Compact cameras: perfect for portability and general snapping, but can be more advanced too
Digital SLRs: bigger sensors, interchangeable lenses and the pros' favourite
Mirrorless compact system cameras: SLR-sized sensors and interchangeable lenses, but in a smaller, lighter and more novice friendly design
Compact cameras :
This is the biggest group and the one with the widest variety of cameras. Traditionally, these are called 'compact' because they are smaller than the digital SLRs the pros use and mostly you can slide them into a coat or trouser pocket. The sensors are much smaller, though, so while the quality is fine for point-and-shoot snapshots it falls some way short of the quality you get with more advanced cameras.
At the same time, there's been a big growth in 'bridge' cameras with SLR styling and very long zoom ranges. They are indeed a kind of 'bridge' between pocket-sized compacts and powerful SLRs. You can shoot a much wider range of subjects and with more photographic controls.
These bridge cameras won't fit in your pocket, though, and they mostly use sensors the same size as those in regular compact cameras (though there are exceptions). This means you do get more scope and options, but not necessarily more picture quality.
There's also been an increase in the number of high-end compact cameras, sometimes with large sensors or fixed focal length lenses. Designed for experts, these can get close to the quality and control you get from an SLR.
So-called 'compact' cameras aren't always compact and don't always have small sensors, then! But they do have one thing in common - the lens is permanently attached to the camera. When you choose a compact camera you need to pay extra attention to the lens to make sure it covers the zoom range you need.
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