Three Wise Men

It’s been almost too long since my last post but anyway, I think it’s just the right time. In my previous post I was writing (ranting) about digital revolution which is also an important part in this post.

One of the questions is when should an amateur switch from a compact camera to a DSLR? Does someone who decided to become a so called “photographer” even wants to buy a compact? First I think I’ll have to clarify that by a compact I don’t mean put it in your pocket compact but very a bit more serious Canon Powershot G10 or SX10 IS¹.

Read more, to find out more … ;)

I don’t know where to start. So, first let’s have a look at this from a financial point of view. A cheap DSLR with a kit lens will costs around 500€. On the other hand a little bit advanced and more expensive compact will cost around 450€, usually supplied with a memory card, batteries, charger, etc … Pictures that those two produce are at some point virtually indistinguishable and you can’t really tell which camera was the one making the picture. With an advanced compact you’ll get built in flash, manual control and a lot of other stuff that DSLRs have. You’ll also get a universal lens with focal points anywhere from 18mm and up to almost 400mm. Cheapest DSLRs will come with kit 18-55mm lens which can be very disappointing especially if you find that out while you want to take a picture of a duck in the middle of a stream and you just can’t zoom on it.

However, with compact you’ll also get a relatively slow auto-focus². Pop-up flash that cannot be upgraded³ and is almost useless for any serious work, you’ll also get a very small CCD or CMOS sensor which will contribute to increased noise at higher ISO settings. You’re also stuck with one and the same lens until your compact simply breaks and stops working, then you can go and buy a new one.

So which one is better? If you’re looking for something that you can throw in your backpack and you don’t want an extra backpack or bag to carry around with you, then go for compact. Otherwise DSLR without a doubt. Which one will make better pictures? Hard to say, I want to say DSLR but it really depends a lot on the photographer and the conditions you’re shooting in.

Let’s wrap up with some pros and cons for both.

Cheap DSLR

Pros:

• It is DSLR, that’s always a pro ;)
• Many, many lenses that you can use and switch between them whenever you like
• Bigger sensor, less noise and in the end better picture quality in not-so-perfect conditions
• Longer battery life, more than thousand pictures with one battery charge is not uncommon
• See-Thru-Lens viewfinder which works in all light conditions

Cons

• Kit lens are usually not enough and you’ll have to buy more
• It seems that you get less for more money: no wide angle lens, no telephoto lens, no macro lens
• Heavy and bulky, an extra bag or backpack is required to carry all the stuff around
• It comes with a price in the long run, much higher price

Expensive compact

Pros

• A lot of zoom, from 18mm to 400mm, taking macro shots, wide angle shots and telephoto shots
• A lot of megapixels ;) which always sounds better
• Live view⁴, seeing is believing, right?
• De-attachable LCD screen that can be twisted and turned in many ways and it really minimizes the chances that you’ll gave to lay down on the ground and sprain your neck while taking a picture
• Recording movies⁵, picture is worth a thousand words, so movie must be worth thousands of words and if you get tired of taking still pictures you can start making movies
• If you’re happy with the results it is cheaper in the long run

Cons

• It is not DSLR and you won’t look such a badass with your camera in public
• Only one lens that you’re stuck with for the rest of its lifetime
• Quickly degrading quality when conditions are worse than perfect
• Limited room for expansion

This is the part where I say don’t rush it. If you want get in photography more seriously it will take a longer time and will cost you more. With a good compact your options never really close, you can always buy something better. If you’re not sure if photography is your thing, then try with compact first. If you’re already sure and determined to dive into photography, go with DSLR. But keep in mind that it’s good to have at least 3 lenses (macro, wide, telephoto) and that kit lens are mediocre quality and you’ll strive for bigger and better and more expensive. In the end your lenses can cost ten times more than your camera.

I started with a compact and I was striving for more, when I reached the point and I was sure that I got the most out of the camera, then and only then I decidet to buy a new one. At that time it was one of the best compacts available on the market. A friendly advice: it will be easier to sell good compact than cheap DSLR, I sold mine in a short time and got a decent price for it.

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