Huge Camera vs. Small Camera

[JackieLately]

So i own a big camera, not professional or anything but its a few steps away from being one then my mom has her tiny little digital camera we used in 08' on our last trip. My dad insists we bring my camera and leave my moms because mine takes better pictures but I'm really concerned about carrying the big thing around with me and getting on the rides despite the fact that I will have a bag to stick it in. What do you suggest?

 

[DVC-Don]

Small camara. Fits in a pocket, no bag check at Disney security.

 

[mattmommy]

I think it depends on what quality picture you need. DH has a nice big one that takes great pictures, but it's bulky and with the FL rain it gets scary trying to keep it dry and enjoy ourselves.

 

[skiingfast]

I have a freind who was a photographer for a newspaper 10 years ago. She had an awesome camera to use at work. Mine now is almost as good and is tiny. Why would one lug around a big thing when you look back on the pictures and can hardly notice a difference? You can still capture the moment.

 

[PSUGuy]

I suggest that if Dad insists on your huge camera, let him lug it, and its accessories around.

Bill From PA

 

[sissy_42]

I brought my big camera last year. It was a pain in the you know what. Especially in the rain, trying to keep it under the poncho. I went out and brought myself a small water proof digital camera that will fit in my pocket or purse.

 

[jetskigrl]

Why not bring both? Different cameras for different situations. I am actually bringing three. I have a DSLR that I am bringing to take pictures around the resort (the Poly) and on the Wildlife Discovery Tour. I also have two small point and shoot cameras (one waterproof and one not). DH and I will each have one of the small cameras at the parks, in case we go different places, and I will only bring out the bigger camera at the hotel when I really want to capture the better picture as opposed to "the moment."

 

[bdtracey]

Why not bring both? Different cameras for different situations. I am actually bringing three. I have a DSLR that I am bringing to take pictures around the resort (the Poly) and on the Wildlife Discovery Tour. I also have two small point and shoot cameras (one waterproof and one not). DH and I will each have one of the small cameras at the parks, in case we go different places, and I will only bring out the bigger camera at the hotel when I really want to capture the better picture as opposed to "the moment."

Agreed! 10-1 odds say you'll be kicking yourself for leaving it at home. If you leave it in the hotel one day and decided that it's necessary you can either go back and get it or use it on your next day rather than your next trip. The DSLR's (assuming this is your big camera) is far superior to the point-and-shoot in low light situations. It is a pain to truck around but, heck, I have kids and my camera just blends in with the rest of their gear.

 

[JackieLately]

I suggest that if Dad insists on your huge camera, let him lug it, and its accessories around.

Bill From PA

Hahahaha good point!

I like the idea of bringing both. My camera takes really nice pictures but my moms camera did serve us well on our last trip too. Rain can be really scary when it comes to protecting the camera Ohhh how I love the disboards you guys are so helpful

 

[WDWFWfan]

Don't worry about the size, worry about the quality of pictures it produces. Typically smaller cameras produce inferior pictures. They are mostly P&S with small lenses that preform poorly on anything other than the brightest of days.

There are a lot of attributing factors as to why, but that would be a rather lengthy post. Suffice it to say that while size does not always equate quality, there is a reason why professionals carry DSLR's vs. P&S's.

 

[PinkJade]

Last year I brought my dSLR camera. It wasn't that big of a deal. And I got a lot of beautiful pictures. It was a little bit of a pain, had to carry a big backpack with us instead of a small bag. My backpack is waterproof so I wasn't worried about the camera getting wet, but was worried about it being stolen or something happening and it getting broken. I am used to using it where ever we go so it wasn't much of an adjustment or anything.

But all that being said I received a very tiny point and shoot camera for my birthday (hadn't had one in a while and surprised by how small they are now), and will be bringing my small camera with me to Disney World instead of the big one. And now I am worried I will regret not taking the dSLR, the small camera seems to take great pictures, but I won't have as much control.

So long story short, if you didn't get great pictures last time I would bring the big camera, it will be a little bit of a hassle, but if you enjoy photography and having a lot of great pictures of your vacation I think it will be worth it in the long run, even if you have a few moments that you regret it. Or you could bring both cameras and only bring the big one to the parks every other day or trade off when you take a break.

 

[dmccarty]

I take my DSLR into the parks. Usually I just take a 24mm and 50mm lens with it. They fit in a small holster bag that is very small and light. I will take more camera gear depending on what we are doing. Fireworks or AK I take a bigger camera bag and more gear.

I have gotten photos of the kids and family that are priceless.

Later,
Dan

 

[stacyleigh1978]

I take both my DSLR and small point and shoot. The p&s is great for quick photo ops- I keep it in a pocket in the stroller that is easily accessible. It takes great pictures of outdoor things and I also love it because it takes video. I love the DSLR for the indoor entertainment (character meals, the Seas, hotels) and more shaded areas (Camp Minnie-Mickey). It is a pain in the butt carrying around the DSLR, but to me, it is so worth it!

 

[stinie18287]

I had to make the same decision when we went in January. I have a DSLR and decided to bring it to the parks. I purchased a camera bag with a shoulder strap and had no problems with it. I carried a backpack with everything I needed and my boyfriend carried the camera bag. I am SO happy that we have great pictures now! My advice would be to bring both and try the larger camera out on the first day. If it's too much, then bring the smaller camera the rest of the days.. but at least you'll have both to try out!

Also, all of the people near the characters were fine with taking pictures of us and the characters with the DSLR too! No problems there..

 

[gillep]

I agree with those who say to take both. We only brought our new DSLR on our last trip with two different lenses and we absolutly loved taking pictures with it (we took almost 6,000 in 7 days) and they turned out beautifully!!! We are absolutly taking it again on our October trip as the pictures were just fantastic and since it was just DH and I we had tons of time to really enjoy taking a lot of beautiful pictures. We do wish that we had brought one of our smaller point and shoot cameras just because there were times that we needed the DSLR to be secured but still wanted to take picures such as during EE or while in fast moving lines and it would have been great to just whip out a small camera and shoot. We had no problems on rides as I would just loop the strap around my leg and hold the bag with my feet (on rides like space mountain) or in the little bag holders provided like on soarin. I also bought some of the XL zip lock bags to put the entire camera bag in (they also fit our backpack shoes etc.) for rides like splash and Kali river rapids.

 

[slipangle]

if just one, then the small one for sure. i've done it as well and it's just too much trouble to lug around and worry about. the quality of the small digitals (ours anyway) is just fine and with some cropping and editing you will get the shot you want after the fact. if you want a nice portrait done in the park, have it shot and save yourself the trouble.

depending on where you stay, if you want the better set up to do a tripod shot at the resort etc., which is the only reason i bring mine now, then that works great. but for the park... forget it.

 

[DaniB]

Why not bring both? Different cameras for different situations. I am actually bringing three. I have a DSLR that I am bringing to take pictures around the resort (the Poly) and on the Wildlife Discovery Tour. I also have two small point and shoot cameras (one waterproof and one not). DH and I will each have one of the small cameras at the parks, in case we go different places, and I will only bring out the bigger camera at the hotel when I really want to capture the better picture as opposed to "the moment."

That's what we are doing. I have my larger camera (not a DSL) that takes great outdoor shots and has a 10x optical zoom. The zoom is the main reason why I decided to bring it.

My husband has a waterproof camera. And our daughter is bringing her pocket-sized camera.

 

[DISHoppy]

I always bring my Canon XTi with a camera backpack, and the wife brings her point-and-shoot Canon as well. The backpack fits on the rides w/o any issue, but it is a bit tight on Space Mtn.

-Kevin

 

[tndisneyfan]

If you just want snapshots, I would take the smaller one. If you are wanting nicer pictures I would take the big one.

 

[fairestoneofall]

i take both. i carry the DSLR on the days that i want a better camera for whatever reason, and the P&S on the other days. if it's raining, i carry the P&S. i can tell a difference in quality. and i do want the DSLR for certain times.