Advice/Opinions Needed re: P&S or SLR

[annnewjerz]

So...I am due for a new camera. I have been using my Canon SD300 ELPH now for about 5 years and have gotten some surprisingly good pictures, but I am looking to learn more (or try) about techniques for getting better shots and other basics of photography.

I am having a hard time choosing between a point and shoot and an SLR...only because I am intimidated and worried that I will be getting the SLR to learn and take excellent pictures and will end up using it in the exact same way I would a P&S...in auto mode.

Are SLRs easy to get the hang of? I'm not dummy...just wondering if you fiddle around with it and read the manual you will be able to get decent shots, or will I need to take some sort of photography class/tutorial to learn the basics? I am really worried I will buy it and just be overwhelmed, with the manual zoom, etc.

The one I am looking at is the Olympus SP-570UZ 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Optical Dual Image Stabilized Zoom...does anyone have experience with this particular camera? It seems to get decent ratings online but I have NO CLUE what to look for (particularly I would appreciate it if someone could figure out for me whether the ISO is good, because I would like to take lots of pictures of fireworks, sunsets, etc. that may be considered dim lighting). The reason I picked this one is because of the mp, the zoom and the price...$380 with free shipping on Amazon and I already have lots of xD memory cards. I want something basic that will take amazing (comparatively speaking to my Canon) pictures and get me through a couple years...during which I can decide if I want to upgrade to something nicer.

If I don't go with an SLR, I will be getting the Panasonic Lumix which is 9.1MP and has a 10x zoom. I have been pictures with this camera and it looks great as well.

Any suggestions/thoughts on other cameras/etc.????

 

[ukcatfan]

I think you might have some crossed information. The Olympus SP-570UZ is not a DSLR. Neither is the Panasonic Lumix. They both fall into the "bridge" camera category. These are also sometimes called a super zoom. A DSLR will not have a fixed lens and the lenses will give the focal length range instead of a zoom factor. Neither of those cameras will give you the high ISO performance of a DSLR. This page might help you a little. http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

 

[annnewjerz]

I think you might have some crossed information. The Olympus SP-570UZ is not a DSLR. Neither is the Panasonic Lumix. They both fall into the "bridge" camera category. These are also sometimes called a super zoom. A DSLR will not have a fixed lens and the lenses will give the focal length range instead of a zoom factor. Neither of those cameras will give you the high ISO performance of a DSLR. This page might help you a little. http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

I was on Steve's Digicams just reading the review on the Olympus. I knew the Panasonic wasn't a DSLR, I figured it was just a P&S.

Now that that's all cleared up...do you think a "bridge" would be better suited for someone who isn't looking to spend $700+ dollars, but would like to learn more about the manual settings, shutter speed, etc.?? I have been perfectly happy with my pictures in the past, but the more I look around the more I find myself really interested in all of the features a DSLR (or maybe a bridge) would offer.

I'm just SO LOST! Since it'll be my first non-p&s camera, I want to make sure I make the right decision. I want something with good zoom, something that will also be able to take good dim-lighting pictures (those are really just my requirements for Disney)...other than that, around the house I will probably take pictures of the usual, family, friends, dogs, flowers, etc.

I really just want a camera that will be a relatively easy conversion from my p&s and also relatively easy on my DH's wallet.

 

[ukcatfan]

Well, you mention wanting to get good low light shots of things that do not require a high ISO. What those situations need are a tripod. If the subject is stationary, then really any p&s will do as long as you can have some control to set a longer shutter speed. The bridge p&s models are not an advantage over the small regular zoom p&s models for this. You do say that you want some zoom, so that leads me to think you would be better off with one of the bridge p&s ones. To get a DSLR that covers the same focal length range, you will be spending around the $1K mark. I have had two models from the Canon "S" line and was happy with them. I was also interested in the Fuji ones, but went up to a DSLR instead.

 

[annnewjerz]

Well, you mention wanting to get good low light shots of things that do not require a high ISO. What those situations need are a tripod. If the subject is stationary, then really any p&s will do as long as you can have some control to set a longer shutter speed. The bridge p&s models are not an advantage over the small regular zoom p&s models for this. You do say that you want some zoom, so that leads me to think you would be better off with one of the bridge p&s ones. To get a DSLR that covers the same focal length range, you will be spending around the $1K mark. I have had two models from the Canon "S" line and was happy with them. I was also interested in the Fuji ones, but went up to a DSLR instead.

By "some" zoom...I just mean a little better than the 3.0x optical zoom my p&s camera offers right now.

I am looking at Olympus EVold E-510, it got a good review on Steve's Digicams and on Amazon.com it is only $550ish for the camera and two lenses. Any thoughts on this particular model? Anything you think it looks like it would be missing that I mentioned wanting? I think my best bet will just be...buy something and start shooting and figure it out as I go. Worst case scenario...the pictures look just like my p&s camera does, but with a better megapixel, right?

I'm pretty anxious...amazon has 24 months interest free financing with your card going and I know that will be the ticket to convincing DH to let me get it now and play with it before our 09 trip.

 

[ukcatfan]

I personally do not really like the Olympus system of DSLRs, but they would behave the most like what you are used to compared to other brands. There is going to be a larger field of things in the shot in focus (depth of field) compared to the other brands, so it is more difficult to blur a background. A p&s has a very large depth of field, so it would be an easier transition, but ultimately less control of it.

Be aware that the initial investment is never the total. You will end up buying other things like bags, shoulder straps, sensor cleaning kits, more lenses, tripods, RAW software, etc. I think you would be getting out very cheap if you spent an extra $200 over the first year of ownership. Many people end up spending more than the initial camera investment over that time.

 

[ChristusG]

If you are going to use a DSLR on auto, you might as well just purchase a P&S camera for cheaper. It does take time and learning. There's a lot of elements that going into being a good photographer. The camera does not make the photographer....it's the person.

I have been shooting with a Canon Rebel XT (I have a Canon 40D that's arriving to me this week though! Yay!). It can take great photos...if you teach yourself how.

I recently purchased a high end P&S camera to take with me on outings where I do not want to take my DSLR. It is the Sony H50. It is an awesome little camera. Sure, it is not as good as an SLR and will never be.....but you can do some great things with it. It's sharp, has a good zoom, and has manual controls to play around with as well. I highly recommend it.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I decided to buy a dSLR when I signed up to take a photography class that I knew would end up to be a great experience with a good teacher.

I bought a Canon XSi for $782, which includes an extra battery (retails at $75), a camera bag and a UV filter. Also includes the kit lens. I wasn't expecting to spend that much but I've fallen IN LOVE with the camera. It's one of the best purchases I've ever made (and I was also really hesitant to buy a dSLR).

My text book, Complete Digital Photography by Ben Long along with Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson have been very helpful.

Yes, I'm in a class and I think that's helped, but I think between the manual and the texts I could have learned it on my own.

I bought a super zoom camera (the Sony DSC-H5) and got two good years out of it. I loved it when I had it but I almost wish I had taken the plunge and gotten a dSLR. If you invest the time to learn it, it pays off greatly. I my Canon XSi!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You probably need to step back and take time to research more before you make any decisions. Begin to learn what both these types of cameras can do, the pros and cons to each, etc. Then decide what suits your needs the best. It may be that you want to stick with a bridge camera for a while to get your feet wet, which is totally fine, even if that's as far as you ever want to go in photography.

If you decide you want to go further, then you should research all the dSLRs that are available today and the differences between them. Technology is moving pretty fast. Go and hold them in your hands to assess for weight and see if the dials feel intuitive. Consider what it will be like actually having one - it's different than a simple camera, really. You need a bag and quite a few other supplies. Of course, the effort is worth it (eventually ), but there is a lot to carry around (for most people.)

I was in a similar situation not too long ago. I'll list a few threads of mine that you might find helpful, and if you go back over the various pages of the Photog Board, you'll find plenty of other threads by first time buyers and people asking the same type questions. There are also SLR Discussion forums over at dpreview which are very helpful for whatever brand of camera you're considering. There aren't a lot of Olympus users here, but there are lots there. Good luck with your decision.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1743204&referrerid=70088

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1794070&referrerid=70088

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1659521&referrerid=70088

One other - this is the biggest bridge camera thread here (Canon S3 IS, but others are similar):

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1235546&referrerid=70088

 

[bob100]

I went through the same process ($300 budget) and I bought a "super zoom" camera about 6 months ago and been very happy with the purchase. It's great for learning and for good pictures/video and I would still make basically the same choice today but look at the newer models such as Canon SX1 or Panasonic FZ28.
To me looking at the pics on flickr it's amazing what you can do with just a lowly "P&S" camera ! I know a dSLR has better lens, sensor, etc. but like other people have mentioned going beyond the kit lens can get real expensive.