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Daily Photo Editorial | July 23 2006 | Digital Versus Point and Shoot |
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Sunday, 23 July 2006 |
To a large extent, the vexing question of choice between a point and shoot camera and a digital SLR type is partly answered by deciding how the camera will be used but other factors also come into the equation.
If all you want to do is shoot six by four snapshots, then many P & S types will very likely be adequate. However, if you have exacting expectations, you may be disappointed with the results when enlargements are attempted or the pictures are displayed on a computer screen. There are also other short comings.
Pros of P & S
Choosing a P & S camera is tempting for the following reasons:
Excellent convenience is to be enjoyed due to their small size and weight. Ultra compacts can easily be carried in a pocket or purse making them quickly available for unexpected photo opportunities just about everywhere one goes. For traveling, this aspect is a wonderful feature.
Previewing an image on the LCD display before taking the shot is helpful for composing the picture and gauging what the exposure will be.
These little cameras are self contained and no lens changing is necessary. Some models have a considerable zoom range, Ultra compacts up to 7 times and the larger Prosumer style cameras up to 12 times optical zoom.
Candid street photography is easier as they are less conspicuous than large SLRs which some people might find intimidating when pointed at them.
Point and Shoot cameras are less expensive than SLRs.
Cons of P & S
Whilst the advantages are very attractive incentives to go for a P & S camera, there are some aspects which ought to be taken into consideration:
Due to their small size, the image sensor must of necessity also be small in size. The area of the sensor in many compact cameras is many times smaller than that of an SLR's sensor. The mega-pixel race engaged in by competing camera makers has led to the cramming of more and more tiny pixels onto very small sensors. The consequence of this is a trade off in digital noise performance. Small pixels receive fewer photons of light which necessitates more electronic amplification to get a bright picture. What this means in practice is that noise, visible as a pepper and salt effect or snow in shadowy areas or low light scenes is evident. This is because the ratio of picture signal to the random electron noise generated by the cameras amplification circuitry is lower than it would be with a larger, more sensitive sensor. Not so noticeable in standard snap shot size prints, picture quality might be disappointing for some users if enlargements are made or if viewed on PC monitors.
A show room demonstration of a P & S camera might give the impression that the LCD display on a compact camera is nice and bright. However, using the display to frame a shot in full sun is another matter. Personally the author finds it quite difficult to properly see the framed image under these conditions.
Although some of these small cameras have an optical viewfinder, they are not generally very accurate. Parallax error and cropping can be a problem.
Small size is an advantage in many ways but care needs to be taken in holding a very small camera. It is not uncommon to see warnings which recommend ensuring the proper employment of the wrist strap. These cute little gems are easily dropped. A bulkier and heavier camera is much easier to hold securely.
Pros of Single Lens Reflex Cameras
Great progress has been made with the small and very popular compact cameras and they are getting better with every new generation. To date however, SLRs still out perform the compacts and have greater versatility.
Noise performance is the obvious area where SLRs achieve better results. Their larger sensors have greater light sensitivity which in turn allows higher usable ISO values to be used.
Speed of operation is usually faster. Such parameters as shutter lag, autofocus and start up time are noticeably quicker. SLR cameras perform operations virtually instantly like a film camera so you are less likely to miss an event, particularly when subjects are moving.
Exposure metering in some cases is more sophisticated resulting in more accurate exposure and fewer burnt out highlights.
Choice of lens is almost unlimited and better optical quality is possible.
Framing a shot through the optical viewfinder is much more accurate than with compact cameras and visibility of a scene in strong sunlight is far better. The writer finds the ability to see the subject properly sufficient reason alone to choose an SLR camera.
RAW format, whilst it is available on some P & S cameras is an advantage of SLR cameras as it allows more freedom for adjusting exposure, sharpening and color balance after the shot has been taken.
Cons of SLR Cameras
It must be admitted that SLR cameras complete with their lenses and accessories are bulky and heavy. Usually a back pack is required to carry all this.
Changing of Lenses, apart from being a hassle, introduces the risk of dust contamination of the sensor. It is almost inevitable that this will happen. No matter how careful one is, a windy day or dusty environment can stir up lint and small particles which will find their way onto the sensor. This of course will produce spots and blobs on all photos.
Professional cleaning is not cheap, is inconvenient and may be necessary multiple times. It is possible, with care and correct methods for a practical person to perform sensor cleaning himself but of course this is a time consuming and exacting task. You can read more about sensor cleaning here.
Conclusion
No perfect solution is available yet and a choice must be based on what the use for which the camera will be employed. As an enthusiast, until the performance and picture quality markedly improve with the point and shoot cameras, I will stick with an SLR. I do hope that engineers and developers succeed in achieving better performance. I would just love to be able to take brilliant photos with a tiny camera thereby encapsulating the advantages of P & S and SLR. |
