Generally speaking there are three types of digital cameras, that being consumer, “prosumer” and professional.

In layman’s terms you can think of each like this:

• Consumer: Basic
• Prosumer: Advanced (or “mid-grade”)
• Professional: Expert

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Consumer Digital Cameras

With digital cameras that are specifically designed to be basic, almost all functions are automatic or what’s affectionately known as “nannied”. Very few if any features can be manually set.

Instead what you are presented with are “modes” of shooting, such as “Sunset”, “Sport”, “Landscape” and of course “Auto” for all-environment shooting.

The few functions that can be manually set are usually flash and “close” focus (indicated usually by a flower-looking icon).

It is very rare you will ever get manual focus ability on a consumer digital camera as that would be considered “difficult” by the camera manufacturers.
In addition you are only give one built-in camera lens. The lens cannot be switched out for another.

Prosumer Digital Cameras

The next level up from consumer is prosumer. This is a digital camera that is almost identical to consumer, save for the fact there are more features.

In most prosumer cameras you will get some manual focus ability. The reason I say “some” is because the range of focus is still limited because of the integrated camera lens that cannot be switched out on most models. In addition, the manual focus is usually controlled via means of a built-in menu rather than physically turning the lens in traditional fashion.

Most people will get the functionality and desired picture quality from a digital camera classified as prosumer.

When shopping for a prosumer digital camera, most web sites will openly use “prosumer” as the classification for being that “next step” above consumer/basic.

Professional Digital Cameras

All professional digital cameras usually have the following characteristics:

• Full body with removable lens
• Fully adjustable optical manual focus
• All features can be set to manual or automatic

The components of a fully professional digital camera are separated purposely to allow the photographer (you) more options.

The body contains all the inner workings and electronic mechanisms.

The lens is the actual camera lens that attaches to the body.

Other items may be purposely separated such as the flash. You may notice a metal connecting rail on the top of the body for different types of flashes.

Typically, professional digital cameras are not user-friendly by design. They are meant for photographers that want absolute control over every aspect of their photos. While this may sound good at first, pro digital cameras are not “point and shoot” like consumer or prosumer cameras are. Granted, you can set up a pro setup to be “automatic”, but the point of having a fully professional setup is for more control (i.e. to set up things manually). If this is not what you need, consider prosumer before professional.

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