Digital SLR vs SLR-like cameras?

[pdrjnn]

Okay, I have a cute little casion Exilim Z1000 and love it but get frustrated with the lack of zoom. I am looking to to take photos of my kids who are always on the move and never close enough especially when playing sports. Should I be looking at a DSLR or would something like the Canon S3 be enough? How do you equate the zoom on the point and shoots (ie. 3X optical or 12X optical) to the lenses available on the DSLRs (ie 18-55mm or 70-300mm)? Please help me figure out the best way to go. Thanks!

[Margeeo]

Boy, giving advice on camera is hard to do. I'm looking to upgrade myself. I have Sony DSCH-1 ,12x zoom. Well it is a good camera the 12x zoom is not enough for taking sports pictures unless your close to the action. I think the DSLR with a long lens is the way to go. Just don't know which one to buy. It seems a lot people like the cannon cameras.Always decisions.

Marge

[hbarrow]

Hi,

There are three very good camera web sites, but I can only remember two of them.

http://www.dcresource.com/

http://www.steves-digicams.com/

Whenever I have to buy a camera, I use these two sites. Both of these sites give tons of links to other sites.

Enjoy

Healan

[IreneO]

I have the Canon S2IS. (S3IS is out now I believe). I like it because it has a 12x optical zoom, and it is smaller (and I think lighter) than a digital SLR. But I've never used a Digital SLR, so I'm not really much help am I?

[estherf]

I have the Canon S2IS. (S3IS is out now I believe). I like it because it has a 12x optical zoom, and it is smaller (and I think lighter) than a digital SLR. But I've never used a Digital SLR, so I'm not really much help am I?

This Canon is an advanced model that offers a lot of manual control if you don't like the "auto" setting. One of the features I like about the Canon S2IS is the ability to shoot really decent movies of up to 1 gig in size. I really love the macro (close-up range 3.9 inches to 1.6 inches) and supermacro (close-up range 0 inches to 3.9 inches). Another is that there isn't much of a delay between pressing the shutter button and saving the image. I also like the continuous shooting feature. I guess I could go on and on!:D

There are also two lenses sold separately: Wide Converter and Tele-converter (to be used with an adapter). I've used both with great effect. One thing about SLR is that you aren't limited to 2 lenses that fit that type of camera.

[Wnderlnd]

The other good camera review website is www.dpreview.com (http://www.dpreview.com). LOTS of info there, but it could get technical.

My mom is a photographer and I get a lot of advice from her, however, I have found that the folks at www.calumetphoto.com (http://www.calumetphoto.com) are very helpful. They have stores all over the US and some international as well. There is a toll free number listed on their website and the prices are very good, as well as the return policy. I am fortunate to have a store fairly closeby, but I have talked to them via phone and shopped via internet with them. They have NEVER made me feel stupid when I ask questions since I am not a photographer. I appreciate that immensely.

[Tracy Lee]

Hi, pdrjnn -

It sounds like you are about to embark on a new adventure in photography - congratulations!

DSLR vs. big-zoom digital - tough question...

I first began to improve my photography when I bought the Panasonic Lumix FZ10 with 12x optical zoom (the S3 also has 12x optical - very cool!)- I really loved that camera and still use it occasionally. However, I am now using the Nikon D50 (DSLR) and could never go back.

Pros

Good Digital Camera: great zoom, no hassle about changing lenses to suit the shoot, smaller and lighter than DSLR, no lenses to carry around - so overall more portable; many, including the S3, have build in image stablization

DSLR - they are becoming cheaper (now the D80 is out!!), there is no lag time between pressing the shutter and snapping the photo, no lag between turning on the camera and it being on, no lag = better action shots, more lens choices means more creative control (macro, wide angle...), more creative control overall (way more interesting depth of field and motion shots), better at night shots

And Cons:

Good Digital Camera: shutter lag (missed opportunities!), not as responsive as SLR, less able to make creative shots using panning for motion or depth of field

SLR - Big! A lot of gear to port around. Zoom lenses (to get the 12x zoom) are big, heavy and possibly expensive (I haven't bought one yet). Only one DSLR (a Minolta) has anti-shake/ image stablization built into the camera body; for Nikon and Canon you have to buy a lense that has it and it's pricey...

Well - I love my D50, as I said, but it depends what you really want to do. The Canon S3, from all I've heard, is a fantastic camera, but DSLRs will give you more flexibility and room to grow into your photography...

[dkc]

to re-emphasize what Tracy said, it would be difficult and expensive and heavy to buy a dslr lens to equal the 12x let along surpass it. Keep that in mind. Anti-shake is also a big factor. I own one of the Panasonic lumix cameras with 12x. I am a former professional photographer. I don't miss the weight of the medium format camera & lens at all. I'm spoiled by the portability of the Panasonic which is also much more compact than my 35 mm cameras.

If I were to go dslr (and I have thought about it) I would go Minolta (bought out by Kodak, I think), cause I always had Minolta SLRs, so I have a few autofocus lenses. Although the body is more expensive than most, it does (as someone already mentioned) have the anti-shake in the body, so you don't have to keep buying it in the lenses (more expensive lenses and slr lenses not as usable).

I have found ways to make the shutter hesitation less of a problem. It rarely matters now. And also, have discovered that if you know your camera you can exercise a lot of creative control over exposure too, even if it doesn't have manual exposure mode. The key is to know your camera. And of course digital is great for experimenting, cause you get to see your results immediately and adjust as needed to get the effect you want.

I love cameras, can you tell? :)

Donna

[Wags]

The 35mm equivalent of a 10x optical zoom is 380mm and the 35mm equivalent of a 12x optical zoom is 432mm.

I've been looking at the Kodak P712 - it is an SLR-like, and has some manual controls as well as a hotshoe so that you can add a better flash.

[Wendy]

One thing I would always suggest is once you have done your research and narrowed it down to a few cameras then try to get into a camera shop and hold the cameras in your hand.

Its got to feel comfortable ... :)

I narrowed my list down, held them all but simply didn't like the feel of any of them so I ended up buying something totally different :eek:

Wendy

[gezon]

Sorry, but I need to weigh in on the DSLR side, I have a Canon Rebel and love it. Fortunately, I had already invested in lenses for my old SLR, and with one exception they all transferred to the DSLR. I started just using it with auto focus on, but I as I learn more, I find that I use it less and less, and can tell in the kinds of photos I am getting. Everything everyone says about them being bulk and heavy is probably true, but if you pick the lense you need for the event, you can make it work. I take most of the team photos for our high school cross country team, so most Saturday's you will find me running from spot to spot to catch our runners, the DSLR runs with me...

[Wnderlnd]

I forgot to add that some camera shops will let you "checkout" a camera to try. I highly recommend a shop that will let you try before buying.

I have a Canon 10D...I though about switching to the Rebel, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the dial on the 10, 20 and 30D cameras.

Each camera has its specialities, and each lens with have its specialties...again, try before buying.