Quest for the right camera..

 

A Digital SLR or not? If not, then what could come close? (not in terms of the price, but in terms of picture quality).

We are not professionals. Photography is not even a real hobby for Akash or me. But, every once in a while, a lot of enthusiastic effort is put into clicking just the right mood, in the right light, the right angle....and when the results are not quite that good, its disappointing.  Anyone who has been on an outing with us will have a few good pictures to take back with them clicked by Akash, and will never fail to notice the amount of effort and thought he puts into clicking them. He deserves a good camera.

In today's times, such decisions can be mind-boggling. Too many to chose from and too much information, but never the kind of information that would make your decision making easier.

Technology can be very seducing at times. One tends to get carried away with technical specifications, special features, the hi-tech feel, the entire package... its very alluring I tell you...

Anyway's, am trying to help Akash make his choice. So here goes my finding ( am not a technical person, so just trying to make sense of the information available on the net.)

Why Digital SLR?

1. The ooomph factor.

2. Larger image sensors  means better shots.

3. Optical view finder - what you see is what you get..

4. Manual controls...easily accessible. Allows better control on the shots.

5. Adaptability - ability to change lenses opens up a world of possibilities for photographers.

6. Hold on the value - dSLR's are not upgraded as frequently as Digital point and shoots.

Why not a dSLR ?

1. Price. Even the beginners range is very expensive, and added to it the costs of its attachments and accessories.

2. Size and weight - can be bulky esp with its lenses.

3. Maintenance very high on time, effort and pocket. (esp the lenses)

4. Complexity - can be overwhelming and learning curve can be steep...dampening the fun a bit.

5. No live LCD.

6. Noisy - Some users have found that these cams are way too noisy at times, esp if you are trying to sneak in on someone to click them without their notice.

7. Does not really replace a point and shoot camera. Most dSLR owners also own a dP&S.

Why a Digital Point and Shoot -

1. Size and weight  - though the advanced dP&S with extended zooms, are also pretty bulky now, at least one need not carry additional lenses.

2. Much quieter than dSLRs.

3. Shoot comparatively well in auto mode - less complex.

(Makers of DSLR assume that the user will want to control and change settings manually, though they also have an auto mode, it is not built to take the best possible picture. To get the best picture quality,one has to play around with the controls, else no point of a dSLR. But in the case of a dP&S, the makers assume that the user will click mostly in the auto-mode, and thus it is built to give you the best possible result in that mode)

4. Price - affordable.

5. LCD framing– enable their users to take shots from different angles and still see what they’re shooting.

Why not a Digital Point & Shoot? - most arguments here are the reason you would buy a dSLR instead -

1. Image quality -  small image sensors means lower picture quality. Though - if the images are not meant for major enlargements or professional use, the dP&S quality is more than good enough for average household users.

2. Speed - notorious for slow start up, focus time and shutter lag.

3. Very small and useless or even none at all view finders - total reliance on the LCD frame.

4. Limited manual controls.- the controls are hidden in the menu which makes them difficult to access and user ends up clicking mostly in auto mode, rendering other controls useless.

5. Less adaptable - once bought, you are stuck with what you have. No additional lenses or attachments to enhance.

6. Value - the dP&S industry is constantly evolving and upgrading and coming up with better technology.

My verdict -

Tending towards Digital Point and Shoot.

Main reasons being - price, comfort and ease of use, and the fact that neither of us are that serious about photography. Our best shots will at the most make it to the desktop background on our laptops or to our digital picture frame.

And to me buying a Digital SLR does not make sense if one does not also invest in its different accessories and lenses, and make full fledged use of its main advantage over Point and Shoot, which are its adaptability and manual controls. There is not much point in using a dSLR for instant point and shoots.

So as much as I fancy using a dSLR, a more sensible choice would be a Digital Point and shoot for us.

So which one will it be Akash?