Which is the best camera?

frg

While I was busy spending hours on the net searching for the perfect lens ...
my 14 year old (below) was out shooting self portraits with her tiny Sony point and shoot (2nd picture).... makes you wonder if all that equiptment is worth it!

shot this one with a 70-200 f2.8 ...nice lens


sony point and shoot

Mr. Quiet

Her's are more artistic. I think if you spent some more time with the lens, you could take better images then the one here.

As to which camera, a DSLR is always going to be better than a compact. You just need to experiment and learn how to use it to perfection.

l.k.madison

The best camera is the one you have on you.

Seriously.

I have a Cybershot P&S ALWAYS on me, I ADORE that camera. It preforms better in low light than my Rebel and will rival the XT (both equipped with kit lenses).

Then again, I use my cell phone when I want the shot *right* now. I did a newborn shoot 2 hours away about a month ago and was texting my husband random shots as I did it, I used the editor that came in the phone, converted one to black and white, bumped the contrast, etc and people ask me all the time what camera took the shot that's the screensaver - they don't believe me when I say that I took it with my phone.

It's all about how you use the camera, really - and how you know how to push it to get it to do what you want.

*I do NOT recommend using a P&S at a wedding, however, bad idea

P.S. Her shots are GREAT!!!! *Yours is, too, but hers are more impressive considering the gear.

Seefutlung

My philosophy is if an image is worth taking ... then I want that image to be best I can get ... so I always shoot with a dSLR ... I admit there is merit to the size and convenience of a P&S ... but the bottom line is always Image Quality and Image Impact not convenience.

I have yet to find a P&S which can consistently, day-in and day-out, rival a dSLR for delivering what the photographer has pre-visualized and none which can rival a dSLR at elevated ISO's.

The_Fat_Zebra

Maybe you could consider feeding her artistic talent with a nice entry-level dslr?

jsqueri

I teach in a high school and I'm always amazed at the creativity of people under 20. If 16 year old photographers had the discipline of 50 year olds...

dogwood

l.k.madison wrote:

The best camera is the one you have on you.

frg

Thanks for all the comments /feedback!

I agree as well -

l.k.madison wrote:

The best camera is the one you have on you.

have handed over my old D70 , she is still making the transition !

The_Fat_Zebra wrote:

Maybe you could consider feeding her artistic talent with a nice entry-level dslr?

or if 50 year olds had the creativity of 16 year olds

jsqueri wrote:

If 16 year old photographers had the discipline of 50 year olds...

D'Buggs

I now LOTS of "point-n-Shoot, shooters that have never layed an eye on the owners manual and think the bigger is/MUST be better. Then I toss 'em a dslr and say "go to town". They always give me a puzzled look.

It's more important to know what you DO have, before wishing for something new.... It is possible to get nice photos from nearly anything that goes 'click', cardboard cameras included.

toddb

discipline

jsqueri wrote:

I teach in a high school and I'm always amazed at the creativity of people under 20. If 16 year old photographers had the discipline of 50 year olds...

Unfortunately that discipline oftentimes squashes creativity...the young ones haven't had the so-called rules hammered into their heads so they aren't afraid to break those rules (intentionally or not). As we get older we spend so much time focusing on the rules and getting it right that we forget it's a visual medium and, in the end, 'what looks best is best.' The photos above are great examples....the second set breaks rules and would be technically imperfect, but the pictures just work better than dear old dad's because they are more interesting to look at.

I was reading a book to my 4-year old the other night and there was a line about a princess carrying something (flowers or something). It said she carried it with her 'all night.' My 4-year didn't understand how she could carry it 'all night' because she had to sleep during the night. The innocent, unclouded, minds are just more interesting sometimes.

Hackbone

This is going to be a kick butt camera when it becomes available. It is supposed to be around $500 with a 30x's zoom. A good one to leave in the car for grab shots. Another good grab camera is the Canon G11.

http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/s/finepix_hs10/

Mr. Quiet

D'Buggs wrote:

It's more important to know what you DO have, before wishing for something new.... It is possible to get nice photos from nearly anything that goes 'click', cardboard cameras included.

This is very true. If you visit my site, you might see that most of the eikear pictures were all taken with a Sony Syber Shot T9. I think knowing how to work your own camera is the first thing you should do after you buy it, at least that is what i did...