Do you need a DSLR?

If a camera really could make me feel like "hot shit", I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
At least for me, it doesn't work that way. It's a camera, not a Ferrari.

I need one, not very expensive, I am not a professional photographer, I love taking photos and a DSLR can take me the better experience of shooting.

Almost the single worst feature of a DSLR is the Auto setting. (Well, maybe it's a toss up with video recording.) Those who buy a DSLR and leave it set at Auto are missing out on some good pictures. Just understanding a few things like flash, aperture, and shutter speed will help you switch away from auto really make the best photos, just like you want them.

Here's an example. I was at an dance competition, an event that had low light plus lots of quick movements. Knowing that ahead of time, I brought my fastest prime lens and a speedlight, both relatively inexpensive items. There were others there with various levels of DSLRs, some much nicer than mine, with long zooms racked out (re: slow) and shooting w/the built in flash (re: weak) at auto shutter of 1/60 (re: slow); typical Auto mode. Their photos sucked. Their ISO was ratcheting higher because of low light, so the pics were all grainy/noisy. Most all were blurry too because the shutter was too slow. I was able to dial in a faster shutter, tweak the exposure and with the aperture wide open with my speed light, I got some great shots. If I'd been on Auto, even with the better lens and flash, the shots would've been about the same. The key was being able to know what the camera was capable of and using it that way.

IMO, if you just don't care about those details, don't spend up on a DSLR. You'll just spend more and the results won't necessarily be any better. I'd suggest you go with a less expensive camera with a fixed set of features. That way, you keep it simple and enjoy shooting more.

I hear a lot of false reasoning from people who own P&S camera, and let me tell you, I have not seen one who have own an SLR and saying that their picture look worse than their P&S, unless you are ready to spend more money on some high-end P&S. I don't make money out from my photo, but I do love to look at beautiful things and capture them. If you have the same felling, then buy one. But then if you are not really care about how to enjoy the beautiful the people, scenery, when who care. Go buy a Kodak disposable camera and save some fun. The auto mode in these new SLR is so good it should be call "idiot proof". But then if you want to better yourself and learn how to capture better picture there are Adorama on youtube, they will teach you how to use, and how to capture picture amazing picture. 15 mins of watching youtube will teach you more than reading nonsense review. But then again, the inter-web is full of pseudo intellect which will tell you over and over again that you are are not good enough to use DSLR simply because your dumb. It is like, someone telling you, your not smart enough and should never try to better yourself. Let me tell you this, I have been using DSLR for more than half of my adult life. The great feeling I have when using DSLR is the same as when I first use GPS, it worth every single penny. So if you like to capture the moment, and savor the memories, go get the best camera you can afford and learn how to use it, and don't let any pseudo intellect tell you how you should live your life.

Several posters brought up the importance of size and convenience. Potential buyers may want to thinking about the environment and type of photography they intend on doing. Even professional photographers will use a P&S camera when hiking or working in difficult situations. A smaller P&S camera with a good sensor (albeit not as a good dslr camera) can produce decent photos if used correctly. Some even use RAW file formats for pictures like dslr cameras do. Carrying around a full sized a DSLR camera with lenses can be a pain in the next. It also can detract from being able to take certain shots. There is also the case for how fragile a dslr camera with its mirrors can be. It can be easier to carry a small P&S camera up a climb or through construction site.

Another food for thought is a simple cost factor. A good dslr setup will require not only a good body but decent lenses which can run easily into the thousands of dollars. While cheap lenses can be bought, their image quality can be less than desirable. If one is not a professional photographer, consider looking at the different camera types such as the small P&S, megazoom P&S, the micro 3/4, and dslr models with the better price point for one's own needs. The best camera might not be the most expensive type.

With today's newer cmos senors on P&S cameras with newer processing engines, some P&S cameras have pretty good light capabilities (although not as good as dslr cameras). Consider trying out a P&S camera if one is dead set on using a dslr camera but might not need its capabilities.

I have a really ancient Canon Elph, point-and-shoot. It takes fairly good pictures still and has a long lasting battery. My husband has a Canon Rebel something-or-other DSLR. Every picture is absolute crap. He is a very bright man but it appears there's a serious learning curve with a DSLR where you need to invest time (or at least read the manual) to get decent shots from this thing.
Ultimately you should NOT purchase one unless you have the time and motivation to invest into learning how to use it properly- in addition, your success also hinges on LOTS of expensive lenses, a nice strap and case, a tripod, a program to edit photos, etc. It's a very costly hobby.

I am one of those people who dont really need a DSLR camera.
personally i do think that they are bulky and not really comfy to carry around.
but,
i just got a job that pays me a little more than what i was earning when i was a student (which is $0) and i need a hobby. I am sure i will not become a pro photographer, but i would like to learn. i will never be able to have the time for learning all the tricks or even editing the pics and the convenience of the point and shoot will be missed. but i would like to take it out every once in a while when i go to places i will probably never go again such as traveling abroad, or special events. i would like to create high res memories (even if it is on auto mode)

just need to decide bw canons t3i t4i or nikons?
btw. whose lenses are usually cheaper or come up on slickdeals more often?

I want to say this has been very useful and helpful. I love articles like these. I think you guys are doing a great job. Keep up the good work!

Quote from shahzadquraishi : just need to decide bw canons t3i t4i or nikons? btw. whose lenses are usually cheaper or come up on slickdeals more often?

typically you'll see more deals on canon than nikon. i'm a nikon shooter but the best way to go about it is go into a store or borrow and friend's dslr and just feel it out- check out the ergonomics of it all before deciding. it also helps if your friends tend to be all nikon/canon so you can share lenses

Quote from childsafetylock : typically you'll see more deals on canon than nikon. i'm a nikon shooter but the best way to go about it is go into a store or borrow and friend's dslr and just feel it out- check out the ergonomics of it all before deciding. it also helps if your friends tend to be all nikon/canon so you can share lenses

thanks for the reply. are there any particular feature which make one better than the other? my price range is about 700ish... and a complete beginner. any features i should specially be looking for?

Ok, I have bought camera's/ video cameras in the past to be disgusted with the results. I have seen a Nikon at work @ my kid's football game from one of the parents. He was showing me AMAZING shots of these kids frozen in time at full stride with no blur. This man was very patient with me and explained it took months of him tinkering with the settings to get it right. I work all types of shifts so I can't be a coach for his team, but I do want to give back in the way of taking pics/video of the games and post it on their website. I don't need the most expensive camera, but I need a decent one that will do both. Not looking for NFL quality, if a point and click would work just as well can someone post a link. I am a true newbie to the DSLR world.