DSLR or point and shoot at Disney?

[Lexiesmom]

a bit of background...
I have an DSLR with the kit lens, and I'm working on taking better pictures, but far from what I'd call a "photographer". Love taking picture, especially of my daughter.
I'm going to disney in May with my family, including my 4 year old daughter.
I plan on taking lots of pictures, but also want to use the photopass to get some good ones.

I can't decide if I should take my DSLR, or leave it at home, and just bring a point and shoot.

The mother in me says I should leave it at home so I can focus on my daughter and all that is involved with looking after a 4 year old (ie chasing, consoling, entertaining etc), while not worrying about carrying around a fairly large camera. Maybe it would be easier to just have a point and shoot.
The picture taker in me, says to take the DSLR so that I can get better pictures, of both my daughter and the scenery.

Does anyone else have experience or opinions on this?

thanks so much!

 

[BTSD]

Bring both! Depending on my plans when leaving the room is what decides which I bring along with.

 

[wiigirl]

Bring both! Depending on my plans when leaving the room is what decides which I bring along with.

 

[disneybride96]

This is a photography board, so you will probably get mostly photography answers.

This is the only time your daughter will be 4 at WDW. (What a great age for Disney!) Do you want to remember that through the lens of the camera or by being involved? If you are the least bit uncomfortable with the DSLR, it may take away from you "mom" experience.

The biggest part of taking better pictures is not necessarily the camera, but the photographer. If you have a higher end P&S that takes good images, then I would say take the P&S...enjoy your family, daughter and the experience. There will be plenty of photography vacations.

 

[photo_chick]

No one can answer this question for you. You just have to decide where your priorities are and go with what best fits those. And remember that when it comes to daytime shots any camera can get the job done. It's the night time and dark ride shots that tend to demand more technically.

 

[Skywise]

The point and shoot is fine, especially if you're going to be laden with other baggage.

But if the DSLR is small enough, I'd say bring it and leave it on full auto setting. That will make it act like a point and shoot but with better image quality. You might want to buy a better neck strap to make it easier to carry around (see something like the black rapid strap which I used on my last trip to WDW and was able to just sling it at my side and could turn on, focus and take the shot with just one hand).

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

No one can answer this question for you. You just have to decide where your priorities are and go with what best fits those. And remember that when it comes to daytime shots any camera can get the job done. It's the night time and dark ride shots that tend to demand more technically.

I totally agree with Danielle. You really need to look at the trip and decide how much photography is going to play a role. If its going to be a minor role and you are going to be shooting in good light, then a decent P & S will suffice. If it's going to play a large role, then the DSLR with the supporting equipment to attain what you want to shoot. Whenever I shoot an event, I sit down with my boss and decide what we need to shoot for the goals we are trying to achieve. This develops into my shot list for that event. Since photography plays such a large role in my vacations, I do the same thing for Disney. I create a shot list and haul an inordinate amount of equipment to cover whatever I intend to shoot (which is, normally, everything including dark rides and all types of lowlight shooting). I'm not recommending that for everyone, but point it out as an example of including your photography in your vacation plan and its role.

 

[lhermiston]

Can you take a photography class between now and your trip? If you become more proficient with your DSLR, it may influence your decision-making.

I agree with the others, though. It all comes down to what you want to achieve on your vacation.

 

[Lexiesmom]

Thank you everyone for your input!
All very valid points. I will do more consideration about what will work for us!

 

[wekhogan]

While a P/S does a good job with daylight, posed pics, it's not as good with action, esp with the shutter lag. I'd bring the DSLR - you want good picture memories - as long as you're comfortable carrying it

 

[photo_chick]

While a P/S does a good job with daylight, posed pics, it's not as good with action, esp with the shutter lag. I'd bring the DSLR - you want good picture memories - as long as you're comfortable carrying it

There are some point and shoots have no shutter lag. It really depends on the model. And some DSLR's have a bit of lag, especially if you have a slow focusing lens. While you used to be able to make that kind of generalization across the board technology has come far enough that it just doesn't hold true for all cases anymore.

 

[wekhogan]

There are some point and shoots have no shutter lag. It really depends on the model. And some DSLR's have a bit of lag, especially if you have a slow focusing lens. While you used to be able to make that kind of generalization across the board technology has come far enough that it just doesn't hold true for all cases anymore.

There is no shutter lag in a DSLR simply because of the way it's built. If it is very dark, the lens may have trouble focusing, but that is not "shutter lag." And yes, while P/S have come a long way, only very expensive ones have mostly eliminated lag. That being said, I wouldn't trust a P/S to reliably get the action shots that a DSLR will. Also, in low light situations, a DSLR will usually be better because of the larger size of the pixels. Yes, you can get a P/S with the same MP as a DSLR, but they're teeny tiny MPs and don't work the same.

 

[MAJPLO]

There is no shutter lag in a DSLR simply because of the way it's built. If it is very dark, the lens may have trouble focusing, but that is not "shutter lag." And yes, while P/S have come a long way, only very expensive ones have mostly eliminated lag. That being said, I wouldn't trust a P/S to reliably get the action shots that a DSLR will. Also, in low light situations, a DSLR will usually be better because of the larger size of the pixels. Yes, you can get a P/S with the same MP as a DSLR, but they're teeny tiny MPs and don't work the same.

:

 

[rmattman]

Hi Lexiesmom,

Can you tell us specifically what two cameras you are considering taking to WDW? If we know the specific cameras under consideration, then our advice can be more pointed and we can avoid spiraling downward into an argument regarding generalizations about P&S and DSLRs.

Thanks,

Ron

 

[OKW Lover]

My recommendation is to bring the DSLR for sure. Also have the other one with you for times you don't want to carry the bigger camera.

The reason for bringing the DSLR is that you really need to try taking pictures with it to see what works and what can be improved on. No better place for that than WDW.

 

[sporadic]

IMO, it depends on how comfortable you are with your camera and if you're really maximizing its potential. If you're shooting full auto with a kit lens, I'd just bring a nice point and shoot as you're really not gaining much from using your DSLR. However, if you have nice glass and are comfortable quickly adjusting settings to different lighting situations and shooting in manual, I'd definitely bring the DSLR along with a flash.

 

[hakepb]

There is no shutter lag in a DSLR simply because of the way it's built. If it is very dark, the lens may have trouble focusing, but that is not "shutter lag." And yes, while P/S have come a long way, only very expensive ones have mostly eliminated lag. That being said, I wouldn't trust a P/S to reliably get the action shots that a DSLR will. Also, in low light situations, a DSLR will usually be better because of the larger size of the pixels. Yes, you can get a P/S with the same MP as a DSLR, but they're teeny tiny MPs and don't work the same.

What action shots in WDW? As most moments develop, (even parades) its easy to set focus.
It's not a hockey game or a BMX race that requires a 1D's advanced AF tracking.
The Safari can be a challenge due to the Jeep motion, but I still get more than enough really pleasing keepers to post on Facebook.

You obviously would not want to bring a camera that fustrates you.
(There are times that I will see a potential picture opportunity, but know its not worth attempting with my iphone, but I would try to take that picture with my PnS....I can see some people thinking the same thing with a PnS vs DSLr)

 

[sporadic]

You have plenty of time between now and May to practice with your DSLR. Canon has a cool site with a tutorial and simulator that will help teach the exposure triangle and how to get the most out of your DSLR by getting out of the auto modes, regardless of camera brand. Just google "canon outside of auto" and it'll be your first hit. I can't post links yet due to low post count. Now's the perfect time of year to be honing in your skills!

EDIT: Here's the link - http://www.canonoutsideofauto.ca/

 

[photo_chick]

There is no shutter lag in a DSLR simply because of the way it's built. If it is very dark, the lens may have trouble focusing, but that is not "shutter lag." And yes, while P/S have come a long way, only very expensive ones have mostly eliminated lag. That being said, I wouldn't trust a P/S to reliably get the action shots that a DSLR will. Also, in low light situations, a DSLR will usually be better because of the larger size of the pixels. Yes, you can get a P/S with the same MP as a DSLR, but they're teeny tiny MPs and don't work the same.

OK.. Shutter lag is any delay from when you press the shutter button to when it fires. There are DSLR's with lag (actually ALL of them do if you want to get technical). Film cameras have lag.. we were taking about it long before digital came around. But I'm guessing here you mean only the lag related to CCD sensors.... that is only part of the story.

I have an under $100 p&s with no noticeable lag. My smartphone camera has no noticeable lag. It doesn't have to be an expensive camera to avoid lag.

In the past I would have agreed that if you're shooting dark rides you need a DSLR but these days it's a toss up (I'm specifying dark rides here since that's what people like to shoot at WDW). With some point and shoots boasting f/1.8 on the wide end and some point and shoots outperforming some entry level DSLR's in terms of ISO range and noise you can in fact get the shot with certain point and shoots. Not every camera can get those dark ride shots, but it doesn't necessarily have to be a DSLR with a fast prime.

Pixel size... it's almost an outdated argument in some cases. I'm not saying it doesn't matter but with point and shoot sensors getting larger and crop sensors staying the same along with the advances in technology the gap is getting pretty small.