Why should I choose a digital SLR over a really great point-and-shoot (Canon PowerShot S3)?

Question

I want good image quality, creative control and a "professional looking" camera. I am going to work with it and probably sell pictures to magazines.

Answer 1

If you're looking to start on a budget, go with the Canon Rebel XT. Once you have the body, you're into their EOS line, and you can upgrade lenses and bodies as your needs & funds increase. If you have more to spend, then I'd go with the 5D.

If you buy one of their powershots, you're stuck with its capabilities; there's no upgrade path. When you've outgrown it, you'll wind up having to get a DSLR anyway, so you might as well start in the right bracket.

Answer 2

Honestly any point and shoot could do pictures that could be used in magazines. The 6MP will be fine. Even some of the very best photographers have a variety of cameras and they aren't always the upscale pro units you'd expect.

I had been looking at the Canon 20D (Digital SLR with 8.2MP) but then I saw the Canon 5D (Digital SLR with 12.8MP!!). So obviously I'm sold on the 5D. I currently have a Canon Powershot G3 (4MP Point and shoot) but it is so SLOW. I've missed untold amount of really great shots because of this.
I just can't spend the sort of money it would take to get the 5D at this moment so I have gone with the Canon A620 (7.1MP point and shoot) and will upgrade when finances permit.

Bottom line is whatever you are most comfortable taking pictures with will be the best thing for you to use. Ever since I got the G3 I've missed the flexibility I had with my film SLR's. Even if they aren't as conveinient to haul around.

Answer 3

Some reasons that come on top of my head since I recently made the switch from normal digicams to an SLR:

1. SLRs are FAST, very very FAST... so you never miss a moment (or at least your best bet to capture the moment)

2. SLRs support flash extensions, so you can do stuff like bounce flash and have creative control over your flash settings

3. Low noise at high ISO. When you are at your widest apperature and at the lowest shutter speed before you get handshake pictures, your only option is to raise the ISO. Low noise is very very important here

4. You can go WIDER with SLRs. Once you see how intense landscape pictures look at 24mm vs. 36mm on a digicam, you'll never go back

5. The sound an SLR makes is addictive :-)

6. You will never be short of people posing for you (or their dogs for that matter) just because your camera is big and black

7. You have a variety of lenses you can choose from for varying purposes

8. Shallow depth of field. If you notice all the nice potrait photos have a sharp model with blurry background. You can achieve this easily on an SLR due to the big image sensor. Digicams (such as the s3) have much smaller sensors and hence have difficulty replicating that effect

I can list more, but I'll leave you with this. I made the transition and it felt really sinful to spend that kind of money on an SLR but looking at the pictures that I've taken and the joy that it's brought me, it's definitely well worth it :-)

Answer 4

If you have your heart set on a DSLR, then the S3IS is out. A fine camera- but only get it if you really want something more compact with a single zoom. As far as your other choices- they're all good. The Canon has a few extra mega pixels- which is nice, but 6mp is really all you need. On the flip side, I find the Nikon's build quality to feel a bit sturdier and it has a few more features. The viewfinder on the D70 is smaller. The kit lens on the Canon isn't the best, although the Nikon's kit lens isn't bad for the price. But- for either, if you can afford it, get a better lens. Or- you could wait for the new Nikon D80 with its 10mp sensor. Which is already available in the Sony A100 with image stabilization. I haven't seen it in person, but I'd love to look at the new Pentax K100D- which also has image stabilization built in. but- with your choices, I'd probably go for the Nikon D50. It's a terrific camera, not crippled in features like the XT, and most think it has a better feel than the Canon, although not necessarily better image quality. Plus, it's available for ~ $550 and you have your choice of all that wonderful Nikon glass (i.e. lenses). IT has a better continuous mode, takes SD cards, a 2.0" LCD. The high ISO performance is actually a bit better on the D50 than the D70, and the shutter release delay is a bit faster on the D50 over the 70 or XT. yeah- the more I think about it, go with the D50.

Answer 5

Well... for one, a digicam is going to use a Charge Couple Device or CCD sensor. This is the older technology which is slower and drains more battery power. A DSLR utilizes a Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor or CMOS which is faster and is easier on your batteries. Two, only the higher end digicams will provide with the ability to set the White Balance for specific lighting situations such as in direct sunlight, under clouds, inside with fluorescent lighting, etc. On your DSLRs this is a standard feature. Three... Most digicams only shoot in the JPEG format which is really good in most cases, but not if you plan to make enlargements of poster size. This is due to the fact that when the camera saves an image to its memory card, it uses an algorithm to calculate "redundant pixels" which are then discarded to achieve smaller file sizes (a.k.a. compression). With a DSLR, you can shoot in what is know as RAW which does discard any pixels so what you shoot is what you get. Just remember that your file sizes will increase by better than a factor of two so plan accordingly for memory requirements for the camera and computer.

If you add the above to the other responses that you've received from the user community you ought to be in a good position to purchase the right pieces of equipment. Have Fun!

Answer 6

If You Are going to do it professionally then go with the Digital SLR..
You will have more creative control and more lens options...
and if you can get the powershot as your backup.....

you never know when you need something smaller

Answer 7

You can mix lenses on an SLR, which really improve picture quality. You can't do that with a point & shoot.

Mixing lenses also gives you control to shoot wide angle, telephoto (zoom), etc.

You can also use filters on SLR based lenses which gives you more control over picture quality.

An SLR also allows greater control over things like shutter speed, aperture, etc. This allows you to control how a shot will be exposed.

Answer 8

Digital SLR allows many more options as far as tweaking lens and getting your setup just right. Point and shoot will rarely give you a good enough quality for very high resolution images that magazines demand.

Answer 9

I love the SLR Pentax istD that I have. The quality is outstanding. Plus I can use any other lens on it even if it is an older one...as long as it has the same couplings. SLR's allow for effects that point and shoot models don't.