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What is a Digital SLR Camera and a compact digital with overrides?

I'm going to take a basic photography class at the local college and the class requires a SLR or compact digital with overrides. How do I know if my camera has these features. I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2 digital camera that was purchased in 2005. The camera has optical image stabilization, which alleviates camera shake problems. The camera lacks manual control over shutter speed and aperture and has no optical viewfinder. This is all I know about the camera.

Public Comments

1. Your camera then does not qualify. The overides mean that you can control the shutter speed, aperture and ISO. Since you can't it does not meet the standard. I would look at an entry level DSLR like a Canon Rebel XS or XSi or a Nikon D40 or D60. Prices will start at about $500 with a lens.
2. They are looking for cameras that you can control the shutter speed and aperature. This is so you can control certain effects that are important to professional photographers. They want you to control the camera, not the camera to make choices for you. Sounds like yours does not have those features. But many new point and shoots do.
3. "Overrides" means "manual" control and your camera apparently does not provide it. I have a Canon G9 (the G10 is now available) and it allows complete manual control (shutter, aperture, ISO) and has a viewfinder.
4. Most point and shoot cameras, even those with "manual" controls have actually very little control over shooting parameters. For example, only one or two apertures available, and a limited range of ASA settings. Perhaps you can pick up a used older DSLR, say a nikon D70 or D50, and do a little more discovery than an automated P&S will allow. An old DSLR with and old 50 mm manual focus lens might just be my first choice for discovering photography
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