Do you need a DSLR?

I am not a professional photographer and the only photos I take are of my family or of the vacation we go on. I was frustrated with the quality of photographs taken by my not so shabby Panasonic DMZ, so I plonked some money for Canon T3i.
Spent a month going thru online tutorials and fiddling with the aperture/ shutter settings. I get much better pictures now - in terms of exposure and closer to life rather than washed out or underexposed and blurry pictures.
Yes, i still use auto mode sometimes when I am indoors and in a hurry to capture that moment. And that comes out gorgeous! No comparison with my P&S.
My advise - if you can afford it, and are not bothered by the size of it - go for it! I spent under $600 for a good body and 2 medium lenses, thanks to SD.
Extremely pleased with my purchase so far!

Quote from mannym : OK. One needs to learn lighting, aperture, shutter speed and focal length to take a decent pictures with DSLR. Can you share what will be the best setting (focal length, aperture, shutter speed, ISO or program modes) for the following common situations: 1. Indoor party in a restaurant or living room with incandescent lighting with the subject within five feet 2. Close up shots of flowers, humming birds in an outdoor setting with moderate day lighting at a distance ten to fifteen feet 3. Fireworks show on July 4th 4. Outdoor group photos/portraits with historic monuments or background 5. Sporting events 6. Kids and toddlers in a indoor living room situation Please share your thougths

Depends on your lens but here is what I would say would be a good setup with some common lenses.. i'm not a pro and am just starting out so i post this hoping others will correct me and maybe i'll learn something too!

Here is what I'd use with my Canon 60D (hand held)
1. Indoors. 17-55 Canon F2.8 (or Tamron 17-50 F2.8). no flash. ISO between 400-1000. Aperture F2.8. Focal length probably around 17 for waist-up or 30-40mm for a shoulders up. Shutter speed could vary with the focal length. You can go somewhere between 1/20 - 1/50th of a second.

2. Outdoors. If you want close ups from 10-15 ft you'd need a zoom lens here. I have a 70-300 f/3.5 - 5.6 that works good outdoors in bright lighting.

3. Fireworks. I have trouble on these mainly getting auto focus to hit the right spot so using manual focus helps. This year I got some decent shots using my 17-50 f/2.8 tamron lens. I couldn't zoom in real close, but you don't really need to for a larger fireworks display if you are relatively close. (I was at a baseball game watching the fireworks so they were pretty big in the sky from where I sat.) --- f/2.8 helps here with grabbing a lot of light at lower ISO (less noise). But I'd have to mess with it and test a few shots before I could get the settings right. Maybe 1000 ISO with f/2.8. This would also depend on how much motion you want to capture too. Tough one for sure.

4. Outdoor Group. Good range is good here .. travel lens comes to mine (18-200) for outdoor shots with group closeups (wide) and distant monuments you want to zoom in on.

5. Kids indoors. This is where the prime lens comes in.. I have a 30mm Sigma f/1.4 that I love love love indoors with the 4 month old. I can shoot all day in low light with no flash and low ISO and I can grab so much light. 30mm; f/1.4 - 2.0; 1/20 - 1/40; ISO ??. I cheat with the 60D and set everything in manual except the ISO.. so I'm not real good at that yet -- I'd have to test some out and adjust.. trial and error, but I'm still learning.

I read this thread and substituted "DSLR" for Lexus, Mercedes, Infiniti, Acura, BMW, and "point & shoot" for Toyota, Chrysler, Nissan, Honda, Hyundai, Ford, Chevy.

Most of the info and replies still seem to make sense.

Very rarely have I seen a person that really "needs" a more expensive car.....but then again I've never really concerned myself with how other people spend their money!

It's all relative. Spend some time in an area that is characterized by poverty and you'll quickly realize that many people don't NEED a lot of the stuff that we buy.

The question comes down to: do you WANT a dslr camera? If you want to learn something new, want to have the experience of using this technology for your purposes, or just want to have one to fulfill whatever motivations you have - then do what you're going to do.

We all benefit from the fervor of our own subjective opinion. Many of these posts are both helpful, but also self-serving - reinforcing the self-identity of each poster, their sense of purpose, etc. After all, people define themselves but what they do or what they have (not always, but mostly). Whether it's a camera, a car, or a trip to another place, it's similar to any other experience in life - if you want to have the experience, then count up the costs, make your decision, and do your thing.

Quote from MaqAttaq : I'm not a pro photographer, but I do agree that most don't need to bother having a DSLR. I'm a major proponent of learning on some of the more advanced P&S (gateway) cameras (such as the older Canon PowerShot A series or some of the newer PowerShot SX Series). I would get studio-quality shots (with the right lighting and settings) with my old 4 megapixel Powershot A80 than some people can get with their DSLRs. Plus, my A80 had some functionality that mirrors a DSLR (like Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, full manual, etc.). Once I learned how to use those functions, I was able to push it to the max. It was then that I upgraded to a DSLR. Now, I don't use full auto unless I'm using it to get a vague baseline for manual settings. It always amazes me how many have DSLRs and just use them as they would a P&S, complete with the built-in flash, and looking at their pictures, they look far worse than what I would've taken with my old A80 camera. Actually, I've taken better photos with my cell phone camera than they did with their $1000 DSLR.

I would agree with your post despite fear that I may come across as pompous, elitist or self-serving

The reality is that plenty of people have the money to burn and they think they can magically take great pictures if they invest in this gear. And the manufacturers pursue these kind of people with equal fervor as they do with the pro's.

I don't think taking good pictures thru a D-SLR is rocket science though. But it takes considerable time, patience and effort to understand how to get good pictures and there are no short cuts there. The end result can be very rewarding though.

A big shout-out for the A-80 P&S!! A great camera and that was my introduction to the basics of Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO

Quote from oFlamingo : Technical difference between Compact and DSLRs A regular compact camera uses two lenses to capture an image. One lens goes to the image recorder (either film or flash memory) while the other goes from the physical lens to the viewfinder. This duality works fine when shooting at mid-range distances (optimal range for the built-in lens), but once you want to capture an image close-up or in wide angle, the image you see on the viewfinder doesn’t accurately reflect what’s being captured.

I don't think this is accurate any more. While there are still some compact digital cameras that still have an optical viewfinder, it's largely gone extinct in favor of the LCD viewfinder. In modern P&S digital cameras, the LCD viewfinder accuracy is at or near 100%.

Quote from bugsnest : I would agree with your post despite fear that I may come across as pompous, elitist or self-serving The reality is that plenty of people have the money to burn and they think they can magically take great pictures if they invest in this gear. And the manufacturers pursue these kind of people with equal fervor as they do with the pro's. I don't think taking good pictures thru a D-SLR is rocket science though. But it takes considerable time, patience and effort to understand how to get good pictures and there are no short cuts there. The end result can be very rewarding though. A big shout-out for the A-80 P&S!! A great camera and that was my introduction to the basics of Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO

I really don't think you sound elitist. The whole point of having features like interchangeable lenses, add-on flashes, and having the SLR itself is to allow better composing of images.

By composing, I mean visualizing what you want to have the picture look like, instead of simply pointing the camera and hitting the shutter release button. The more you do it, the better you do get at composing on the fly, even when you have to change lenses or camera settings.

I took the attached image below just now with my Rebel T4i. It was done rather quickly in Aperture priority from where I'm sitting... auto ISO (to get a faster shutter speed since I'm kinda shaded where I'm at). Basically, I saw the image, and went for it.

I still have my A80... just no batteries for it at the moment . The T4i is my 2nd DSLR, having traded in my XSi with its 18-55mm kit lens to get the newer one with the 18-135mm STM lens, which I must say is far better than the regular kit lens. I found the T4i is better with night shots, plus I have the 1080p 24fps video handy.

EDIT: Added similar shot from my PowerShot A80 (raided the batteries out of my Speedlite flash for a moment) just to make a point about composing an image. It has "a80" at the end of the filename. I must say it was actually harder to compose, but I did it.

Quote from kruiser : I am not a professional photographer and the only photos I take are of my family or of the vacation we go on. I was frustrated with the quality of photographs taken by my not so shabby Panasonic DMZ, so I plonked some money for Canon T3i. Spent a month going thru online tutorials and fiddling with the aperture/ shutter settings. I get much better pictures now - in terms of exposure and closer to life rather than washed out or underexposed and blurry pictures. Yes, i still use auto mode sometimes when I am indoors and in a hurry to capture that moment. And that comes out gorgeous! No comparison with my P&S. My advise - if you can afford it, and are not bothered by the size of it - go for it! I spent under $600 for a good body and 2 medium lenses, thanks to SD. Extremely pleased with my purchase so far!

I had a Panasonic SD-9 HD Camcorder that I rarely used.
Sold it a year or so ago for $200.

Ive been eyeing the T4i due to 1080p recording & its a DSLR.
Ive never owned a DSLR, but I take a ton of pics with my iPhone 5 of my kids & family.
Just having a DSLR & better pics would be worth ANY investment to me.

Sure Ill still use my Iphone 5 for quick moments, but for family vacations, bbq's, parties etc - I could bring the T4i & be set.

it also helps that I have brand new canon 255-250mm & 70-300mm lenses at my house

I've been thinking about buying something nicer as well, I have a 3yr old Canon SD780IS P&S which I do use frequently for eBay photos and documenting projects, but not much else because even though it's quite compact, I don't carry it with me. Quick candid snaps on the go are taken with my iPhone. Carrying around an extra device is just not convenient, no matter what it's size.

Since even my little P&S only gets used for pre-planned shots where I have plenty of time to compose and experiment, I've been thinking - with size not a concern for what I use it for, why not replace it with something better? It obviously takes much better pics than an iPhone, but the vast majority of pics I take with my SD780IS are in its very rudimentary "manual" mode. I've found I really miss being able to play around with shutter speed and aperture like I used to in my 35mm SLR days.

Like a lot of people, I've become very accustomed to using LCD viewfinders and never use the optical despite my P&S camera having it. Mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras have caught my attention, since they can use the same optics and have the same sensor as a DSLR, but without the SLR mirror mechanism that I'd probably never use. The Canon EOS M is supposed to be like a T4i, sans SLR mirror mechanism, optical viewfinder, and built-in flash. Unfortunately, I find the lack of built-in flash to be rather inconvenient, but maybe it will show up in future generation cameras. On the other hand, it's a lot easier to find a deal on a T4i, and if it's possible to get a T4i cheaper, there's really no point in getting the EOS M.

Quote from MaqAttaq : I really don't think you sound elitist. The whole point of having features like interchangeable lenses, add-on flashes, and having the SLR itself is to allow better composing of images. By composing, I mean visualizing what you want to have the picture look like, instead of simply pointing the camera and hitting the shutter release button. The more you do it, the better you do get at composing on the fly, even when you have to change lenses or camera settings. I took the attached image below just now with my Rebel T4i. It was done rather quickly in Aperture priority from where I'm sitting... auto ISO (to get a faster shutter speed since I'm kinda shaded where I'm at). Basically, I saw the image, and went for it. I still have my A80... just no batteries for it at the moment . The T4i is my 2nd DSLR, having traded in my XSi with its 18-55mm kit lens to get the newer one with the 18-135mm STM lens, which I must say is far better than the regular kit lens. I found the T4i is better with night shots, plus I have the 1080p 24fps video handy. EDIT: Added similar shot from my PowerShot A80 (raided the batteries out of my Speedlite flash for a moment) just to make a point about composing an image. It has "a80" at the end of the filename. I must say it was actually harder to compose, but I did it.

Man that A80 is something else isn't it?? Sadly mine broke (my own fault!) and I replaced it with a SD 870IS and hated it for not having a view finder nor a swivel LCD or any manual option! I went with the 870 IS for convinience (read WAF) but felt it was a step back from my A 80!
I guess that was a good thing since it expedited my journey to a D-SLR. I now have the 60D and in some ways it reminds me of my A80 (perhaps the the swivel LCD )

I hear ya about composition! To me understanding the "technical aspects" of a camera - which is controlling ISO, adjusting white balance, leveraging on your various AF points and varying your aperture and shutter speed to get the right exposure and action - is the easy part. It took me some time to figure out some of this and I am still learning..... but it's the "artistic aspect" of composition that's both frustrating and rewarding at the same time. That's a journey of a lifetime and it comes from within....

Have fun shooting away!

Quote from DonRSD : I had a Panasonic SD-9 HD Camcorder that I rarely used. Sold it a year or so ago for $200. Ive been eyeing the T4i due to 1080p recording & its a DSLR. Ive never owned a DSLR, but I take a ton of pics with my iPhone 5 of my kids & family. Just having a DSLR & better pics would be worth ANY investment to me. Sure Ill still use my Iphone 5 for quick moments, but for family vacations, bbq's, parties etc - I could bring the T4i & be set. it also helps that I have brand new canon 255-250mm & 70-300mm lenses at my house

I may have been in a similar situation like you before I purchased my first D-SLR. The idea of taking good images of kids and the added benefit of a 1080p Video recording option with the same device sounds great on paper.

Now cut to 3 years later what I have found is, I have got good at taking pictures and upgraded to a 60D and some good glass. I have been taking LOTS of pictures but my video recording habits on the D-SLR have gone down to 0.
I don't think it has anything to do with the camera itself but the reality is it's cumbersome to shoot video with a D-SLR and takes some getting used to. Camcorders are designed to do just that so we continue lugging that around (my wife also prefers using the camcorder than dealing with trying to manually re-focus with the D-SLR). That's just our experience though.....

What a crap article. It's almost all confusing, misleading, or outright wrong. Where can I buy this UV filter that'll make all my pictures sharper?

Just recently upgraded to DSLR (1 year). Before upgrading, I had trouble with P&S photo quality. Didn't seem to matter how much I spent or what features I used, I constantly got grainy, blown out photos and video from them.

Got in on a YMMV clearance at Target for the Nikon D3000. My wife started complaining about not being able to record video, until she saw the photos I shot of my kids on the soccer field the next day (sunny at noon, outdoors, 20-ish yards away). They've been cropped, re-sized and printed, something we never did with photos from the P&S.

She missed video recording enough, she got a little Sony "bloggie" thing that only does video (and limited photos). For the $300 we've invested in our entry level kit and missing features, it's been worth it.

One thing people don't mention is the manual focus option, AND the shutter speeds. Manual focus has let me take pictures for my website (pictures of buttons, that auto focus wouldn't adjust for). and the ability to install a class 10 SD card and take rapid fire pictures to make SURE I got a good picture of the kids.

I know I'm not the best photographer, hell, I'm still just using the 15-55 kit lens... BUT, I know my pictures are going to be better than the guy with a phone, ipad, ipod, or P&S getting in my way. To avoid "GWC" syndrome, I usually take my photos a little zoomed out, planning to crop... and I stay out of the way of other DSLR's... I'll let them take their own good pictures.

My childcare person got a Canon T3 a few months after me, and her pictures are good, but she doesn't quite understand composing shots. She constantly takes pictures "from the hip" which just turns out odd and unappealing angles. Despite her having better glass My photos are better. -(she's got high end primes, compaired to my 15-55 kit lens)

Quote from bugsnest : I may have been in a similar situation like you before I purchased my first D-SLR. The idea of taking good images of kids and the added benefit of a 1080p Video recording option with the same device sounds great on paper. Now cut to 3 years later what I have found is, I have got good at taking pictures and upgraded to a 60D and some good glass. I have been taking LOTS of pictures but my video recording habits on the D-SLR have gone down to 0. I don't think it has anything to do with the camera itself but the reality is it's cumbersome to shoot video with a D-SLR and takes some getting used to. Camcorders are designed to do just that so we continue lugging that around (my wife also prefers using the camcorder than dealing with trying to manually re-focus with the D-SLR). That's just our experience though.....

Very interesting.
The reason I want the video in the DSLR is because I dont want to have to lug around a dedicated camcorder & the DSLR to say Disney World or even the zoo.
Id rather take ONE device (DSLR) and be able to do everything from it.