DSLR or point and shoot?

murphy11 · « **on:** 4 Dec 2010, 03:57 pm »

Hi all,

I have a Nikon D40 and the telephoto lens is screwed up so I'm considering buying a new camera and lenses vs. buying a replacement telephoto lens. Ritz offered $35 as trade in (wow) which I didn't take. The D3100 is more than I want to spend but I kinda like the idea of being able to also take video with the camera. (don't have a functional camcorder anymore)

I saw a Coolpix 8100 in the paper this morning and was wondering why someone would go with a DSLR over a point and shoot. I used to be into photography back in the early 80's and had a Nikon so I've always gone with a SLR but not really sure if there are compelling reasons to spend the extra money when there are more options nowadays.

AK · « **Reply #1 on:** 4 Dec 2010, 04:42 pm »

I went with DSLR, because I can't stand color compression of point-and-shoots, In the bright sunlight point-and-shoots are ok, but I don't always photograph on sunny days. And I choose D5000 for it's swivel screen. I no longer miss overhead and ground level shots

JohnR · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 Dec 2010, 02:03 am »

Which lens is it? You could look on Ebay - might be cheaper than you think.

murphy11 · « **Reply #3 on:** 7 Dec 2010, 04:05 pm »

I think I am going with a Craigslist 55 - 200 Nikon AF-DX VR lens for $150

Delta Wave · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Dec 2010, 12:53 am »

You could always opt for a used Canon G series... best of both worlds. It's more like a digital rangefinder. An absolutely amazing pocket digital camera. I can tell you this, your D40 was essentially a point and shoot with an interchangeable lens. Nikon's point and shoots leave A LOT to be desired as well... I'd rather get a Sony.

SET Man · « **Reply #5 on:** 8 Dec 2010, 02:41 am »

Hey!

Well, how about a compromised with something in between.

Check out the Sony NEX. APS-C size sensor, interchangeable lenses, easy to use like P&S. Maybe a bit bigger than most full sized P&S but still smaller than DSLR.

I don't own the NEX but have play around with it at the store and it seems like something that would be a good compromise between P&S and DSLR. If you can go check it out at the store.

Disclaimer: I'm a Sony DSLR user.

Take care,
Buddy

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #6 on:** 8 Dec 2010, 03:03 am »

Quote from: Delta Wave on 8 Dec 2010, 12:53 am

You could always opt for a used Canon G series... best of both worlds. It's more like a digital rangefinder. An absolutely amazing pocket digital camera. I can tell you this, your D40 was essentially a point and shoot with an interchangeable lens. Nikon's point and shoots leave A LOT to be desired as well... I'd rather get a Sony.

How is the D40 a point and shoot? There's not much I miss on it, and it's certainly more advanced than my old film slr.

How badly do you need the telephoto? I don't care for the image quality of the 55-200, particularly in poor light and hardly ever use it any more. Even with the 6mp D40, you can do a fair bit of cropping with its images. On the other hand, it doesn't hurt to have a pocket sized point and shoot handy. The best of both worlds might be to keep the D40 for use with a bounced flash and shots that are a bit more timing sensitive and have a nice little point and shoot for good light.

murphy11 · « **Reply #7 on:** 8 Dec 2010, 03:46 am »

I bought a well maintained 55-200 Nikon VR lens off craigslist today because my kids play sports and I can never seem to get close enough to the action. I am not unhappy with the D40, but figured if I was going to spend some money I should consider my alternatives. Thanks for the ideas.

If I get more into photography and discover something that I want more next year, maybe I'll reconsider.

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #8 on:** 8 Dec 2010, 05:54 am »

That sounds like a decent move. I have to believe that the D40 will still get you faster and more reliable focusing than point and shoot of equivalent price of your craigslist 55-200 vr in addition to faster shutter response.

JohnR · « **Reply #9 on:** 8 Dec 2010, 09:03 am »

Quote from: SET Man on 8 Dec 2010, 02:41 am

Check out the Sony NEX.

Amazingly small, considering it's packing an APS sensor -

"Sir, would you like a sensor on the back of that lens?"

murphy11 · « **Reply #10 on:** 8 Dec 2010, 01:47 pm »

Quote from: ooheadsoo on 8 Dec 2010, 05:54 am

That sounds like a decent move. I have to believe that the D40 will still get you faster and more reliable focusing than point and shoot of equivalent price of your craigslist 55-200 vr in addition to faster shutter response.

Thanks, I'm pretty happy with not having to spend too much money on me around the holidays. Small added bonuses are he included a soft carry case, lens hood and delivered it to me in excellent condition for $150.

adydula · « **Reply #11 on:** 8 Dec 2010, 02:20 pm »

murphy11,

DSLR have no shutter lag.

Point and Shoots although better that in the past are not up to the speed a modern DSLR.

Many, many times people say hey thats not what I took, a lag of several tenths of a second when shooting people or action shots or shots with things that move are always a hit or miss proposition.

The color rendition of a good lens on a DSLR also is better that the glass or plastic in most point and shoots.

My wife is always telling me that my cameras (DSLRs) take 'better' pictures that here PS's.

I have several DSLRS and PS.... along with speed and speed and accuracy of autofocus etc..

Do it right, and not that too expensive, get a inexpensive body but get a GOOD lens that will last your lifetime...like a Nikon Nikkor or Canon "L" lens...

All the best
Alex

mjosef · « **Reply #12 on:** 9 Dec 2010, 12:15 am »

Quote from: JohnR on 8 Dec 2010, 09:03 am

Amazingly small, considering it's packing an APS sensor -

"Sir, would you like a sensor on the back of that lens?"

Man, I was playing around with this at B&H a couple SUndays ago...I was mightily tempted, they had a package deal for 499. A lady customer had one around her neck and said it was an excellent performer, does almost everything her fancy SLR does, she claimed she was a professional photographer, from Australia ...

So I asked her if it was better than a Pen...

she claimed the Pen is in a class above.

SET Man · « **Reply #13 on:** 9 Dec 2010, 04:07 am »

Quote from: mjosef on 9 Dec 2010, 12:15 am

Man, I was playing around with this at B&H a couple SUndays ago...I was mightily tempted, they had a package deal for 499. A lady customer had one around her neck and said it was an excellent performer, does almost everything her fancy SLR does, she claimed she was a professional photographer, from Australia ...
So I asked her if it was better than a Pen... she claimed the Pen is in a class above.

Hey!

Hmmm.... than she should have bought the Pen instead of the NEX than.

Take care,
Buddy

JohnR · « **Reply #14 on:** 9 Dec 2010, 08:54 am »

Enh. An Australian in New York? Fuggedaboutit.

Goosepond · « **Reply #15 on:** 9 Dec 2010, 05:02 pm »

I guess it depends on where you're coming from or what you're looking for (how's that for profundity?

).

Michael Reichmann has a very good website, Luminous Landscape. His reviews are not nuts and bolts like DPReview. He lets you know how a camera performs in the field. Anyway, there are a lot of things to like about the Sony NEX-5, like that little body and huge sensor. But if you can't shoot with it what good is it?

Here is MR's feelings, good and bad, about this camera.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/sony-nex5.shtml

Gene

DaveC113 · « **Reply #16 on:** 9 Dec 2010, 06:07 pm »

I have a Nex and will warn anyone that reviews of this camera are all personal opinion about it's handling and user interface. I happen to really like both the way it handles and it's UI, especially since the version 3 firmware update that allows customization of the soft buttons. I also have no issue with not having a viewfinder or pop-up flash. So, be aware of it's limitations but go to a store and check it out yourself, you may find you do not share reviewer's negative opinions on it's handling and UI.... Many reviewer's opinions seem to be from old people who can't adapt to anything new. After a bit of use all the perceived "problems" don't seem to be problems at all.

There is little dispute that this camera has a better sensor and better IQ than any u4/3 and most entry level dslrs, given that this is Sony's newest 14 MP sensor. The kit lenses aren't as good as the sensor, but they are ok especially for the low price. Because of the short lens to sensor distance you can adapt any lens you want with a 1.5 crop factor from 35mm. Combined with good rangefinder lenses you have a very small system with pro-level IQ. I have been blown away by shots taken with Zeiss and Leica glass on the Nex. The very sharp lcd and mf assist make manual focus very easy. It is a good alternative to a p&s for those that want the interchangeable lenses, better IQ and low light performance but don't want a full size dslr. It is also a good alternative for those who can't afford a Leica M8 or have nice lenses gathering dust they don't use anymore because they now shoot digital...

low.pfile · « **Reply #17 on:** 9 Dec 2010, 06:43 pm »

Quote from: SET Man on 9 Dec 2010, 04:07 am

Hey!

Hmmm.... than she should have bought the Pen instead of the NEX than.

Take care,
Buddy

Buddy, I immediately thought of the song "Love the one your with" after reading your post. use that NEX with all of your might! have fun.

SET Man · « **Reply #18 on:** 10 Dec 2010, 01:34 am »

Quote from: low.pfile on 9 Dec 2010, 06:43 pm

Buddy, I immediately thought of the song "Love the one your with" after reading your post. use that NEX with all of your might! have fun.

Hey!

I see

I was surprised since we are talking about a few hundreds bucks difference and not thousand.

Yeah, I say that sometime to "Love the one your with"

My Sony A700 still work well.

Well, having more expensive cam won't make me a better photographer, artistically and creatively wise... but I'm sure it will make me look cooler with Sony A900 or Leica M9 or Hasselblad H4D dangling around my neck

Take care,
Buddy

Delta Wave · « **Reply #19 on:** 12 Dec 2010, 02:45 am »

Quote from: ooheadsoo on 8 Dec 2010, 03:03 am

How is the D40 a point and shoot? There's not much I miss on it, and it's certainly more advanced than my old film slr.

How badly do you need the telephoto? I don't care for the image quality of the 55-200, particularly in poor light and hardly ever use it any more. Even with the 6mp D40, you can do a fair bit of cropping with its images. On the other hand, it doesn't hurt to have a pocket sized point and shoot handy. The best of both worlds might be to keep the D40 for use with a bounced flash and shots that are a bit more timing sensitive and have a nice little point and shoot for good light.

All you're doing with a camera is capturing manipulated light... why does it need to be advanced? Excellent optics are the key and the low end Nikon stuff is no better anything else out there.