" size sensor. Still, these sensors didn't catch-up the image quality of a half-frame sensor used in many Digital SLR cameras. Some cameras may be equipped with anti-shake technology that correct the movements created by hands trepidation, assuring a clear captured image. This technology can be implemented inside camera lens or onto the sensor's supporter. This option is very useful when hand-holding the camera in bad lightning, and particularly when using telephoto zoom. Built-in flashes are a little more powerful than in compact digital cameras and many SLR-Like models have a slide socket for attaching an external, more powerful flash. Simulating again the Digital SLR features. Features Compared with other digital cameras, the SLR-Like allows an expanded control over manual camera functions and have features which are very close to the Digital SLR's. Unlike digital compact cameras, the SLR-Like will certainly have options for changing the next photographic parameters: Exposure time - longest time can be 30 min or bulb Lens aperture Sensor iso - can go to 1600 Flash on or off Lens focus - can be mechanically changed Focusing points White balance Metering type - average, center weighted or spot Shooting mode - single, continuous or last frames Contrast Sharpness Picture quality Movie quality Another camera parameters that can be changed, but depending of the camera extra-features, can be: Image filters Special effects Bracketing Depth of field preview (dof) Image audio attachment Image ratio (2/3 - 4/3) JPEG, TIFF or RAW mode They also have preset modes that will allow the the camera to take adequate images in a given selected mode, adjusting its automated settings accordingly. Some of this modes can be: portrait, sport, macro, landscape, night, etcetera. In picture mode, usually the SLR-Like cameras are a little faster than compact cameras, they have a shorter response time and can record more frames in continuous shooting mode, still, these times are very slow compared with Digital SLR. In auto shooting modes the camera its based on the same point and shoot principle: half pressing the shutter button allow the camera to measure the correct exposure and to focus the subject right, and full pressing the button will capture the scene. Keeping the in-camera picture settings at the highest values, will afford the best results in image quality. In movie mode, full pressing the shutter will start capturing the movie and the second press will stop recording. Many SLR- Like cameras have the ability to capture sound and zoom the lens while recording movies. The movie resolution and frames per seconds can be changed starting from 320x240 with 15 FPS up to 800x600 with 30 FPS. Often, the movie recording time is limited only by the memory card size, making possible the recording of complete movies of one hour or more. Advantages The built-in lens with a wide zoom range The body which confer a good grip The versatility of photographic features similar to Digital SLR cameras Advanced video mode Disadvantages Usually equipped with small size sensors resulting image noise Are not yet faster enough for action shots The fixed lens, considering that is not detachable, will require increased attention Conclusion SLR-Like cameras are suitable for the amateur photographer who wish a broad control over numerous photographic parameters and need the versatility of a telephoto zoom lens, still avoiding to invest hundreds or thousandths of dollars into a Digital SLR system just to cover the lens zoom range of a SLR-Like camera. Tough, serious amateurs, may consider that despite its closer imitation of body construction and shooting versatility to Digital SLR's, these cameras aren't closer to the image quality and time response performances of a DSLR. Therefore, for the amateurs which are serious about their photographic work, I recommend them to not make compromises, and choose at least a low entry Digital SLR camera which these days is under $800. Provided that you are not interested about the video recording option which DSLR's misses. Helped by the working speed and image quality of a DSLR, you will create better and more easier your desired pictures. In time, you can purchase more lenses for different applications. However, not many serious amateurs are doing street photography for example, where the working speed of a camera is a decisive factor. And other amateurs may not be interested in printing their works on photographic paper bigger than A4 size. Considering this, if you find a SLR-Like camera who fulfill your needs and is comfortable to work with, then is no problem in using one. _ _



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