SLR or point & shoot (with a baby)?

[starshine514]

So,I just got a digital SLR this summer. I have a decent (not spectacular) point and shoot camera as well. I'm really tempted to bring my digital SLR for our Halloween party visit (only have that one evening in the park) because I love the way it take photos in low light (much better than my P&S does). However, my SLR is awkward and annoying to have to deal with when holding the baby and I need two hands to control it (the P&S can zoom, focus and take the photo - all with one hand), plus it's something else to lug around.

Who's taken a digital SLR and a baby (she'll be almost 6 months old)? Was it more trouble than it was worth? If you recommend taking it, are there any special cases/straps that help with the dangling (totally don't want to hit my baby in the face with the camera when I pick her up out of the stroller)?

 

[whoever]

You can absolutely one-hand an SLR, and as far as hitting the baby when you pick them up, wear it cross body until you need it. Only time you should be needing to change the settings is if you are going between drastic lighting changes. Just set it to Shutter priority if you don't want to have to touch anything.

 

[rms123]

The Black Rapid strap is worn cross body and can help with the baby pick up.

 

[B-Ride]

Personally I find a point and shoot much more convenient which ultimately leads to more pictures. I carried mine on my hip, pulled it out when the mood struck me and got a great collection of pictures of our trip.

 

[cmpeter]

When the kids were little, my husband and I would trade off...one with the baby and one with the camera. Is that an option?

 

[jory29]

Point and shoot in action/sports mode = excellent pics!

 

[starshine514]

You can absolutely one-hand an SLR, and as far as hitting the baby when you pick them up, wear it cross body until you need it. Only time you should be needing to change the settings is if you are going between drastic lighting changes. Just set it to Shutter priority if you don't want to have to touch anything.

But I'm a zoom fan!

The Black Rapid strap is worn cross body and can help with the baby pick up.

I'll take a look at cross-body and see if that could work for us!

When the kids were little, my husband and I would trade off...one with the baby and one with the camera. Is that an option?

Nope, the two adults going are me and my dad (not that DH would touch my DSLR anyway; I can't get him to touch my P&S). The P&S is about as high-tech as I can get my dad to do.