Mobile phones have become more than suitable options for taking photos and videos of everything around us, but there are many types of cameras that we find in the market and that complete or improve the experience. Better quality, more possibilities, options and resources for any situation or for all the types of photography we need. From the classic compact digital camera to instant cameras or mirrorless cameras that have become a success.
If you like photography you will already know that there are many types of camera but you probably want to have them all or, at least, try the differences between a SLR and a mirrorless camera , choose an alternative to GoPro that allows us to enjoy any outdoor activity or Find cameras to record video blogs and travel being small, compact and easy to transport.
DSLR or DSLR cameras
SLR cameras are the ones you’ve seen for years and considered “professional.” It is a device inside which there is a mechanism with a system through which light enters through the lens, is reflected in the mirror and reaches the viewfinder. They have always been the best cameras, without a doubt, although with the arrival of mirrorless cameras they have found good rivals. There is a very wide catalog, they are usually the most used by professional photographers and there are so many models that it is easy to find one that suits what we want. In addition, there are usually all kinds of lenses that we can use.
This type of camera s are perfect for professionals and have a battery that is usually at least 600 or 800 shots on a single charge, although they can reach 2,000 autonomy shots on a single charge. They offer great quality, there is a wide catalog and there are objectives of all kinds. Focusing on SLR cameras is faster if you want to take bird photography, for example, or take sports photography. They use phase difference approach, fast and perfect to follow the movement.
The downside to SLR cameras is that they tend to be quite a bit larger and bulkier than other types of cameras on this list as they have a complex mechanism. The other main drawback that we find compared to other cameras is that the possibility of recording video is usually of lower quality than in other systems such as mirrorless or action cameras.
Mirrorless cameras
One of the types of cameras that has grown the most in recent times and the most popular have become mirrorless cameras are mirrorless cameras, as its name suggests. Since 2008 that Panasonic launched its first device of this type, the Panasonic Lumix G1, they have become one of the best options for users. The main advantages of this type of camera is that they are more compact and lighter than SLR cameras, but you do not compromise on the quality that a much larger device could give you. The main difference between mirrorless cameras and SLR cameras is that you will look at the screen how the photograph will look at that moment and not what reality is like because the viewfinder is electronic and does not have a mirror.
They are good for recording video since most offer 4K resolution recording so they are ideal for this type of content. Another of the strongest points of mirrorless cameras is burst shooting. They have no moving parts in the mechanism so they can shoot much faster than other cameras. For example, you can shoot about 20 images per second or even reach 60 images per second as long as the focus is fixed but not to follow an object like birds.
The downside to mirrorless cameras is that there are not as many lenses available from manufacturers yet as there are on SLR cameras. Another drawback is that the battery is usually shorter than in SLR cameras but is still enough for about 300 or 400 shots usually.
Compact digital cameras
Among all types of cameras, compact cameras are the cheapest, simplest and most manageable. Its main advantage is that they are perfect for any type of user even if they do not have any knowledge of use thanks to automatic modes and automated options that are not complicated. They usually record videos, have specific pre-designed modes for portraits or for objects or landscapes and are compact and ideal to take anywhere since they weigh little and take up little space. Another of the main advantages of these cameras is that they are of all prices, of all brands and of all shapes and types.
Instant cameras
Instant cameras, as the name suggests, are cameras whose photo is printed when you take it. You don’t need to print it at home or any conventional printer or reveal it. The photograph comes out on paper the moment you take it and even many of them have adhesive paper that you can automatically paste into an album or on a mural. We all remember the classic Polaroid cameras that have been with us for years but now instant cameras are back in fashion and we find models of all prices, sizes, shapes …
The advantage of these types of cameras is that they allow us to have a memory at the moment and are ideal for parties, weddings, trips. Another of the main advantages is that we find very affordable options for 40 or 50 euros and that they are usually resistant, plastic cameras and ideal for children. They are useful and different if we are looking for something original and we will want to save a photographic printer because they offer us an all-in-one in the same camera. Another advantage of some models is that they not only allow us to print them, but they also have Internet connectivity to upload them to social networks or even internal memory to store and print them later.
The disadvantage of these cameras is that the price of some types of paper is usually excessively expensive and printing a photograph can cost you one euro (in cases such as classic Polaroid models, for example). Another drawback is that some of the cameras that are on the market are very basic and are far from achieving the same quality as a conventional camera since they hardly have options and some filters or flash, but far from it the result will be, in most cases, similar to the a high-end mobile or professional cameras.
Sports cameras
Sports cameras are small, resistant cameras that have all kinds of accessories to place them on the handlebars of the bicycle, in the ski helmet, for diving. They are cameras focused for action sports or for extreme activities. They are usually resistant, small, light devices that we can take everywhere and with remote triggers and all kinds of accessories for us to record in any circumstance. For professional sports or extreme and action sports, although it is also common to bet on more affordable and cheaper alternatives to GoPro to record vacations, videos on the beach or in the pool or on amateur sports.
The main advantage of these cameras is that they are manageable, small, fit anywhere and have a wide range of accessories that allows us to adapt them to any circumstance. Also another advantage is that they have Bluetooth or WiFi that allows us to automatically send the content to the mobile phone and use it for whatever we want.
Cameras for Vlog and YouTube
Youtubers are becoming more and more frequent and not only do they record from home but it is also common to find videos of trips, soccer and stadiums, challenges… In that case, cameras are needed for vlogs. Most mirrorless cameras are more than enough or useful to record with quality everything around us but we may be looking for something smaller and more compact. Virtually vlog cameras are not a category of types of cameras in question, but we can use any mirrorless camera, as we say, or quality action or sports cameras if we are looking for something compact that fits anywhere. Any GoPro is a good choice with an ultra-compact design to take with us.
