Do you bring a camera?

[BamaGuy44]

It depends a lot on what you plan to do with those pictures and perhaps how often you go to Disney. If you only want postage stamp sized snap shots to post online somewhere, the typical smartphone will be fine for that and a lot smaller to carry around all day. SLR type cameras will yield better quality/resolution if you plan to print poster size photos of your vacation. If this is a once in a life-time Disney trip compared to your annual visits, also makes a difference in how you might value those photos.

Despite the glitzy Apple TV ads, there isn't any smartphone camera that will suddenly make you a professional photographer if you have limited picture taking experience. Photography is mostly about setting/composition/lighting and those are things you learn with experience. How much time do you want to take away from your park time scouting out those 'perfect' photo opportunities?

I wouldn't recommend buying a new camera shortly before your Disney trip and then trying to figure out how to get the best results during your vacation. At least with digital cameras you can simply delete the bad pictures and don't have the added expense associated with film/developing/printing.

First paragraph, like others I think that's an exaggeration. For normal prints that people do, modern phones are more than fine. People are very rarely blowing up vacation photos to poster size. If they are, they already know what kind of equipment they need for that.

Second paragraph, you're right, no camera will make you a professional, including a "real" camera. Most of us don't have the skill to take advantage of an SLR, so no need to bother with the extra expense and hassle, IMO. For an Alaska cruise or something, I can see where having a good telephoto lens on a SLR would be nice. But for theme park photos? Nah.

 

[BarbLynnM]

I took my Nikon d810 to DW once, lenses and all. Once was enough. It was a newish Christmas gift and while I was without clue as to how to use it (at the time, it was like owning a Lamborghini without knowing how to drive) I had hopes.

Aside from the weight, which I completely underestimated would bother me in Florida's heat, and the hassle of getting everything through security, was the fear of 1) theft if I left it at our Fort campsite even in the locked car and 2) the worry that Florida's humidity would grow mildew in the works if I left it in said car.

Having survived that photographic nightmare, I put aside my Great Expectations and, after a brief foray into Android territory, I realized that my iPhone took pics that I could proudly use for bragging rights at the next family get-together. Also, a little photoshopping works every bit as well as some higher end cameras. With iPhone, I can even shoot in raw which I couldn't do with my old Android.

If I printed my pics, sure, the dedicated camera might take better 8×10s, but unless you plan to sell your work, or to bore friends and family with at the next reunion, a smartphone with a good camera will take pics every bit as good. (Edited to add: and a darn sight cheaper)

 

[DaviVascaino]

It depends if you know how to use a DSLR or mirrorless camera.

Just owning a "fancy" camera does not guarantee your pictures will be any better than taken with the phone.

IN fact, if you have no training in photography, I would recommend just taking the phone. Using the auto mode on a DSLR (depending on the camera/lens) might not yield any better results.

I have a sony 7III with different lenses and I usually don't take with me. too much hassle to carry that around, and I would be afraid to damage my expensive gear during rides, etc..

 

[Sparkly]

Even my mid range Samsung smartphone (Galaxy A71) has a pretty good camera. Good enough for holiday snapshots and sharing online.

 

[BarbLynnM]

It depends if you know how to use a DSLR or mirrorless camera.

Just owning a "fancy" camera does not guarantee your pictures will be any better than taken with the phone.

IN fact, if you have no training in photography, I would recommend just taking the phone. Using the auto mode on a DSLR (depending on the camera/lens) might not yield any better results.

I have a sony 7III with different lenses and I usually don't take with me. too much hassle to carry that around, and I would be afraid to damage my expensive gear during rides, etc..

Agreed. It's been 6 years and it never really clicked with me. The gift was from my sweetie, so it's stayed in the family, but especially for snapshot purposes my smartphone does the trick.

 

[lynnfitz]

I actually just bought a Sony Cybershot camera off of Ebay. It has a 20x zoom which I wanted for some shots of the castle and going to Discovery Cove. My smartphone's camera is ok, but this camera was inexpensive, and very important, it is small. I won't take it everyday, but there are some shots I want to be able to zoom in.

 

[Stratman50th]

OP didn't specifically state bringing to WDW so I'll address other trips as well.
While I want to be honest. I'll say we have been in one of the parks 3 times in the last 5 years, for the most part we haven't been since 2012. Easier to say we no longer go.
That being said, on the 2012 trip I did nothing but go into the parks with most of my SLR gear and take photos. Same with around the resort. (French Quarter). I actually got quite a few really cool shots that I had missed over the years.
As far as other trips, I have all of my SLR gear and try and take as many photos as possible. My wife has a nice point and shoot that does really well, in fact she's had several. We also have the phones for the "I was there" shots. All work fine for what they do, it Just depends on what you are looking to get out of your photography. I wouldn't bring everything on a trip unless the scenery or wildlife was a prime reason for going in the first place.

 

[kitkat4622]

my pixel 6 has a great camera but I still bring my Cannon point and shoot that also takes great photo

 

[tobikaye]

I find that type of trip and plans for the trip determine if I take my DSLR with me on my Disney vacations. On trips that are solo or with someone where the focus is going to be more rides or just shorter. I tend to just rely on my cell phone. On the trips I would take with my sister/parents, I would take my DSLR because I would be doing more down time or events where I would want better close up pictures. Thankfully I took it with me this past May as it was the last trip with my sister before she passed.

I am going to the D23 Expo in September, but solo, so I will just rely on my cell since I do not want to carry my DSLR around the convention and DLR. I am considering buying a decent point/shoot camera that is waterproof and I might take that on the trip if I buy before. That camera buy is for possible water park/beach trips in the future. I have had some good ones in the past from Sony and Pentax that allowed me to have great quality enlarged photos for displaying. Unfortunately, the last one I bought was at least 6 years ago and I do not see the same quality from some of the newer models.

 

[Mts8019]

I found that my phone (iPhone 13 Pro) is the best option; however, with that comes a potential issue that I may run into into the future. My phone is still on the newer side and holds a charge all day. But I wonder if later on down the road, between taking pictures, mobile orders, Genie +, etc. if I will have the issue of the phone not lasting a full day at the park. I guess I will eventually have purchase a portable charger.

But between having to carry water, sunscreen, poncho, first aid supplies (advil, etc.), I don't need the added weight of a camera in my backpack!