Greets all,
My Canon Powershot S110 finally died and I had been quite comfortable with using it (and Lightroom) for daylight photo shoots.
However I'm looking at my options to buy a new camera, but limited with cash.
Was thinking, just generally speaking, would it be better to buy a base level DSLR or $500 or a top of the range point and shoot for $500?
Generally speaking, maybe.
If you're okay with the larger size then (generally speaking) the DSLR will give you better pictures and open up a world of lenses (and costs). The point and shoot would be better if you want a smaller size, included flash and probably more functionality. If you just want something for photos with friends - go the point and shoot. There's plenty of great review sites that will help you compare and make this decision.
Don't really see the point of point and shoot anymore these days. If you are somewhat serious in your photography and image quality is really important then DSLR or mirrorless. For day to day photos, the camera in a mid to top range phone is more than sufficient.
If you're wanting to improve your photography skills a cheap DLSR/mirrorless is a great way to do it. Mind you it gets expensive when buying lenses come into factor.
If you're aren't bothered with lenses, a point and shoot is fine or even a decent smart phone is a good choice.
Any camera is only as good as your willingness to carry it around - size considerations.
Lots of people forget this part when deciding on which camera to buy.
You could have a top-of-the-range SLR camera with the whole set of whizz-bang lenses, but it's useless when it's sitting at home when you want to take a picture.
$5000 point and shoot
I don't think $500 will buy you a top of the range point and shoot. You won't get a megazoom 1 inch sensor for that, nor a nice Sony RX100 model.
Unless you don't like the weight, and can't stand changing lenses, I think you should definitely go for the cheap DSLR rather than the point and shoot, which as I said won't be top of the range anyway.
However, there is no real point getting a DSLR and only having the kit lenses. You need to get one fast prime lens for great portraits and some shallow depth of field work. So e.g. get an 18-55mm and a 55-250mm kit set, plus also the 50mm 1.8. Your budget of $500 won't quite be enough, you'll need to increase it, but the quality of photos you'll get will be so far superior to the S100 it won't be funny. (I've owned an S100 in the past.)
Don't forget buying used is an option, only buy from eBay sellers with an excellent rating and a high number of previous sales, so they are more trustworthy. You can get better gear for the same money if you buy used.
Or, as some have said, don't get a DSLR but go mirrorless instead. I recommend an Olympus EM10 mark I or II, or a Panasonic G7 or GX85 if you want to get into video as well as stills. If you go mirrorless you still need to get a fast prime for portraits as well as the kit lens/es. Total will be a bit more than $500 though if you buy new. You can buy used for mirrorless as well to save money, or look for the mark I model not the mark II.
Yep. Used is the way to go if you can't break $500. For example, bottom of the line new Nikon DSLR setup:
Nikon D3400 + 18-55mm kit lens = ~$550 (Harvey Norman)
Nikon AF 50mm f1.8D AF Lens = ~$150 (JB Hifi)
= ~$700
(not cheapest prices, just typical local prices)
Don't forget buying used is an option
This. Even better if the item still has original manufacturer warranty.
If you prefer to shoot in raw and do a lot of post processing then go for a camera that supports the format.
Almost all DSLR's support this. many point and shoot dont.
If you are never going to use the raw mode then point and shoot might offer better value.
A $500 point and shoot will certainly support RAW, so this is not relevant.
A smartphone like S8 also does RAW.
there are point and shoots that shoot RAW. like the sony RX100 series
You are probably better off just getting the latest smartphone and calling it a day.
Generally speaking, I would look at mirrorless cameras too to get the breast of both worlds.
If i only had $500 i'd look around for a mirrorless or maybe a second hand/bargain RX100 / G7X / G9X compact model. The mirrorless will be more versatile.
If you don't mind the weight/bulk and needing to spend decent money on lenses you could get an older mid-range DSLR in that price range, e.g. a couple of months ago I bought a 7D for around that price after 20% discount and taking GST off as i'm running it as a business. But I have photos to take for jobs and a serious investment in Canon glass and accessories to go with the body (70-200 2.8 IS, 85mm 1.8 USM, 50mm 1.8, 17-50 2.8 Sigma, 10-18 Tokina Fisheye, 3 speedlites, etc etc etc)
The camera you are more likely to take with you. A better camera is if no use if you leave it at home.
There is more to taking great photos than the camera alone.
For the majority of photos a good smartphone is going to be better and more convenient than a $500 camera.
Whatever you do, don't pay for a decent camera, dslr or point and shoot, and not learn how to use it. I know far too many people with dslrs that leave it in auto the whole time. And many point and shoot users that don't realise manual modes exist in it. A good photographer can use a $100 point and shoot and still have amazing photos, if they know how to use the camera.
Of course the only answer is "it depends".
Basically if you have a DSLR and a Point and Shoot of similar specifications the only benefits the DSLR will give you are control, handling and an upgrade path.
Control being the ability to easily and readily change settings (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, auto-focus mode, white balance etc).
Handling being the ergonomics of the camera body itself.
Upgrade path being the possibility of buying better lenses — or simply lenses intended for different purposes.
If you don't need or want control (ie. you usually just shoot in auto) you'll probably be better off with the point and shoot.
I would not start with mirrorless if you're starting photography out as a hobby or wanting to learn the finer aspect of taking better photos
I feel like learning on an SLR then transitioning to mirroless would be wiser (think a, ss, iso etc)
IMO if i had 500 bucks i'd get something basic like an entry level body (Think d3400, 700d etc etc and invest in a f2.8 17-55 tamron or a f1.8 35mm or equivalent.
(250-300 for the body used, and second hand lens 150-200)
I feel like learning on an SLR then transitioning to mirroless would be wiser (think a, ss, iso etc)
You can just as easily do Aperture Priority, Shutter priority, ISO, manual focus & all that on a mirrorless body (and also lots of simpler 'compact camera' bodies and superzooms without exchangeable lenses).
A DSLR is no better a learning tool than a mirrorless camera - unless the mirrorless camera is missing those 'creative' features. As for performance, that might be another story. But for learning, you can do it on any camera that gives you those features. Whether it's mirrorless or DSLR is irrelevant.
as far as i know, mirrorless doesnt use the standardised pentax canon nikon mounts so i'd flick that off first
if you're not buying lenses then i guess i question why you're even here….
i bought a nikon slr because i wanted access to nikon catalog, thats a big plus
as far as i know, mirrorless doesnt use the standardised pentax canon nikon mounts so i'd flick that off first
The point was about learning. Whether you think sticking with the Big Names or not is important is irrelevant for learning purposes. The point is you can learn on many cameras. Whether it's a DSLR (ie. in-built mirror) or not is irrelevant. In fact, removing the mirror has lots of usability gains, so I would say it's easier to learn without it - and without that 'disconneted' feeling of the clunky mirror.
It certainly makes silent shooting possible (electronic shutter without mirror clank). DSLR is not essential for learning, let alone particularly preferred. Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Olympus, Pentax…they all have their 'non-standard' mounts for mirrorless. Again, not even a point to mention for the puruposes of learning. Learn on any camera that can give you some creative control.
the cheapest SLR with the most expensive lens is the best
Generally speaking, I'd prob go in between and get a mirrorless. Mirrorless has the sensor of a DSLR without the bulk and is more of a point and shoot size. Best of both worlds.
Something like a Panasonic GX80.