DSLR vs. PS

Good for you. One man's junk is another man's treasure.

What have we learned here?

If you want to take photos of the best possible quality in varying situations, use an expensive, high end dslr. If you care more about the smallness of the camera than its picture quality and robustness, then use a point and shoot. If you need something in the middle, use something that matches your need/cost requirements.

Is this actually news to anyone? Even the noobiest of all noobs would give a similar answer. What's the point of arguing?

thepaul wrote in post #4154346
Is this actually news to anyone? Even the noobiest of all noobs would give a similar answer. What's the point of arguing?

Because it IS news to certain people, like the OP. If you read his question, he obviously doesn't understand the details on why dSLRs do it better (on certain things). Features like better high-ISO performance, AF etc. are all factors which may escape the newbie user.. and hence it's the details they want clarified. Many newbie P&S users just know to compare 'megapixels' and 'optical zoom'. In this respect, they can't deduce anything in detail on why dSLRs suddenly can do it much better. It's all in the detail.

ryant35 wrote in post #4153382
Hey P&S guys, go use your camera and capture a 900 hp trophy truck moving at over 100 mph through the air at 1/40sec and get back to me about not needing a DSLR.

Someone is feeling a little insecure about their multi thousand dollar camera purchase.

To make you feel better heres some shots taken with my A80:

ryant35 wrote in post #4153382
Hey P&S guys, go use your camera and capture a 900 hp trophy truck moving at over 100 mph through the air at 1/40sec and get back to me about not needing a DSLR.

Why do some people have to put down others so that they can validate their purchase? By the way, that trophy truck photo can be taken with a compact camera, if the photographer knows what he is doing.

BottomBracket wrote in post #4156107
Why do some people have to put down others so that they can validate their purchase? By the way, that trophy truck photo can be taken with a compact camera, if the photographer knows what he is doing.

You took the words right out of my mouth.

A thread that provides great information becomes rant about how anything less than a 40D is crap.

Only a couple ranted. There always has to be someone.

Tumak wrote in post #4156224
Only a couple ranted. There always has to be someone.

Your right, this thread has been very civilized
When I first joined there was a lot of attitude amongst some of the less informed DSLR owners.
They all seemed to think that they were some how superior because their camera cost more. I know had more than a few "debates" about the subject with such people.
Fortunately the underlaying attitude here is very clear:

"Its the photographer thats important, not the gear they are using".

Its an attitude enforced by all the mods, all the senior members, and quite definitely by Peka himself.
After all Peka started it all with just a G series compact.

Moppie wrote in post #4156247
When I first joined there was a lot of attitude amongst some of the less informed DSLR owners.

I don't know.

I've only seen that attitude from the G series owners who claim that it's their G cam that is as good as SLR and put down the lense switchers.

Apologies in advance for this, but what I have to say below seems appropriate given some of what's been said here. Mods: feel free to delete this message if, after reading it, you feel it doesn't belong here.

A point-n-shoot camera compares with a DSLR the way Windows compares with Linux or MacOS X. Those of you who are quick to put down point-n-shoots (and those who use them) should not feel so smug about it, given that you're almost certainly running Windows -- this message is for you.

Why are you running Windows? Because of the convenience and price. You could run, say, Linux or MacOS X, both of which are much more flexible, secure, and robust operating systems, but you chose Windows because it's cheap and convenient -- getting Linux or MacOS X to do what you really want it to do takes more money or a bit more effort (or sometimes both), and perhaps more knowledge as well. "But most people don't need anything more than Windows", you might say. "I can do everything I need to do under Windows", you might say.

Well, most people don't need anything more than a point-n-shoot, either, and can do everything they want with one.

With enough time, effort, and knowledge, people can get significantly better results from a DSLR than from a point-n-shoot. And with enough time, effort and knowledge, you could get significantly better results from Linux or MacOS than from Windows, too. But you don't -- for the same reasons they don't.

So feel free to continue to cast derision towards those who use point-n-shoot (because, you think, they're too lazy, ignorant, etc., and/or because point-n-shoot cameras are junk in comparison to DSLRs). But don't be surprised at the derision cast your way because you're too lazy, ignorant, etc. to run anything better than Windows (which is junk in comparison with Linux, MacOS X, etc.).

As for me, I say let the results speak for themselves. Use whatever you want to use to get the results you want. The results are what really count in the end. Even when it comes to what operating system you use.

I thought we had it all figured out already. Can we all just get along now. Redundancy over and over again.

Tumak wrote in post #4156767
I thought we had it all figured out already. Can we all just get along now. Redundancy over and over again.

Actually, I suspect that most of what is said these days has been said before, and not just on this topic, but on most.

It would be a boring place if people couldn't talk about things that had already been discussed.

I realize the basic point I was trying to make had been made before, but I don't think it had been made quite the same way (I could be wrong about that, of course). Sometimes how a point is made is at least as important as the point itself...

Regardless, I agree with you: nuff said.

You are right about the originality. However, if we can't figure out whether to use a DSLR or a P&S, it you might be getting a little deep for us.

Tumak wrote in post #4156810
You are right about the originality. However, if we can't figure out whether to use a DSLR or a P&S, it you might be getting a little deep for us.

Sorry.

Ok I'm confused, I love my Dslr and my windows... what does that make me?

I do have one little funny thing to say about the whole comparo...

Panasonic Lumix cameras have this "mega O.I.S." thing that is absolutely (friggin') amazing. it is their optical stabilizer, and i dont know how they do it (digitally im sure) but it is at least 20 times as effective for camera shake than my 70-200 2.8 IS.

I bought one for my mom, and it really surprised me.

SO, if you have seizures, convulsions, shaky muscles, or too much caffeine... and like to shoot during one of your fits... than maybe you should look into it.

Also, at some concerts, barnum and baily's circus, and a few other events... you cannot take a camera with a lens longer than the long side of a credit card (when extended) inside.

At the moment, I don't own a p&s but i certainly dont hate them. When i am out somewhere and see a mom trying to get a pic of dad and the kids... i grab the p&s from her, and tell her to get in her family picture... so i shoot with them from time to time.

Dont hate. And to dragos - thanks for the side by sides i wont critisize your post, but those were nice.