Do you still bring a Camera?

[moliuchick]

I am wondering if I should still bring a small camera with us in addition to our smart phones. We have two teen boys, they don't care for pictures but I do want some pictures with them. I hate asking people taking pictures using my cell phone because they can either drop my phone or not knowing what they are doing .
Should I just purchase a simple Camera to bring with or should I purchase the "memory maker" ? I know my boys will not wait in line to get pictures with any characters. Last year, I went by myself (sad ) to get a picture with Mickey. Is it worth it ?

 

[minnie mum]

We never travel without a camera. Usually have one each. I think you can buy a simple point and shoot for less than the cost of Memory Maker. But then again, I think the best photos are the ones that are candid or spontaneous.

 

[chipndaleluver]

I would still bring it. I always will bring a camera. I wouldn't want to miss something if my phone decided to just stop working.

 

[Sona99]

Yes. I prefer it to my phone. I have more control with a real camera.

 

[dreiwhit]

Yes. My DSLR takes better pictures than my smart phone.

 

[Nomad70]

We have purchased Memory Maker for our next vacation in December because our daughter and her husband will undoubtedly be wandering the world on thier own and I know they won't take their own pictures, so with the magic band it's all done for them. But, we are also taking our own camera for around the resort and our phones are decent for those candid/spur of the moment pictures everywhere inbetween.

 

[hoffman1]

My husband has a big, expensive DSLR. We find we use it less and less each year. He can get decent quality pics with his smartphone.
And you don't have to worry about lugging around a camera all day.

 

[bsj1701]

most decent cameras still work better than phone cameras. It depends what you will be shooting. If your subject is in daylight, a few feet away a phone will be fine. If you need extensive zoom, good low light performance, and anything else a camera is really built for, then obviously stick with that. I have yet to find the phone camera that can equal a good regular camera in all areas of performance. A Disney trip is very special, I would stick to the camera.

 

[Funfire240]

I didn't last year and I regretted it. My kids wanted to take pictures (5 and 7) and I was worried with them with the phone (even though it is in a case), I was concerned about dropping the phone, etc. I have since bought a small Nikon that is shockproof and waterproof so I don't have to worry as much - with a wrist strap too! This way I won't feel like I'm tied to my phone either - I can just throw it in the bag unless it's needed for fastpass times or something

 

[DisneyHardin]

We take our big camera still. DH takes a million pictures, so he would run down the phone battery in no time.

 

[moliuchick]

any recommendation of a good light easy to operate camera?

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

We have a DSLR (which we rarely use) and a point and shoot camera (Sony RX100). Our RX100 broke last year, so we went on a few vacations without it. The thing I missed the most about my camera was the zoom. When I'm with my kids, I really like having zoom so I can get a closer view of my kids and their faces. Taking pictures of landscape/buildings etc, I think the phone was fine. We bought a new RX100 for our upcoming vacations. It's a great camera, but I probably would not recommend it as a "good, light, easy to operate camera". You might take a look at the Canon Powershot series. Their cameras are good quality and some of the models are extremely small.

 

[dreiwhit]

any recommendation of a good light easy to operate camera?

My old Nikon D40 DSLR really doesn't way that much, and I'm very happy with the pictures it takes. My recommendation would be to take a look at the current entry level DSLRs and check the weights on them. Ken Rockwell's web site has excellent reviews on DSLRs.

My personal preference is a DSLR over a point and shoot. The biggest reason is that, although you can do it, its much harder to get an action shot with a point and shoot camera. A DSLR reminds me of clicking away with my old Pentax K2 35mm.

 

[kaismahma]

My daughter and I went in in September and we had our phones and the memory maker. We got great pics from both. I did however wish I would have brought my DSLR. For my trip coming up soon my plan was to bring by DSLR too but then I decided that I did not want to lug something that big around so I ordered a smaller camera to take with us and if something happens to it I would not be overly upset. Camera phones are great but sometimes you end up getting a very grainy shot or you can't zoom in like you would like to. I would bring a small camera with. You can always leave it in the room in the safe if you change your mind.

 

[kqlehman]

If you plan to share pictures on social media, then keep in mind that you can't do that with a separate camera. A stranger can still drop your camera and will almost definitely not know how to take a decent photo. I'd recommend using your phone for photos and getting a couple family photos. It's only $14.95 for a single photo download online, so I'd suggest getting your family to pose for one decent photo and just buy that. You'll take lots of medium quality candids, but you only need one high-quality family photo.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

If you plan to share pictures on social media, then keep in mind that you can't do that with a separate camera.

Well, a Wi-Fi enabled camera could, although you would have to wait until you get back to your hotel, use your phone as a hotspot, or transfer pictures via WiFi from your camera to your phone while in the park then upload them on your phone.

 

[saycindy]

My phone is pretty good but my husband got amazing photos with our DSLR at the new Fantasy Parade. Was so glad he brought it that day! I don't like handing my phone to strangers all the time. A point and shoot is not very expensive and takes decent photos outside.

 

[JonUK]

I think it depends on how much of an avid photographer you are. If you're a casual photographer like myself, a smartphone will do. If you want to use a tripod, a timer or anything for the purposes of producing beautiful pictures, either use the very latest smartphone and edit the pics, or even BETTER use a DSLR camera for that.

I don't take cameras anymore because it's just something else to carry... and potentially forget somewhere.

 

[kcp1377]

I always take a camera (full frame dslr with a 35mm lens), but only take it to the parks one day. I love the quality of the pictures I take with it, but don't feel the need to lug it around the parks very often. I find I use it around the resort more (at the pool, at the campsite, character meals, etc...) The rest of the time I just use my smartphone. I've always been happy with the quality of my iPhone shots and while I don't post to IG or FB until we get home (for security reasons), it's nice to be able to share them instantly with family via text. I don't worry about anyone dropping it and I've found most of the population knows how to take a picture with a smartphone (certainly any cast member that I might give it to). I also have a P&S, but rarely use it.

 

[scdak]

Our last trip to WDW (Sept 2015) we not only had a smart phone to take pictures to post on Facebook immediately (mainly meals) but 2 other cell phones that could take pictures, 2 DSLR's, 1 Kodak Playsport (still and videos if we wanted) PLUS Memory Maker LOL...........that is a normal trip for us! What can I say, We love to take pictures (although I hate to be in them!) Memory Maker alone had 369 pictures on it before any enhancements that I made to them - and that was accomplished in 2 full days at MK, 1 split day at AK/EP, 4 hours at EP and 2 MNSSHP nights I am sure there are some reading that think we are nuts to take so many pictures or carry so many cameras but we enjoy taking them and seeing them later as a memory of our trip. Could we make do with one camera......sure we could but that would take some of the fun out of our vacation.

BUT to the OP - with 2 teens I think Memory Maker would make sense, its not all about pictures with characters, the ride photos alone which I think would be in your teens scheme of things would be so cool to see, there are crazy magic shots that they might enjoy esp if you don't warn them what will happen LOL, there are many, many photo shots available throughout the various parks that you could convince them to do make their parents happy..........play the "but you will be leaving the nest in _______ years and I want nice photos of you" or "but I am paying for this trip, a few pictures won't kill you" card and guilt them into some pictures!