DLSR to Powershot help

[ndmccrae]

Hi All - new to forums so apologies if this type of query has been posted a million times before. I currently use an EOS 400D and have a kit of 4 lenses. Quite frankly i am getting tired of lugging them around, having to keep stopping to swop lenses over, take ruck sack off etc etc to the point where it's all becoming a tad tedious. Awful to say i know, but it's just got to that point.

So i am considering switching to a powershot which would have the manual capabilities, but does seem to encompass good zoom, fairly good wide angle capability etc etc

I guess my question is - how have other people found the Powershot range (im looking at the SX1 1S) as i mainly take landscapes or macro, and am going to monument valley next year and grand canyon, and am just not sure i want to lug around my current kit. Thanks v much.

[tkbslc]

I'f you primarily shoot in very good light (or with flash) and with deep DOF (like F8-11) on your DSLR, you would probably be happy with the SX1 or SX20. You will be compromising on IQ past base ISO, ability to control DOF, shutter lag, AF speed, ability to change lenses as needed, etc. The SX1 is not a tiny camera. It is much lighter than the SLR, but you will still be carrying it in a medium sized case. Perhaps you might consider replacing your camera with a one good lens that covers a decent range. Like a 18-270 vC or even a 15-85 IS. You don HAVE to lug all four lenses around everywhere do you? Maybe just take the 1 or 2 you will need. I just know that there is no compact that can match the 400D for IQ, so I don't want you to regret swapping.

For me, I have the DSLR for when I can't compromise on options or flexibility, and a nice little pocket camera (SD1100) to take when I just want to snap pictures without thinking. Makes a nice pair. You may consider just picking up a nice travel camera like the SX200IS, SX120 or a Panasonic ZS3 to complement rather than replace your current setup.

[c2thew]

you will love the sx1. i have a canon s5 is paired with my 5d. it's funny how much i still use my point and shoot for it's incredible flexibility (not to mention the external flash shoe)

[seoul4korea]

Ill take your DSLR! lol

[snipe523]

I just picked up an sx20 to replace my XTi until I upgrade to another dSLR down the road. So far I am very happy with the switch. The sx20 covers all of the focal lenghts tha tI had with my lenses for the XTi and then some. The HD movies come out great.

[369]

Sorry to jump n this thread, but I am also looking at the sx20is, but want to now how is it in low light?

[Jon]

No P&S is really good in low light/high ISO. That's just basic physics - a small sensor is more sensitive to signal noise than a large one as used in DSLRs. The 1/1.7" sensor used by the S90 is about as large as in any P&S except for the Micro 4/3 Panasonic and Olympus models.

[tkbslc]

Sorry to jump n this thread, but I am also looking at the sx20is, but want to now how is it in low light?

Pretty good as long as you use the flash. No-flash low-light is DSLR territory for anything but tiny prints.

[Bodryn]

I am not a professional photographer, just a hobbyist. Like you I also did not like lugging a bunch of lenses around - as a result, my Pentax DSLR has gotten little use; my S5 IS is excellent for recording birds with the 12x optical zoom for later positive identification and I believe the SX20 should be even better with that 20x optical zoom range. I figure that with the IS one can get several f/stops advantage - of course the convenience of having all your lenses in one camera is obvious. For all around convenience of use, I tend to carry the A720 IS with its 6x optical zoom.

[MtClimber]

I am also another DSLR to Powershot adoptee. I am considering S-90 for its extreme portability. The photos that have been posted are amazing.

Sarah Joyce

[MtClimber]

Well, I ordered the S-90 today and it should be delivered on Tuesday, 17 November. It a great decision, and I am really looking forward to working with the camera.

Sarah Joyce

[skid00skid00]

I've got a 1Ds, G9, and SX1. The biggest difference between the DSLR and P&S is the shutter lag. You won't be shooting BIF's with the little ones. Second biggest difference is noise, with grain visible in -skies- with the P&S's. Third is slower AF. Fourth is lack of DR. If you are a competent photog, you'll set up shots without harsh highlights and shadows. Or you can do what I do, which is tune tone curves on RAW images. :)

Surprisingly, the lenses on the P&S's are easily good enough to print 13" x 19" prints, and you won't notice problems, except for a few occasions where the SX1 shows a bit much CA. Although the 20x lens is better than any 10x-15x 35mm lens.

You will want to learn how to process RAWs to get fantastic prints out of the SX1, but I always carry it when I go out with my 1Ds. It's a very nice P&S, and excellent value for an HD 20x camera.

[Bodryn]

Skid00: I guess since I don't know what you mean by BIFs and DR, I am not quite a competent photographer. However my main thing these days is, I want convenience - I don't want to have to bring a whole load of equipment with me every time I hop into the car, just a handy camera. I do have software to process RAW images but so far I haven't shot any RAW. I sometimes go weeks between shooting pics, which is why I much prefer AA batteries, which never leave me high and dry without power. It is also possible to use a tripod to take several pics of a scene and use the computer to combine even jpeg image layers to good effect in the case of big contrasts. I do like the idea of maybe an SX with a 20:1 optical range; it even has the wide angle built in. Anyway, I do like pushing the envelope and trying different ways of doing things.

[Jon]

BIF - Birds In Flight
DER - Dynamic Range - how far apart the white and dark on your photos are. Low DR would be where what look like light grey and dark grey to your eye show up as featureless white and featureless black in your photos.

[cwarburton]

I'd recommend going for a nice small, go everywhere P&S and keep you DSLR kit. I've owned quite a few DSLRs and several P&S cameras and it's really hard to down grade completely to a point and shoot. My main camera is a 5D with a bag of (heavy) lenses plus a couple point and shoots. I currently have a G-10 and a Ricoh GX-200.

My advice is to look at the new S90 (or a Ricoh if you prefer a better interface) to add to you kit.