Camera Question iPhone or bring DSLR

[mcgrawfan]

You didn't mention who you're travelling with. I was having the same internal discussion of phone vs. camera. But we've got 4 kids I'm thinking we're just going to stick with phones. To me, the camera is going to get in the way. So, unless you're not dealing with small children or you're a 'causal' park visitor, I'd go with the phone. Taking nice photos would be great, but not if you're in charge of youngin's or the type of person who goes from ride to ride.

I am going with my husband, 11 YO daughter and friends (2 adults 2 daughters) We have been to Disney about 13 times, this will be there first trip... I think that is another reason I dont mind leaving it behind. I plan to bring it for maybe some night shots but I think i have decided to leave it back during the day. We are going in July and it will be HOT so not having that to carry around will be nice! No backpack for us we are bare minimum or locker if needed. I dont see why you need to bring a ton of stuff to the park unless you have small children. And then we put it in the stroller

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

We have iPhones, a DSLR, and a Sony RX100. We hardly ever use the DSLR because I also don't like carrying it around. Traditionally, I carry the RX100 in my pocket and use that on vacations. It broke a few months ago, so I only used my phone for awhile.

I will say that the thing I missed the most about my RX100 vs. iPhone was the zoom. Sometimes the kiddos were doing something and I took a pic with my iPhone. Sometimes it's just too hard to see their facial expressions, which to me is my favorite part of vacation pics. So, I bought another RX100 to replace my old one.

Have you considered buying a high quality point and shoot camera? I think it's a great compromise.

 

[lisajl]

I am taking mine. I will use my phone as well. This will be my first time with a really nice camera. I am planning on taking it to Epcot only. I love Epcot and it is a park I can take my time and walk around.

 

[disneyjes]

We use our iPhones but mostly our actual camera. We store it in it's bag in our book bag. We haven't had an issue with it at all. I enjoy having photos from my phone, MM and the actual camera

 

[Pooh2]

I wear my dslr cross-body on a comfy strap. Everytime I leave it behind, I regret it!

 

[xlxo]

DSLR is great when you need to bolt on a more potent external flash.... especially if it's a Nikon.

 

[xlxo]

Please remember to print your photos...

 

[Pookasaurus]

I have always brought my Nikon DSLR with me on our past three trips. I'd bring the smaller camera bag, no extra lenses, and wear cross body and it was fine, but still one more thing to think about. We've always gone with little kiddos so we'd have a stroller and back pack to put it in when needed. This year I am trying to plan a much more simplified trip and am debating leaving it since we'll likely not have a stroller, and I wouldn't mind not having a back pack, either. I have an iphone 6s plus and am pretty impressed with the photos it takes, so I think that will be sufficient. After reading through things though I think I'll at least bring it with me and evaluate my mood each morning as to whether or not I want to bring it into the parks.

 

[tracigator]

I'm bringing my DSLR to use at night or if we go around to the different resorts or Disney Springs. I'm using my iphone and memory maker for the parks during the day. We also have a point and shoot that we usually let our kids be in charge of so they can take pictures from their vantage point and I'll most likely bring that to the parks too. I'm the pack mule of my family so I don't want to lug around my heavy camera and lens/es. FWIW, it's our kids first trip to WDW as well as my DH's so I want to live in the moment with them and not behind a lens like I usually do.

 

[LinderInWonderland]

On our last trip, I took only my Lumia 1020 phone with the 41 megapixel camera and got some lovely shots. I LOVED the camera on that phone. It wasn't speedy, but it took great low light and detailed photos. We used the burst feature on my husband's HTC One X camera, which was great for parades and the safari.

Now I have an iPhone and I am less than thrilled with the picture quality from the regular camera app. I got two great photo apps free through Starbucks - Pro Shot and ReLight. Pro Shot lets me drill down into manual settings for low light and night shooting. ReLight makes the pictures I took look much better. One day I might go so far as to get a camera attachment for the phone, but I think this will get me through the next trip.

 

[ColonialMouse]

If what you want to remember about your trip is the time you spent finding a way to frame that perfect shot, take the DSLR. If you want some nice pictures of your family in front of impressive backgrounds, trust the disney photographers to be standing there with an SLR at the ready, and use the phone for any impromptu shots.

I have a mirrorless, with which a compact lens wouldn't be that much to haul, but personally, I don't want to be bothered lugging more stuff around (the kids have enough). I think the key question is what lets you enjoy your vacation.

Bruce

 

[SugarRush]

The last 4 trips I've left mine at home. But this year I'm going to get a B-Grip. I'll order it in the next row weeks, wear it to work and see how I feel. If I like it then I'll take my 7D. Might be worth looking into.

 

[js]

I dont know what a DSLR is, although Im guessing its a camera, but I dont even take my Point and Shoot any longer and that can fit in my pocket. I just lug my iPhone 6 Plus.

 

[katt789]

When I first started going to the parks, I would just use my Iphone, or my small point & shoot camera, as time went on, I started wanting better pictures, so I would start to play around with the settings on my point & shoot.

The bff & I now don't travel to the parks without a dslr most days! That being said, we're both super into photography, and like to watch a lot of the entertainment, so we use them for most of the day. When we get into meet & greets, we usually just rely on the photopass/a phone camera. I always like the more candid type videos/pictures, and it always ends up a phone is more accessible for that kind of stuff too. However the quality is much better on the DSLR.

Long story short, I'd say take it with you on the trip, take it for at least one day, I suggest an MK day as thats the least intense rides, and just see how much you use it. This past trip, I kept mine crossbody instead of in a bag and I ended up using it a LOT more than normal, and that was super nice. If you find you're not using it or you dont like to lug it around, you can always leave it in the room.

 

[RubyLane88]

I want to take my camera, but honestly, the idea of lugging it around makes me think twice! I'm going with my iphone and my guy will bring a little point and shoot if I find myself really wanting to play photographer for the day (unlikely)! I'll be busy soaking up my Disney World time!

 

[B4DlandOpened]

Take the camera if you have one day that you can devote just to serious photography - and if you have high quality lenses.
Otherwise, most later model phones' cameras rival the quality of professional camera purchased 8 or so years ago.

 

[LuciMarie]

I've had this thought in past, in reality it comes down to where I go.
The last time I brought mine the only park I was glad to have it was Epcot. For Magic Kingdom it was a bit too cumbersome and concerning for rides and everything else.
I've been quite happy with my iPhone in past (you can always invest in Ollo clips or something to add appeal).
The biggest question is, will you want to carry it all the time.
As previous posters have mentioned, bringing it doesn't mean it needs to come into every park with you.

 

[Blackadder337]

For those of you that take your fancy pants cameras that are NOT small enough to go in pockets, what do you do with them when its ride time? Are there any rides that do NOT allow you to have your camera at your side? I have not been to WDW in a LONG time so my ride knowledge is limited.

A friend of mine told me that Universal has many rides where you have to go on with nothing but the clothes on your back, BUT they provide lockers for you to temporarily store your stuff. Are there any scenarios like that at WDW?

Thanks!

 

[mom2rtk]

For those of you that take your fancy pants cameras that are NOT small enough to go in pockets, what do you do with them when its ride time? Are there any rides that do NOT allow you to have your camera at your side? I have not been to WDW in a LONG time so my ride knowledge is limited.

A friend of mine told me that Universal has many rides where you have to go on with nothing but the clothes on your back, BUT they provide lockers for you to temporarily store your stuff. Are there any scenarios like that at WDW?

Thanks!

"fancy pants camera" ......

Mine stays out on almost all rides. I love the challenge of photographing while riding (sans flash of course).

If I don't intend to use it, I have a backpack I put it in at my feet (with my foot through the strap).

Universal is a whole other creature for cameras. Disney allows them on almost all rides. Kali River Rapids comes to mind. I think they have now put lockers near the ride you can use. They used to (maybe still do?) have a spot in the middle of each ride vehicle you could put your things (it would be up to you to have them in a waterproof container of some sort).

 

[pfeifer14]

I'm planning on taking my "big" camera with me to DW but won't use it everyday. I will take it to the park when it's party night or if I know I will be certain park for short time.