To camera or not to camera

[YesterDark]

Personally I would not want to bring extra stuff in to the parks with me. But I'm not a photog. My wife and I's phones are pretty decent assuming the lighting is good and we have several frames pictures where the resolution came out pretty good.

If you actually enjoy using the camera and taking great pictures, take it because it brings you joy.

Otherwise, leave it at home and get a memory maker to go with your phone.

 

[DVCMonorailBlue]

I used to bring a DSLR. It got to the point though - that the pictures, while amazing, weren't being taken that often. So I'd carry the camera all day, risk it getting damaged, and end up with 4 family photos and a couple of nice scenic shots. One year, I took a picture and realized it was the same one I already had. Since that day, I haven't brought the DSLR back. Now we bring the GoPro which I absolutely love. I can take decent pictures, but its so easy to take fun videos on rides, makes it a lot more enjoyable.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Personally, I feel that photos are the best trip souvenirs. If your elaborate camera is too much trouble to pack, you could get a simpler one.

 

[DanielleC]

I t depends on if you know how to use the camera. If you do, the camera can do far more than the phone. If not, you are better off with the phone.
Compared to a good camera, the moon is slightly out of focus.

Yes, I noticed that too.

 

[Shellyred8]

We are going to the parks in a few weeks and will be with a 7 and 2 year old. I have a problem taking pictures of everything and on our last cruise with them, I was still able to get some use out of having the camera along for the ride with characters, fireworks, and close interactions. But with none of that in the parks upcoming and having a good camera on my phone, is this the trip that you say leave it at the house and don't even pack it? It is just one more thing that takes up space and with multiple lenses, filters, accessories, it is a hassle. I am leaning toward leaving it at home, but wanted the gurus thoughts.

This trip will definitely be different from your previous trips. You might find that you have a little more time to actually see some things that you don't normally take time to see and you might come up with new ideas for great pictures with your family. So, it could be beneficial to bring it with.

 

[_19disnA]

Depends on how you plan to use the pictures as others mentioned previously. For postage stamp size pictures you post online somewhere, camera phone will be fine. If you plan to make enlargements and want higher quality/better resolution, SLR is the way to go. Not sure why you need a tripod unless you are trying to do some sort of time lapse photography, seems like one accessory to leave at home.

Also depends on how much time you can spend on photography vs. enjoying your family vacation. A lot of time, the best location for great pictures requires planning and visualizing the image you want. That will take time away from what everyone else wants to do.

I am sure the Apple TV commercials that show amazing camera images/videos were done by pro photographers. The camera won't suddenly make an amateur photographer an expert.

 

[soniam]

How many "good" point and shoot cameras can get this shot I got with my phone camera (Samsung Note20)?
View attachment 536395

But please feel free to remain biased against phone cameras.

Phone cameras still have less zoom and less megapixels than many ok cameras, and definitely a lot less than a good camera with lenses. I work on cellphones, and I am into photography (used to develop my own film and prints in the analog era), so I understand the technical specs of both. For most people though, a cellphone is fine. If you are happy with your cellphone pics, then that's all that matters. For others that aren't happy with cellphone pics, then something else is better for them and that's fine too.

 

[gharter]

Phone cameras still have less zoom and less megapixels than many ok cameras, and definitely a lot less than a good camera with lenses. I work on cellphones, and I am into photography (used to develop my own film and prints in the analog era), so I understand the technical specs of both. For most people though, a cellphone is fine. If you are happy with your cellphone pics, then that's all that matters. For others that aren't happy with cellphone pics, then something else is better for them and that's fine too.

The issue isn't really megapixels. Its the quality of the lens, the quality of the sensor among other things. Camera vs a phone, there is no comparison. Most cameras use a real zoom instead of digital zoom which just crops the photo and enlarges the remainder to the original size. Phone cameras have gotten much better over the years and for many (if you don't plan to print or enlarge the photo) are very adequate.

 

[MrsPete]

How many "good" point and shoot cameras can get this shot I got with my phone camera (Samsung Note20)?
View attachment 536395

But please feel free to remain biased against phone cameras.

You're making my point: this picture is nice but nothing to write home about. Cell phone cameras have their place, but their real strength is that they're "always available" -- not that they're top quality.

I t depends on if you know how to use the camera. If you do, the camera can do far more than the phone. If not, you are better off with the phone.
Compared to a good camera, the moon is slightly out of focus.

Yes, knowing how to take a good picture matters tremendously.

I am sure the Apple TV commercials that show amazing camera images/videos were done by pro photographers. The camera won't suddenly make an amateur photographer an expert.

Yes, and add to that: carefully planned models, ideal lighting, a big budget, essentially unlimited attempts at "getting it perfect", and a professional editor. No amateur photographer -- even with a nice SLR camera -- is going to equal those conditions in a typical day at Disney.

 

[k5xs]

I am leaning toward leaving it at home, but wanted the gurus thoughts.

I'm no guru, but I haul my DSLR, lenses, and tripod every time. Aside from collecting better images, I love the hobby of photography, and this feeds it.

@BorderTenny: I agree, phone cameras are very good and as you illustrate, now generally outshoot a point-and-shoot. But here's a moon pic taken with one of my DSLRs. It will be a while before phones can do this:

 

[mom2rtk]

Every time I brought a camera I wound up forgetting I had it with me. My iPhone takes pictures that are just as good.

If they're just as good for your purposes, then definitely stick with the phone. But for anyone who intends to print photos or enlarge photos, the difference is significant.

 

[SaintsManiac]

If they're just as good for your purposes, then definitely stick with the phone. But for anyone who intends to print photos or enlarge photos, the difference is significant.

I use my phone pictures to make calendars for family every year and I’ve never had a quality issue.

 

[bopper]

I would use my phone camera for everyday shots at Disney but bring the SLR on a camera day...decide what that would be...maybe Epcot at night? A day where you might shoot portraits of your family with nice backgrounds? A day where you want to zoom into details?

 

[Klismania]

Compared to a good camera, the moon is slightly out of focus.

Slightly? No. It's completely out of focus.

Like others have said - if you just want photos to post on social media, phone cameras will do. Personally, I find myself having my photos blown up and printed. For that I need my DSLR.

 

[fla4fun]

I always take my DSLR to WDW, but I don’t take it to the parks every day. I take it to AK because it does a better job with the animals. If there are any special events, like when I did the AP preview at SWGE, I take it. But other days, I just use the phone. Before I had a smartphone, I would carry the DSLR some days and a small point and shoot other days. I think it depends on what you are taking photos of, how you plan to use the photos, and how much creative control you want/need to have over your photos.

 

[Sleepyluke]

I'm no guru, but I haul my DSLR, lenses, and tripod every time. Aside from collecting better images, I love the hobby of photography, and this feeds it.

@BorderTenny: I agree, phone cameras are very good and as you illustrate, now generally outshoot a point-and-shoot. But here's a moon pic taken with one of my DSLRs. It will be a while before phones can do this:

I love the photos and there is no comparison between phone and DSLRs, but was thinking more crazy little people prohibiting many worthwhile shots. Since I have not been to Galaxy's Edge, i think the camera is worth it if just for that one day.

 

[DSLRuser]

always a camera!!

 

[Twitterpaited]

As a photography teacher, I spit on camera phones (metaphorically, of course). Consider than your choices aren't limited to cell phone or SLR. My thoughts:

- I'd go with a point-and-shoot -- not a twelve-year old's $59 point-and-shoot, but a GOOD point-and-shoot; personally, I'm a fan of the Canon Power Shot. It's better quality than a cell phone camera, yet it's more portable than an SLR.
- An SLR's real benefits are shutter speed and zoom, which would make sense if you were photographing soccer, but at Disney you're photographing people.
- Whatever camera you take, don't neglect good composition and knowledge of your camera's features. I promise, I can take better pictures with a point-and-shoot than an average person using an SLR's auto-focus.
- I do agree that this isn't the ideal time to get the best pictures -- you know, what with masks and all.

I appreciate you input. I have several trips coming up in the next year and a half, one of which to WDW. I bought a DSLR a few years ago before going to Peru, but I haven’t really used it because it is too bulky to trek around. I am seriously considering selling the DSLR and buying a canon point & shoot instead.

 

[Amunet]

I'm not a fancy photography person, nor do I have a fancy camera but I am bringing the camera on my upcoming trip. I do not have a smart phone but fiancé does, so one smartphone between us. Due to the heavy use of the app for use in the parks currently, I want to save the battery on the phone so it won't drain as fast by using it for the battery draining app AND photos/videos.

So, that's why I am bringing a separate camera

 

[MrsPete]

I appreciate you input. I have several trips coming up in the next year and a half, one of which to WDW. I bought a DSLR a few years ago before going to Peru, but I haven’t really used it because it is too bulky to trek around. I am seriously considering selling the DSLR and buying a canon point & shoot instead.

If you've had the DSLR for a couple years and haven't used it, your plan makes perfect sense. Don't get me wrong; I love-love-love my DSLR, but I also use it regularly -- in fact, I know for sure I'll be using it twice this coming week.