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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Portability and convenience of P&S versus dSLR
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10/13/2005 09:38:49 AM · #1
I've been thinking about moving to dSLR for a few months now. But the more I think about the way I use my camera, the more I realise that pixel count, low ISO noise, and lens flexibility are really not that important to me.

My coolpix 990 is something I can carry with me without thinking about it - I don't have to worry about packing lenses and tripod (like I do with my film SLR) and dangling this brick around my neck. What's the point of me owning a dSLR if it's going to sit at home all the time?

For me, it's about portability and convenience. Which is why I've started looking again at high-end compacts (which appear to be closing the gap in terms of image quality)

So, I decided what I want is something compact, robust (metal body), with manual modes. And it looks like the coolpix 990 has all of these things! Okay, it's 5 years old, and it's 'only' 3.3 megapixels. But, I know the controls back to front, I like the feel of it, and I'm very content with the quality of the photos. Maybe I'll out-grow it one day, I don't know.

So, I still need a good excuse to buy some new gear.... !

Any P&S owners out there concur? - Or any dSLR users think I'm totally off the wall with my line of thinking?
10/13/2005 09:51:19 AM · #2
Originally posted by jhonan:

... I don't have to worry about packing lenses and tripod ...

... So, I still need a good excuse to buy some new gear.... !


A tripod can still be useful with a P&S - so, if you don't have one of those put it on your new gear list. ;^)

I don't know your camera, but a couple of items useful on newer P&S cameras is (IS) Image Stabilizer, and extended optical zoom. That was my excuse to "buy new gear" as I moved up from a Z2 to Z3 to get the IS and a longer zoom. The IS makes a HUGE difference! Can shoot handheld at much lower shutter speeds. By staying with basically the same camera with newer features I was very familiar with all of the menu choices and camera navigation. Perhaps a Nikon P&S upgrade? Just a thought.

Good luck. I have to admit at the recent G2G (VA State Fair) I had a bit of camera envy looking at the big DSLR's Linda and Skip were carrying. They may be heavier/bigger/bulkier, but dang they sure looked cool! ;^)

Message edited by author 2005-10-13 09:53:55.
10/13/2005 09:55:02 AM · #3
If you want to go "more portable" check out the Fuji Finepix Z2 //www.dpreview.com/news/0510/05101001fuji_z2.asp. It claims ISO 1600, but I haven't seen a review or any pictures from it.
10/13/2005 09:58:08 AM · #4
My F828 p&s takes up more space in my camera bag than my DSLR.

I will be looking at upgrading her to the R1 if dpc tests a production version favourably.
10/13/2005 10:09:04 AM · #5
I also love the convenience and the portability of the digicam, and I really didn't want to give that up when I bought a DSLR. (sigh)

But, the reality is that as nice as digicams are their optics cannot do some of the things that can be done with a DSLR. For instance, getting a properly wide-angle of view, or an extreme telephoto view, or obtaining a properly shallow DOF... these are just not possible with a digicam.

I did keep my digicam and still use it on occasion, but the DSLR is a blast.
10/13/2005 10:12:24 AM · #6
I have both. My D70 is great, but it's not always something I want to drag out. Classic example is snapshots of my cats. By the time I drag out my camera the moment has passed.

So I got a small point and shoot so I can get shots of my cats, or at the ballgame, or wherever.

Different tools for different things.
10/13/2005 10:23:30 AM · #7
No disrespect intended here, and I also will probably end up with a DSLR some day just because I want one (the deeper aperture and higher ISO's are a bonafide reason actually). ;^)

That being said, the Z3 I have now has 12X optical zoom which has a reach of 420mm, wide angle isn't terrible at 28mm with converter, and in super-macro mode I can focus within .40 of an inch. Pretty close to matching up to DSLR capabilities as you've outlined. Close, not quite. ;^)

Originally posted by mcmurma:

I also love the convenience and the portability of the digicam, and I really didn't want to give that up when I bought a DSLR. (sigh)

But, the reality is that as nice as digicams are their optics cannot do some of the things that can be done with a DSLR. For instance, getting a properly wide-angle of view, or an extreme telephoto view, or obtaining a properly shallow DOF... these are just not possible with a digicam.

I did keep my digicam and still use it on occasion, but the DSLR is a blast.

10/13/2005 10:39:58 AM · #8
Originally posted by glad2badad:

...the Z3 I have now has 12X optical zoom which has a reach of 420mm, wide angle isn't terrible at 28mm with converter, and in super-macro mode I can focus within .40 of an inch. Pretty close to matching up to DSLR capabilities as you've outlined. Close, not quite. ;^)


Well, I keep telling myself that once the prices on such a system come down, I would like to get one of those super telephoto digicams. I want one that I can tether to seperate disply like a pocket PC that is capable of operating the camera remotely.

I would use it for candids, since you could set it on a triopod, or leave it sitting on your chest, and capture portraits of people on the sly. They would think nothing about it since your eyes are not behind the camera. It would sure beat sneaking shots while pretending to be focused on something else :)
10/13/2005 10:47:27 AM · #9
I say go with dSLR, between hoisting around the camera, lenses, accessories and tripod you'll never have to go to the gym again! :)
10/13/2005 11:00:19 AM · #10
I love my DSLR but the fact is that it's not the kind of camera which one can pass around at a party or pull out at a moment's notice while hiking. I've got friends with the Canon A series and although I've definitely got them beat for quality and general range of abilities, the fact that their camera fits in their pocket makes much more useful in alot of situations.

When I fall in to a pit of money, the first purchase is going to be a P&S to go in my DSLR bag.
10/13/2005 11:13:57 AM · #11
A DSLR does not have to be a behemoth anymore. All of the entry level consumer DSLR bodies are coming out with very small and sleek designs and can be carried easily. For instance, check out the Canon 350XT or the Olympus E-500. They can both be easily carried in fanny packs that include one lens.

I don't think you'll ever be able to match the image quality and flexibility of a DSLR with a P&S. Noise, sharpness and color suffer with the tiny sensors of P&S and those that come with large range zooms can not give high quality at all focal lengths.

If you care about image quality then I think a DSLR is the way to go.
10/13/2005 11:57:01 AM · #12
It depends on what you want to do - if you take pictures for fun a point and shoot works fine.

I find the Nikon coolpix aperature setting range from 4.0 to 8.0 extremely limiting. The noise is annoying especially over ISO 50.
10/13/2005 01:07:59 PM · #13
Thanks for the replies and suggestions.

Right now the coolpix 990 does everything I want. I've never been in a situation where I've thought "damn, if only I had a dSLR". The issues I have with it are;

- It's just that little bit too bulky to fit in a pocket, but still easier to carry than SLR + Lenses. (I have got a tripod, which I 'haul' around sometimes...! I'm lazy, I know)

- I wish I could go higher than 4 seconds shutter without getting hot pixels. 30 seconds without hot pixels and excessive noise would be great.

- F2.5 on the wide end I'm quite happy with. I've never found myself needing more zoom or aperture on the tele end.

- Since I discovered Neat Image I'm seeing the noise at ISO 100 and 200... Previously I never even noticed it!

I was sure the D50 was the logical way forward for me. But then I started to see the benefits of a smaller P&S like;

- Powershot S70 / S80
- Finepix E550 / E900 / F810

I'm not suggesting that a P&S can produce dSLR-quality results. But for *my* purposes I'm thinking a P&S better suits my style, and I'm more likely to take it places!

However, I really think we're seeing a convergence of dSLR and P&S. P&S sensor sizes and ISO noise problems are being dealt with, fixed lenses are more adaptable (28mm - 300mm), and bodies are more robust. But dSLRs are also getting smaller and cheaper, and with a kit lens they will appeal to the 'high-end' P&S market.

And we don't have to worry about dust.... :)
10/13/2005 01:10:15 PM · #14
Originally posted by jhonan:



And we don't have to worry about dust.... :)


Actually, you do... My Finepix 4900z got dust on the sensor (presumably flaking off the body inside somewhere) and there was NO way to clean it...

Robt.
10/13/2005 01:38:20 PM · #15
Originally posted by bear_music:

Actually, you do... My Finepix 4900z got dust on the sensor (presumably flaking off the body inside somewhere) and there was NO way to clean it...


What did you do in the end?

My dust comment was tongue-in-cheek... I know how sensitive dSLR users are about their dust.
10/13/2005 01:49:15 PM · #16
Originally posted by jhonan:

Originally posted by bear_music:

Actually, you do... My Finepix 4900z got dust on the sensor (presumably flaking off the body inside somewhere) and there was NO way to clean it...


What did you do in the end?

My dust comment was tongue-in-cheek... I know how sensitive dSLR users are about their dust.


Olympus DSLR's have a system that shakes dust off the sensor every time the camera is switched on.
10/13/2005 02:02:09 PM · #17
use both :). We have an infant so we have a P&S camera that stays in the diaperbag so if we see somthong cool or lil guy comes up with somthing neat we can get captured. We also have the DSLR for the more complicated shots. Really for most purposes get the dSLR and a camera bag, extra battery, charger, 2 lenses (wide angle and telephoto/zoom with lense hood) maybe a filter or 2 and a couple memory cards clening whipes and solution. This is what I usually travel with and it fits in a bag that is quite portable, easly goes as a cayy on when flying or in between the front seats of my car when on road trips. It really is convienent and fun to use.
10/13/2005 02:32:09 PM · #18
I have and use both. Depends on what I'm doing as to which camera I bring. I won't bring a DSLR on a long hike, into a canyon, or up a mountain. However, in the house or for short hikes I usually use the Rebel.
And actually, with the S2 I do not feel that the quality difference is that big of a deal for most of the types of things I shoot.

And... There are a lot of shots I get with a P&S that I would have missed with a DSLR becuase of needing to change a lens, or not having the flip and twist viewfinder. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.
10/13/2005 02:48:36 PM · #19
Originally posted by jhonan:


What did you do in the end?


Bought the Coolpix 5700 and gave the 4900z to my neighbor :-)

R.
10/13/2005 03:08:25 PM · #20
Originally posted by louddog:

I have and use both. Depends on what I'm doing as to which camera I bring. I won't bring a DSLR on a long hike, into a canyon, or up a mountain. However, in the house or for short hikes I usually use the Rebel.


My father-in-law will take his Nikon D100 on week long hikes into back country, AND day hike alike.

But he be craaaaazy! heh. ;o)
10/13/2005 03:16:10 PM · #21
Originally posted by bear_music:

Originally posted by jhonan:


What did you do in the end?


Bought the Coolpix 5700 and gave the 4900z to my neighbor :-)

R.

I spotted dust on the sensor of my 602Z, I mean that it showed up in the pictures. This was a problem that was quite well discussed in the DPReview forums. The cure involved blowing canned air into the camera around the lens. As good as new after that.
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