Canon SLR VS Powershot......Quality?

Im trying to decide on buying the canon rebel EOS...

http://www.blacks.ca …ct.jsp?prdId=91​29&bauth=1

OR the powershot SX30.
I like the fast start up of the rebel But i also like the Zoom of the powershot. The question i have is.. is there a big difference in image qaulity? is it obvious enough to notice?


I shoot mostly landscapes/outdoor/ani​mals.

DSLR sensor and most point and shoot sensors are worlds apart when conditions are not optimal. They are still different under optimal conditions, just not really worlds apart.

Landscapes - works fine with PnS
Outdoors - shooting what?
Animals - Anything that moves, DSLR wins, hands down, no questions

If you like the flexibility of focal ranges of the point and shoot, just buy lots of lenses =)

themadman wrote in post #11354680
If you like the flexibility of focal ranges of the point and shoot, just buy lots of lenses =)

Or, less expensive, a zoom such as an 18-200. Not perfect but still better than a point and shoot.

David

Thanks..i have been reading alot of reviews & am leaning toward the rebel xs.

No matter its Sony,Canon or Nikon P&S APS-C Rebel XS will blow their socks off! so if you are really looking for image quality rather than funky zooms look no further than a DSLR.

if you are considering P&S - do consider Panasonic-Lumix TZ-7 or TZ-10. Except high ISO performance, their IQ is very acceptable - here is one example (TZ-7)

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/16836099@N08/4​935321186/

DSLRs simply have a more realistic look to them, I find all P&S cameras (even the good ones) have a flatter look to the images.

I had a Sony H5 superzoom P&S and after having several problems within the year of ownership I traded it in at the camera store for a Rebel XTi and WORLDS of difference in the IQ! The first time I shot at ISO1600 I had a huge smile on my face, anything over and including ISO400 on the Sony looked like garbage. IF you are at all serious about photography it's a no brainer!

DStanic wrote in post #11358255
DSLRs simply have a more realistic look to them, I find all P&S cameras (even the good ones) have a flatter look to the images.

Have you browsed the 'Show us your best with a Powershot S95' thread over in the Small Compact Digitals by Canon forums?

There are some pretty fine photos there. https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=926669 The shots in post #43 are very impressive.

I agree that the compact cameras can't compete when it comes to high ISO shots, but then again, you can't put an XTI in your pocket to have handy whenever you feel like taking a photo. Each have their strengths and weaknesses... It all depends what you want.

I will agree that the S95 and G cameras are much much better then my old Sony was, that is for sure. If I didn't have a P&S (which I don't use very much) and 2 DSLRs then I would consider a G10/11/12, because at least you can put a flash on them and shoot RAW. The images still don't have the "pop" of a DSLR (obviously) and the ones that try to look oversharpened (although that could be from being downsized, but I don't typically see that on DSLR pics.)

The SX30 doesn't impress very much at all, for the price. The super massive zoom is fun and all, but it lacks RAW and the better sensor of the S/G cameras. This sample straight from the Canon page looks soft and lacking detail to me, typical of your average P&S camera.

http://www.usa.canon.c​om …img/sampleimg_s​ample1.JPG

The SX30 is not the best camera for IQ. I would consider an S95 if you can do without the zoom and want to go with Canon. Those Panasonics are good optons listed above. It seems to have very good IQ for a compact. I tried the SX20 and moved to a DSLR in 3 weeks. I will never go back. It depends on what you want and how much you intend to spend! The DSLR will win in IQ in almost every situation with decent glass. Good luck

Also - too bad the SX30 moved away from AA batteries. That was one of the good points about the SX10 and SX20. Bad move on Canon's part. They are making some bad decisions lately (60D ?? my goodness, I'm embarrassed......and Nikon comes out with the D7000)

Once you get past ISO400 P&S go down the drain.

HaroldC3 wrote in post #11360153
Once you get past ISO400 P&S go down the drain.

It depends on the P&S (my S95 800 ISO images are looking fine) and do you consider micro 4/3 cameras P&S. They have way better ISO performance than compacts or cameras liek the SX30 the OP is looking at.

I think he should consider a micro 4/3 camera also.

nate42nd wrote in post #11360220
and do you consider micro 4/3 cameras P&S

I categorize micro-4/3 cameras as "about equal" to DSLRs in terms of image quality. But one should not forget that they also cost as much as a DSLR.

Anything with the name "PowerShot" in it is clearly P&S and lives in a completely different world, even great ones like the S95 or G12.

High-ISO capability is just one thing that sets DSLRs apart. The even bigger difference is the ability to creatively use of depth-of-field. And with their small sensors, no P&S camera can match that.

I have an SX20 and just got a T2i. The SX20 is a good camera and I've gotten great shots with it, but right from the start, I can see "something" quite a bit better in the IQ of the T2i. It's really noticeable when I go back and look at images from the SX20.

I've only had this T2i (and a 70-300 lens) for a little over a month and I'm finding that I get much better photos, but they're harder to get (still haven't really figured out the AF on this camera - especially at the 300mm end).

I had/have a 10x zoom P&S (sx110) and soon realized I needed longer.
I went shopping to look at dslr's but settled on the Canon Powershot XS10 which was 20x zoom and it had lots of fun bells and whistles.

That is when I found this POTN forum and joined the SX10 thread.
Some folks talked about how shooting in "M"anual mode was the only way to fly.

After learning Manual on my SX110 & SX10 I wanted more....

I got the EOS XSi/450D and eventually the 70-300mm lens (similar to a superzoom range in regards to a P&S - but the SX10 was longer I think).

I could suggest going to a store if you have not already - and look through the viewfinder of the SX30. THEN look through the viewfinder of pretty much any DSLR like the EOS XS for example - and you will wonder "Wow - who turned on the Lights!??

An entry level DSLR will most likely not have the fun bells and whistles that a Powershot has (I don't know about Sony, Nikon, etc) - but it will help with higher quality shots.

So if you need a superzoom "DSLR-like" camera with fun stuff - the Powershot SX30 will do the trick - dpreview.com reviews always have the SX10/20/30 rated highest alongside a Lumix in group tests.

If you find you are developing a passion for photography and think you could see yourself investing in a good body and quality lenses, naturally you will go that route with a DSLR.

As some have hinted - there is a niche for P&S cameras. The Canon S90/95 and the G9/10/11/12 - especially the G12 - are actually aimed at current advanced amateur & pro photographers who want a portable highly capable camera to always have on hand.

Get to a good camera store and hold all these babies and chat with the staff. Then go to another good store and chat with their staff. Enjoy the process. We'll be happy to welcome you to our world...