Sold my DSLR - back to compacts!

For the last two years, my main camera has been the T1i. I loved the pictures it took, but didn't enjoy hauling around the camera plus a couple of lenses just to get up to 250 mm.

I just don't think I am a DSLR guy. I remembered years ago that I had an SLR with a big lens and ended up taking most shots of my kids with a small pocket camera.

I found myself using my wife's older Panasonic Lumix which had a 10x zoom. But it was older and only did 5 megapixels.

So I sold my DSLR and picked up a Canon SX 50 this weekend. I loved the thought of the superzoom in such a compact camera.

Yes, I know the Canon SX50 has a smaller sensor than my DSLR, but I think the lightness means I will take it out more and the extended zoom is already givnig me shots I couldn't have taken at all with the DSLR without buying thousands of dollars more in heavy lenses to haul.

I may regret it later but so far, it feels like the right choice.

I understand what you're saying. There's something to be said for being able to carry one camera that is capable of so much. I went the other way, however. I loved my old Powershot until I realized the limitations. It just depends on what makes us happy.

I think that it is - know thyself.

There is no one right or wrong answer for everyone. The trick is to find out what kind of photographer you are and be that.

In my own case, I think the more compact superzoon approach will work better for what I like to shoot and what I like to carry with me.

Maybe someday, I will hear the siren call of the DSLR again, but not right now.

I've been back and forth many times. Maybe one of each is the way to go. I have a Nikon D7000 that works great, especially for portraits, action and low light.

But I'm considering adding the Canon SX260 HS for my upcoming cruise. I don't like carrying a DSLR on vacation anymore.

In fact, my iPhone with the Pro HDR app does extremely well for landscapes. I use it a lot now.

I hate using my boat anchor dSLR, but I love the pictures and performance. I don't think I will ever sell it, but I find myself always wanting to have a quality smaller camera in the kit. Right now I don't have one (sold my LX5 last fall) and I miss it.

MikeFairbanks wrote in post #16021641
I've been back and forth many times. Maybe one of each is the way to go. I have a Nikon D7000 that works great, especially for portraits, action and low light.

But I'm considering adding the Canon SX260 HS for my upcoming cruise. I don't like carrying a DSLR on vacation anymore.

In fact, my iPhone with the Pro HDR app does extremely well for landscapes. I use it a lot now.

I'm kind of in this situation. There was a chance for me to pick up the SX50HS real cheap but I end up getting a 7D. I've always wanted one for birding. But to be honest I may end up getting the SX50HS before the end of the year. I love the reach but one thing it cannot do ( easily or it's just me) is track BIF's and that's where the 7D comes in.

I love the versatility of these compacts, from low light indoor situations, to super zoom. Close up are not so bad either

I think there is nothing wrong with having both types if your budget allows it. In my case, I found I was missing shots because I was leaving the heavier DSLR at home and had nothing with me other than my smart phone.

I was reading an article from a South African safari guide who actually recommends super zooms over DSLRs for people who aren't professional photographers.
http://digital-photography-school.com …er-zoom-cameras-on-safari

I met a fellow in the park the other night and we chatted about cameras and he said he felt that DSLRs were the way to go since he and his daughter had been out shooting and her DSLR pictures were much better than his compact camera. So he switched to DSLRs.

But I gently pointed out to him that he wasn't carrying his DSLR, was he? He sheepishly admitted that he did have a point and shoot camera in the car but not his DSLR,

Congrats on your new purchase!!!! I love the pics that I see coming out of this camera. I think you made a good choice.

I am just the opposite of you. I just purchased the T4i. Now I just need to master it. BUT, I will never sell my SX40. Smaller than a DSLR, light-weight, takes great (to me) pics!!!

ebusinesstutor, you have discovered that it is not about looking cool or who has the best gear. Its about using what works for your needs to create images that are satisfying your needs.

Congratulations! You're further ahead than most.

Congrats! I'm a huge believer that you should buy gear that suits YOUR NEEDS. And the gear that suits most people's needs is a high-end compact. I think you made a wise decision...enjoy!

sharod wrote in post #16021975
Congrats on your new purchase!!!! I love the pics that I see coming out of this camera. I think you made a good choice.

I am just the opposite of you. I just purchased the T4i. Now I just need to master it. BUT, I will never sell my SX40. Smaller than a DSLR, light-weight, takes great (to me) pics!!!

Thanks Sharod,

I am a bit of a minimalist by nature so I believe in having the right gear/tool for the job. But I could see owning several cameras eventually for different purposes. Perhaps a pocket digital for indoor pics at family functions.

I will see how the SX50 does for indoors first. Here is a shot I got on my first day with the SX50. Never would have gotten this shot with my DSLR and 250mm zoom.

LowriderS10 wrote in post #16022006
Congrats! I'm a huge believer that you should buy gear that suits YOUR NEEDS. And the gear that suits most people's needs is a high-end compact. I think you made a wise decision...enjoy!

Also sold my dslr... now i can carry my camera almost anywhere. It does not have performance of dslr, but limitations can make you think, be more creative or slow down, so your photography improves in other ways

ebusinesstutor wrote in post #16022178
Thanks Sharod,

I am a bit of a minimalist by nature so I believe in having the right gear/tool for the job. But I could see owning several cameras eventually for different purposes. Perhaps a pocket digital for indoor pics at family functions.

I will see how the SX50 does for indoors first. Here is a shot I got on my first day with the SX50. Never would have gotten this shot with my DSLR and 250mm zoom.

The difference for me is that I don't feel like I need a 400mm lens to get shots like that. With my kit I can get up to 280mm, but, I can also crop those shots a good 75% and still be tack sharp. Shots like this of a Tern:

ebusinesstutor wrote in post #16021839
I think there is nothing wrong with having both types if your budget allows it. In my case, I found I was missing shots because I was leaving the heavier DSLR at home and had nothing with me other than my smart phone.

I was reading an article from a South African safari guide who actually recommends super zooms over DSLRs for people who aren't professional photographers.
http://digital-photography-school.com …er-zoom-cameras-on-safari

I met a fellow in the park the other night and we chatted about cameras and he said he felt that DSLRs were the way to go since he and his daughter had been out shooting and her DSLR pictures were much better than his compact camera. So he switched to DSLRs.

But I gently pointed out to him that he wasn't carrying his DSLR, was he? He sheepishly admitted that he did have a point and shoot camera in the car but not his DSLR,

I think this is so true. I only have the original SX40HS but I carry it in my backpack all the time. You might say it is my walk about camera. The longest reach I have on my DSLR were 400mm + 1.4X TC. I can never take that to work work with me, it just attracts too much attention. But I can get away carrying my compact. One can argue that it cannot replace the DSLR, but it sure compliments each other.

Canajun wrote in post #16022889
I think this is so true. I only have the original SX40HS but I carry it in my backpack all the time. You might say it is my walk about camera. The longest reach I have on my DSLR were 400mm + 1.4X TC. I can never take that to work work with me, it just attracts too much attention. But I can get away carrying my compact. One can argue that it cannot replace the DSLR, but it sure compliments each other.

Yes, a camera that is always with you takes more shots than one left at home due to weight or attention concerns. The shots aren't better, but you get more opportunities for great shots.

If you only have a DSLR, you just KNOW that the only camera you have with you when you see Sasquatch or the aliens land will be your smartphone! At least with the SX40 or SX50, perhaps we will have one of them with us as they are lighter.