sell dslr and replace with bridge?

[SC Mouse Fan]

Interesting thread-



That is exactly where I think I'm headed. After a few years of seriously declining interest in lugging around a DSLR I am right at the point of doing a 100% gear selloff and just picking up a G1X, underwater housing, and a Benro Travel Angel and calling it a day.










Okay and maybe a GoPro HD to stick on my kayak and that's it I swear I'd be happy.

I've been thinking of getting a Sony Nex soon. We plan on another trip to wdw in Fall 2013 and I don't look forward to carrying my D90. In spring 2013 I will look what is available. it really bothered me last fall to carrying it around. sometimes I took my Canon S95 but think a Nex will suit me better.

 

[wen-tom]

ooh now i've started to look at the sony NEX and Olympus PEN and I think they would both suit me BUT the cost in comparison to some of the 'bridge' camera's out there is putting me off slightly especially as I know that I couldn't get away with just the kit lens with the PEN and would want at the zoom lens.

I am struggling to see where I would sell my current kit too. I don't want to go down the ebay route as their fee's are too high

None of my local stores buy used equipment either which leaves a private sale!

I don't think I can buy from Costco in the UK

 

[Pea-n-Me]

ooh now i've started to look at the sony NEX and Olympus PEN and I think they would both suit me BUT the cost in comparison to some of the 'bridge' camera's out there is putting me off slightly especially as I know that I couldn't get away with just the kit lens with the PEN and would want at the zoom lens.

Well the key, of course, is going to be where you want your picture quality.

Not to open up the age old debate yet again, but your chances of getting good shots will be better with better equipment, especially in low light. You will still need to put some effort into it no matter what you buy, and even with a mirrorless, you won't get perfection as there are limitations, especially using kit lenses. I think you also need to do some research, find out what each camera you're considering offers, and then hold them in your hand and see which user interface feels most intuitive to you. Nikon also has a mirrorless out now which you may want to take a look at as well. (And there are others.) The thing is, there are some good deals out there on the PENs that are slightly older models, yet still very capable cameras.

 

[Spinning]

What lens do you currently own or use? Would you be happy if you got a more generic lens as your walk around? I love my canon 50 D 18-200 3.5-5.6 I use it all the time. Love it. Gives me the reach I want and can give the candids. Yes it does have some weight behind it but it isn't bad. When I go out and about I usually just grab that and go. Maybe throw a battery in my pocket. Bag stays home or in the trunk etc...

 

[MACUSER]

I in the process of doing the same thing . My last trip to WDW I really got tired of lugging my Canon 60d around. I found I took less pictures this trip than any others. My Choice was to get the Sony Nex-5n. It has the same sensor as the nikon d7000 so i knew I would not sacrifice low light capabilities or picture quality. So now I am debating selling my 60d.. So far the quality of the photos are on par or in some cases better than with my 60d .

 

[cfrith5]

I definitely feel your pain on carrying the camera bag and lenses - I just got back from a week in Disney World, and my camera bag wore me out. An extra ten pound on my back for 12 hours and 8 miles a day adds up to a lot of fatigue.

The one thing I would be sure to investigate before getting a 'bridge' camera is the amount of time between pressing the shutter button and the image being captured. Even though the optics and sensors on the bridge cameras may be decent, I find the shutter lag to usually be unacceptable.

There's no doubt some of the bridge cameras are very good. A lot of them have way better glass than the cheap-o Nikon and Canon kit lenses.

THe shutter lag is why I went from a bridge camera to a DSLR.

 

[wen-tom]

What lens do you currently own or use? Would you be happy if you got a more generic lens as your walk around? I love my canon 50 D 18-200 3.5-5.6 I use it all the time. Love it. Gives me the reach I want and can give the candids. Yes it does have some weight behind it but it isn't bad. When I go out and about I usually just grab that and go. Maybe throw a battery in my pocket. Bag stays home or in the trunk etc...

I have been using the 18-105 kit lens for the majority of the time. I dont usually take anything else out with me due to the weight but many a time I have been stuck not being able to catch something.

This is so useful to get everyones input, thank you all so much