What makes digital SLRs special is the ability of the photographer to see the same image that the sensor will see. This enables the photographer to ensure that the composition, focus and depth of field are just right. The second major advantage is the ability to change lenses to suit your requirements.

A digital SLR, also known as dSLR, will give you a clearer and brighter image than any electronic viewfinder ever can. If a point and shoot (P&S) camera has a separate viewfinder, it will be much smaller than a dSLR and will not display any shooting data.

A dSLR has a larger sensor in terms of physical size (not pixels), than a P&S camera. This is usually almost six times the area and this can significantly improve the image quality. The main reason for this is that with a larger sensor, noise is less of a problem.

Another benefit of having a larger sensor is that you can have a shallow depth of field for blurred background effects. A P&S camera with a higher pixel count than a dSLR may not provide images that are as good as the SLR.

The lenses that are available with a digital SLR are usually superior in quality to those provided with a P&S camera. Having the option of changing lenses can be a very big advantage. Using a macro lens with an SLR will give you better images than those provided by a P&S camera, with a macro facility.

Digital SLRs have a higher dynamic range than P&S cameras. Dynamic range refers to the brightness levels that a camera can capture. This is the range of light, from the lightest to the darkest, in which you can still make out the details.

In a dSLR the shutter lag is almost non-existent. This is the lag between the time when you press the button and when the photograph is taken. With an SLR, it may be as low as millionths of a second, while it may be much higher in a P&S camera.

Most P&S cameras cannot capture images in the raw format, while all digital SLR cameras can. Raw formats are images from the sensor that are saved without any manipulation by the camera’s software. This can provide the best image quality that you can get from a digital camera.

However, a dSLR camera does have disadvantages. It costs a lot more, especially if you start adding the cost of the lenses and accessories. A digital SLR is also much bigger and heavier. The lenses and accessories add to this. Still, if you are interested in obtaining the best image quality, then a dSLR may be the best option for you.

People who want to buy a digital camera need to understand what resolution is because it is this term that decides the quality of an image. They also need to understand what pixel is because the resolution of an image is expressed in terms of pixels per inch and that of a digital camera in terms of megapixels.

The term pixel itself is derived from the words “picture element” and is used to refer to the smallest dot in an image that is used to store color. A picture is said to have good resolution if it is packed with dots or pixels over every inch of the image. This metric is also referred to as pixels per inch or ppi.

One million pixels go to make a megapixel, and a camera that shoots a picture that has one million pixels is said to have a resolution of 1MP or one megapixel. Similarly a camera that can shoot a picture that has five million pixels on its surface is said to have a resolution of 5 megapixels.

A higher resolution camera therefore provides better picture quality. That is why professional photographers use cameras whose resolution ranges from 14MP to 22 MP. These photographs are not only sharp and clear but also print well. They can also be easily enlarged without losing sharpness or focus.

In contrast, it is difficult to improve the quality of low resolution images. The photographers are forced to add pixels through a process known as interpolation. In this process, an intermediate color is assigned to the added pixels, which is based on the color of the existing pixels. This process can add to the resolution, but not to clarity. The reason for this is that you cannot create something from nothing.

Interpolation is a common feature on low-priced, entry level digital cameras. The lower the actual resolution of the image, the lower the clarity of the interpolated image will be.
Usually a 3.2 megapixel digital camera will provide images with sufficient resolution for general photography. However, if you are into more serious photography you will need a camera with a higher resolution.

Fortunately, this problem does not exist on the Internet. Web designers keep the resolution of images at 72 ppi that is 72 pixels per inch. This produces a sharp image on a computer screen. Also, the picture download is fast because the picture is not weighed down by the weight of pixels.

Traveling with a digital camera is not as simple as going for a trip with a conventional camera. With a conventional camera, all you need to do is to carry some extra film rolls and get some more when you run out of them. A digital camera has a fixed storage capacity and you can only add to it by buying expensive flash memory cards.

It therefore makes sense to carry a notebook computer – if you have one — and transfer the pictures to it periodically to free the badly needed camera memory. You can also preview the pictures and decide if you want to want to erase them, e-mail them, or post them on the web. If your notebook computer has a CD writer then you can transfer the images to a CD. You can even carry a small printer and print the images, or have them printed at a shop that provides this service.

If you don’t want to carry a notebook, you can transfer images directly to a portable hard drive. This is a battery-powered, palm-sized device that may come with or without a monitor.

You can also transfer pictures to a Clik! drive, which is a portable storage device, powered by a rechargeable battery. Once the images have been transferred to the Clik! drive, you, you can free up space on your flash memory card by erasing the images.
When a Clik! disc gets filled you can replace it with another one, which may cost you $10. Once you return from the trip, you can transfer the images to your computer.

In the US, the power supply is 110 volts and 60 Hz, whereas when you travel overseas, the voltage may be 220 volts and 50 Hz. The wall outlets may also be different. You will need an adapter kit, to plug in your notebook computer, AC adapter, or battery charger.

A transformer is suitable for use with electronic devices. A converter can be used with electrical appliances like hair driers. It can harm devices over time and should not be used for more than a few hours. Transformers can be used for longer periods, though they tend to be heavier.

If you are planning to use a modem, you need to find out about the type of adapters that are used in the country, where you are going. While hiking, canoeing, or sailing, you will need a solar-powered battery charger, to recharge your batteries.

Your digital camera, laptop computer, flash cards, audio and video tapes, floppy discs and films will remain unharmed by the X-ray machines installed at airports. However, a metal detector may harm magnetic media like Clik! Discs. Please keep this in mind while traveling by air.