History

• When Sony unveiled the first digital camera for consumers in 1981, no one could have predicted how much the face of photography would change. It took almost 20 years for digital cameras to catch on, but now most everyone has one.
  
  

Types

• There are two types of cameras, the point-and-shoot and the SLR. Both types come in film or digital varieties.
  
  

Function

• Most people opt for point-and-shoot cameras, which are small and compact. They have automatic functions that make them ideal for taking on trips. SLR stands for "single lens reflex." This refers to how the camera lets light enter it. SLRs are larger and more awkward to lug around, but they take much better pictures than point-and-shoot cameras.
  
  

Features

• Point-and-shoot cameras are easy to carry and simple to use, though they can have some manual functions. But if you want excellent picture quality and professional-looking pictures, an SLR camera is a better choice. SLR cameras give you more control over the look of your image and more options, because you can change lenses.
  
  

Considerations

• Digital cameras are more expensive than film cameras, but they save you money in the long run. A digital camera doesn't need film, and you don't have to spend money on film-processing fees. When you take a picture with a digital camera, you can see the results right away. If you want to change something in the picture, you can do so with photo-editing software.