What makes SLR's better quality than point and shoot?

Tom-eg

From a technical point of view. Why are they better quality? What can you do that you can't with a point and shoot?

DotOrg

1 - you can change lenses
2 - you actually see the scene with your eyes through the lens rather than on a screen and when you press the button it is pretty much instant for the picture to be taken
3 - you have better control over shutter speed, iso, aperture which are the three main variables in the 'look' of a photo

CabanSail

Better? In what regard?

ALL cameras have strengths & weaknesses, so the term "Better" is too general to use.

The DSLR is probably the most versatile camera system available & because of interchangability of lenses & so many different accessories are available you can adapt them to many different situations. However if you want a set up that will cover most eventualities then you are going to be weighed down with a LOT of gear.

The Point & Shoot cameras have their advantages too. If you pull out a high end DSLR and start shooting photo's then it can be quite noticable. There are situations where discretion can be an advantage, so a smaller compact camera can be useful. I hear that many Journalists are opting to use cameras like the Canon G9/G10 when in situations where drawing attention to yourself can be dangerous or fatal.

Everything is a compromise, what is the most suitable will therefore vary with the situation.

Fajitas!

Lens quality, control, sensor size... pretty much.

bocha

larger diameter of the lens and larger sensor are the two main reasons. more light captured

Cameraman

The electronics bits may be better as well.

All digital photos are taken in 'Raw' format. In P&S cameras they are internally processed into JPEG format, so you never get the raw version (in most, anyway). In SLR's you often get a choice of using either. The electronics which do this processing may often be better and more controllable in an SLR than in a P&S.

ThOnda

Larger sensor size gives you shallower DoF - more creative use of the camera.
Possibility of changing lens - from kit lens for €30 to lens for €3000.