Friday, August 31, 2012

DSLR vs POINT AND SHOOT CAMERAS

I hope you're having a great week!  I've been shopping for a new camera because my Canon Power Shoot quit working.
Source: amazon.com via Joy on Pinterest

It's been a real good little point and shoot camera that had 8 megapixels, 4X optical zoom and an optical image stabilizer.  I liked how compact and light and easy it was to transport, but one thing that drove me crazy was trying to take inside shots for this blog.  I know you're always told to turn your flash off for inside shots, but when I did that there was no low light setting.  This made it very difficult to take photos in a home that doesn't have a lot of natural light coming in.

The debate for me is between a point and shoot or a DSLR camera.   I've done some reading on the subject and also asking a few people's opinions.

Here's some info that I've gathered  on a few cameras .  The first one is the Nikon Coolpix L810 point and shoot camera.

Source: amazon.com via Joy on Pinterest

It's an upgrade from what I had in a point and shoot camera.  It has a 26 X optical zoom, 3 inch LCD screen, 50 MB memory, video recorder and  ISO sensitivity, but still doesn't have a built in low light setting.   I was also shown the Nikon Coolpix 510, it's a cross between a point and shoot camera and a DSLR.

Source: amazon.com via Joy on Pinterest

It has high-speed continuous shooting capability, built in GPS, full HD (1080p) movies with stereo sound (still and movies with up to a 42 X zoom)! It also has the 3 inch vari-angle  LCD  movable screen.  Another big plus about this camera is that it comes with image stabilization, and high-resolution imagery even in LOW light!  It has manual setting on it, so if I want to learn how to take shots in manual settings that's certainly an option. One final thing that impresses me about this camera is that I don't have to change lenses.

I love reading Dear Lillie's blog and I'm always impressed with the photos she takes.  I read her post on what camera she uses before I went shopping.   She uses a Nikon D700 but started out using the Nikon D3000.  She has great things to say about both of these cameras.  So while shopping I also checked out the Nikon D3100 - a newer version of the D3000.  It's also a compact camera with 14.2 megapixels, built in stabilization, split second shutter speed, 3 inch monitor, active D-lighting, and built in movie feature along with a few other things.  I also looked at the camera she is currently uses, the  Nikon D700.  This is a full frame camera with a lot of features including ability to interchange lens and manual settings.

Source: amazon.com via Joy on Pinterest

I'm not being compensated in anyway to write a review on these cameras, but tried to the best of my ability to share what I've learned.   I think I'm leaning toward the Nikon Coolpix 510, because it's a cross between a point and shoot camera and a DSLR.  I'm not real interested in having to change lens or work with the camera settings in detail. With the SLR camera you not only have to purchase the camera but extra lenses as well.

Do you have a camera that you love and would recommend to me.  I'd love to hear from you!
Have a great weekend!

8 comments:

  1. I have the Nikon D3000 (3100 came out right after I bought mine) and love it. I've read that once you get a DSLR body, just buying new lenses really makes new photos, so that is next on my list, buying some new lenses to really try out new pictures. I shoot on auto or manual (even though I've never taken classes) and always like what I get.

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  2. You've done a lot of research! I never even had a digital camera until I got my iPhone, so I'm not the best person to advise, but good luck on finding what you need!

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  3. I just typed out a big comment and it seemed to disappear. So, if you receive this twice, I apologize!:) Thanks, Joy, for this great camera review. Our first digital camera was similar to the point and shoot you talked about ~ just in the Sony version. It took lovely photos and videos. However, I wanted to expand my photography skills and trying to figure out the settings and buttons for "manual" was complicated and frustrating! My husband than bought me a Nikon 3100 with an upgraded lens (18-105). I love it very much!! I really like the range of the lens, and the simplicity of use. It's been a great camera as I, too, have been learning how to take indoor pictures in low light. Happy camera shopping. I look forward to hearing what you choose. {And, no, Nikon didn't pay me to say nice things about their camera. But, if they want to, they sure can! tee hee...}

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  4. Thanks Rita, my daughters both have Nikon DSLR cameras and are happy with them. I'll be making up my mind real soon.

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  5. Ok, I've just added the Nikon Coolpix 510 to my Christmas wish list...not that I'll get anything that pricey ;-)

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  6. I forgot to say, thanks for providing the info on these cameras! And good luck choosing your new one and learning how it works!

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