Have any of you downgraded from DSLR and don't regret it?

MikeFairbanks wrote in post #12236733
Here's a shot I took with a nifty a year ago. It's not a great shot, but most of the people in this bar on that afternoon thought he was a cheesy performer, but as a musician myself (and a bad one at that) I appreciated how hard this beginner was trying to entertain the crowd (for nothing but tips). So I liked him.

I can't sing or dance but I sure do admire those who can and do.

You must be joking.

No way.

Simon_Gardner wrote in post #12239184
You must be joking.

No way.

You must be sarcastic.

I recently downgraded from a Rebel XT with a couple of nice lenses to a Canon S95 and I don't regret it.

The main factor for me was price and size.... The DSLR was too big and bulky to carry around for me if I wanted to just snap some photos of people, scenery, or the city... The S95 does probably 80% of what the DSLR can do and it is pocketable.

I am heavily considering getting a S95 and sell my 450D/(XSi?) after i sold my sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.0 today and all the accesories and lenses i still have for it so i can get the s95 and still have money left.
It would be nice to have a camera that you can have in the pocket at all times instead of a bulky DSLR.

Lenses for the DSLR also cost alot of money and for me aslong as the object is in focus and doesn't have loads of noise i'm satisfied. Also what i love about the s95 besides the size and price is that it has miniature effect and fisheye effect, sure that may seem like a marketing thing, but hey, i'm not one of those guys that have the patience nor the time to edit my photos like i want, so why not have it built in and have it done in a snap.. makes life so much easier and you can enjoy your time with something else instead, like shooting more pictures!

As i mentioned about selling my stuff, i'd probably keep the flash and use it with the s95 (doesn't require hot shoe so that's no problem) lighting is much in a photo so i'm thinking that may be enough for me when i do need to get really nice images. Tell me if i'm out of my mind or something but that's what i'm thinking.

I also take alot of pictures of my daughter while she's running around and that's the only concern i seem to have, is it fast enough for that? The focus that is, and does it have contious focus and or burst? Probably not a deal killer for me if it hasn't but would be nice to have, depends on how good/bad it is though.

And Simon_Gardner must be sarcastic or simply doens't understand what needs vs image quality is for many.

I haven't ditched the SLR by any means, but I purchased a S95 before a family vacation in March, and WOW, I am impressed. Fun to use, really opens the creative possibilities for those times when I cant lug the 7D around.

I agree the modes are pretty handy. I used the fireworks mode at Disney and got fantastic results.

I joked with my wife that the 7D may feel a bit neglected. However, I dont think it's going to hard to choose which camera to take on outings this spring and summer - they will both get their time.

Although I like my S95 ... in no way would I consider parting ways with my DSLR.

M.Quick wrote in post #12279284
...I also take alot of pictures of my daughter while she's running around and that's the only concern i seem to have, is it fast enough for that? The focus that is, and does it have contious focus and or burst? Probably not a deal killer for me if it hasn't but would be nice to have, depends on how good/bad it is though...

That is where every high end P&S I've had ultimately fails. Seems I can't do without at least a modest DSLR set up: 40D + a lens or three.

Tsmith wrote in post #12282549
Although I like my S95 ... in no way would I consider parting ways with my DSLR.

Exactly. No P&S will replace a proper camera. Love my S95 but it so has its limitations.

mpix345 wrote in post #12282649
That is where every high end P&S I've had ultimately fails. Seems I can't do without at least a modest DSLR set up: 40D + a lens or three.

Well, how does it fail? What's the drawback that makes this happen?
Thanks!

Where a P&S falls short is slow shutter response, slow burst rate, no interchangeable lens, smaller sensor, noise. A good point and shoot is a great compliment to a DSLR but not a replacement IMO

This has been a good conversation to follow along with. I can't imagine ever getting rid of the dslr myself but this does bring up a good point about where it becomes actually necessary. Sometimes I miss what might be great shots because of not having the slr and lenses with... but other times when I have the slr with me I come home, look over the pictures, and realize there was nothing I couldn't have gotten with the s95 and then I could just enjoyed myself more if I wasn't carrying the slr on my shoulder while walking around all day or while at a party or something.

tmwag wrote in post #12290960
Where a P&S falls short is slow shutter response, slow burst rate, no interchangeable lens, smaller sensor, noise. A good point and shoot is a great compliment to a DSLR but not a replacement IMO

Let me also add that p&s with contrast detection auto focus is very limiting with moving objects and in dark conditions (with low contrast)

tmwag wrote in post #12290960
Where a P&S falls short is slow shutter response, slow burst rate, no interchangeable lens, smaller sensor, noise. A good point and shoot is a great compliment to a DSLR but not a replacement IMO

Slow burst rate, for me not important.
Interchangeable lens, that's probably why i'm looking at it, because it such a hassle to have alot of them.
Sensor size is relative, no problem. Noise sure, but depends on in what condition you shoot in.

That's pretty obvious drawbacks imho for a P&S, but not a showstopper for me.
What i want to know is how fast the focus is and is there any continous focus or even back focus button?