Digital SLR

The Digital SLR or Digital Single Lens reflex camera is a digital camera that uses a mirror to display the images captured by the viewfinder; it uses a CCD or CMOS image sensor to create images digitally, in-camera. Digital SLR cameras feature a parallax-free optical free viewfinder and zero time lag. These cameras generally use a phase detection autofocus system. Digital SLR cameras have the ability to exchange lenses, so as to optimise the lens. DSLR camera lenses have a larger diameter that allows more light to be captured, thus, enabling faster shutter speeds. The image sensor used in the digital SLR is relatively large, making for reduced noise emissions, better image quality, higher sensitivity, shallower depths of field as well as increased latitude and dynamic range. Some high-end digital SLRs incorporate sensors of the same size as 35mm film cameras do. These are known as full-frame digital cameras.

The first commercially available digital SLR was the Kodak DCS-100, which was released in 1991. This was followed by the Kodak DCS-200, which featured an integrated storage. In 2003, Canon released the 6.3 Megapixel EOS 300D SLR camera. Due to its easy affordability, this camera was very popular amongst newspaper and amateur photographers. Canon then followed the 300D with the 8 Megapixel EOS 350D, in 2005, while the 10 Megapixel EOS 400D was launched in 2006. Currently, Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Sony and Fujifilm have DSLR models in production. Reviews that expound on the merits and demerits of the Digital SLR can be found on various online shopping sites.