Saturday, April 21, 2012

Point-and-shoot versus digital SLR - opinions?

Last trip I used a digital point-and-shoot camera. My photos were decent, but I was sometimes frustrated with the camera limitations. However, I loved the small size and convenience. For our upcoming trip to France, I%26#39;m thinking of getting a digital SLR (Canon Rebel XT, possibly, which is fairly compact). Years ago, I had a Canon AE1(SLR film camera), so I think that with practice I%26#39;ll have the hang of the digital SLR before we go, but I%26#39;m concerned about having to drag the thing around. Not to mention the cost (About $700-800). I wonder if it will be worth it...





Anybody that has experience with either or both care to offer an opinion?






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I would go for the new Olympus SP550uz.





Proper wide angle (28mm equic), big long zoom (508mm equiv), 7.1Mp, has a point and shoot mode but can be used in fully manual as well.





It isnt the fastest camera for those instant shots, but I must admit to being tempted to buy one myself. Especially at the money tehyre asking!




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Unless you intend to go on picture excursions, I would not carry a reflex around. Paris is a city where you will walk a lot...and that%26#39;s part of it%26#39;s charm. To me, carrying the bulky reflex rigid bag is something that tends to reduce the pleasure I get from freely walking around town.



Like you I had some frustration so I got a Cannon S2 which offer more range and options. But even that camera I sometime left in the room as everytime I want to take a picture with it, I have to take it of my bag and out of it%26#39;s casing...it%26#39;s not much time but it gets annoying. There%26#39;s always the hip belt but there%26#39;s nothing that screams tourists louder than carrying the big reflex case on the hip.



As i usually stick around one area for a few days, I go out on picture trip early in the morning when the light is just perfect and try to head back where I thought there was picture perfect opportunities.



I certainly miss quite a few but I still have my pictures from my P%26amp;S and the souvenir of a totally enjoyable trip.



In the end, it%26#39;s your call :-)




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Hello MECindylou,





Whether you carry a small point and shoot or an SLR should



be determined by how important the photographs are to



to you.





You can get fairly decent inmages with a popint and shoot



or excellent images with an SLR.





An SLR give you a variety of options including higher



megapixels, an optical (not a digital )zoom and many



many more choices.





A good SLR is an investment in good photography.





Sure, there are some inconveniences but you have to



choose.





I have been to Paris for the month of September



5 times (will be 6 this September) and I have always



taken an SLR; wouldn%26#39;t leave home without it.





Best wishes,





Randy




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