DSLR Users Who Also Have Point & Shoots About This Page:

[Dave Marx]

Every camera is a tool with certain capabilities. Today's better P&S cameras have so many capabilities that it's probably possible to shoot most anything I might want to do in the parks. However, one thing that very few of them have is a large-sized image sensor. That is finally changing.

What I like most in my big camera (a "pro-sumer," not a DSLR) is that it has an eye-level electronic viewfinder. So, I can see what the image sensor and camera electronics are doing, in bright sunlight. You can use the LCD displays on the backs of P&S and DSLRs to do the same thing, but generally not in bright, Florida sunlight. For that capability alone, I'm going to keep carrying the big camera. Also, since it's my prime camera, I know its controls and capabilities really well, and I can't say the same for the P&S cameras we have. When I feel the need to make my camera quickly sit up and do tricks, that's an important consideration.

It's funny, some of these same issues go all the way back to the days when Nikon's 35mm SLRs were making inroads into the photojournalism turf of Leica's 35mm rangefinder cameras (the early 60s). Both kinds of cameras had interchangeable lenses, but the Leica viewfinders could only approximate the view through the lens. Maybe it was not that important when using relatively short lenses, but Leicas really were not suited for use with long telephotos, and even with typical portrait lenses (around 100mm), the problem with parallax meant the difference between confidently shooting a tight, full frame portrait and leaving some wiggle-room for cropping. That, I think, more than anything else, helped Nikon's SLRs take over Leica's turf.

Now, there are finally P&S-style digital cameras that can do just about anything a DSLR can do - interchangeable lenses, large image sensors (for quality), and the same overall exposure control/feature set. Look at what Panasonic and Olympus are doing with the Micro 4/3 system. They're making P&S-styled cameras capable of the same technical quality as the DSLR-styled cameras in the series. They've usually chosen to make the P&S styles more "streamlined" in terms of what features are quickly available, but if you dig down through the menu system, there's little difference between the "serious" and "P&S" versions.

While I don't currently have the budget to buy several Micro 4/3 camera bodies (P&S style plus DSLR-style), it's cool that you can use the same lenses for both style of camera. I expect there are already a number of photographers who are doing just this - the compact, P&S version with a moderate-length lens to carry every moment of the day, and the bigger DSLR-style for those times when you expect you need to pull out all the stops.

[buckinghammr]

I brought both on our last trip. I don't remember exactly why, but for one day I only had the point and shoot. ANNOYING!! I just can't handle the shutter lag anymore. Yes, it's more portable, but...

[tcmary]

On a recent spur of the moment day trip, I cried out "Oh, no, I left the camera home." My 12 yo reminded me that I could use my cell phone. I was delighted that he remembered and surprised at the photo quality.
In Disney leaving the DSLR behind would be like leaving one of the kids behind, I just couldn't do it.

[MichaelF]

I tried leaving the SLR behind one day and used a Canon point and shoot that was my wifes. I was very disappointed in the results. I don;t like the P&S cameras anyway because my fingers are too big to operate the small buttons.

I have a few camera bodies and lens but I have found my favorite to take on vacation is an older Canon Digital Rebel. It still takes good photos and is very light. I hardly know I have it most of the time. I will never leave the SLR behind again in favor of a P&S.

[A & J's Dad]

I took only my P&S on our June trip. Never again. I'll still carry it but not as my primary. The images were fine. I just don't like the shutter lag and the cumbersome controls when in manual modes. Now if I had a G12...that might be a little different story.

Cheers
Craig

[WillCAD]

Originally Posted by A & J's Dad

I took only my P&S on our June trip. Never again. I'll still carry it but not as my primary. The images were fine. I just don't like the shutter lag and the cumbersome controls when in manual modes. Now if I had a G12...that might be a little different story.

Cheers
Craig

NOTE ON SHUTTER LAG:

Shutter lag is caused by the camera having to focus and meter for the exposure when you press the button. Shutter lag exists in SLRs, too, but it's not an issue because of something called pre-focus.

Pre-focus means that the shutter release button will press both halfway and all the way. Press it halfway, and the camera will focus and meter for the shot. Then press it all the way, and the shot is snapped - instantly, with no lag, because it's already focused and metered.. If you press halfway and then don't take a shot, release the button and re-focus later.

A lot of P&S cameras made in the last 3-5 years now have a pre-focus feature, just like SLRs. Check your camera's manual, or simply turn on your camera and see if the button presses halfway. You'll likely be able to tell when the camera pre-focuses, because some indicator will appear on the LCD telling you that it's focused or metered and ready to shoot.

Once you master the use of pre-focus, shutter lag becomes a thing of the past.

[prophotogal]

I'm wedding/portrait photographer. On my last trip to WDW I only took my Canon sx10 (still classified as a p&s and is also the camera I sneek into concerts ). I came home with images I loved. It's not just the camera but the person who takes the photo that determines how the pic will turn out. Sure you can have it on "P" or on Auto and still get good shots but if your p&s camera has "M" for manual it's almost just as good as a DSRL. I don't regret not taking my 5D or Rebel. Know how your camera (p&s) works, all the ins & outs of it and you'll get great images. Took the sx10 to Alaska last year along with my 5D. Won a cruise with an image I took in Fairbanks with my sx10!

If I had more of a compact p&s that doesn't have "M" the yes I would be taking my 5D or Rebel no matter what.

[lfredsbo]

I usually have both my p&s and my dslr - my last trip (it was a girls only long weekend) I left the dslr at home...........and I regret it!!! It would have been fine for most of the days - but I really really missed it at AK!!! Won't do that again!