What would you recommend? A dslr or a point and shoot

[princessh]

I am in the market for a new camera. I have been looking at a dslr (the Sony a300 with the kit lens and the sony 75 - 300 lens. I currently have an older point and shoot. I am looking to take pictures of my children's sports games, vacation pictures, everyday pictures of my kids. I also want to learn to take pictures of flowers, group family photos etc...

If I get the dslr, I will be taking a class at the local college to learn how to use it.

My biggest complaint about the point and shoot that I have right now is I can not get a good picture from a distance. Example, my son is playing in the outfiled at a baseball game. From the sideline, I can not get a close enough picture to even tell that it is him. I also love to get close ups of my kids and capture their expressions.

I am really at a loss of what kind of camera to choose. I realy like the live auto mode feature on the Sony a300. I am thinking this mode would be perfect for the everyday kids playing picture. I would like to use the mannual adjustments to take the sporting pictures, scenary pictures, etc.....



So what would you guys recommend????

 

[VVFF]

I am in the market for a new camera. I have been looking at a dslr (the Sony a300 with the kit lens and the sony 75 - 300 lens. I currently have an older point and shoot. I am looking to take pictures of my children's sports games, vacation pictures, everyday pictures of my kids. I also want to learn to take pictures of flowers, group family photos etc...

If I get the dslr, I will be taking a class at the local college to learn how to use it.

My biggest complaint about the point and shoot that I have right now is I can not get a good picture from a distance. Example, my son is playing in the outfiled at a baseball game. From the sideline, I can not get a close enough picture to even tell that it is him. I also love to get close ups of my kids and capture their expressions.

I am really at a loss of what kind of camera to choose. I realy like the live auto mode feature on the Sony a300. I am thinking this mode would be perfect for the everyday kids playing picture. I would like to use the mannual adjustments to take the sporting pictures, scenary pictures, etc.....



So what would you guys recommend????

Have you considered a bridge camera with a large zoom? The ease and size of a P&S with the zoom you said you want.

 

[MICKEY88]

I am in the market for a new camera. I have been looking at a dslr (the Sony a300 with the kit lens and the sony 75 - 300 lens. I currently have an older point and shoot. I am looking to take pictures of my children's sports games, vacation pictures, everyday pictures of my kids. I also want to learn to take pictures of flowers, group family photos etc...

If I get the dslr, I will be taking a class at the local college to learn how to use it.

My biggest complaint about the point and shoot that I have right now is I can not get a good picture from a distance. Example, my son is playing in the outfiled at a baseball game. From the sideline, I can not get a close enough picture to even tell that it is him. I also love to get close ups of my kids and capture their expressions.

I am really at a loss of what kind of camera to choose. I realy like the live auto mode feature on the Sony a300. I am thinking this mode would be perfect for the everyday kids playing picture. I would like to use the mannual adjustments to take the sporting pictures, scenary pictures, etc.....



So what would you guys recommend????

althought the live view is a nice feature for certain situations, you will get consistantly sharper photos using the viewfinder, since it's easier to hold the camera steady that way, as opposed to holding it out in front of you to use the lcd screen

 

[princessh]

Would the Sony H20 or Sony H50 be considered one? We were looking at those as a possibility.

 

[VVFF]

Would the Sony H20 or Sony H50 be considered one? We were looking at those as a possibility.

Yes those are bridge cameras. More manual controls and large zoom if you want to use them...but can also be used in auto mode just like any simply P&S.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It sounds like you would enjoy using a dSLR. The only caveat is just that there is a bit of a learning curve with it. But with your class, a little home study, and practice (and maybe another lens or two, LOL), you'll eventually be able to get the types of shots you want. It might take a little while to get there, but stick with it and you will. Good luck.

 

[boBQuincy]

To me, the difference is like this: the P&S is an electronic thingy that takes photos; the dSLR is a camera that does not need film. This is quite a difference even though the output sometimes appears the same. The feel, handling, operation, and even the way they are used are very different.

I like the SLR.

 

[jrc-elpaso]

I have a Sony DSC-H7 with 15x zoom and I love it. I think what you want to remember is that a camera is only part of taking good pics. The photographer holding it is the key. And sometimes nature, etc. just puts a great photo right in your lap. One of the best shots I got in Vancouver is the skyline of the city reflected in a calm bay. All I had to do was point my camera at it. At one point I thought I wanted a DSLR but my kids talked me out of it. And I'm glad they did. The 15 zoom on my Sony is the equivalent of a 460 mm lens on an SLR - and I don't have to lug around a bunch of lenses. Instead I have a camera that fits in my purse so I can carry it all of the time.

 

[VVFF]

I have a Sony DSC-H7 with 15x zoom and I love it. I think what you want to remember is that a camera is only part of taking good pics. The photographer holding it is the key. And sometimes nature, etc. just puts a great photo right in your lap. One of the best shots I got in Vancouver is the skyline of the city reflected in a calm bay. All I had to do was point my camera at it. At one point I thought I wanted a DSLR but my kids talked me out of it. And I'm glad they did. The 15 zoom on my Sony is the equivalent of a 460 mm lens on an SLR - and I don't have to lug around a bunch of lenses. Instead I have a camera that fits in my purse so I can carry it all of the time.

Unless you're big into wildlife shooting or sports I find little use for a 400+ equivalent lens. You're typically taking a picture so far away that it flattens all depth and gives the image very little impact.

Of course for a family taking pictures of their kid's sports teams it has purpose but as I've gotten better at taking pictures I find I use the longer focal lengths less. The same picture is typically better by walking closer(just my own observation)

 

[revrob]

I have a Sony DSC-H7 with 15x zoom and I love it. I think what you want to remember is that a camera is only part of taking good pics. The photographer holding it is the key. And sometimes nature, etc. just puts a great photo right in your lap. One of the best shots I got in Vancouver is the skyline of the city reflected in a calm bay. All I had to do was point my camera at it. At one point I thought I wanted a DSLR but my kids talked me out of it. And I'm glad they did. The 15 zoom on my Sony is the equivalent of a 460 mm lens on an SLR - and I don't have to lug around a bunch of lenses. Instead I have a camera that fits in my purse so I can carry it all of the time.

While I certainly don't consider myself a photographer (yet, I'm working on it!), I believe that there is really room for both types in my aresenal. If I want a photograph - something that will record a memory for generations to come, I want my dSLR. No question. If I want to make sure that I have a way to snap a quick picture and I want to have something in my purse for a spur of the moment event, I have my P&S. They really both have their place and serve their purpose. I consider my P&S to be a little more disposable than my dSLR, and I don't spend near the amount of time thinking through shots when I'm using it. It really is just pull it out, point & shoot.

 

[shelly3girls]

I have the Sony DSC-HX3 which is a predecessor to the current ultra zoom Sony cameras. I loved it until it stopped working (although I got my money's worth from it). I was thinking of purchasing the H20 or the H50 until I read about the new HX1. I spoke to someone who told me that the HX1 would be great for sports photos of the kids and I love the higher quality video recording. I have not made the jump b/c I cannot get my hands on the HX1. I saw the H50 at Best Buy and really liked it.

I also had a DSLR and I found the zoom lense quite cumbersome. I think the 10x zoom lense (or greater) in the ultra zoom cameras is plenty and I was able to get really nice shots without having to carry the DSLR.

 

[Janell]

I also agree its nice to have a dslr and a p&s. I started out with a p&s and liked it, it worked well. But with one trip to Tokyo Disney where my night photos didn't come out, off to dslr land I went. lol

There is a learning curve, in which Im still in. But the dslr is worth buying and taking classes for.

I would add that taking your laptop or netbook with you on trips while you are still learning. I wish I had when we were at WDW last month. Due to I checked the photos on the screen on the dslr and they looked fine, but when i got home, I found out a lot were blurrie. Oh well its a learning curve.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

I've never heard of anyone that had a DSLR say, "Man I wish I had a good P&S" but I have heard, "I really hope to get a good DSLR soon." Just an observation.

 

[praline3001]

I am rather new to photography but not on taking pictures.

I looked into the DSLR's and there is a real learning curve with them... having a DSLR does NOT mean your going to get great shots That is all in the technique.

As I am just learning on the exposure triangle and composition I felt the DSLR was too much camera for me currently.

I am EXTREMELY happy with the camera I picked out! It's a Canon G10 point and shoot. Its a point and shoot on steroids!
I can shoot in RAW, I can shoot in MF, I can do many things a DSLR camera can do! I can also treat it like a basic point and shoot when I am taking snap shots!
It has the ability to change lens as well so I have a telephoto lens and am planning on getting a wide angle lens soon.

It shoots in 15 (ok 14.7mp) so it gives me plenty of cropping room! It has a great stabilizer as well.

I am sure one day when I am more familiar and have learned more than the basics I will get me a DSLR... but right now the extras would go to waste on me as I just am not sure how to use them all LOL

 

[kaffinito]

I felt exactly the same way you do a few months back. I ended up getting the Nikon D60 with two lenses. Well now I have a lot more than two lenses, am on a few photography forums, and absolutely love my DSLR. I don't regret the learning curve or the practice one little bit.

The best part is that I can finally get those shots I never knew it was possible to get: the good sharp night shots and the super close ups of insects and flowers. I also have a p n s that I carry around in my purse for emergency photo ops, but generally carry my Nikon.

So if you're leaning towards an SLR then lean a little bit more until you fall in.