SLR - Like?

[susan]

Can someone help me with what "slr like" means? I currently have a Kodak DX3600 that I received as a gift from my parents several years ago. I don't think I'm ready to invest in a DSLR just yet, but using the dpreview site and camera recommendations here, I think I'm setting my sites on a Nikon 5700 or 8700.

At dpreview, they call these cameras "slr like" what does that mean? and does that make sense as an interim step? I've compared the options with what I think I want, but so much of the information is more technical that I'm not sure.

Besides good optical zoom and at least 5mega pixels, one of the features I want most is to reduce lag time - that's the most frustrating on my current camera.

Would really like any of your thoughts... :confused:

[Fidelis]

SLR simply means Single Lens Reflex, (which is a camera that allows you to view area/ scene with the same lens that takes your actual image due to a system of mirrors & prisms within the camera body). So 'SLR like' will probably mean that the camera your looking at is probably similiar looking to that of an SLR style camera. It could also have interchangeable lens like an SLR too. As for lag time on a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) its virtually none existant compared to point & shoot type cameras, which is the plus side of investing in one as well as the versatility & creativity it allows you.

Hope that answers your questions & fire away if we can help you again!

Emma. :)

[TsMom]

Susan,
SLR-like cameras have several features that set them apart. One is that you can set aperture/shutter speed/ISO etc. Most of these have pretty fast shutter speeds available, but the smallest aperture is around F/8. I think this is just because the lens is small compared to an SLR. They often also allow for uncompressed formats like RAW and TIFF.

Another feature is that they have an electronic viewfinder, kind of an LCD screen inside the viewfinder, eliminating problems with paralax error issues and allowing you to see settings, etc. through the viewfinder. So, what you see through the viewfinder is what you get, like with an SLR.

Something else is that there are often extra lenses available to use with these cameras with an optional lens adapter. However, the adapter can cause some vignetting and sometimes can block the flash. It helps if the camera has a pop-up flash and/or hot shoe. This is not really a big deal if you ask me, 'cause most of the cameras already have 8-10X zoom available, so extra lenses just aren't necessary usually.

I believe, there is still shutter lag on these cameras though. I'm not a DSLR user, but I'm pretty sure this is the only way to go if you want to get rid of the shutter lag.

LaWanna

[Emma]

I own the Nikon 5700. The lag time is irritating, but not a deal-breaker. I know lots of mp usually cuts down on that. Mine is 3.3 I think.
The MOST irritating feature is the awful, slow focus and poor auto focus: it just can't seem to "find" what I want it to focus on and really needs a laser-focus assist. The more I learn about photography the better my results are, though I'm still guessing a lot.

SLR-like means you can thread on other lenses (adapters), but can't take off the original lens. It can go completely manual or completely auto or any combo therein.
Don't know about its "see-what-you-get" capability, I've never noticed a problem on it, but then I haven't tried to make that really work. On our old P&S film camera, I had Troy pose to lean against the Tower of Pisa, and positioned the shot very carefully. The photo itself was offset enough you couldn't tell why he was in that funny pose...this camera doesn't seem to do that, but again I haven't given it a real test like Pisa!

I want to get rid of my 5700 and upgrade to the D70 or 90. Wanna trade?!

[susan]

That really helps me understand better what I'm looking into. So, now it's back to the dpreview to do some more investigating...

BTW... on the shutter lag time thing... is there any technical indicator I should look at to compare speeds? I've been using my digital p/s as a baseline for comparison at dpreview, but not sure I've found the right information on this issue.

Thanks everyone for responding so quickly and helping me out!

[Lee]

Single lens reflex is what it means

[sal4gal]

I have a DSLR Canon Rebel and it does not have any lag, instant picture ! I am so happy to have this (after 2 other digis that were awful), I missed so many shots. Plus it is 6 mp ! I read that Canon is going to lower the price by $400 around August.

Sallie

[susan]

The canon rebel was the other camera I've been researching. Need to get to the city and take it for a test drive. Hope you're right about August, that's my birthday and this would make a perfect gift!

According to dpreview, it's a "dummied" up version of the 10D - they disabled some of the software that's on the 10D. My friend has that camera, and it's a dream! Just don't think I want to go there yet. Maybe next camera.

[grindavich]

Susan, I bought a Nikon 8700 for my play camera and I love it, I have yet to color correct my images, what I see is what I get and that is a great improvement in the point and shoot type cameras, but I do everything in manual also. It has 8 mp and the quality is wonderful. I'm really happy with this camera on the consumer level.

Emma - I thought for sure that the Nikon 5700 was 5.0MP, so you have more than you thought :)