Digital photography (where images are stored electronically instead of on film) has created an enormous boom in the number of photos taken annually.  Millions of people are using everything from $2,000 "digital SLRs" to $100 "point and shoot" cameras to the low-resolution cameras that are found in most cell phones.

 

 

Digital SLRs (Single Lens Reflex) cameras are the "professional" looking cameras (which, not coincidentally, are what most pros use) with the ability to attach a variety of lenses.  When you look through an SLR you're looking through the same lens that will be used to record the image (unlike most lower-cost cameras, where you look through a separate opening on the front of the camera).  A series of mirrors allows the photographer using an SLR to accurately frame the image and get a good idea of what the final photo will look like.  SLRs also offer methods of adjusting exposure that aren't found in "point and shoot" digital cameras.  Major makers of DSLRs include Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Minolta and Olympus.

 

"Point and shoot" cameras are less expensive, less complex, and, usually, more compact digital cameras.  Look through the viewfinder, press the shutter button and the camera will do what it can to make the resulting image look good.  You'll often have less control over how the camera does its job, so the results may not be as good as they will using an SLR.  Lens quality is almost always less than that found in lenses designed for SLRs.

 

 

Even more important than what's inside the camera body is the lens in front of it.  You can have a multi-thousand dollar camera body with a bad lens and you'll always get less-than-great results.  Put a good piece of "glass" on a moderately priced camera and put it in the hands of a good photographer and the results can be miraculous.

 

The world of digital SLR's is full of lens options, especially when you own cameras made by the "big two" - Canon and Nikon.  Not only do you have the option of buying the high-quality Canon lenses or Nikon lenses, you'll also have the choice from many more made by Tamron, Sigma and lesser-known brands.

 

 

You won't always have sufficient "natural light" to take a decent photograph and that flash that's built-in to the camera probably isn't going to do a very good job, so you may want to consider one of the accessory flashes made to fit your camera model.  Of course, you can't go wrong with the flashes made by Nikon or Canon flash units, and there are other major manufacturers who make models that are equally adept at making the most of your camera's capabilities.