SLR vs "point & shoot"

I recently upgraded from a good quality Nikon 950, that I categorized as a 'point & shoot' primarily because of its' size. At 2 megapixels it does what I want it to to do on a daily basis - mostly photos on various member boards for technical or historical question illustrations & some e-mail pics. I rarely use the finer, higher resolution settings, because a normal VGA format is best for posting or sending e-mail. On the high resolution settings it will produce near photo quality 5X7" and acceptable 8X10" photos. I almost exclusively use the LCD screen instead of the viewfinder - even in bright daylight it shows me what I need to know about the photo in progress.

I recently purchased a Minolta DiMAge 7Hi. A few years ago it was Minolta's hi-dollar tip-of-the-technology camera. At 5 megapixels, it handles finer detail to my complete satisfaction.

As for SLR: Spending the bulk of my photographic career using a 35mm 'REAL' SLR that allows you to see directly thru the camera lens, I've decided the Digital SLR is simply a technological feelgood. You really don't see thru the actual camera lens with a Digital SLR, but view an electronic image thru a viewfinder - same as on your old camcorder. It's simply a tiny viewscreen with an eyepiece. You see the same thing with the bigger LCD screen, and the LCD seems to consume much less power.

From what I see of current model SLR's, their main advantage is a bigger, faster, higer resolution lens; the "SLR" title is a misnomer bordering on technical BS - I rarely use that feature on my camera, as the LCD screen does just fine.

In making my decision, two other factors led me to choose Minolta's older model: Compact Flash use and power source. Advances in cell phone and PDA technology have given the camera industry better battery life then ever before. My Old Nikon ran great on the NiMH batteries of the day - easily 200 frames, even with some flash use before I had to switch to the back up set. AA's on my 'new' camera are the biggerst reason that 2-3 years ago Minolta's newer models began to use LI ion batteries, with greater storage capacity. In the meantime, NiMH batteries today (vs 3 years ago) are of sufficiently greater capacity at 2500MaH that all I need for a weekend of travel is 2 extra sets of AA's in the camera bag 'just in case' - usually the 3rd set comes home untouched or ends up in the Walkman. I'm resistant to the idea that if I want a back up battery for my camera that I need to buy a hi-dollar, specialty LI ion battery that only fits my camera. At $50-80 for the Lithium Ion battery, vs 2 extra sets of 2500MaH AA's at under $20, the dolllar savings be applied towards gas or lunch money...

The final questions are simply this: Will a newer point & shoot do what your old one won't or do you crave the newer, higher megapixel camera just to keep up with your friends? Writing speed to the digital media is quicker in newer cameras, but how much sequential frame work will you do? Are you willing to plug in that dead camera for anywhere between 15 minutes and 2 hours just to recharge it, or are you willing to spend big to get a back up proprietary battery? Do you want an SLR just because the 'pros' in the responding crowd say it's the way to go? Chances are that you already have adjustments for white balance, spot vs area metering, TIFF or RAW file settings, fill-in flash capability, digital zoom ? do you require this stuff on a routine basis? Do you have an inventory of Compact Flash cards already, or is storage media not of a deciding concern. For me, AA batteries and compact flash cards were the deciding factors in choosing the right camera having a better quality lens & more bells & whistles.

Bottom line is, if you have experience using 35mm SLR cameras and are jonesin? for the ?good ol? days?, then go for an SLR. Otherwise, todays? p&s camera can capably do what you need done and can react faster than you can. Many of today?s p&s cameras have manual settings so you can control either aperture or shutter speed, and many other features not available in a camera of a decade ago at any price. Most families I know just want some good quality pictures & want to concentrate on ?capturing the moment?, rather than tinkering with the camera. Me? I grew up in the pre auto-focus/zoom & auto-exposure era, so I?m used to controlling the destiny of my photos the ?old fashun? way.

Go to http://www.steves-digicams.com/ for a wealth of information on cameras, features and even sources for price comparison.

I have to correct your description of the viewfinder on DSLR cameras.

I don't know which DSLR camera you were describing, but the Nikon, Canon and Olympus DSLR cameras do have Optical Through The Lens (TTL) viewfinders.

What you described is the EVF viewfinder found on some non-DSLR cameras, such as the Konica Minolta 7Hi.

Here is a link that describes viewfinders:

http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/key=viewfinder

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Minolta, Fuji, Kodak, are but a few of the more commonly found, moderately priced cameras, using EVF finders. I hadn't planned a comprehensive study of all major brands, but what I've seen in the past few weeks formed my response.

I have owned two Sony's and two Canon Point and Shoot cameras. I now own an Olympus 300-Evolt and Canon Rebel XT. The Canon wins hands down, I have captured those hard shots I could never get with the point and shooters. Can't go wrong the Canon.

I have to agree that the best choice would be to go with the SLR. The weight is a factor that you should consider when you choose your camera because if it is to heavy it will stay at home

I recently purchased the Digital Rebel XT and it is a dream come true after using the Canon F-1 for years. I am also considering buying a Canon S70 as a back up and everyday carry around camera (it also uses the same CF card).

Good luck.

Ed

keep the camera steady while you shoot. The small point & shoots IMO are very hard to hold steady. Superior pictures should get you carrying the camera in spite of its weight.

It would interesting to know how much one can zoom without need for tripod. i.e with DSLR body and lenses in a normal daylight for a resonably good quality picture (ISO 800?)
Though it might depend on one's training/steady hand etc, it would be nice to know the practical limits.

but the lense is stablilized which helps a lot. Also, it's usually sunny, so the shutterspeed is pretty fast to begin with.

So it seems from all the views expressed in this forum from those who faced the same question, made a choice to upgrade to DSLR and found it enriching in one way or another irrespective of the supposed constraints (weight/lack of movie mode/no lcd for picture composing etc) Good inputs to occupy the mind this weekend!

good three point support of the camera which helps prevent blurring. Even when the LCD showed the composition, I never used it for that purpose. It's too hard to see, and too hard to steady the camera.

I'm a Nikon bigot, having an N70 and recently acquired a D70. I don't have a problem with the weight of either and have a 1/2 dozen lenses that are compatible. I carry them in a Lowepro backpack which is, IMHO, much easier to tote than something that hangs from my shoulder. I, also, have a Nikon Coolpix 5400 that I keep in my computer bag (also a Lowepro backpack!) and/or glove compartment for shots when I'm traveling to clients or just doing errands, etc. I carry the 5400 in my pocket when I'm out for my daily walk at a lake near our home. I still shoot film on occasion, but it's not unusual for me to shoot a couple of hundred pictures at one of my grandchildren's sporting events or birthday parties with the D70. The battery life is terrific and you can delete anything you don't like. Go for it!!!

I love my Canon XT SLR because I can change lenses and capture action easier due to less shutter lag. It does require more post processing of the image though and SLR's do not have a movie mode which I miss.
I also love my Canon G3 (3 yrs. old but still a superb camera) for it's portability and sharp pictures. My favorite part of it is the swivel LCD screen which easily allows me to capture pictures from low or high aspects. I use both camera's regularly.
I am thrilled with my XT which has allowed me to rediscover my love of more professional photography. For years I only used a film SLR until the digital craze came along.

Although they lack movie mode, I think burst mode is better anyway. My Canon 20D can shoot 5 frames per second which is great for capturing that 'moment' that you are frequently looking for. These are high resolution photos rather than the low res images that movies generally consist of. If you want good movies, a camcorder is the best way anyway although I do understand the attraction of the capability.

Portability won't be too much of an issue - the Canon Digital Rebel XT is pretty tiny as far as SLRs go and will give you a lot more fleibility in how you shoot. I've never seen a serious pro carry a point and shoot - they just aren't fast enough and don't give you all the lens options which is something a point and shoot can never have. A lot of moments can get missed simply because it's too dark and with an SLR, you can buy a fast lens which will get shots almost anywhere.

I love my DSLR, and I usually don't carry a P&S camera, but if you read photography magazines and just open your eyes you'll see that the SLR isn't right for every occasion. And even professionals want to take candid shots at a party with something small and light. If yoy pull out your 70-200 f/2.8 lens everyone at the party will know you're taking pictures and know you're serious. The playful mood will end and everyone will feel watched.

Marie, get a new Point and Shooter. Camera companies know that shutter delay is the first complaint about digital compacts, so they have been improving. Just go to dpreview.com and browse the cameras you like. Shutter lag is listed for most new cameras. And if you still have some money left over certainly invest in a DSLR. You'll be taking pictures you woould have never imagined before, and even with my 6MPixel DSLR (and a good tripod) I've taken picures I've printed poster size and been pleased. (A 6MP DSLR will take better pictures than an 8MPix compact due to larger sensor size and 'usually' better optics)

So go on and read reviews, you'll be pleased to see that most new cameras have small enough shutter lag that you won't be missing any more moments. Whether you buy a big camera or a small one, be sure it's a camera you'll use.

Rick is right about the EOS 20D. The price may drop a little around christmas. what a bargan that would be.
Dean

It is an incredible camera. Do you know those times when the perfect moment comes right after you press the shutter? On the 20D, you simply press the shutter button again as fast as you can, and voila! It's happened many times for me.

However, if you're going to use flash, get a Canon flash unit. The built in works fine, but....

Other features Orientation sensor?

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camera is turned on its side to take a picture. You then get a tall, thin picture rather than a wide, short one. The camera will flip the image in the LCD after the shot is taken so you can see it with the camera level.

Keep the S410 and also get a Digital Rebel. All the software and memory cards are the same so you can use both in both cameras.