Not too long ago, compact cameras were used
by most people to take snapshots of family members and daily activities.
Professional photographers and amateurs dislike compact cameras because of the
low quality images and limited functionality. Now, compact cameras have changed
a lot and have been very sophisticated, especially in the digital era where the
digital technology has advanced by leaps and bounds.
Although small in size, compact cameras are
able to produce well exposed photos although the image quality could not rival
those produced using DSLR cameras. But what we need to keep in mind is that
sometimes the absolute image quality is not top priority. Despite some obvious
drawbacks of compact camera, they do have many advantages over DSLR cameras.
Compact camera is also known as point and
shoot camera or pocket camera. Compacts are invented so the average people can
take photograph easily and comfortably. It was in such sense that they were
designed to be small with simple functions to be as user friendly as possible.
Compacts do not operate using reflex mirror
and pentaprism like those used in the DSLR camera system. Therefore compact
cameras can be built at a smaller size with less cost.
Unlike the DSLR camera, the lens on a
compact camera is not interchangeable. However, a compact camera usually is
equipped with a zoom lens that is adequate for normal usage.
Nowadays, compacts are becoming more
sophisticated and of higher quality. Many professional photographers have shown
interest into compacts when manual controls have been incorporated, meaning the
user can adjust the aperture, shutter speed and ISO manually. This allows light
exposure to be controlled at higher accuracy. Furthermore, prestigious high-end
compacts offer some DSLR level features such as manual focus control, wide
maximum aperture, a hotshoe for external flash, recording in RAW format and
larger sensors.
The down side of compact camera
One of the main disadvantages of compact
cameras is the size of its sensor. At this time, the size of most compact
cameras is much smaller compared to those used in DSLR cameras. Therefore, the
images recorded using a compact camera are usually not suitable to be
enlarged excessively as some details can go missing. The smaller sensor also
causes the image to be more noise-prone compared to that from a DSLR,
especially when higher ISO is used and the image is viewed in high
magnification.
But you should keep in mind that this
limitation is not a big issue if you are not planning to showcase the image in
a large size. Another thing you need to consider is weather exposing minute
detail is important to you. This depends
of the kind of photo and for what purpose it will be used. For example, if we
plan to record an image for fine arts, sometimes sharpness and details are not
major priorities. The same goes if we want the photos to be used in web pages
where high resolution in not required- images from compact usually suffice.
Another weakness of compacts is the degree
of efficiency and response speed of the controls. Adjusting the parameters in compact cameras
is rather cumbersome and sluggish, especially when using them in fully manual
mode. This is due to the layout and size of the buttons are not as ergonomics
as in DSLR. So, to shoot photos and to work fast, compacts are not suitable.
Otherwise this would not be an issue.
Compacts also suffer from shutter lag where
there is a slight delay (in millisecond) between when the shutter is pressed
and the moment where the image is captured by the camera. This is a serious
problem when capturing action shots or other images where timing is crucial.
But this should not be an issue if we are photographing subjects that do not
require split second timings.
Most compact cameras employ contrast detect
autofocus as opposed to DSLR’s phase detect system. The lens moves back and forth through
trial-and-error until the sensor reads an image which gives the highest
contrast. This is relatively slower than phase detect which utilizes dedicated
autofocus sensors to establish the different phases’ converging point, which is
a more straight forward process.
Other disadvantage of the compact camera is
that the lens is not interchangeable like the DSLR camera. This means the user
of a compact camera has to be satisfied with the limited choice of field of
view and focal length. However the modern compact camera is often equipped with
a long ranging zoom that covers wide angle to short telephoto. To most users,
the focal length and zoom range in compacts are sufficient. So if your work
requirement does not require lenses with extra ordinary focal length, the zoom
fixed on a compact would suit nicely.
Advantages of compact cameras
The main advantage of a compact camera is
its small size hence the light weight which makes it easy to be carried around.
This is probably not desirable for certain tasks but it is very useful when you
wish to take photos for a long period of time or when you need to move a lot.
When taking photos during a travel, having a compact camera is a bless due to
its small size and light weight.
The small size of a compact does not stand
out and attract attention of the people around you. This feature is very useful
for photographers who involve in street photography. By using a small concealed
camera, the presence of the photographer is often not noticed and would not be
bothered, hence allowing him to photograph his subject in a more natural state.
This way the photographer can approach his subject comfortably. Here, the small
size becomes an advantage for a specific purpose.
Other advantage of the compact camera is
its relatively cheaper price compared to DSLR cameras. If we are not looking at
certain features on a DSLR camera, why spend on one? It is much better to
purchase a compact camera at fewer prices as long as it fits our needs. Even if
we already own a DSLR camera, a compact can serve as a good backup camera or to
be used when it fits a certain purpose.
Modern compact cameras are equipped with
better features from time to time. High end compacts are continuously being
designed with additional technologically advanced features and narrows the gap
between compacts and DSLRs.
The application
of compact camera
We have already understood the features,
weaknesses and strengths of compact camera. We should take note that a certain
weakness of the compact camera is not a weakness if it is not relevant to a
certain task or need. For example, having a small sensor is not considered a
weakness to a photographer who has no intention of publishing his work in high
resolution. Therefore the weaknesses of a compact camera should not be taken as
issues if they do not pose as problems to our work. It is best to focus and
fully capitalize the many advantages of a compact that are not offered by DSLR
cameras.
It is not the intention of this article to
suggest that compacts are better than DSLR cameras. The main thing is we need
to realize that sometimes compacts are more suitable to be used than DSLR
cameras in some situations. For most photography enthusiasts and professionals,
compacts are used only for specific purposes and they also keep a DSLR camera
for other kind of photography.
Due to its light weight, compact cameras
are suitable when you are out shooting for a long period, especially when you
need to move a lot or walk to get the shot. One example is when you are taking
a stroll in a foreign city during an abroad travel.
This kind of camera is also suitable when
we are doing trekking activity in the forest or while hiking. For such outdoor
activities we would definitely spend a lot of energy for locomotion, not to
mention hauling a heavy rucksack. To add up the weight with a DSLR camera would
increase the burden. Therefore a compact camera is very suitable in this
situation. However this ultimately depends on what you are planning to do. If
you need high quality photos that give the best details, then DSLR is the way
to go.
Compact cameras are light due to its small
size. Small cameras have their own benefit. They do not stand out and attract
attention. Some photography assignments require us to photograph human subjects
which are not acquainted in an unfamiliar place. When we use a compact camera,
the people around us normally do not pay much attention to our presence and we
would not be perceived as a professional photographer, instead we don the image
of a tourist or a casual snap shooter.
There was a case where a press photographer
masqueraded as a commoner with a compact camera and was allowed to a restricted
area whereas other photographers were barred from entering. He managed to get
good photos using the compact while the rest, armed to the teeth with DSLR
equipment, didn’t get a single shot.
Compact cameras are priced less than DSLR
cameras. If you are interested in photography but still cannot afford a DLSR
camera, you can get a compact at a much lower price. Compact cameras also offer
various interesting features which are often enough to start your exploration
in photography. To learn the basic of photography such as shutter, aperture,
ISO, white balance and composition, you can often do so with a compact camera.
Because of its low price, compact cameras
are also very useful as a second camera beside your DSLR camera. Compacts can
be used as a backup camera in case your DSLR breaks down. Other than that, even
if you already have a DSLR camera, a compact may be a more suitable camera when
you are just taking family snapshots or going out travelling.
Due to lower price, compacts are often the
camera of choice for those who are venturing into underwater photography. The underwater housing for compact cameras is
much cheaper than that of DSLR cameras. By using compact the risk is less if an
accident happens where the housing leaks and causes damage to camera.
Compacts are much simpler than DSLR
cameras. The controls on compacts are limited and not as intricate as DSLR
cameras. But not everyone or every task requires sophisticated specifications.
Sometimes all we need is just a simple camera to take simple photos.
They are also suitable for you to practice
taking shots in a creative and unrestricted ways. Creative photos sometimes do
not require complicated technical controls on the camera. Furthermore then using
a complicated device, we tend to shift our focus to control the device instead
of producing a creative and artistic piece of work. Compacts are also light and
mobile, making it comfortable to be carried anywhere and this encourages you to
practice photography composition while experimenting on creative techniques.
The simple compact camera is also suitable
as a tool to survey a location before a massively planned shooting is made. You
do not need a high quality photo while scouting- the images from a compact
would do just fine. While scouting you might need to walk a lot hence a DSLR
camera will make you tired and subsequently takes the concentration away from
the survey duty.
Simply put, compact cameras with the latest
technology should not be taken lightly. Although there are still drawbacks,
these cameras have significant advantages against DSLR camera. The bottom line
is everything depends on the usage. For certain purposes the compact camera is
better and more practical to be used compared to DSLR camera. They ride the
technology wave and continuously being improved over time. We do not know how
far they will rival DSLR camera. But for certain they will surely become better
and better.
Original article from fototeacher.com/blog by Hasnuddin Abu Samah. Translated by Amir Ridhwan
To read more article in Bahasa Melayu, please visit - http://hellofotografi.blogspot.com/
Original article from fototeacher.com/blog by Hasnuddin Abu Samah. Translated by Amir Ridhwan
To read more article in Bahasa Melayu, please visit - http://hellofotografi.blogspot.com/