Huge Camera vs. Small Camera

[TandLMommy28]

I'm bringing three as well.

I'm bringing my Canon Rebel DSLR. It's my third child. I won't bring it every day but I will bring it to certain things, like the Princess Breakfast and MK. I will also be traveling with TWO people who don't ride rides so I will always have someone to leave it with.

We will also use my mom's tiny, but great Canon P&S.

And of course, I have my iPhone and it takes a decent picture in good sunlight. It's great for emailing or Facebook when you want a quick picture.

 

[kldmom2000]

I bring both with me..... The DSLR goes with me most of the time in my awesome Tamrac backpack.... The only exception would be when we're hanging out by the pool-then it's the P&S

 

[winterman]

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

Bill From PA

Makes sense to me.

 

[2Tiggies]

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?

I also have a big camera, but I take a compact one as well.

I use both. After a big camera I find gripping a little one is awkward and although the compact is a fairly good one, it doesn't come close in terms of features and quality. I kept the big one in my backpack and if we were planning on being out all day and there was nothing particularly "don't miss it" in terms of pics, then I used the compact.

After using the compact for around 40% of our shots last year, I know I will use the big one a lot more. If you have used to having it with you then you won't find it cumbersome. I think you may regret it if you leave it behind. You can always leave it in the hotel room if you decide not to lug it around the parks.

 

[MSLRAC]

We took our Nikon D3000 DSLR and I didn't find it that big of a deal to carry around, keep dry, etc. We had a backpack for our kids and I just put the camera and my zoom lens in there every day. I got some great shots that are absolutely priceless and they would not have been possible with a point and shoot so we'll be taking the Nikon when we go back in March.

 

[mjp12831]

I think you're crazy to consider bringing a large camera. Beyond it being bulky and heavy for a July trip, it rains almost every day at some point (can bring small ziplock bag for the small camera) and you have to keep it dry. Then you also need to be concerned about it banging around when you stow it on rides, or getting wet on a semi water ride like Splash Mtn or Kali. The small cams take good enough pictures, or look into Photopass ($99 if you prepurchase before your trip) and let the cast members take the "semi professional" photos.

 

[deerhart]

I got a sony a330 for this trip and picked up a 300mm telephotic lens, so we lugged that around. We also took my regular small digital camera and rarely used it. It takes way to long to snap pictures and my dslr will take pics continuously on some settings.

Last year we barely managed to eek out 1000 pictures during our trip. This year we were somewhere in the 6-10k range I have some shots (especially of shows) where you can flip through the pics and see the action as it occurred.

 

[emtmom]

I always take my DSLR...I've been able to get some incredible pics with it that a P&S wouldn't, esp in places like AK.

 

[Aristocath]

I'm taking both, too. Especially because we will split up some so I can take one camera and my DH or one of my sons can have the other.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

I bring both but sometimes I leave my Rebel Canon at the resort during the day but bring it with me at night. I'm happy to bring both and my husband carry the big camera for me with no problem.

 

[Janell]

I would take both. Then you can decide on the day what you want to carry. If its raining leave the big camera in the room if you don't want to deal with it. And somedays you just don't feel like caring the big one, so you will have the little one.

I also carry my larger camera in the this bag and it works great. Now it wont carry a lot more then just the camera and a few extra small items. But it cuts down on the weight, which means you may carry it more. I know I do.

http://www.caselogic.com/slr_camera...il/index.cfm?modelid=138048&productid=1357932

 

[linzbear]

I split the difference and bought a Panasonic DMC-GF1 micro 4/3 DSLR. Great pictures, no bulk! I mean, it's not quite a pocket camera, but it weighs around 1lb, so not a big deal at all to carry around.

 

[Pixeldust Fairy]

I take both. My big DSLR and my pocket camera. But truthfully it all depends on what your looking for in photos. If you want just a basic remembrance of the day's events, then take only the pocket camera, but if your wanting more artistic and better quality, take the larger one. Its just your choice. The weight of my large camera is not an issue, its a sacrifice Im willing to make for better quality photos. And its really not a big deal to me.

Have fun is the main thing.

 

[breezylabree]

I am bringing both and will leave the big one in the room if it too much to lug around.

 

[CathieArms]

I have a big camera like you've described, and a medium-sized camera. I'm currently looking for a very small one with decent resolution. The last thing I want to do is take a great big camera to the parks and have to carry it around all day. It's heavy! I'll take the camera with me to WDW, but it's not something I'd take to all day at the park. It's something I might take to, say, HDDR or something else...but not to walk around with all day.

 

[mmtska]

I'd say take both too. If you don't use one-oh well, but at least you have the option! I'm taking both on our trip this winter. I have a waterproof bag for the DSLR. The P&S just goes into my pocket-easy.

 

[ratlenhum]

I always bring both!! My Nikon I carry with this strap

http://www.blackrapid.com/product/camera-strap/rs-4/

I have to have my Nikon DSLR camera. My pocket camera is 10 MP and my Nikon is only 6.1 MP but with my lens the Nikon takes seriously nicer shots!! I hate when I look at pictures and think how much better they'd be from my Nikon. That strap really makes a difference. It's worn over the shoulder and across the body like a messenger bag. It has a "stopper" on it that you can adjust anywhere you want. When you let go of your camera, it slides down and will stop where you want it. Probably the best accessory I've bought!

I don't even know it's there but when I need it I just reach down to my soon and there it is. When we go on a ride where we might get wet, or if it starts to rain, I stick it in a gallon zip lock in my backpack.

My little camera goes in my pocket. When we go on wet rides I take a sandwich bag with me. I snap shots with one hand, then quick slip it back into the sandwich bag that is in my other hand.

After Father's Day I won't have to worry anymore. I got my husband a water proof camera!!

 

[dovbniak]

I may be replying a little late but here is what I like to do:

1. Bring both
2. Your bigger camera will be much better for harder shots (e.g. fireworks with a tripod, night time shots etc)
3. Your smaller camera is great for taking "people pictures" very quickly

Lastly, even though you have two cameras, take advantage of PhotoPass (Disney cast members take your pictures with their equipment and you can view them at your resort or any PhotoPass kiosk).

Many times they capture a picture that is very cool. You can decide to buy all or just some of these photos as well.

Also, with the bigger camera I have a very nice backpack type of camera bag. Great for brining into the parks and carrying other things you may need while in the park. If you are early risers, you can store your stuff in lockers (but they go very early!)

 

[Golf4food]

If you care about quality you take the dSLR. If you care about freedom and don't care how good your final pictures turn out you take the P&S (especially in low light). I always have my SLR with me in a camera backpack. You can always rent one of the large park lockers ($12 per day and you get $5 back and can transfer parks if you keep your receipt so you only pay once and can get one at all four parks in one day if you want) and stow your stuff for a while if you just want to walk around without it. I will gladly pay a net of $7 for photos that are priceless rather than missing shots because the P&S is too slow, too small, can't handle low light, etc.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

You're going to get a lot of it depends here!

I can't go to WDW without my dSLR. (I'm a professional photog)

My BFF (who is also a pro) takes her fabulous point 'n shoot.

Out of all the things for our upcoming trip this fall, this is pretty much the ONLY thing we can't agree on. :

I like the control of my camera along with the fast shutter speed because I have young kids.

For her, it's 2 adults on her trip. They'll stand still and wait for the picture to be taken!