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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Advantages of DSLR Vs Prosumer
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 10/10/2004 06:47:22 AM · #1
We have the Fuji finepix S7000 a very nice camera, what I'm not sure of is the advantage of a DSLR Vs the S7000 (Prosumer) type of camera.

The S7000 has 6.3mp, manual controls or auto, 6X Zoom and we have the TCON 17 tele lens. So why is a DSLR better than a prosumer camera.

My wife thinks I should look at getting a DSLR so she can have the fuji to take photos lol, I could maybe go a second hand Canon Rebel/10D or Nikon D70 something like that.

What do you think?
 10/10/2004 06:54:33 AM · #2
Advantages:

Bigger sensor = Less noise, cleaner picture (4MP DSLR much much better than an 8MP point and shoot)
More responsive, no shutter lag
Interchangeable lenses = more flexibility
Bad ass factor ;)

Disavantages:

Bigger and heavier
Very conspicuous
Have to change lenses depending on what you want
Can have sensor dust
 10/10/2004 06:57:07 AM · #3
The sensor size is the big difference. The sensor of a prosumer is the size of your pinky nail and the DSLR has a sensor 62.5% (300D, 10D, 20D) 66% (D70) 77% (1D MkII) 100% (1DS, 1DS II) of a 35mm film frame. This is why the quality is better, the pixels are bigger. Control over the type of glass you use and filters you attach is another big advantage.

Message edited by author 2004-10-10 07:17:03.
 10/10/2004 07:17:32 AM · #4
Just remember you're buying into the lens system. Once you start, it isn't easy to swap to another manufacturer.
 10/10/2004 07:19:23 AM · #5
What he said.

Originally posted by doctornick:
Advantages:

Bigger sensor = Less noise, cleaner picture (4MP DSLR much much better than an 8MP point and shoot)
More responsive, no shutter lag
Interchangeable lenses = more flexibility
Bad ass factor ;)

Disavantages:

Bigger and heavier
Very conspicuous
Have to change lenses depending on what you want
Can have sensor dust

10/10/2004 07:19:43 AM · #6
+ DSLR = Badasser
 10/10/2004 07:26:14 AM · #7
Another thing, which depending on the situation may be an advantage or a disadvantage: DSLRs have shallower DOF.

At, say... f/2.8, one has fairly limited depth of field which can create very nice background blur in shots. To obtain some decent depth of field, you probably need somewhere around f/8.0 depending on your focal length.

However, on a prosumer, even f/2.8 is usually enough to render a scene with everything sharp in focus.

For shallow DOF, DSLR has the advantage. 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.2, 135mm f/2.0 are all great portrait lenses due to their dreamy bokeh.

For deep DOF, the prosumer has the advantage. At 28mm stopped down a bit (f/4 or smaller), it's enough to get great landscape shots or even just decent DOF for group photos. A DSLR has to stop down even more, which also causes loss of light requiring slower shutter speeds (and/or higher ISO).

Another issue with DLSR - choice of lenses. There are many gems and duds, which add further complication to your purchasing choices. With a prosumer, you get everything in one package (the TCONs and WCONs are all optional).

:)atwl
 10/10/2004 08:19:55 AM · #8
Originally posted by Adrian Tung:
Another thing, which depending on the situation may be an advantage or a disadvantage: DSLRs have shallower DOF.

At, say... f/2.8, one has fairly limited depth of field which can create very nice background blur in shots. To obtain some decent depth of field, you probably need somewhere around f/8.0 depending on your focal length.

However, on a prosumer, even f/2.8 is usually enough to render a scene with everything sharp in focus.

For shallow DOF, DSLR has the advantage. 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.2, 135mm f/2.0 are all great portrait lenses due to their dreamy bokeh.

For deep DOF, the prosumer has the advantage. At 28mm stopped down a bit (f/4 or smaller), it's enough to get great landscape shots or even just decent DOF for group photos. A DSLR has to stop down even more, which also causes loss of light requiring slower shutter speeds (and/or higher ISO).



Just how true this is.. is something I was quite unaware of before buying my Fuji but I soon became aware of how difficult it could be to get a suitable shallow DOF in certain circumstances.
.
This image illustrates that perfectly..it was taken at F2.8 but because the main point of focus was around 10-15 ft away,I maintained good depth of field throughout the image.
There were even comments after the challenge on how I managed to do this with a setting of F2.8 which I had to admit had me baffled.

Now I am readapting for the 20D and especially the 50mm F1.4 lens with it`s very tight DOF.


10/10/2004 09:18:44 AM · #9
you'll find you have much more control over the DOF with the 20d, or any SLR camera. something i can't do with out. unless you only like deep DOF - SLR is the way to go, especially if your wife is pushing toward the purchase. i had to fight to get mine ;}

now that i have had it a year - she sees why i was so fixated on an upgrade. so it all worked out in the end.

10/10/2004 09:24:41 AM · #10
One other advantage of the SLR is the option to use filters. Circular polarizers to reduce glare or darken skies, soft-focus filters, color filters...it opens up a wide range of effects you can use with the SLR that isn't available on the prosumer lenses.

Also, depending on your budget, you can get some really great glass for an SLR. With the prosumer you are stuck with whatever they give you. My first camera was the Coolpix 990, and that seemed to be not much more than a piece of plastic. Lenses on prosumers are better now than they were before, but not when you compare them to the quality of all the interchangable lenses that are at your disposal to own.

And, yes, you will surely increase the "bad-ass" factor owning the SLR. Don't be surprised if crowds actually part at the mere sight of you and your gear.

yes, I'm joking.
 10/10/2004 09:47:11 AM · #11
Originally posted by rscorp:
One other advantage of the SLR is the option to use filters. Circular polarizers to reduce glare or darken skies, soft-focus filters, color filters...it opens up a wide range of effects you can use with the SLR that isn't available on the prosumer lenses.


any digital camera these days worth its salt, DSLR, prosumer or even point and shoot either already has a threaded front for filters or can use a third party attachment for filter mounts, so I wouldn't consider that an exclusive advantage of the DSLR. I was using filters on my Nikon Coolpix 950 from the day I bought it.

Dave
 10/10/2004 10:23:52 AM · #12
Originally posted by dsa157:
Originally posted by rscorp:
One other advantage of the SLR is the option to use filters. Circular polarizers to reduce glare or darken skies, soft-focus filters, color filters...it opens up a wide range of effects you can use with the SLR that isn't available on the prosumer lenses.


any digital camera these days worth its salt, DSLR, prosumer or even point and shoot either already has a threaded front for filters or can use a third party attachment for filter mounts, so I wouldn't consider that an exclusive advantage of the DSLR. I was using filters on my Nikon Coolpix 950 from the day I bought it.

Dave


However, not all prosumer lenses have threads. The filter has to be put on before attaching the lens in order to use it. Just something quirky, not really a disadvantage unless you frequently change filters.
 10/10/2004 10:36:25 AM · #13
Originally posted by dsa157:
Originally posted by rscorp:
One other advantage of the SLR is the option to use filters. Circular polarizers to reduce glare or darken skies, soft-focus filters, color filters...it opens up a wide range of effects you can use with the SLR that isn't available on the prosumer lenses.


any digital camera these days worth its salt, DSLR, prosumer or even point and shoot either already has a threaded front for filters or can use a third party attachment for filter mounts, so I wouldn't consider that an exclusive advantage of the DSLR. I was using filters on my Nikon Coolpix 950 from the day I bought it.

Dave


Yeah the S7000 has an adapter sleeve that I leave on all the time to help protect the retractable lens. It has a 55mm thread for my tele lens and other lens.

10/10/2004 11:30:17 AM · #14
My wife thinks I should look at getting a DSLR so she can have the fuji to take photos lol

Most of us should be so lucky...I had to accept all sorts of blackmail to buy my D70 even though she got the Coolpix 4300 out of the bargain.
 10/10/2004 12:14:54 PM · #15
The distinctions between DSLRs and a high-end prosumer cams are becoming less as technology marches forward. Many of the features once thought to be characteristic of DSLR are showing up in non-interchangable lens cameras. It may be a better approach to identify the features needed for the type of photography you intend to pursue and then see what cams fit your needs, as opposed to the older way of thinking that attributes certain features, or capabilities, to one type or the other.
 10/10/2004 12:50:53 PM · #16
One advantage for me personally, is that I tend to think more about a shot. I sometimes even take the time to set up a tripod. It must be some kind of psycologicial thing. Maybe I should get the Mamiya ZD? ;)
I think it could be the TTL viewfinder. Seeing the actual image frame does really matter to me. (With full respect of all good viewfinder cameras)
 10/10/2004 02:09:01 PM · #17
i have a 10D but my work just gave me nikon coolpix 8700 to use too, so i've been able to explore these differences firsthand.

the 8700 is a very capable fullfeatured little camera - and it's surprisingly compact, but here's where it can't touch the 10D:

1) it's sloooooow. slow to focus, to turn on, to preview, to zoom, to do anything - compared to the effortless responsiveness of the 10D.

2) it only goes up to iso 400, whereas the 10D is pretty noisefree even at 1600 under ideal conditions. Put an f/1.4 lens on my 10D and I'm able to take pictures in dark parties with no flash with good shutter speed.

3) I have to go through hoops to get shallow depth of focus.

Otherwise it's a fantastic little camera, as long as I don't want to work 'at the extremes'.

10/10/2004 02:43:55 PM · #18
Originally posted by Gurilla:
We have the Fuji finepix S7000 a very nice camera, what I'm not sure of is the advantage of a DSLR Vs the S7000 (Prosumer) type of camera.

The S7000 has 6.3mp, manual controls or auto, 6X Zoom and we have the TCON 17 tele lens. So why is a DSLR better than a prosumer camera.

My wife thinks I should look at getting a DSLR so she can have the fuji to take photos lol, I could maybe go a second hand Canon Rebel/10D or Nikon D70 something like that.

What do you think?


How long have you been married, Gurilla??

You are still brave enough to question decisions your wife makes for you?

You're a braver man than I...good luck with whatever you decide to buy...sorry, whatever your wife decides you should buy!
 10/10/2004 04:33:15 PM · #19
Originally posted by magnetic9999:
i have a 10D but my work just gave me nikon coolpix 8700 to use too, so i've been able to explore these differences firsthand.

the 8700 is a very capable fullfeatured little camera - and it's surprisingly compact, but here's where it can't touch the 10D:

1) it's sloooooow. slow to focus, to turn on, to preview, to zoom, to do anything - compared to the effortless responsiveness of the 10D.

2) it only goes up to iso 400, whereas the 10D is pretty noisefree even at 1600 under ideal conditions. Put an f/1.4 lens on my 10D and I'm able to take pictures in dark parties with no flash with good shutter speed.

3) I have to go through hoops to get shallow depth of focus.

Otherwise it's a fantastic little camera, as long as I don't want to work 'at the extremes'.


Yeah I must admit the shutter delay of I think 0.4sec is a real pain as is the AF you simply can't use it with a subject that is approaching you.
 10/10/2004 04:55:09 PM · #20
Advantages of my Panasonic FZ10 over a DSLR:
F2.8 at 440mm (35mm equivalent). This gives me some great shots when I'm shooting gigs in low light, and the image stabilising on the lens helps even more. Add in the fact that there's no mirror to shake the camera, and usable noise levels at ISO 200... and this gives me great telephoto shots in low light. The amount of money I'd have to spend to get similar with a DSLR would be staggering. There's a 1.5x tele converter available from Panasonic that keeps F2.8 right to the far end of the zoom.
 10/10/2004 05:01:03 PM · #21
Originally posted by BobsterLobster:
Advantages of my Panasonic FZ10 over a DSLR:
........ There's a 1.5x tele converter available from Panasonic that keeps F2.8 right to the far end of the zoom.


It's not going to remain f/2.8 when you add the Teleconverter, it will be more like f/4.5
 10/10/2004 05:29:41 PM · #22
Originally posted by doctornick:
Originally posted by BobsterLobster:
Advantages of my Panasonic FZ10 over a DSLR:
........ There's a 1.5x tele converter available from Panasonic that keeps F2.8 right to the far end of the zoom.


It's not going to remain f/2.8 when you add the Teleconverter, it will be more like f/4.5


Erm... I think you'll find you're wrong, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered writing it. That's why it's such an amazing bit of kit.
 10/10/2004 05:30:46 PM · #23
Originally posted by doctornick:
Originally posted by BobsterLobster:
Advantages of my Panasonic FZ10 over a DSLR:
........ There's a 1.5x tele converter available from Panasonic that keeps F2.8 right to the far end of the zoom.


It's not going to remain f/2.8 when you add the Teleconverter, it will be more like f/4.5


I use a Olympus TCON17 with my FZ2 - total cost of cam and tcon was CHF500 (£200) I suppose that I get f/4.6 or f/5.6 at 714mm (35mm eq.) how much would it cost me to get that with a DSLR?
 10/10/2004 05:34:49 PM · #24
Originally posted by colda:
I use a Olympus TCON17 with my FZ2 - total cost of cam and tcon was CHF500 (£200) I suppose that I get f/4.6 or f/5.6 at 714mm (35mm eq.) how much would it cost me to get that with a DSLR?

With the quality of a P&S at that amount of telephoto, you'd be better just cropping a DSLR image to get the equivalent..
 10/10/2004 05:35:10 PM · #25
I would love to see some photos of birds, etc. you owners of the Panasonic have taken with the zoom lens. After a thread I read yesterday I've been considering getting a Panasonic to add to my (husband's) Sony F828 I have -- the zoom is the only disappointment I have with the F828 and am a little afraid of investing in the Raynox teleconverters. I love bird-watching and had hoped to photograph them, but have been very disappointed in the photos I've taken of birds with the F828.
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