whats the difference between DSLR cameras?

Can Andrew ever answer a question without insulting the OP or Nikon/Canon users?

Come on Andrew, stop trolling and give a helpful answer for a change!

As others have said, DSLRs give better image quality because of the larger sensors and better lenses. A larger sensor means that each individual pixel is much bigger. That means it can more accurately measure the light that falls onto it and at the same time it generates less interference with other pixels, so you get less in the way of "moire" and other such interference patterns.

The more accurate light measurement is particularly noticeable when light levels are low, so you get far less "noise" on your pictures in evening ant at night or at high ISO settings. That's when you really notice the limitations of a compact camera.

The interchangeable lenses can be useful, but many people only have one or two lenses for their DSLR cameras. The lens quality is important though. There's not much point in spending hundreds on a big sensor if the lens distorts the image. Cheap compacts and bridge cameras don't usually have very good lenses.

Another big difference is reaction times. Have you ever pushed the button on a cheap compact and wondered when it would finally get around to taking the picture? Not a problem on a DSLR. Reactions are faster and focusing is usually faster.

If you care about image quality then a DSLR is worth the money. If all you want to do is share party pictures on facebook then forget it. It's only worth the money if you are going to use the features.

First and foremost - physically larger sensors. The larger the sensor, the better the low light capability, as well as better contrast and color depth. Simply put, higher quality photos can be taken with a DSLR.

Then add interchangeable high quality lenses, with apertures as low as f/1.2, which lets in much more light than the typical compact or bridge camera, again increasing the low light capability. Generally DSLR lenses are (or can be) sharper and more accurate than compact camera lenses. Also, specialty lenses, such as macro, fisheye, perspective control lenses are available, as well as adapters that allow connection to microscopes and telescopes.

Then add to that lower shutter lag, with less than 0.04sec for the best DSLRs. Compact cameras typically have around 0.3~0.5sec delays; with some cameras even approaching a second. If you consider a 90mph fastball travels 13ft in 0.1sec, you can see that DSLRs are much more suited for sports and action photography.

Next, full flexibility in exposure controls.

Add to that a more sophisticated focusing system, employing phase detection and a highly selectable set of operating parameters AF-S, AF-C, Matrix, Spot, and so on).

Finally, high performance features that are just not found on compacts. Things like rear-curtain sync (although the Nikon P330 compact camera can do that), remote control capability - either wired or wireless, hot-shoes for external flashes, large capacity batteries, high speed flash sync, lens fine focus control, and a host of other functions that are just not found on smaller cameras.

Realize though that entry level DSLRs may not have as many features as the advanced amateur and professional DSLRs. You get what you pay for.

What you can't see.

It's the gigantic image sensor that on average is between 12 and 15 times the size of the one found in a cheap compact camera, and 20-30 times the size (surface area) of the image sensor found in a mobile phone.

That's why you ignore things like megapixels, they don't mean jack, it's all about the image sensor/pixel size. The Nikon D3200 actually loses image quality in low light over the lower pixel count sensors because more pixels means smaller pixels, and smaller pixels gather less light. So if you always shoot in perfect light, buy what you want, if you want cleaner images indoors and at night, go for a lower pixel count.

For example the Pentax K5 II with 16MP, that image sensor destroys every Canon and Nikon with the same size sensor. Any Sony or Nikon with 16MP would beat out a Nikon d3200 in low light.

Do more research before you buy.

best of luck.

They have bigger sensors, better quality, less noise, more stable bodies, much faster Af, ability to change lenses, the list goes on :)

The D3200 is an excellent model!

Here's a DSLR Buying Guide - http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/how-to-buy-ds...

Good luck!

You'll get more camera for your money if you buy the D5100...it's offers decent specification that you will use and it gives plenty of room for you to grow into...and it's within your budget.

DSLR cameras have a larger sensor (the thing that captures or records the image) than compact cameras and this helps give much better image quality...the ability to add accessories that are designed for different subjects and environments also makes the DSLR a more versatile and adaptable piece of kit...all these benefits aren't cheap though.

The DSLR has a bigger sensor and has interchangeable lenses. Each is a big deal. Sensor size, the bigger the better, is important because it means that each pixel, remember you have millions of them, can be significantly larger. A larger pixel gathers more light with less noise.

Interchangeable lenses give you lots of flexibility. For openers they are of a higher quality giving you less distortion and better light. Next, some of them have a bigger aperture, which gives you more light, which means you can get better pictures in darker environments.

Don't listen to half of them **** answers, Look the difference is the the sensor size. There are a lot of differences between them but dslr's are far better. If you want to take more pictures than video chose a Nikon dslr but Canon out ways Nikon with its fantastic video.

If you don't know, you aren't ready for a DSLR - and if you think it's interchangeable lenses, you will NEVER be ready for a DSLR.