I want to become a better photographer, and so I started in this Forum. But I found out that Composition (can be fixed somewhat with software) is on the last of my agenda, and Av (Aperature) is above that (learning the triangle) - so that I can successfully take daylily clump photos with everything in focus), and I'd love to shoot RAW. 'Subject' is always easy.

But, I have come to the conclusion I can't really successfully learn any of those unless I know how to work my camera. With time constraints through spring/summer/fall, I just haven't found that an option (yet). [It also seems I should try my best to learn to use the tripod now indoors while I have the time.]

So after reading a bunch of the Threads here, I tried to figure out if my camera is DSLR and go from there. It seems I have come to a road block. I read the box it came in, looked at a webpage. [Note: I also tried searching out the meaning of DSLR and EOS and SLR, but I'm not understanding those 100%.)

https://www.usa.canon.com/inte...

So is my camera DSLR? Thanks!

No your camera is not a DSLR. But, that does not mean it is not the best type of camera for you. For a beginner or even a more advanced learner, it is a great camera to learn with.
Here is a series of photo lessons on the web, I thought they were pretty informative. You just have to decide what part of them is at your level and pick up on the rest as you learn more.
https://improvephotography.com...

Thanks Larry @Seedfork for posting! If I could close this thread I would, because I will move on from there; not sure if anyone else would find this thread useful.

Or perhaps if you have time, Larry, you could explain what a DSLR will do that SLR or whatever, will not do? Thanks!

Not a big fan of closing a thread, there are so many people in your exact same position. More opinions over a period of time can add so much more insight to a thread. Opening a topic that is important to you is normally just asking for info that many others are asking already in their own minds, but in many cases were shy to ask for some reason.
I am sure there are many more people out there who over time can contribute a lot to threads like this with some wonderful advice and suggestions. I always feel that almost every question asked on the forums here have many people who can benefit from the discussions.
I have read some really old threads that were reopened and resulted in some new welcome insight on the topic. For a new photographer I don't know of a much more important topic than " getting to know my camera", so many people fail to ever do that.

I think you meant to ask a different question, a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera is just the "new digital" form of camera, compared to the old film type of SLR camera. I think you might have wanted to ask what are the advantages of a DSLR compared to a point and shoot type of camera. Way too many things to cover in a short post, but basically a DSLR will accept interchangeable quality lens that serve many different purposes, it is a camera more suited to more advanced photographers. There are many advantages to such a camera, but it can become extremely expensive also. The point and shoots , are much more for the new amature photograher, cheaper and much lighter without all the weight, bulk, and expense of a DSLR with all the accessories. I use a point and shoot and for my plant photos, and other "amature" photo shooting it is all I need.

Aaahhh . . . now I understand. It's not DSLR versus EOS . . . it's DSLR versus Point-and-Shoot.

And that's exactly what I asked for when making the purchase . . . a Point-and-Shoot so that I could quickly take the photos that I needed.

EOS is just a series of Digital SLR cameras by Canon(Electro-Optical System).
https://www.google.com/search?...

First, I want to say that the link provided in Larry's post number (2) is really helpful, and thanks!!
. . . apologies, I was just playing with a new function I learned on the computer (and while previewing, I see that you have to click on it to increase it's size to notice the (2) in the lower right).

Next, when I originally purchased the camera several years ago, I printed out the manual from online. The manual on 8.5" x 11" paper is over an inch think. (I need to put it into a 3-ring binder.) So I'm being lazy here:

In the box I found this:


What is it used for? (Or does that require great detail.)

Hi I just posted for you over on the other thread, but I can answer this question here-
This is your "Lens Hood".
You screw or pop it on the end of the lens so it sticks out. It shades the lens from light beams coming in from the side, that can cause glare on the lens and mess up your photo sometimes (think about when you can't look out a window at a certain angle because of reflected glare). It also protects the lens a bit. In general, you do want to have it on when taking photos. Often, to keep the camera smaller while keeping it in the bag, you can reverse it and leave it in place backwards so it does not stick out .

Pistil said:Hi I just posted for you over on the other thread,

Thanks Mary @Pistil , but what other thread? I've been busy out there reading from link to link of the link that Larry posted. Actually my brain is really getting tired. I just hope I retain this all when the season comes. I may take a nap.

And I will begin using my lens cover, or whatever it is called, for my outside photos, especially when it's brighter.

Thread-
"Documentation First- then art?