This tip was printed from the MalekTips Computer and Technology Help and Tips website at http://malektips.com.

Buying a Digital Camera - Noise in Prosumer Versus Digital SLR Cameras

SUMMARY: Debating on what kind of high-end digital camera to buy? ISO sensitivity may factor into your decision.

Debating on purchasing either a high-end prosumer or digital SLR camera? If price is not the only factor in your decision, you should consider ISO sensitivity and noise.

If you plan on shooting night photos or other pictures in low-light situations and don't always have a tripod to stabilize the camera during long shutter speeds, a higher ISO (faster 'film speed') is a 'cheat' that can sometimes provide respectable results.

Most high-end prosumer digital cameras take clear photos at ISO 100 or ISO 200, allowing you to take pictures in high and medium light situations without requiring a tripod. However, if you don't have a tripod and need to take photos in low-light situations or at dusk, you may be tempted to increase the ISO to 400 or 800 so you can reduce the shutter speed. Unfortunately, at least at the time of this writing, most prosumer fixed-lens digital cameras handle these ISO sensitivities poorly.

Digital SLR cameras, on the other hand, may still take relatively clear photos with an ISO of 400, and some even show respectable results with an ISO of 800. Websites listed in the MalekTips digital camera reviews tip can help show you how different digital cameras handle higher ISO settings.

As tripods aren't always convenient to carry (or even allowed in some situations), you should factor the lower noise of digital SLR cameras in your purchasing decision.