What are prosumer digital cameras?

Prosumer (falling between consumer- and professional-level) digital cameras are the models that photo buffs and even a few professional photographers favor. The avid photographer is willing to spend a few thousand dollars or more for these cameras in order to get the advanced features.

Pros find prosumer digital cameras useful as backup cameras, even if most aren't quite rugged enough to take the beating that professional equipment is subjected to.

Prosumer cameras feature an electronic or optical through-the-lens viewfinder that lets you evaluate and focus through the same lens used to take the picture. These cameras either have a good quality, fixed zoom lens (in the 8:1 to 10:1 magnification range) or, in some cases, take the same interchangeable lenses that film camera stablemates from the same vendor accept. You can expect a minimum of 5 to 6MP pixels in this category.

All other controls on a prosumer digital match or beat those found on conventional film cameras. You get automatic and manual focus as well as multiple automated exposure modes, plus manual shutter speed and lens opening settings if you want them.

About the only difference between high-priced prosumer digital cameras and professional digital cameras is the speed (professional cameras can usually snap off digital pictures at a 5-pictures-per-second clip; prosumer models might be limited to 2 to 3 pictures per second) and ruggedness.