Which camera to take

[havoc315]

That being said, there are things that you can do with a DSLR that you can't do with a P&S, but if all you care about is picture quality and not fancy features, there are plenty if P&S cameras that will work well.

My experience is a bit of the opposite. There are many mid-priced P&S cameras that are all about the bells and whistles. Lots of fancy features, like panorama modes, gps tagging, etc. But for strict image quality, you generally can't beat a dSLR. According to the DXOmark analysis, there are only a handful of P&S cameras that can come close to dSLRs.
It's the simple physics of sensor size -- the tiny sensors in P&S can't produce the same image quality of the larger sensors found in dSLRs.

Now, it depends on how challenging the situation is. Still images, in good light -- there are plenty of mid range P&S cameras that can do quite well. But say, capturing images on Disney's Peter Pan ride? Not many P&S cameras can do that.

 

[traylorc]

There are also now even better P&S cameras and plenty of them for the parks, that can rival DSLR quality and are around the $200 mark.

That being said, there are things that you can do with a DSLR that you can't do with a P&S, but if all you care about is picture quality and not fancy features, there are plenty if P&S cameras that will work well.

No disrespect intended...but it has not been my experience that a $200 P&S is going to rival a DSLR in regards to quality. Don't get me wrong, there are some P&S cameras out there they do a great job in perfectly lit situations. But, there are numerous instances where you are not going to have an ideal amount of lighting and that's where the P&S struggle.

It's not so much the "fancy features" that separate a P&S from a DSLR. As Havok mentioned it really comes down the camera's sensor...and most sensors in a$200 P&S are not going to rival a DSLR. In fact, the only P&S that in my opinion really rivals some of dSLRs on the market is the Sony RX100, and that is a $650 camera.

 

[havoc315]

It's not so much the "fancy features" that separate a P&S from a DSLR. As Havok mentioned it really comes down the camera's sensor...and most sensors in a$200 P&S are not going to rival a DSLR. In fact, the only P&S that in my opinion really rivals some of dSLRs on the market is the Sony RX100, and that is a $650 camera.

As a user of the RX100 and of a dSLR, I can agree that the RX100 can rival a dSLR in *some* situations. This is a combination of a decent sensor (better than other P&S cameras, but still inferior to current model dSLRs), and an excellent lens (better than dSLR kit lenses).
Take these factors, and I've gotten some very good low light shots with the RX100, some great landscapes, etc. But even this top of the line, $650 point and shoot, still has some weaknesses compared to a dSLR. (poorer Bokeh, mediocre noise levels, slightly slower focus making a dSLR preferable for action shots).

 

[traylorc]

As a user of the RX100 and of a dSLR, I can agree that the RX100 can rival a dSLR in *some* situations. This is a combination of a decent sensor (better than other P&S cameras, but still inferior to current model dSLRs), and an excellent lens (better than dSLR kit lenses).
Take these factors, and I've gotten some very good low light shots with the RX100, some great landscapes, etc. But even this top of the line, $650 point and shoot, still has some weaknesses compared to a dSLR. (poorer Bokeh, mediocre noise levels, slightly slower focus making a dSLR preferable for action shots).

I have the RX100 as well....and I would agree with you. The RX100 is not going to cause me to leave my two dSLRs at home on a regular basis. But....it does a pretty job for a p&s.

 

[havoc315]

I have the RX100 as well....and I would agree with you. The RX100 is not going to cause me to leave my two dSLRs at home on a regular basis. But....it does a pretty job for a p&s.

With the CZ lens, when I'm looking for a razor sharp image of a still subject within its focal range, I actually sometimes prefer the RX100. But that's partially because I don't have top-grade lenses for my dSLR.

And for the mantra "the best camera is the one you have with you" -- I love the RX100, because I carry it everywhere outside of my employment. So there certainly are times it allows me to leave the dSLR at home.

Really, with improvement in sensor quality, the ability to put bigger sensors in smaller bodies, etc... we are seeing the lines in camera classes really start to get blurred. (Have you seen the Sony RX1?) But at least right now, you pay a premium price for the cameras that can blur those lines.

I suspect with the progress of technology -- Within 3-5 years, dSLR-quality-compacts will be available for under $200. And mid-sized mirrorless cameras will fully match the advantages of dSLRs, at very affordable prices. Really bringing the highest quality photography potential to the masses. (emphasis on potential).