| If you've been using a compact digital camera all | | | | better aim and focus when taking pictures. |
| your life and you're planning on getting an SLR | | | | However, if you read through SLR camera |
| camera, you might need a quick refresher course | | | | reviews, you'll encounter terms and phrases like |
| on the basics of SLR photography. Knowing the | | | | Live View and Auto-focus. The latter is pretty |
| basics will not only help you find the best SLR | | | | much self-explanatory; it's a camera feature that |
| cameras on the market but also teach you how | | | | automatically focuses on the subject. Live View, |
| to make the most out of your digital SLR | | | | on the other hand, is a feature that allows you to |
| camera. | | | | view on your LCD screen the image and range |
| Digital SLR cameras only became widely popular | | | | that the camera's lens is picking up. |
| around 2005. Before that, SLRs were mostly only | | | | However, what you see in the camera's Live |
| used by professionals. Because of this | | | | View LCD screen or viewfinder isn't always 100% |
| development, SLR camera manufacturers are | | | | accurate. Meaning, there are still certain factors |
| now dropping the prices of their SLRs to stay | | | | such as coverage and brightness in using the |
| competitive in the market as more and more | | | | viewfinder. Coverage refers to the percentage of |
| people are getting into SLR photography. If you're | | | | the image that the camera's sensor will capture |
| also unfamiliar with how digital SLR cameras work, | | | | once you take the photo. Most viewfinders are |
| here's a quick primer. | | | | only able to provide a preview of 95% of what |
| SLR 101 | | | | the sensor will capture. |
| SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex. SLR cameras | | | | The brightness of the viewfinder also varies from |
| are known for their almost-zero lag time and fast | | | | camera to camera. In this case, brightness refers |
| shutter speed, making them ideal for action and | | | | to the clarity of the image that you see. A digital |
| sports photography and taking spontaneous shots. | | | | SLR camera with a bright viewfinder lets you see |
| SLR cameras are also versatile in terms of how | | | | details clearly and thus make it easier to do |
| you capture images because these cameras have | | | | manual focusing on your subject. If you want to |
| changeable lenses. | | | | know in detail how an SLR camera works and its |
| Aside from versatility and speed, the best SLR | | | | advantages over compact digital cameras, you |
| cameras are also known to produce top-notch | | | | can browse through online tutorials, or ask your |
| quality shots because of their large image sensors. | | | | photographer friends for advice and |
| If you use an SLR camera, what you see on | | | | recommendations before you get an SLR camera |
| your viewfinder or LCD screen is exactly what | | | | of your own. |
| your lens also sees. This allows you to have | | | | |