A digital SLR camera will give you more creative control over your photography.

What is it? A digital single lens reflex (D-SLR) camera is a type of digital camera. It is different in several ways to the compact style of digital cameras that many Australians now own.

How so? The most obvious difference is its size. The body of a D-SLR is quite a bit larger than a compact digital camera. It is a similar size to the pre-digital 35mm single lens reflex film cameras.

Another difference is the price. A basic D-SLR starts at around $700, while you can pick up a decent compact digital camera for under $200. However, the gap between entry-level D-SLRs and high-end compacts is rapidly closing, and D-SLRs are growing in popularity.

Are there technical differences? Yes, and these are what account for the higher price.

Every digital camera has inside its body an image sensor. This is the equivalent of film; it converts a physical image into the digital information that is later downloaded to your computer as an image file. In a D-SLR, the image sensor is physically larger than a compact camera's. This can capture more information, which results in cleaner, higher-quality pictures.

In general, D-SLRs also offer better shooting performance. They have no shutter lag, more precise focus, a higher frame rate (the number of shots you can capture per second) and more control over depth of field.

One of the advantages of owning a D-SLR is that you can buy neat accessories for it, such as this remote LCD viewfinder.

Another key technical difference has to do with lenses. Compacts typically have one in-built, non-detachable lens, while a D-SLR accepts a wide range of interchangeable lenses. Similarly, you can buy a variety of neat accessories for a D-SLR that you can't use on a compact.

What are the advantages of a D-SLR?  Because of the factors listed above, a D-SLR camera gives you greater creative control over better quality pictures. No shutter lag means you don't miss crucial moments. And the camera can "grow" with your interest in photography - that is, you can add lenses and accessories as your skills improve.

What are the disadvantages? Compared with compacts, they are bulky, pricey and noisy when shooting. They may also require maintenance - for example, cleaning the image sensor to remove dust spots. However, some manufacturers are now making D-SLRs with an integrated dust-removal system.

So, you keep hearing about this new product or technology, but you don't know what it's all about, or if it's for you. ConnectedWomen is here to help! In this edition, we ask: Is it time to get a Home theatre projector?  ... Read More

So, you keep hearing about this new product or technology, but you don't know what it's all about, or if it's for you. ConnectedWomen is here to help! In this edition, we ask: Is it time to get a LED television?
 ... Read More

So, you keep hearing about this new product or technology, but you don't know what it's all about, or if it's for you. ConnectedWomen is here to help! In this edition, we ask: Is it time to get a set of noise-cancelling headphones?
 ... Read More

So, you keep hearing about this new product or technology, but you don't know what it's all about, or if it's for you. ConnectedWomen is here to help! In this edition, we ask: Is it time to get a MusicStation?
 ... Read More

So, you keep hearing about this new product or technology, but you don't know what it's all about, or if it's for you. ConnectedWomen is here to help! In this edition, we ask: Is it time to get a TiVo?
 ... Read More

So, you keep hearing about this new product or technology, but you don't know what it's all about, or if it's for you. ConnectedWomen is here to help! In this edition, we ask: Is it time to get a A multi-function MP3 player? ... Read More

So, you keep hearing about this new product or technology, but you don't know what it's all about, or if it's for you. ConnectedWomen is here to help! In this edition, we ask: Is it time to get a Blu-ray Disc player?
 ... Read More

So, you keep hearing about this new product or technology, but you don't know what it's all about, or if it's for you. ConnectedWomen is here to help! In this edition, we ask: Is it time to get a LensPen?
 ... Read More

So, you keep hearing about this new product or technology, but you don't know what it's all about, or if it's for you. ConnectedWomen is here to help! In this edition, we ask: Is it time to get a set of volume-lock headphones?  ... Read More

So, you keep hearing about this new product or technology, but you don't know what it's all about, or if it's for you. ConnectedWomen is here to help! In this edition, we ask: Is it time to get a USB modem?  ... Read More

So, you keep hearing about this new product or technology, but you don't know what it's all about, or if it's for you. ConnectedWomen is here to help! In this edition, we ask: Is it time to get a portable hard drive?  ... Read More

So, you keep hearing about this new product or technology, but you don't know what it's all about, or if it's for you. ConnectedWomen is here to help! In this edition, we ask: Is it time to get a camera with face detection?
 ... Read More

So, you keep hearing about this new product or technology, but you don't know what it's all about, or if it's for you. ConnectedWomen is here to help! In this edition, we ask: Is it time to get a Cent-a-Meter?
 ... Read More

So, you keep hearing about this new product or technology, but you don't know what it's all about, or if it's for you. ConnectedWomen is here to help. In this edition, we ask: Is it time to get a Wii Fit?
 ... Read More

What is it? This is a kit that allows you to take command of a power point with a remote control, rather than having to physically switch it on and off. ... Read More

What is it? A digital set-top box (STB) is a device that allows you to receive and watch digital television on a TV that does not have an integrated digital tuner. As the name suggests, it usually sits on top of your TV – but that’s not mandatory. You can actually place it anywhere that accommodates the required cabling. ... Read More

What is it? As the name suggests, an ultra-mobile personal computer – or UMPC for short – is an itty-bitty notebook computer. The term UMPC originally referred to a specific Microsoft project back in 2006, but has now become the generic name for a particular category of pint-sized mobile computer. ... Read More

What does “Full HD” mean? The picture served up on a television’s screen is described by manufacturers as either “standard”, “high” or “full high” definition. ... Read More

What is it? DSL, or a "digital subscriber line", is a common method by which consumers can receive a broadband (or fast) Internet service. ... Read More

What is it? A digital single lens reflex (D-SLR) camera is a type of digital camera. It is different in several ways to the compact style of digital cameras that many Australians now own. ... Read More

Why would I buy a front-loading washing machine? For consumers, a front-loader's main point of appeal is that is considered to be far more environmentally friendly than conventional top-loading washing machines. Clean clothes, clean world. ... Read More

What is a wireless router? It's a device that allows you to run all the computers in your home off one broadband Internet connection. It achieves this by establishing a wireless connection between your modem and the computers, provided they have a wireless card to "talk" with the router.  ... Read More

What is a "VoIP" service? A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone service allows you to make and receive telephone calls using a broadband (fast) Internet connection instead of your regular telephone line.  ... Read More