sell dslr and replace with bridge?

[wen-tom]

I have a nikon d90 and I am finding more often that I don't want to have to carry it and its lenses around with me.
I am considering selling it and getting a bridge camera instead.
I am in no way an advanced photographer so I doubt that I would miss much.

any tips/advice would be fab.

 

[photo_chick]

If the DSLR isn't fitting what you need by all means find what does. There is no rule that says you must have a DSLR to make great photographs, no matter how many people want to tell you that is the case. The photographer matters a whole lot more than the camera.


There are some really great advanced/bridge cameras. I don't know your budget, but the Canon G1X is pretty slick. Another consideration is the EVIL or mirrorless cameras. I know a number of photographers who have already ditched their larger DSLR's for a mirrorless.

 

[wen-tom]

I dont think I am good enough a photographer for it to matter which camera I have. I enjoy photography and I wanted to learn but I just don't have the time or the patience and so I feel that the DSLR is a waste!

 

[Spinning]

I had a bridge camera for many, many years. fuji brand. Loved. Still have it. I thought for me it was a great learning tool. I could play with it figure things out and it was simple enough to use. But eventually I knew I needed a DSLR. Which I now own. But I still use my fuji!
I don't know what your finances are but if you were able to purchase a bridge could you still keep your DSLR for at least a little while? You may find down the road you might use it more.
It's funny, I just bought a small nikon point and shoot with 10x zoom. I was on the fence with buying it because I thought what if I love it more than my DSLR? It's so small and can always be with me! LOL! But it will have it's place and might get used in more situations like theme parks!
Good luck!

 

[ukstitch]

Have you tried looking at the Sony Nex cameras?

They have the same size sensor as a non-pro DSLR, yet they're noticeable smaller and lighter.

Somebody in my family is actually doing this at the moment - swapping his Nikon D60 with 70-300 lens that he found too heavy for a Nex C3 with the option of getting the 55-210 lens if he misses the zoom aspect.

 

[meanpc]

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.

 

[wen-tom]

thanks for your input guys.
I know that there are certain things about the D90/DSLR that I will miss but it spends most of its time in its bag because it is too much for me to carry on those little outings where I have 2 dogs in tow aswell!
I really feel the weight of the bag when we are in WDW for 2 weeks and I almost always leave it in the hotel in the evenings as I have had enough of carrying it around all day I must miss so many shots

I am worried about shutter lag though on the bridge cameras

IF i do go for it, i would need the funds from the DSLR to buy the other camera so i can't really keep that one for a while.
We do also have a very basic P&S which tends to be picked up more often because it fits in your pocket!

 

[photo_chick]

Shutter lag isn't what it used to be. I've used some newer advanced point and shoots that have a faster shutter response than my Canon 50D (the 50D is really slow to drop the mirror). But lag is different from camera to camera so if it's a concern for you I'd check out the cameras you're considering in person.

On the weight of the camera bag.... why carry the whole bag? I use a comfy strap (I love my Crumpler Industry Disgrace) and put a pouch on the camera (like a Lenscoat Bodybag). I rarely carry my whole bag when I'm out shooting all day.

 

[meanpc]

Shutter lag isn't what it used to be. I've used some newer advanced point and shoots that have a faster shutter response than my Canon 50D (the 50D is really slow to drop the mirror). But lag is different from camera to camera so if it's a concern for you I'd check out the cameras you're considering in person.

On the weight of the camera bag.... why carry the whole bag? I use a comfy strap (I love my Crumpler Industry Disgrace) and put a pouch on the camera (like a Lenscoat Bodybag). I rarely carry my whole bag when I'm out shooting all day.

Which point and shoots have faster shutter response than your 50D? That's impressive.

 

[Gdad]

Interesting thread-

the Canon G1X is pretty slick.

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.

 

[photo_chick]

Which point and shoots have faster shutter response than your 50D? That's impressive.

The Canon G1X comes to mind. My daughters older Fuji S1000 is also very responsive. But a lot comes from your frame of reference. The 50D is pretty sluggish in comparison to many of the other DSLRs I've played with. My old Rebel XT is much more responsive. It's all relative to what you're used to.

 

[meanpc]

The Canon G1X comes to mind. My daughters older Fuji S1000 is also very responsive. But a lot comes from your frame of reference. The 50D is pretty sluggish in comparison to many of the other DSLRs I've played with. My old Rebel XT is much more responsive. It's all relative to what you're used to.

The frame of reference I was asking about specifically is the 50D, which I have shot with before. So the Canon G1X is faster to capture? That's impressive.

Just looking it up - the camera is around $800. The sensor is only 20% smaller than the sensor in my dSLR. Looks like a very nice camera, if you don't mind the price.

 

[kathyandkids]

Hi, this is my first post. I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents as I am in the same situation, wanting a DSLR, but really needing a bridge. I hae been looking at the Sony HX200V, the Canon SX40HS and the Panasonic FZ150. I am steering toward the Panasonic, but like the idea of the translucent "mirror" for the shutter lag issue. The problem is everywhere you look for the Panasonic, it's out of stock. It's only been out since Nov 2011, so not sure what's up.

 

[photo_chick]

The frame of reference I was asking about specifically is the 50D, which I have shot with before. So the Canon G1X is faster to capture? That's impressive.

How are you defining capture? I'm talking strictly shutter release once focused, not focus time or write time.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I would be concerned about selling off your D90 before you see how you like a different camera.

I've been using my DS's Olympus PEN a lot and I really like it. It came with a retractable 14-54. I have a Canon bridge camera, too, and they're almost the same size unless the 50-150 zoom is on the PEN, and then it's still a lot smaller and lighter than my dSLR. I am happy with the picture quality.

I say give mirrorless a try.

 

[wen-tom]

I don't know anything about mirrorless but I will look into it for sure

I am wondering however whether I want interchangeable lenses as I can rarely afford to buy new lenses for the DSLR and so I wonder if this really makes the decision for me although I do like the look of the Olympus PEN...oh dear.. what to do!

I'm going to call into the local camera store today to see if I can have a play with a few and see what I like the feel of.

I don't often carry the whole bag with all the lenses, I have a smaller bag and take just what I think I will need but just getting the whole kit out with me to WDW is hard work as it takes up pretty much all of my hand luggage allowance

 

[Pugrpooh]

I don't know anything about mirrorless but I will look into it for sure

I am wondering however whether I want interchangeable lenses as I can rarely afford to buy new lenses for the DSLR and so I wonder if this really makes the decision for me although I do like the look of the Olympus PEN...oh dear.. what to do!

I'm going to call into the local camera store today to see if I can have a play with a few and see what I like the feel of.

I don't often carry the whole bag with all the lenses, I have a smaller bag and take just what I think I will need but just getting the whole kit out with me to WDW is hard work as it takes up pretty much all of my hand luggage allowance

Check out cameta.com. They have some good deals on refurbished Pens, some with a 2 lens kit. I have the E-PL2, but they have some good deals on the E-PM1 which is a later model and smaller in size. I believe they also come with a 1-year warranty.

Sometimes you can find one with the 14-150mm lens which is a great walk around lens. The 40-150 lens is often on sale for less than $200 and gets great reviews and is very lightweight.

My whoie kit fits into this small backpack http://www.jill-e.com/collections/classic-collection/baroque-backpack. I have 6 lenses + external flash. I don't carry all the lenses when we're at WDW, but the ones I do carry I wrap in neoprene wraps and carry in one of my purses, usually this one for travel (which I use 90% of the time at home).http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Vera-Bradley-Quilted-Backpack-Awesome-Condition-Purse-/180898021442?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1e5cc042#ht_500wt_1378

In December when we went to WDW I took three of the lenses and flash and only carried the Vera Bradley purse. I could also fit both my Kindle and Kindle Fire in it which took the place of my books, magazines and laptop. I kept feeling I had forgotten something at home!

 

[wen-tom]

Check out cameta.com. They have some good deals on refurbished Pens, some with a 2 lens kit. I have the E-PL2, but they have some good deals on the E-PM1 which is a later model and smaller in size. I believe they also come with a 1-year warranty.

Sometimes you can find one with the 14-150mm lens which is a great walk around lens. The 40-150 lens is often on sale for less than $200 and gets great reviews and is very lightweight.

My whoie kit fits into this small backpack http://www.jill-e.com/collections/classic-collection/baroque-backpack. I have 6 lenses + external flash. I don't carry all the lenses when we're at WDW, but the ones I do carry I wrap in neoprene wraps and carry in one of my purses, usually this one for travel (which I use 90% of the time at home).http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Vera-Bradley-Quilted-Backpack-Awesome-Condition-Purse-/180898021442?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1e5cc042#ht_500wt_1378

In December when we went to WDW I took three of the lenses and flash and only carried the Vera Bradley purse. I could also fit both my Kindle and Kindle Fire in it which took the place of my books, magazines and laptop. I kept feeling I had forgotten something at home!

Thanks for this, thats really helpful and I think that I could manage carrying that around
I guess it now comes down to £/$ (i'm in the UK) as I don't really want to have to shell out a lot for a variety of lenses.

I took a look at cameta.com and there are some pretty good prices there. Unfortunately I'm in the UK so I can't use it.

Off to the store I go to have a play..

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You cannot buy from Costco? They have a good deal on the E-PL2. I would try to get the tele lens that Pug mentioned above. Even though it's an interchangable lens camera, they've made it easier to use than a dSLR. (And it's a lot smaller and lighter, even the lenses.) We have the E-PL1 and there is a Dummies book that goes along with it that has been helpful.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...t=olympus&No=0&Nty=1&Ntx=mode matchallpartial

 

[Pugrpooh]

Thanks for this, thats really helpful and I think that I could manage carrying that around
I guess it now comes down to £/$ (i'm in the UK) as I don't really want to have to shell out a lot for a variety of lenses.

I took a look at cameta.com and there are some pretty good prices there. Unfortunately I'm in the UK so I can't use it.

Off to the store I go to have a play..

Look at this site: http://www.43rumors.com/page/2/

They have deals on refurbed cameras for Europe. I didn't check the prices, but might be worth a look.