Expert: John Oliverio - 3/23/2004

Question
I'm looking for a digital camera that I can use to photograph children, both in a portrait setting with studio lights (I bought a start up set on ebay with backdrop and reflector umbrellas to play around with) and outdoor and snap-shot situations  (I work with young children and we have been unhappy with local school photographers.)

I'm willing to invest $1000-1200 in a camera if it's possible to produce a portrait quality image and still have it be fast enough to use in other conditions.

I realize if it was that easy everyone would be doing this...so what am i missing?  What is the trick to creating a studio like portrait and can it be achieved in my budget with a digital camera.

The Nikon 8700 was highly recommended to me, but one review I saw gave it lower reviews indoors.

Nikon D70 I also am considering -a "digital SLR"

What IS the difference between a digital and a "digital SLR?" I can't find that explained anywhere!

Thank you thank you!


Answer
Rose,

Hello.  Thanks for the questions.
First let me get this out of the way....  there is more to creating a good image than just having good equipment.  There is no "trick" to it.  It is a combination of practice and talent.  There have been some great, even historic photos taken with relatively primative equipment.  Good tools can make it easier. And give technically better results.    But if you give a truely good photographer some basic equipment he/she can still produce some great results.  Consider some of the historic images made since the camera was invented....  and we didn't even have computers in cameras untill the 70's.  

I would suggest an SLR over the 8700.  The lens quality is better and it is a more flexible machine.  You can change lenses on the SLR.  

SLR means "single lens reflex".  The main thing that distinguishes an SLR from other cameras is that ability....  the ability to change lenses.  Cameras like the 8700 are considered to be "point and shoot" cameras and most folks wouldn't consider it a very serious tool.  That doesn't mean you couldn't use the 8700 to make a portrait.  You could make the same image with both cameras and the difference would be in the quality of the image as far as sharpness, color, chromatic aberation, etc.  

John