It’s understandable for hobbyist or professional photographers to invest in top-of-the-line camera equipment. But should parents—who really will be taking just pictures of their family—spring for the cost of even a starting level DLSR camera? Here are some benefits that can help parents decide if it’s worth it for them.
Huge pixel size
DSLRs allow you to have bigger pixel sizes, but how does that translate to everyday use? The higher the image quality the more leeway you have to shoot at higher shutter speeds (like if you’re trying to chase a running toddler or capture the winning kick in a soccer match) and higher ISOS (like when you’re shooting in low light conditions, such as most school auditoriums). So even at imperfect shooting conditions you get a good picture, with less graininess.
Better depth of field
In English this means you can blur the background and foreground and just focus on the subject. This is wonderful if you’re trying to photograph your child in a cluttered room or a big crowd. You also get gorgeous ‘portrait’ like effects—try playing with depth of field while shooting photos outdoors and you’ll wonder why you spend so much money on having professional photos taken.
See it before you shoot it
DLSRs are equipped with good optical viewfinders that give an accurate idea of how your picture will turn out. Nothing more annoying than taking pictures of an important milestone—like your child’s birthday—and realizing afterwards that you’ve cropped out someone’s head or the cake you spent hours decorating.
Easier to upgrade
Once you buy a DLSR, you only have to upgrade the lenses to take advantage of better technology. You can find great deals on lenses or even find second hand ones at photographer’s forums. This lets you create a ‘power camera’ as your budget allows. Plus, the lenses of DLSRs are generally better than those in point and shoot cameras, and the lenses are really the reason why some pics are better than others. So if you’re on a budget you can buy a DLSR and then buy high quality lenses one at a time, rather than get stuck with a cheap point and shoot and its permanently limited capabilities.