Digital cameras: Should I go with digital compact or a digital SLR camera?
- 4/10/09 2:35 PM
Re: Feather weight vs Heavy weight
by JLovell99 - 4/2/09 3:08 AM In reply to: Feather weight vs Heavy weight by hjfokSomething I didn't mention: Especially when traveling in Europe, my wife and I try very hard to *not* look like tourists. We tend to rent a local apartment and really get into the local lifestyle. Lugging a camera bag around immediately labels you. And I would much rather use my black pocket rocket (in silent mode) to discretely capture a memory in a place where photos are discouraged.
I agree that a PS camera can be limiting, but I use a "prosumer" pocket camera, not a PS. My S70 has all the "tweaks" you can find on a D-SLR except the ability to change lenses, including a fully manual mode. Is twisting an f-stop dial and a shutter speed dial more direct? Yes, a little, but I can find these same controls with the click of a menu button.
I'd be interested to know which D-SLR you own.
Travel photos
by hjfok - 4/3/09 1:11 AM In reply to: Re: Feather weight vs Heavy weight by JLovell99Sounds like you are an expert traveler, being able to blend with the locals in a foreign country. I certainly agree that traveling is often tricky. But usually it does not take a large camera bag or D-SLR to make the locals suspect I'm a tourist. I simply look, dress, act and talk differently than the locals. So I usually do not try to pretend I'm a local even when my outward appearance may be similar to the locals. However, a large D-SLR camera can be intimidating to the locals, who may not react in their normal ways when they see a large lens pointing towards them. When I travel, I like to enjoy not just the scenaries and the touristic sights, but also like to learn the local culture and taste the regional culinary flavors, using my different senses to experience the new place. I usually like to hire a private tour or join a small group tour, using the local guide to interact with the locals and get some more unique and genuine experience and photos. There is a lot of things photos and videos cannot capture, but they can usually trigger the memories of our experience there. I tend to use the camera and lens to study subject of interest, whether it is for academics or for leisure, and try to capture something out of the ordinary. Back in the old days when I was a student, I used the Nikon film SLRs to publish my research, and a Minolta SLR for occasional personal use. Then I switched to the Canon APS cameras and the small PS digital cameras for quite a while, mostly for convenience. After my son learned how to walk, I became increasingly frustrated with the compacts, and decided to change to a Canon 30D D-SLR, with a EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS and EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lenses. This combo has served me very well. I recently bought the Canon 5D Mark II with EF 24-105mm f/4L IS for taking scuba diving photos, mostly for its much improved ISO performance, LCD live view and HD video capability, but unfortunately the Ikelite custom UW case got damaged and flooded the camera on its first use earlier this year. So I'm back to my good old Canon 30D.
Travel Photos
by JLovell99 - 4/3/09 1:52 AM In reply to: Travel photos by hjfokGranted, it's tough to look like a "local" in places like Marrakech and Delhi! When in Europe, I eschew fanny packs, sneakers, and shirts with writing on them. I got stopped by a tourist on the street in Paris recently asking (in bad French) if I could help give directions. The person looked amazed when I responded that I could help in English. I've also been asked directions from French locals. Ditto Italy and Spain.
That's bad news about your 5D! I hope it was insured. I'm still happy with my choice of a pocket "prosumer" camera 94% of the time. If I were looking to professionally publish what I take, I would bite the bullet and get a D-SLR. As I said in my original post, it all depends on what you need and want.
Damaged camera
by hjfok - 4/3/09 2:19 AM In reply to: Travel Photos by JLovell99Yeah, that was disappointing. Unfortunately that is several grands went down the drain along with last few years' investments. That is another disadvantage of spending more on equipment, you can end up losing more when the equipment went bust. I have not done research publications for a while. I'm using the D-SLR for family and travel fun photos. I absolutely agree with your comment on "it all depends on what you need and want."
I always admire people who are truly multi-lingual. I can only manage 2 language adequately, and basically have no talents in language at all.
Choice of cameras
by hjfok - 4/3/09 1:56 AM In reply to: Re: Feather weight vs Heavy weight by JLovell99Obviously everyone has different needs and preference of camera choice. I'm sure you are very knowledgeable about SLRs, prosumers and compacts. Each type of camera has its place and use, its strength and weakness. Prosumer camera fits your travel and photography needs, and that is great. I met a famous nature photographer last year and he prides his shots with a large format camera and emphasize that he does not alter his shots in any ways or forms. I also met a fashion photographer who cannot imagine himself using anything less than a Hasselblad or Mamiya. On the other hand, it is hard to imagine James Bond will survive one day as a spy carrying a D-SLR around. My point is that it is not the camera that determines the type of photography one can do, but rather the photographer's need determines which type of camera is needed to accomplish the task. Obviously the original person who posts the question needs to examine what type of photography she desires to do, and also needs to understand the capabilities and limitations of the different types of camera to make the perfect choice. The perfect choice is not always a D-SLR. D-SLR is only one of many types of cameras. Then one has to consider the budget, and make compromises if the need exceeds the budget. Sometimes our own personalities and physical abilities to carry the equipment also play a role in determining what type of camera one will end up getting. The obsessive compulsive and perfectionists will tend to go for the higher end equipment, but one has to balance how much physical strain one is willing to endure to trade for quality.
digital compact
by joanrowe - 3/31/09 7:00 PM In reply to: Should I go with digital compact or a digital SLR camera? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My HP digital camera recently died and I've just bought a new one. I went with the Panasonic DMC-FZ28 and I really like it. It's not an SLR, but it has an 18X optical zoom, and 10 megapixal resolution. The lens is made by Leica, so it's a good lens. I take a lot of macro shots, and this lens allows me to either put it on wide angle and get as close as 1cm to the subject, or put it on full zoom and stand back 6 ft (good for bees). Both options give the same photo, or you can set it anywhere in between the two. The zoom is phenominal though and I've been able to take some great bird shots without even getting close to the birds. There's also digital zoom on top of the 18X optical but I have that turned off, and just edit the photos if I want to zoom in further. Also, if you have the focus locked, then the actual time to take the photo is quick enough that I captured a bald eagle taking flight. I will say that I didn't find the user manual to be easy to understand, but now I'm at the point where I have a lot of it figured out and just have to look up the occasional 'how to'. On full zoom there is some shake, but I've taken a number of shots that are sharp. Others would have been better with a tripod, but that is true whether you have a compact or an SLR. It's the lens quality that makes the difference, and it was the Leica name that sold me on the Panasonic.
After investigating, here is my choice
by dueserdo - 4/4/09 5:53 PM In reply to: Should I go with digital compact or a digital SLR camera? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Just returned from Barns and Noble after checking to verify that the camera I purchased was the best I could aford and it is. The Panasonic Lumix FZ-28 with macro and 18X zoom. Perfect for the advanced amature and for vacation travel. Cost was 399 but can be had for as little as 329.
Your choice...
by JLovell99 - 4/4/09 10:22 PM In reply to: After investigating, here is my choice by dueserdo.. is excellent. Abe's of Maine has it for $288 - free shipping.
Enjoy!
Your final choice
by WAArnold - 4/5/09 11:08 AM In reply to: After investigating, here is my choice by dueserdoAlthough I would still recommend the SLR, your choice is an excellent one. Panasonic has come a long way since the FZ1 that I first bought and that one is still around and does well for a beginner.
Compact Digital or Digital SLR
by Justoneoftheguys - 4/6/09 2:54 PM In reply to: Should I go with digital compact or a digital SLR camera? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have owned 4 digital cameras before getting the Canon Rebel SXI, and I am very glad that I did.
The original camera came with a standard Lens (EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS), Ihvae since purchased several ad-ons like a 70-300 Tamron lens, a separate flash unit, a wide angle lens, remote, control, etc.
It takes superb pictures, the battery life is tremendous, I purchased extra batteries, but have never run out of battery, I mean taking hundreds of pictures with and withou flash.
The bigges advantage is that you can use it fully automatic, just point and shoot, but you can also use it for very specific photos with all the semi-auto, and manual settings.
It if much larger that a compact digital, but it is so much more, with the telephoto lens, you can get pictures of the kids soccer game as if you were ten feet away, only you are on the sidelines.
Finally, DSLR cameras are not for everyone, but if you want to take great photos, under almos any condition, go for it. If you just want to snap a picture and return it to your pocket or purse, then go for the compact digital.
Hope this helps.
Depends . . . . .
by tdidawg - 4/10/09 7:34 PM In reply to: Should I go with digital compact or a digital SLR camera? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
SLR's give you the most versatility, speed, and creative control.
Think about how you are going to use the camera, especially what kind of photos you will be taking. If you're just taking family pictures, a good point and shoot camera is fine. Nikon has produced cameras in this range that perform very well with macro shots.
Another MAJOR consideration is the SIZE of the camera. An SLR may sound like the best camera for you however, if after your purchase the size of an SLR is too much to carry everywhere, maybe a good point and shoot is in order. The best camera in the world is no good if you leave it at home!
If you stay with the major brands, Canon, Nikon, Pentax, etc. . . . . you will be fine for the most part.
User Preference
by raynman55 - 4/10/09 8:30 PM In reply to: Should I go with digital compact or a digital SLR camera? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
It just so happens, I bought me a new camera today. The Canon SX10IS. I researched for a long time. This one has a 20X zoom w/ macro and what I feel are the benefits of the dslr without having to change lenses.
I don't think you can really go wrong either way, depending on what your particular preference is. Interchangeable lenses can get expensive and bulky, but again, depending on what you will be doing, it could be worth it.
Whatever you do, do the research of features, prices, feel, and user reviews. If you use a camera a good bit and print your own photos and editing, then I think it best to get something that offers a little more than what you are looking for. Usually, you buy something, use it for a while, then wish you had a camera that could do more.
I have been playing with my new 'toy' and looking forward to getting many years of use out of it. This is a big step up for me too. Going from 4MP to 10MP.
Happy shooting 
Thank you rayman55 from Cecilia
by Gerard Mulgrew - 4/18/09 1:21 AM In reply to: User Preference by raynman55Hope you are very happy with your new camera rayman55. Could I please ask you to post three photos for me, one of a bird at either near or maximum zoom and one each of a macro/supermacro flower or insect ?
That would be much appreciated as I am now looking at the same camera as yours or the next Canon, the Xs1IS.
With thanks,
Cecilia.
How Advanced are You?
by Headspin - 4/10/09 8:33 PM In reply to: Should I go with digital compact or a digital SLR camera? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Most people are out to buy a typical point and shoot, because these are mainly the easiest to use, with less features to confuse the consumer who does not want to deal with the overload of details when it comes to manual controls. Those, like myself, who are more detail oriented, and are looking to take their photography life more to the professional level do better with a digital SLR camera. The features are more complex, and they do take a bit more to get used to. They also cost quite a bit more than the average point and shoot digital camera, especially once you start adding on the attachments like zoom and telescopic lenses. But; if you are ready to take that next step, both technically and financially, I would say the digital SLR is the way to go, because they do take very high quality photos, especially once you really get the hang of how to use every aspect of them. If you are not ready to take that step, there are some very high quality point and shoot digital cameras out there to. You need to study up on who makes the highest quality, but also how to make it land within your price range.
Smaller DSLRs
by Puketiro - 4/10/09 8:50 PM In reply to: Should I go with digital compact or a digital SLR camera? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The size difference between compacts and DSLRs is decreasing! Look out for the new Olympus E 620 - about the same size as your average compact with all the advantages of interchangeable lenses and a great swivel viewing screen which means you can take photos at waist height - therefore not obviously taking a photo. The camera will be well priced too.
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