Type of camera to bring?

[mynamewastaken2]

We are counting down to our very first WDW trip this October! My girls are 7 and and we are all beyond excited.

I have a camera question for you Disney pros...

I'm wondering if it's worth lugging my "fancy" Canon Rebel camera or if I should just bring my 10-year-old digital camera (does fine, but sometimes takes pics that are fuzzy). I'm not sure if I want to lug a big camera around and if it will be safe in our stroller as we cruise the parks?

I know the photo guys are around to take your pics at key places (been to Disneyland so I know the drill), but I honestly wasn't thrilled with their pics. I like taking shots of the simple things, like kids eating a Mickey pancake and whatnot.

Will a big camera just be a pain in my butt all day at the parks? I'm not a big ride goer, so I'm not worried about that, just wondering what most people do? Do you bring a more "point-and-shoot" or go with the big camera?

 

[mm1971]

We are counting down to our very first WDW trip this October! My girls are 7 and and we are all beyond excited.

I have a camera question for you Disney pros...

I'm wondering if it's worth lugging my "fancy" Canon Rebel camera or if I should just bring my 10-year-old digital camera (does fine, but sometimes takes pics that are fuzzy). I'm not sure if I want to lug a big camera around and if it will be safe in our stroller as we cruise the parks?

I know the photo guys are around to take your pics at key places (been to Disneyland so I know the drill), but I honestly wasn't thrilled with their pics. I like taking shots of the simple things, like kids eating a Mickey pancake and whatnot.

Will a big camera just be a pain in my butt all day at the parks? I'm not a big ride goer, so I'm not worried about that, just wondering what most people do? Do you bring a more "point-and-shoot" or go with the big camera?

Speaking from experience. I always bring my Cannon Rebel and have to lug it around everywhere, find places to jam it in on rides and it really is too large and heavy, unless you enjoy taking pictures and that is part of your vacation. We went in August and I honestly only took pictures at the resort. I decided it was too much to carry all the time.

My solution was when I got home I looked into a smaller camera. After all my research, I decided to buy the Nikon 1 V2 for our future trips and events. It is about half the size and has a lot of really nice features. It actually fits in my jacket pocket or a small camera bag (and that's with the removable lenses!). Took it to the field hockey fields for the first time last weekend and it takes better pictures than my Rebel. I know, I love my Canon, but I think the convenience means the Canon is now a stay at home or specific event camera.

For this trip, I would buy a compact camera to take with you since the one you have does not take clear pictures. They are not that expensive and most have very good quality and decent zoom abilities. It will be small enough to carry easily and for the kids to have some fun snapping pics as well.

Just my opinion, good luck deciding and have a great trip.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

I took the DSLR using it for MNSSHP only. The rest of he time it stayed in the room. I purchased a Panasonic Lumix a few years ago when cruising as ds had one about 6 years. It is great, I love it. 16 mp Carl Ziess lens 20 x zoom. Great in low light no flash like the New Little Mermaid.

I have sold more of my scenery photos with that then the DSLR a Sony A33.
Perhaps because I carry it more, to the ocean, Bahamas, and cruising.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

I agree that lugging a big Canon Rebel around is a pain, but we get such better shots with it that sometimes it's worth it. Here is a perfect example. Princess Aurora sat down next to my son. The Canon T2I caught this picture:

I snapped at the same time on my cell phone using a Samsung Galaxy S4 and caught this:

Not only was the picture blurry, but my son was completed missing because he bolted so fast that he was gone before the camera even took the picture.

I find that most of my Canon pictures are awesome while I miss a lot of moments and get blurry pictures with my cell phone. Yes it's bulky and a pain to carry around, but we ditch the bag and just carry the camera around our necks. It's not terrible, and I think the pictures are worth it.

Here's another of my favorites with the bulky Canon from the trip on the Barnstormer, I just don't think I could have caught this with my cell phone camera and this was just taken over my shoulder while careening on the ride:

 

[mm1971]

I agree that lugging a big Canon Rebel around is a pain, but we get such better shots with it that sometimes it's worth it. Here is a perfect example. Princess Aurora sat down next to my son. The Canon T2I caught this picture:

I snapped at the same time on my cell phone using a Samsung Galaxy S4 and caught this:

Not only was the picture blurry, but my son was completed missing because he bolted so fast that he was gone before the camera even took the picture.

I find that most of my Canon pictures are awesome while I miss a lot of moments and get blurry pictures with my cell phone. Yes it's bulky and a pain to carry around, but we ditch the bag and just carry the camera around our necks. It's not terrible, and I think the pictures are worth it.

Here's another of my favorites with the bulky Canon from the trip on the Barnstormer, I just don't think I could have caught this with my cell phone camera and this was just taken over my shoulder while careening on the ride:

After just 2 weeks with my new Nikon 1 V2, I am ready to predict that the day of the bulky SLR are over. It's compact, light and does everything my Cannon Rebel does. The pictures are better and the newer technology is awesome. It's just a matter of time until the SLR is a thing of the past I think. Even sports pics where the target is moving, the Nikon takes perfectly clear images. Very impressed so far. Will still use the Cannon for certain things, but will now be 90% using the Nikon 1. Take a look when you have a minute.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

After just 2 weeks with my new Nikon 1 V2, I am ready to predict that the day of the bulky SLR are over. It's compact, light and does everything my Cannon Rebel does. The pictures are better and the newer technology is awesome. It's just a matter of time until the SLR is a thing of the past I think. Even sports pics where the target is moving, the Nikon takes perfectly clear images. Very impressed so far. Will still use the Cannon for certain things, but will now be 90% using the Nikon 1. Take a look when you have a minute.

I agree, I don't think you necessarily need a dslr, it's just what we happen to have. What you really need it's a camera with a fast reaction time, something that I have not found with my cell phone cameras yet and a few of the smaller point and shoots that I tried and returned. Our dslr is 3 years old now, I'm sure cameras have gotten much better since then. I'll take a look at your Nikon 1 our similar smaller guy someday when we are in the market for a new camera.

 

[wiigirl]

I agree, I don't think you necessarily need a dslr, it's just what we happen to have. What you really need it's a camera with a fast reaction time, something that I have not found with my cell phone cameras yet and a few of the smaller point and shoots that I tried and returned. Our dslr is 3 years old now, I'm sure cameras have gotten much better since then. I'll take a look at your Nikon 1 our similar smaller guy someday when we are in the market for a new camera.

 

[mrssam]

We are counting down to our very first WDW trip this October! My girls are 7 and and we are all beyond excited. I have a camera question for you Disney pros... I'm wondering if it's worth lugging my "fancy" Canon Rebel camera or if I should just bring my 10-year-old digital camera (does fine, but sometimes takes pics that are fuzzy). I'm not sure if I want to lug a big camera around and if it will be safe in our stroller as we cruise the parks? I know the photo guys are around to take your pics at key places (been to Disneyland so I know the drill), but I honestly wasn't thrilled with their pics. I like taking shots of the simple things, like kids eating a Mickey pancake and whatnot. Will a big camera just be a pain in my butt all day at the parks? I'm not a big ride goer, so I'm not worried about that, just wondering what most people do? Do you bring a more "point-and-shoot" or go with the big camera?

DH carries his Nikon in the parks. He has a really cool backpack/sling bag for it. It's effortless to get out and put away and is really nice and comfortable.

I carry a point and shoot, that's newer, but nothing fancy. It fits in my little sling purse and we are good to go. We started carrying both after getting separated a couple times and wishing one or the other had the camera.

 

[wallskm]

We have a DSLR but thought it would be too bulky for the parks. Instead we opted for a nice point and shoot and have been pleased with it. We got a Sony cyber shot DSC-WX150. There's some fun little features to play with as well. I carry it with me to everything now and don't miss the bulky camera at all.

 

[buzznina]

I use to always take our DSLR but really got tired of it getting in the way or bending over and having it bonk my DD in the head Even with it in its over the shoulder case, still had issues of it getting in the way. Bought the Lumix ZS30 and have not looked back since Great shots and a 20x zoom.

 

[pednurse]

When we went as a family in 2007, I still had my film SLR, which I took with us. In 2010, I had my Nikon D90 DSLR, which I took with us & used. When I went on an adult girls only 40th birthday trip, I took the D90 & only used it at Animal Kingdom to get some good animal shots forum daughter back home (who was less than happy with me for not taking her with me lol) & just used my iPhone camera the rest of the trip. Now DD & I are taking a trip by ourselves & I didn't want to lug the D90 around (hubby was the one who did most of the carrying of it on previous trips), so after doing some research I purchased the Nikon Coolpix S9500 (the J series is not small enough to fit in my pocket & is much more expensive). It fits in my pocket, is 18.1mp, 22x optical zoom, & has a wifi feature that will load pictures to my iPhone (I can post them online, email them, etc) & can use the iPhone as a wireless controller for the camera. The only adjustment was getting used to shooting without an optical viewfinder.

 

[kk1disney]

I have a Canon Rebel but find it too bulky to carry on trips. I highly recommend the Pentax Optio w60. It's waterproof to 10 meters so you can take it to the water parks with you and take underwater pictures, it doesn't matter if you get splashed on a ride, or caught in a rainstorm. It is shock resistant so if you drop it or get slammed in ride it will survive. And it is dust resistant too. Very durable and worry free.

 

[ParkHopperFan]

Sorry to say that I am going to disagree with many of the posters who believe that they can get photos from a point and shoot that are of equal quality to a DSLR.

Point and shoot cameras take decent outdoor daylight pics when you have your subjects stationary. What really separates the quality is when you step indoors, have your subject on the move and take photos after sunset. Point and shoot software has algorithms that mimic a SLR but that is the best they can do. You are truly limited to the 8 foot rule when taking a photo indoors or after sunset. Beyond that, you will be dealing with noisy photos.

If you have a DSLR and truly know how to use the settings and how to frame and shoot your subjects, you will achieve superior photos.

Our vacations are a very special time and getting awesome, quality photos is a big deal. One that I won't trust to a point and shoot.

Also, our kids are little and not that cooperative when posing for photos and are always on the move. We can really capitalize on the features a DSLR offers.

I carry a Canon Rebel T3i with a large card. I have no issues with carrying it and it's always ready for top notch photos whether they be indoors or outdoors, day or night. I also take great HD 1080p video with the camera as well.

During our last trip, we did the photopass. I can honestly say that many of my pics turned out better that the ones taken by the Disney Park photographers.

 

[mm1971]

I agree, I don't think you necessarily need a dslr, it's just what we happen to have. What you really need it's a camera with a fast reaction time, something that I have not found with my cell phone cameras yet and a few of the smaller point and shoots that I tried and returned. Our dslr is 3 years old now, I'm sure cameras have gotten much better since then. I'll take a look at your Nikon 1 our similar smaller guy someday when we are in the market for a new camera.

There are others comparable from Sony and Panasonic that I researched as well so when it's time, take a look. I'm sure they'll be even better by then.

DH carries his Nikon in the parks. He has a really cool backpack/sling bag for it. It's effortless to get out and put away and is really nice and comfortable.

I carry a point and shoot, that's newer, but nothing fancy. It fits in my little sling purse and we are good to go. We started carrying both after getting separated a couple times and wishing one or the other had the camera.

Can you post a pic of the bag or do you have a model number? I have been looking for one and haven't found one I like yet.

Sorry to say that I am going to disagree with many of the posters who believe that they can get photos from a point and shoot that are of equal quality to a DSLR.

Point and shoot cameras take decent outdoor daylight pics when you have your subjects stationary. What really separates the quality is when you step indoors, have your subject on the move and take photos after sunset. Point and shoot software has algorithms that mimic a SLR but that is the best they can do. You are truly limited to the 8 foot rule when taking a photo indoors or after sunset. Beyond that, you will be dealing with noisy photos.

If you have a DSLR and truly know how to use the settings and how to frame and shoot your subjects, you will achieve superior photos.

Our vacations are a very special time and getting awesome, quality photos is a big deal. One that I won't trust to a point and shoot.

Also, our kids are little and not that cooperative when posing for photos and are always on the move. We can really capitalize on the features a DSLR offers.

I carry a Canon Rebel T3i with a large card. I have no issues with carrying it and it's always ready for top notch photos whether they be indoors or outdoors, day or night. I also take great HD 1080p video with the camera as well.

During our last trip, we did the photopass. I can honestly say that many of my pics turned out better that the ones taken by the Disney Park photographers.

I full-heartedly agree that a point and shoot does not come close to a DSLR. The Nikon 1 is not a point & shoot camera. I won't go into the details and bore everyone. Google it and take a look. I don't know how old the camera you have is, but my Canon was 6 years old and the Nikon does everything plus and the images blow away my DSLR. I was planning to keep the Canon, but have since changed my mind and given it to my DD. She'll get the chance to learn how to use a good camera and take nice pics while it stays in the family.

 

[RedPanda]

If anyone's looking, I just got a red Nikon 1 J1 at Target on clearance for $200. (White was $280.) Check at your local store's photo desk. I'm hoping this will be easy to use and not too bulky but still give me better pictures than my old pocket-sized P&S. We'll see!