I'm just curious if anyone knows the typical lifespans of digital point-and-shoot cameras and dSLR's? Or can direct me to a reliable source?
I'm curious because my current camera, a Canon PowerShot SD700 IS, bought in March 2007 is slowly breaking down. New malfunctions pop up everyday. I'm a little bit annoyed seeing as it's only 3 years old, but maybe my expectations are too high? I recall most of my film P&S lasting at least 10 years. To be honest, my Canon has been excessively used and possibly abused as I carry it around all the time in my purse, subjecting it to bumps and such. - So I could be partially to blame for it's early retirement.
On a separate note I'm considering the move to a DSLR, but I dont want to make such a big investment if I can only expect that camera to work 3-5 years. Of course, I would treat a DSLR different than a P&S, but I'd still like to know what to expect. (Again I think my expectations may be warped based off of experience with film cameras. - My dad's SLR's are over 35 years old and still work wonderfully)
I am not a tech wizard at this, but they are unlike the film SLR's, that can last for decades. They typically have a number of shutter snap ratings. I think mine for example is 100,000. So, when people talk about digital and think that it is ok to shoot as much as you want, and delete later, I don't agree, as you are ticking the life of the camera of each time.
I also had a PowerShot, and the ONE day I needed it most, the sensor up and died on me. Not to be mean, but from that point, I walked away from Canon just on principle.
haha but yea you kinda hit that one on the head. SLR's will outlast any DSLR simply because of the design.
But as it is 100,000 photos is a massive amount. If you're using an SLR w/ 36 shots per roll... thats 2777 rolls. A professional photographer may eat through that in a couple years but as a hobbyist i know i wont hit that number for a LONG time.
I've had my Minolta SLR since '73. I know I've taken more than 100,000 photos. It still doesn't take a bad photo. Just got my Digital in September. I've been taking a minimum of 5 photos a day and as many as 452 in one day. I'll have to get back to you on how it holds up. So far, I like only two things about it that are more satisfying than the SLR - I can view the results instantly and it fits in my pocket.
DSLR have a life measured in shutter actuations. You should be able to check out each cameras rated actuations are with the manufaturer or the sales person may know.
I would reccomend this site, it is a great resource if you are looking at buying a camera and from memory it does tell you how many actuations you can expect from the camera. Link below.
I have no delusions that my P&S Kodak will last as long as my Zeiss-Ikon Contax 35mm clone. It was built in Kiev, Ukraine in 1957, and still produces beautiful images.
Good to know about the shutter snap ratings. I tend to take more pictures than necessary (mostly b/c I find that the way it looks on the camera LCD is not what it looks like on a computer and I never know which one I will like best). I've taken over 3000 pictures in the 3 years I've had my P&S.
I take a lot of pictures. Almost an embarassing number actually but some of it is just due to my preferred subject: nature. I find that I take several shots in a row because the lighting will shift, the wind will blow or the critter will move. Sometimes it takes a number of shots to get the right one. I also run into the issue of the image on my LCD does not always give me what I really took. I have been pleasantly surprised by pictures on my computer after uploading.
i too take alot of pictures i have a digital and if i dont like the pic i just delete it i like bein able to do this as appossed to developing a role just tto find i only like 5 or 6 outta 24. as to life of my camera i find its all in how its used and stored and takin care of. we had to send ours to the shop a while back cause our ferret grabbed the strap and knocked it off a table and busted a mirror inside and busted the flash it had to be sent all the way back to where ever it was made to get fixed so we where with out a camera for our first born. but other then that all our malfunctions are usually fixed with a good cleanin usually with a can of air and some q-tips dipped in alcohal for the tougher build up and since we live in a dusty area of california we have to do this alot. but we have had this camera for going on 4 years now and i still love it and everyday find new reasons to thankful for having it.
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I also had a PowerShot, and the ONE day I needed it most, the sensor up and died on me. Not to be mean, but from that point, I walked away from Canon just on principle.
haha but yea you kinda hit that one on the head. SLR's will outlast any DSLR simply because of the design.
But as it is 100,000 photos is a massive amount. If you're using an SLR w/ 36 shots per roll... thats 2777 rolls. A professional photographer may eat through that in a couple years but as a hobbyist i know i wont hit that number for a LONG time.
I would reccomend this site, it is a great resource if you are looking at buying a camera and from memory it does tell you how many actuations you can expect from the camera. Link below.
http://www.dpreview.com/
HTH