Question by J.: Should i get a Canon Powershot s95 or an entry level DSLR?
I’m an amateur when it comes to photography, but i want to buy a new camera which can help me take better pictures. I cant decide whether i should go for an entry level DSLR or stick to something portable like Canon powershot s95, because i already have a point and shoot camera. Could you please suggest me some good DSLR cameras for beginners? I would really like to get a good opinion before i make my decision.
Best answer:
Answer by fhotoace
Do you want the camera to control all your exposures and be stuck with only one lens and a small sensor? P&S
Or do you want to control the exposure, lens you use and have a large sensor capable of producing high quality images? dSLR
Give your answer to this question below!
The only way that you will come to take better pictures is to become a better photographer. If you’re thinking about buying an SLR without also taking a step toward personal development, then you will be discouraged because you’ll basically get the same results that you have been getting. The S95 is often recommended by advanced photographers as a walk-about camera when they don’t want to carry their heavy and bulky SLRs. If you’re intent on getting an SLR, you really can’t go wrong with the entry level models from any major manufacturer. You might also look into the micro 4/3 cameras which have been impressing many with their excellent photo quality. Go here for more information: http://dpreview.com .
Point and shoots are for the purpose of being super portable and always having it on you. There are some great one’s out there but if you are really into photography, after some time you will find it very limiting. So if you are into having a camera be portable point and shoot. If you want to start doing new things in photography buy a DSLR. Remember DSLR’s are getting cheaper all the time as new models come out.
Bella,
There’s a saying, “The best camera you can have is the one that’s with you…” What that means is if you get a DSLR and then don’t carry it around with you because it’s bulky you won’t get any shots and develop your skills. So owning a DSLR won’t be of value to you.
The Canon s95 is an excellent P&S camera that lets you shoot in Raw and JPEG as well as do some limited aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual settings + the usual program mode and macro shooting. There are all sorts of ISO, white balance, etc. settings you can do with it as well as the typical ranges of fineness of quality selections. Since you mentioned it you probably know the tech specs on it. It is definitely not your run of the mill P&S. And, if you’ll carry it with you more than a DSLR, I’d highly recommend it.
That said… it is not a DSLR. You cannot change lenses and the sensor in it – while quite large for a P&S sized camera – is not as big as most DSLRs.
Some entry level DSLRs for you to consider (keep in mind I’m a Canon ‘bigot’) are the Canon T2i or T3i (the 60D gets excellent ratings but may be above your price point), the Nikon 3100, the Sony Alpha 55.
I highly recommend you go to a camera store to hold these cameras – see what feels good in your hands and with your eye up against the viewfinder (which is how you’ll mostly shoot with those cameras, unlike a P&S) – though they all have quite workable Live View for the right still shot situations and for video.
Good luck! I’m sure you’ll find something that will be lots of fun and a good learning experience.