Which body to take?

[C&B Young]

We're taking our 1st trip to WDW with a DSLR next month, and are trying to decide between taking our Rebel XS and 50D. For those of you who have lugged a DSLR around WDW for a week, do you think we should go lighter and take the XS? Or is putting up with the extra weight of the 50D worth it for the added features (higher ISO especially)?

 

[RBennett]

I can't stress enough: TAKE THE 50D!! I know that when I carry my DSLR through the park with my lenses and sometimes tripod, it may not always be comfortable. But the difference in pictures that I get because I brought it are extremely noticeable. I wouldn't dream of going anywhere on property without it!!!

 

[VVFF]

I vote 50D. I don't know about you but the "relatively" small weight difference between the 50D and XS isn't enough to keep it at home. That and the ergonomics of the 50D are fantastic IMO.

 

[DebºoºS]

Another vote for 50D
Think about the quality of the pics. Is there a huge difference in the two? Because you'll probably forget about the weight and inconvenience when you shoot some great memories.
Way back in the day I left my SLR outfits home on a few trips bringing instead my Nikon Coolpix or Pentax. We always had a video camera too so it was just uncomfortable. Each time I regretted not having my best camera with me when the pics came back. I still hate lugging my DSLR and lenses around and only in the past few years have I brought a tripod.

 

[MICKEY88]

I would take both,
In February I took both Sony A700s, MY MInolta 7D and my Minolta A2

the A700s both went with me each day into the parks, the other 2 cameras were in the car in the parking lot in case of disaster..

 

[wdwwishes]

Another vote for the 50D. If it's a matter of not being that comfortable with using it yet, just use the auto setting most of the time and play a bit. I still have my Rebel xTi and haven't used it since I got my 50D.

 

[pointandshoot]

I am with Mickey88, TAKE BOTH. Shall I tell you the story of my last Disney trip when my 40D when ERR99 on the first day. Shifted to my second DSLR, a Nikon D200, and kept snapping pictures. Stuff happens.

Chuck

 

[C&B Young]

Thanks for the advice everyone!! We've decided to bring the 50D and deal with the extra weight, and also bring the XS as a backup. We'll have to free up a little space in the carry-on bag, but that's no biggie. Thanks again!

 

[boBQuincy]

But which one do you carry into the parks each day? And what is *really* the difference (if any) in image quality?

Late last year I went from a 30D to a Rebel Xsi (instead of going to a 50D), the difference in weight is noticeable. The difference in image quality is a lot less noticeable, maybe non-existent. The difference in handling is also very small, quite an upgrade from previous Rebels.

For a full day at the parks I vote for the lighter camera, for evenings I might go for the 50D and higher ISO. The deciding factor as always, is "is the equipment holding us back from getting the photos we want?" There is a perception that entry level cameras are not nearly as good as the higher level models and will hold us back. For many reasons the entry level models are not as good but image quality is not one of the reasons anymore. From my experience with an entry level camera there are few advantages to higher level models for most of us. Hey, it leaves more $$$ for lenses!

 

[C&B Young]

Late last year I went from a 30D to a Rebel Xsi (instead of going to a 50D), the difference in weight is noticeable. The difference in image quality is a lot less noticeable, maybe non-existent. The difference in handling is also very small, quite an upgrade from previous Rebels.

For a full day at the parks I vote for the lighter camera, for evenings I might go for the 50D and higher ISO.

This was our thoughts too. From reading up on here about taking photos of dark rides/night shots, it sounds like the higher ISO would be an asset. But for trudging around the parks on a hot day the lighter weight of the Rebel would be more beneficial. Luckily we're there for 8 days, so there'll be plenty of opportunity to go back and get shots that we couldn't get the first time around! Now the question is which tripod to take...

 

[maddmike]

I have an old 6.1 mp rebel. I think its the first digital rebel they Canon sold. It is very light and still takes a decent picture. I leave my 5d, 40d and all my lenes at home because they are so heavy. I take mainly family pics on vacation so they are nothing that I will sell or blow up past an 11x14. The rebel works for me.

If you are wanting to take more than just family photos and are willing to lug around the extra weight then take the better camera.