I would say there is a definite advantage to the higher-end cameras in terms of flexibility and choice, IF the person using them is an enthusiast and knows what they are doing with the camera. But it's also very likely that most people won't get the high-end camera until they "outgrow" the cheaper ones (though there will obviously be exceptions).
So, anecdotally, I think those high-end cameras are an advantage. But, equally so, I don't think they're enough of an advantage to make a ribbon all by themselves. Trust me, if I had a 10D and the best lenses in the world, it wouldn't get me into the ribbons for a long while if ever. Not only while I learned the 10D, but while I learned all the things about photography and digital darkroom work that I haven't yet mastered (at least s'far as is allowable in challenges here, in the latter case).
I've been borrowing a Coolpix 990, which definitely has more manual features and is also higher resolution than my Ricoh. The results when I was trying to use the manual features, as yet, don't bear mentioning even by my best judgement. *wry grin* Which just bears out the fact that better equipment's only part of the equation. I've SEEN the pictures even my Ricoh could get (it has a little bit of a focus issue these days...) when I was in top form as far as seeing. Sure, there were things I'd see that it could not capture, but not as many as things it could capture. If I could consistently operate at my "best" level, I could do quite well in challenges here with the Ricoh.
Which doesn't keep me from intending to replace it with something with slightly more features. I still like toys as much as anyone. *G* |
