I have a point 'n shoot camera (a Lumix DMC ZR1) that has a lot of different settings I can mess with. I can do a lot more with this PnS than others I've had, but I definitely see a difference between my pics and those that are taken with a dSLR.
I'm planning my next trip to Italy, which will be in September of '12. I want to take FABULOUS pictures over there (as opposed to the "good" ones I took before). For those of you who converted to dSLRs from point 'n shoots, knowing what you know about both, do you take your dSLR on big vacations or your point 'n shoot, and why? If you take your dSLR, which lenses do you take? And lastly, what kind of camera do you have/like the most?
Looking forward to your replies!
Thanks in advance,
Robyn
I am in the same boat, getting a DSLR soon and have same questions u do. I carried a film 35 mm with zoom lens also across France. Wow! That zoom was worth it! (This was about 8 years ago)
I take both as I use both, for different reasons.. but you will kick your self if you only have the p/s and miss those great landscape shots.
and sometimes you just dont need the bigger camera, and a discrete little p/s is all you need...
I take both a P&S and my dSLR when travelling. Why? Because carrying around the big bulky beast can get rather tiresome and it's not uncommon to miss interesting moments just because you've worn yourself out.
Often when touring some place, you'll do a lot of footwork during the central part of the day. The light then is harsh and not the best for real quality, and you will usually have the same possibility of getting a good shot with either camera (depending, of course, on the quality of the cameras). What I do is carry around the P&S during the day and get general interest snapshots, while making notes of places that I want to get back to with the "big gun" later in the evening (or early the next morning) when the light is better for proper photgraphs. You know, a bridge or a castle or an amazing view or whatever...
If you're not going to be based in one spot long enough to get back to certain places and you want to use the dSLR as your main tool to avoid missing photo opportunities, it's best to travel as light as possible and not have to worry about switching lenses all the time. For that, a good-quality "all terrain" lens is your best bet (something like an 18-200mm type lens that enables you to do both landscapes and zoom work all in one). If you try get too specialised with your lenses while touring, it gets frustrating (and heavy).
I have a micro four thirds camera, which solves the problem of having to haul around a huge DSLR, but still gives me interchangeable lenses and all the other DSLR feautures. Mine is an Olympus Pen, but the Panasonic G1 and later cameras are great as well.
Always always carry your P&S just like a mobile never leave home without it even when not on hols. On hols take a DSLR & Travel zoom & your trusty P&S. Be aware though a good P&S can produce the same as a DSLR quality you just get more of the options, control & wider profiels in use to get more creative. Hope tis helps.
@Robyn and MaryBeth, my advise, buy a good lightweight DSLR and lens such as Nikon D3100 and 18-55mm lens, they're easy to operate, not burdensome to haul, and very affordable these days. I bring out my P&S during holidays only if its raining and I don't want my DSLR to get wet =)
i normally only take my P&S because my hols are normally big trekking expeditions and i need to keep weight down...doesn't stop me getting exceptional shots - i've just blown one of my panoramas up to 1.5m wide! There are probably 1 shot in 25 i wish i had my DSLR...in the main it doesn't fuss me
If you are looking for fabulous, that's up to the the person using the camera. But, knowing what I know now. For a trip like that, I would pick up a Rebel line body and then spend some money on a very good lens. They can get expensive, but they do make a difference, more so than the camera itself. Especially if you will be taking indoor, flashless shots. The Canon EF-S 17-55 2.8 or 24-105L would make great vacation lens (also make you poor).
Another consideration is to rent a lens or two for the trip.
I agree with @ukdanae and others about the four thirds format. I also have the Olympus - E-PL1 and with two lens, was able to photograph some very beautiful and personal moments during our trip to China last year. Easy to throw into a day fanny pack, or to carry by hand. Olympus is currently having a sale on their different PENs, and you can get a good deal for a body and lens kit.
I have a panasonic Lumix FZ40 (or FZ45 depending on what country you're in) its light, relatively compact, super easy to use, but it gives so many options, when I went searching for a dslr I was looking at spending quite alot of money but after looking at many many different cameras I spent under $500 and bought the panasonic. I'm wrapped with it. It goes everywhere I go, and its now all I use since my 3 year old broke my p&s! Originally I was convinced I'd get a Nikon, but now I'm glad I did what I did and saved the money!
I'm also with @ukdanae and @emsabh - i've got a micro four thirds, but the Lumix GF1 and i love it! Decided to get it to come travelling as it's smaller than your average DSLR but you've got the lens options etc.
I also brought a little Canon P&S but this meant at the start that I didn't use my Lumix enough as it was easier to just take the P&S. When it was stolen, I had to use my Lumix and it was kind of a blessing in disguise :)
I would still take both - the P&S for nights out in bars or dodgy areas and the DSLR for everything else :)
@jadedfirefly Hi try the Pamasonic TZ Range wit the Lieca lens see my album most until Aug were on this camera & also the sony 350 with Zeiss lens. I used to sue the two bu t the Panasonic is the best by far I think mine is the TZ8 Hope tis helps want any more shout up - goodluck
We have both but a few years ago realised we weren't using the point and shoot at all as the photos from our DSLR were so much better. We now give the P & S to our son to get his own happy snaps We have a Nikon D70 and D7000 with 18-200 I think and a zoom lens. We now have a backpack to take everything in lol plus a small camera bag to just take one DSLR and the 18-200 lens
@naturalp@espyetta@nikkers@davidchrtrans@kitdelite@ukdanae@spthorne@jadedfirefly@ronphotography@sparkle@mgerst@emsabh@threeplusone@enfys
Thank you everyone for the comments! It really helps a lot!
I was wondering about the micro four-thirds; I was going to add a question about that in the initial header, but didn't want to overwhelm with all my questions!! I really like the idea of dSLR-quality in a smaller bundle. I was looking at the Sony a55 specifically for a while: it is much smaller than a traditional dSLR, and I have the option of getting a Zeiss lens. My little PnS Sony Cybershot has a Zeiss lens in it and it takes pretty nice pictures!
I also looked at the PEN and the NEX.
What I wanted to improve upon on this trip to Italy is the "haziness in the distance" issue. I was wondering if a better camera /lens would improve on distance shots. I also would like the things in the distance to be zoomed in on better than what my Cybershot would do (tho my Lumix PnS zooms pretty well; need a tripod for that).
Thanks again, and if you have anything new to add, please feel free! Have a great day
@2thgirl Hi have you looked at the Nikon 5100 has the same processer & sensor as the S7000 but much sheaper as it has less burst speed & is not so robus & hence smaller. You can get some good lenses for this ie 55-300 Nikon & it comes with either a 18-55 nikon or 18-105 nikon. I have the D7000 my sone hasd the D5100 & the quality is the same well almost. I use Sigma lenses which are cheaper try the Sigma 18-250 OS this got good reports or the Nikon 18-200 which is even better if you have a nikon these lenses will do it all in one then move to sepcoialists lenses as you improve. The tripod for the P&S may help just get a dmall gorrilla pod that works fine for me for the P&S but you may need a bigger stronger one for the DSLR. Hope this helps :)
@2thgirl Don't forget the Panasonic Lumix when you look at micro four thirds! The kit 20mm 1.7 lens that comes with this camera has achieved cult status (I know, I use it myself!) and the Panny's are great value - their higher-end lenses are Leica-approved too.
@spthorne Thanks; I've seen the Sigma lens name around and noticed it was cheaper. I wondered if "cheaper meant cheaper"! (IE, if it costs less, is it a worse lens). good to know! @ukdanae Oh, ok, thanks! I'll check out the Lumix. I didn't know they came in micro four thirds, too.
@2thgirl you may want to get a UV filter or polarizer to help with the hazy distance shots. Good ones will be a bit expensive but will help. Going four thirds or dslr will help you use those bad boys in ways your P&S can't!
@2thgirl Sigma make great lenses the EX are the top tange then the others not maked EX are the cheaper version. I have an EX & Std the EX is better but the std is really good Goodle lenstip as they have good reviews on line of many lenses. My opinion for what its worth is buy the best lense you can afford it is worth it again hope this helps :)
@emsabh Oh, cool; thank's for the tip! I have polarized sunglasses that I've put in front of my lens before just because I like the "old fashioned" look it gives to a pic (because of the amber color of the glasses). Didn't think it would help with haze, too! @spthorne Good info! thanks a lot!
@2thgirl The Sony a55 is the one I will be getting in a couple of weeks. I have been doing research on it for about a month and have found that this is the one for me. Now that it is passed the 12th - what did you end up getting and how was the trip?
@cherne I've been eyeing that one, too. It seems to have great reviews! I'm still pondering what to do, but I find myself going back to the Sony a55. I just would like to see one in real life; I'm going to a camera store tomorrow, tho, and hopefully will find one there.
My trip to Italy will be in September of 2012; one more year to go! =-)
We have a trip to Italy planed and we are taking both our cameras with us. DSLR Sony A330 and my Sony cybershot P&S( for quick shots where photos are "frowned upon"). We plan on bringing all our lenses, our 10-20mm wide angle for all the piazzas and squares/architecture. 50mm because is my favorite, the kit lens 18-55 and the 55-200 telephoto.
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and sometimes you just dont need the bigger camera, and a discrete little p/s is all you need...
Often when touring some place, you'll do a lot of footwork during the central part of the day. The light then is harsh and not the best for real quality, and you will usually have the same possibility of getting a good shot with either camera (depending, of course, on the quality of the cameras). What I do is carry around the P&S during the day and get general interest snapshots, while making notes of places that I want to get back to with the "big gun" later in the evening (or early the next morning) when the light is better for proper photgraphs. You know, a bridge or a castle or an amazing view or whatever...
If you're not going to be based in one spot long enough to get back to certain places and you want to use the dSLR as your main tool to avoid missing photo opportunities, it's best to travel as light as possible and not have to worry about switching lenses all the time. For that, a good-quality "all terrain" lens is your best bet (something like an 18-200mm type lens that enables you to do both landscapes and zoom work all in one). If you try get too specialised with your lenses while touring, it gets frustrating (and heavy).
Anyway, that's what I do, and it works for me.
Another consideration is to rent a lens or two for the trip.
I also brought a little Canon P&S but this meant at the start that I didn't use my Lumix enough as it was easier to just take the P&S. When it was stolen, I had to use my Lumix and it was kind of a blessing in disguise :)
I would still take both - the P&S for nights out in bars or dodgy areas and the DSLR for everything else :)
Thank you everyone for the comments! It really helps a lot!
I was wondering about the micro four-thirds; I was going to add a question about that in the initial header, but didn't want to overwhelm with all my questions!! I really like the idea of dSLR-quality in a smaller bundle. I was looking at the Sony a55 specifically for a while: it is much smaller than a traditional dSLR, and I have the option of getting a Zeiss lens. My little PnS Sony Cybershot has a Zeiss lens in it and it takes pretty nice pictures!
I also looked at the PEN and the NEX.
What I wanted to improve upon on this trip to Italy is the "haziness in the distance" issue. I was wondering if a better camera /lens would improve on distance shots. I also would like the things in the distance to be zoomed in on better than what my Cybershot would do (tho my Lumix PnS zooms pretty well; need a tripod for that).
Thanks again, and if you have anything new to add, please feel free! Have a great day
@ukdanae Oh, ok, thanks! I'll check out the Lumix. I didn't know they came in micro four thirds, too.
@spthorne Good info! thanks a lot!
My trip to Italy will be in September of 2012; one more year to go! =-)