The Battle of The Prosumer Digitals

The Battle of The Prosumer Digitals
Got a grand? A new crop of models brings the all-in-one vs. SLR debate to the digital realm.

(by Mikkel Aaland from PopSci).

Here's the old logic: Digital SLRs--those bulky, expensive cameras with the interchangeable lenses--are for pros and hardcore hobbyists, while the cute little cameras with the built-in lenses (all-in-ones) are reserved for weekend shooters, who willingly trade some image quality for size and convenience.

Well, not anymore. Both Canon and Nikon now offer prosumer-aimed SLR kits (camera body and lens) for about the same price (around $1,000) as some new top-of-the-line 8-megapixel all-in-ones. So now that you have a choice, which one should you choose?

We put six models through controlled studio tests and a battery of everyday shooting situations, including an 8-year-old's birthday party, complete with mock pirate invasion. Both types of cameras captured beautiful images, but that's where the similarities stopped.

TWO DISTINCT BREEDS

Before you can understand what these cameras do and don't do well, you need to understand how they work. SLRs possess a traditional optical system (a mirror and prism) that can work with different lenses to transfer an image to both the viewfinder and the sensor. All-in-ones accomplish the same task u