Digital SLR Photography All-in-One For Dummies. Robert Correll
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use the Four Thirds mount while its newer mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras use the Micro Four Thirds mount. Note that you can attach Four Thirds lenses to a Micro Four Thirds body with the proper adapter, but not vice versa.
FIGURE 1-4: The lens mount determines what lenses are compatible with your camera.
Mirror and viewfinder type
Digital SLRs have a reflex mirror that sits in front of the closed shutter and covered image sensor. Its purpose is to reflect light that comes into the camera through the lens up and into the viewfinder (among other things). This is how you view the scene, and how the camera meters the light and focuses. When you press the shutter button, the mirror moves (this is what reflex means) quickly up and out of the way, allowing light to expose the sensor. When the exposure is over, it moves back into the down position.
Digital SLTs (single-lens translucent) cameras do not have a moveable mirror. They have a semi-transparent, or translucent, mirror that stays put when you take the photo. The mirror allows some light to shine through it and onto the image sensor while bouncing the rest up into the camera's viewfinder (or into another sensor that drives the electronic viewfinder). For most purposes, dSLTs look and function just like dSLRs.
Typical dSLR viewfinders are optical. You look through a prism that directs light from the reflex mirror to your eye. They work whether the camera is on or off.
Some cameras (especially dSLTs and mirrorless cameras) now use electronic viewfinders to display information. Sony's electronic viewfinders, for example, are small, high-resolution organic light-emitting diode (OLED) monitors. This type of viewfinder combines the functionality of a standard viewfinder with the LCD monitor on the back of the camera. Because you’re looking at a monitor, anything that can be displayed on the back of your camera can also be shown to you in the viewfinder. You can compose and frame the scene normally, view photos during playback, see the camera's shooting display, and use the menu system – all without taking your eye away from the viewfinder. Truly awesome.
Figure 1-5 shows the electronic viewfinder of another Sony camera. This particular model extends outward from the body of the camera a bit. Optical viewfinders don’t need as much space, and will appear flush with the body even on small cameras.
FIGURE 1-5: Whether optical or electrical, the viewfinder enables you to see through the lens.
Lenses
You can buy most dSLRs bundled with something called a kit lens. While they are not typically top-of-the-line lenses, kit lenses are decent and have enough versatility for most amateur photographers. Kits are designed to get you started with a good lens without breaking the bank.
Currently, many consumer kit lenses are standard 18-55mm zoom lenses. Depending on the camera, you may have the option of choosing different kit lenses. Very often, these alternate lenses are a step up in quality and price, and have different focal length ranges.
Turn to Book 1, Chapter 3 to learn more about lenses. You can also turn to Book 2, which covers a number of different lens types in depth.
Wrapping it up
Returning to the two cameras I mentioned in the introduction to this section, you should now understand that the Nikon D3300 is an F-mount, cropped-body dSLR from Nikon with an APS-C sized sensor. It is compatible with Nikon DX and FX-format lenses and captures photos that are 24.2 megapixels in size. It comes with an 18-55mm kit lens. The Sony A99 is full-frame A-mount dSLT. The photos it captures are 24.3 megapixels in size. It features a fixed translucent mirror along with an electronic viewfinder. The A99 is not generally sold as a kit so no lens information is listed.
Pricing Digital SLRs
Camera manufacturers design and create dSLRs for different audiences. This enables them to meet the needs of a wide range of people and sell more cameras. It gives you the freedom to choose a camera with the features, capabilities, and price that you want.
The following sections organize these market segments into three broad categories, each featuring cameras designed and priced to appeal to that audience. If you shop around, you’ll see that Canon and Nikon have more than one dSLR in each category and are constantly updating their lineup. Not all camera manufacturers compete so heavily across the board.
Consumer dSLRs
Consumer dSLRs are great cameras for the average person. They range from entry-level models priced under $750 (see Figure 1-6) to more advanced consumer-level models that cost near $1,000. At this level, cameras are often sold as kits. This means that a basic zoom lens is sold with the camera body. The lens increases the overall cost slightly compared to buying the body only, but most consumers like the convenience of having everything they need to get started in one box. At this level, all dSLRs are made from polycarbonate and their image sensors are cropped-frame.
FIGURE 1-6: The Nikon D3200 is a good example of an entry-level consumer dSLR.
Compared to more expensive cameras, consumer dSLRs are less expensive, smaller, lighter, more convenient, and less intimidating. They have a plethora of automatic modes and are easy to use. They use different image sensors, processors, and other technologies than more expensive dLSRs, which limits their performance somewhat, but makes them affordable.
At the more expensive end of the consumer level category, people want more features and a bit more performance out of their dSLR. These cameras tend to have higher maximum ISO speeds, better, articulated monitors, faster frame rates, and more options compared to entry-level models. They are also often slightly larger.
Mid-range models
Mid-range dSLRs are priced roughly between $1,000 and $1,500. They include a mix of enthusiast and pro-level features. This makes them a great choice for photographers who want a serious upgrade from a consumer-level camera and an inexpensive back-up option for professionals.
Mid-range dSLRs often have faster maximum shutter speeds than the less-expensive models, faster flash sync speeds, faster frame rates, better viewfinders, depending on the manufacturer, slightly larger LCD monitors with greater pixel counts, more professional setup options, a better autofocus system with more autofocus points, more custom shooting modes, more precise metering, better battery life, and a top LCD panel to display shooting information.
While this level of camera is considered light by professional standards, they’re larger and heavier than consumer dSLRs. Magnesium alloy is often used to strengthen the camera body. Figure 1-7 shows the Canon EOS 80D.
FIGURE 1-7: Mid-range cameras add even more power and features.
Professional cameras
Professional dSLRs are designed to excel in a professional setting. They have all the