DSLR or PnS

[collcass]

I posted this in the incorrect forum. Please help me decide.

Not sure where to post this. Camera ?

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Sorry, i couldn't figure out where this question belongs

DSLR or
Point and Shoot

pros/Cons for each one.

I currently have a Canon Powershot S3IS but it needs to be upgraded, desperately. Suffice it to say my poor camera has seen brighter days. It's served me well, but definitely has run its course. Any suggestions? I'm concerned that the DSLR I want might be hard to carry around in WDW

Thanks, so much
Colleen

for the record, I absolutely loved my S3IS. The one and only time I ever took my kids through a drivethru at McDonalds (hard to believe, but true) the soda popped right out of the holder and dumped into my bag which had my camera in it. 2 years later, it still works, but is having some issues.

 

[dburg30]

It really all depends on what you want to do with it. Do you want to get more 'creative' or take pictures in low light situations or in gyms for like basketball games? Or do you just really want something to take pics of birthdays, playing outside etc etc.

If the first part, then i suggest a DSLR if the 2nd, get something similar to what you have now.

You can use a DSLR like a point and shoot, and get good results, but with a little practice you can make amazing pics with a DSLR also, under many more conditions..

Also, there is a cost issue also of course.. Keep that in mind

 

[collcass]

Thanks. I do love taking photo's -- so much more than just birthdays , holidays and vacations. I've wanted a DSLR for a while now...

 

[MarkBarbieri]

P&S Advantages

1. Cheaper
2. Smaller
3. lighter
4. Simpler
5. Ability to record movies
6. No lenses to change
7. Good for macro shooting (closeups of little things).

DSLR Advantages

1. Better image quality
2. Better low light capability
3. Ability to buy specialized lenses
4. Better ability to isolate your subject by having only your subject in focus
5. Easier to manually control when desired
6. No shutter lag

 

[Golf4food]

Thanks. I do love taking photo's -- so much more than just birthdays , holidays and vacations. I've wanted a DSLR for a while now...

If you honestly "love taking photos" then you will never regret moving up to a DSLR. Once you learn how to use it you will never want to go back. Like driving a Daewoo and then upgrading to a Mercedes...

 

[ukcatfan]

I do not normally recommend it, but the Nikon D40 is not much bigger than a p&s and is marketed towards people just like you. I personally use a Pentax K100D and have three lenses. It is not much bigger, but the lenses add some weight. I have a Lowepro backpack and never feel inconvenienced at WDW. In fact, WDW is one of the main reasons I upgraded to a DSLR.

Kevin

 

[dburg30]

If you honestly "love taking photos" then you will never regret moving up to a DSLR. Once you learn how to use it you will never want to go back. Like driving a Daewoo and then upgrading to a Mercedes...

Very true. To the OP: Just remember there will be a learning curve of some sort involved It's a fun learning curve though. It sounds like you are a prime subject for a DSLR upgrade . I use Canon, got a 300d (just the plain ole rebel back then) in late 2004, and just a few weeks ago upgraded to the 40d. I've been very happy with it. As the PP also suggested some other options. I really dont think there are 'bad' DSLR's just ones that will be more popular, probably easier to get accessories for etc.

I chose Canon, just because my dad bought a Canon A1 way back in the early to mid 80's and it was just a work horse. It's just a personal preference to me, and I'm sure the others are great. I think you'll find that a lot in the DSLR users .

 

[pjacobi]

DSLRs and P/S camera are not exclusive!

I own both and use either one depending upon the situation.

How do you actually use your S3IS?

Do you mostly set it on the green box and fire away? Then you will probably want to replace it with a P/S camera, perhaps even the S5IS.

Did you ever use your S3IS in Av, Tv, or manual modes, or spend time reading photography books and magazines? Then you might want to look at a DSLR.

I suggest you replace the S3IS with another P/S camera. Shot with that camera for six months, then decide if you want to complement it with a DSLR.


-Paul

 

[DueyDooDah]

...
DSLR Advantages

1. Better image quality
2. Better low light capability
3. Ability to buy specialized lenses
4. Better ability to isolate your subject by having only your subject in focus
5. Easier to manually control when desired
6. No shutter lag

7. Easy way to dispose of excess income

 

[collcass]

How do you actually use your S3IS?

Do you mostly set it on the green box and fire away? Then you will probably want to replace it with a P/S camera, perhaps even the S5IS.

I did spend quite a bit of time learning the camera and did not rely entirely on auto focus.

Prior to going digital I did have a Minolta SLR. Again, this did have autofocus but I did begin to experiment with the manual settings.

Also, I stand corrected -- my current camera is an S2 not S3IS.

 

[ukcatfan]

I did spend quite a bit of time learning the camera and did not rely entirely on auto focus.

Prior to going digital I did have a Minolta SLR. Again, this did have autofocus but I did begin to experiment with the manual settings.

Also, I stand corrected -- my current camera is an S2 not S3IS.

It sounds like you may be talking about manual exposure instead of focus. Manual focus is much easier on a DSLR IMO though.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

Most entry-level DSLRs are not too big nor heavy - but they are certainly much more so than an S2. Carrying one around is not much of a bother, especially with a proper strap (they all come with junk ones, a nice $20 Op/Tech Pro will make a huge difference). Now, if you start carrying around several lenses, or use a faster higher-end lens as your primary one, the camera can get heavier quickly, but the difference in quality will probably convince you that it's worth it.

You will probably be looking at multiple lenses to get the flexibility of the built-in lens on a long-zoom PnS like the S2. You can get something like the well-reviewed Tamron 18-250mm lens, which'll cover a similar range, but the lens alone will probably cost almost as much as the camera body.

 

[collcass]

It sounds like you may be talking about manual exposure instead of focus. Manual focus is much easier on a DSLR IMO though.

Kevin

I type faster than I think most of the time

 

[collcass]

You will probably be looking at multiple lenses to get the flexibility of the built-in lens on a long-zoom PnS like the S2. You can get something like the well-reviewed Tamron 18-250mm lens, which'll cover a similar range, but the lens alone will probably cost almost as much as the camera body

That's my biggest fear in stepping up to the DSLR. The Canon S2, although an older camera, has a huge zoom. The cost factor to get a lens with that range is far more than what I have available to me.

See, I have a con for every pro. Quality wise, I know I would be completely thrilled with a DSLR but my wallet (actually dh's wallet) would be a lot heavier if I went with a more advanced PnS!!

One last question (or request for opinions)

If I went with a DSLR, is it best for a newbie to begin with something equivalent to a Canon XTi or Nikon D40

For P&S: I am only familiar with the Canon Powershot S series. Are there any other recommended that are comparable?

Thanks so much for all the suggestions, answers and opinions. Colleen

 

[DueyDooDah]

To tell you the truth, if I had it to do all over again, I'd have bought a cheaper body, although I would still have gone with a dSLR. A Rebel Xt would have been just as wonderful as my Canon 30D and I would have had more money for what really matters, the lenses. From my experience, here's the order that you need to follow for great photos, assuming you decide a dSLR is for you:

1) Know what constitutes a good photo and teach your eye to see it. It takes practice (i'm still working on this...) and knowledge (...and attending school for this part) to do this, but it will pay off much more than any technology you can buy.

2) You will own lenses much longer than you will own a camera body, so sound investments in lenses is preferred to a top-of-the-line camera body

3) A camera that will allow you to take the photos you need. Not everyone needs to have a body that can shoot sports photos and very few people outside the professional world can get the best use out of a full sized sensor. Find your nitch (what you like to shoot) and buy accordingly. Speak with a knowlegable salesperson at your local camera shop (not Best Buy or Costco, etc.), tell them your needs and they should be able to point you to the right product for your budget.

Know that many of us on this site are always looking for the next best upgrade, but know also that we are addicts and put our money here instead of other vices available to the general public.

 

[ukcatfan]

The entry level cams should be enough for your needs. Also, as stated before, they are not going to last as long as your lenses anyway. Here are the entry level models off the top of my head. In no particular order (cough), but but I prefer my Pentax K100D.

Pentax K100D Super
Nikon D40
Canon Rebel XT
Olympus E-410
Sony A100

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

The Pentax K100D/Super may be pretty difficult to find... most places are completely sold out and Pentax has all production going to the K200D and K20D, which will be available in the next month or so (should be sooner for the K200D). The downside is that since they'll be brand-new models, they'll be selling close to retail price, which'll be not nearly the great deal than the K100D and K10D have been for the past year or two. You can pre-order the K200D from Beach Camera for the not-too-cheap sum of $800 right now! I'm suspecting the price will drop down a bit fairly quickly.

The D40 and Rebel XT will probably go away soon too, both have had updated versions available for a long time (D40x/XTi) and both have new generation versions that should be released very soon (D60/XSi). But, they are still out there for the moment...

 

[collcass]

I was actually surprised to see the XT & D40 at two different stores the other day. I know both have had newer versions for two years or so.

Thanks for all the info. Hopefully I'll have a new camera in my hands soon!!

 

[SharonLowe]

One last question (or request for opinions)

If I went with a DSLR, is it best for a newbie to begin with something equivalent to a Canon XTi or Nikon D40

For P&S: I am only familiar with the Canon Powershot S series. Are there any other recommended that are comparable?

Thanks so much for all the suggestions, answers and opinions. Colleen

P&S - Look at the Canon G9 - it is an incredible P&S and makes a great compromise between going to a DSLR. I have a Canon 1DsMkII with all its lenses but I still like the convenience of a good P&S (plus love doing little videos with them). I could easily do a trip to WDW with just the G9. It isn't a good wide angle camera but I don't do lots of wide angle stuff anymore (and would use the beast for that work anyway).

With a DSLR, you won't have something you can just throw in your bag and take it with you. You will also have to deal with the issue of sensor dust, which isn't a factor with a P&S. (Sensor Dust - the stuff that gets inside your camera every time you change a lens and causes ugly black marks all over your pretty photos, causing you to purchase an expensive processing program so you can spend hours deleting the ugly black marks plus a sensor cleaning system that costs as much as your best lens )

 

[Groucho]

With a DSLR, you won't have something you can just throw in your bag and take it with you.

To be fair, you're not exactly using a entry-level-sized DSLR. I think today's crop of small DSLRs with small kit lenses can be more easily carried without making too much of an extra burden.