Point&Shoot+Software Vs. DSLR

[Philopator]

Hi,

I'm itching to buy D70 camera but i'm not sure whether it is really justified.
Here is the situation. I own Nikon N75 (which means I can buy only D70 body) and Samsung Digimax 530 (5 megapixel, A/S/M modes, spot metering, manual ISO, exposure compensation modes).
There questions is whether D70 would yield noticably better results than I can achieve with this Samsung camera? After adding a bit of saturation in PS – pictures look very good. Anyways I read that people use PS after D70 as well.

I am aware that SLR allows me to change lenses, but at least with respect to wide-angle lenses, nowadays I can create good panoramic shots with software merging.

So far the only feature I really miss on Samsung is ability to add filters. Other than that, it works just fine (plus it has macro mode that would require additional lenses for Nikon).
So basically I would have to pay about $1000 to get an equivalent of my small camera.

Is my logic wrong?

Thanks,
Leon.

[Rhys]

Hi,

I'm itching to buy D70 camera but i'm not sure whether it is really justified.
Here is the situation. I own Nikon N75 (which means I can buy only D70 body) and Samsung Digimax 530 (5 megapixel, A/S/M modes, spot metering, manual ISO, exposure compensation modes).
There questions is whether D70 would yield noticably better results than I can achieve with this Samsung camera? After adding a bit of saturation in PS – pictures look very good. Anyways I read that people use PS after D70 as well.

I am aware that SLR allows me to change lenses, but at least with respect to wide-angle lenses, nowadays I can create good panoramic shots with software merging.

So far the only feature I really miss on Samsung is ability to add filters. Other than that, it works just fine (plus it has macro mode that would require additional lenses for Nikon).
So basically I would have to pay about $1000 to get an equivalent of my small camera.

Is my logic wrong?

Thanks,
Leon.


This *is* an increase in image quality with a dSLR over an all-in-one *but* whether it merits the extra investment is entirely up to you. You do get extra features that you don't get on compacts though - such as faster focussing, better low-light performance and more exposure options.

[Clyde]

Nope, you got it right. Unless you are noticing limitations due to your camera, there is no reason to upgrade.

You have a relatively obscure camera there, I've never seen it and can't find a quick review. So, imagining it is typical of its range, there are things the D70 does better...

Your camera goes to 400 iso. I bet the pictures at that speed are pretty noisy. The D70 goes to 1600 iso, and its pictures are pretty good at that speed. That means it is great for poorly lit interior scenes where you don't want to use a flash.

Also, there is basically no shutter lag with the D70. No start up delay. You turn the thing on, push the button, and voila.

If you are shooting some sort of action scene, the D70 (s, actually) will shoot at around 3 frames per second for 17 shots, then slow down to a little less than 2 frames per second if you have a fast memory card. (WOW!)

If you intend to crop some picture and then blow it up to print say 8x10, or 11x14, the D70 will do much better.

Your camera is small, you can really just stick it in a pocket and go. You can always have it with you in case you come upon some moment of unexpected beauty. If your camera does all you want a camera to do, enjoy. You made a good purchase. A great photographer with your camera would take better pictures than a lousy photographer with the D70.

Clyde

[Philopator]

Thanks for your replies.

I do realize that DSLR “has more”. And I do miss fast focusing and good night time focusing. However the only real problem is slight under saturation of colors that can be fixed in PS. Another problem is weak and not replaceable flash.

On the other hand, small camera is very convenient and, unlike DSLR, has live preview which is very useful with spot metering.

Leon.

[TheObiJuan]

a stitched image will NOT give the same look as a true wide angle lens. The wide angle lens stretches the perspective and exaggerates distance.

A wide angle lens is also not only used for landscape shots, but PJ work and etc..
People buy the lenses for the look they give. The 'look' can't be reproduced, easily atleast.

[D70FAN]

Hi,

I'm itching to buy D70 camera but i'm not sure whether it is really justified.
Here is the situation. I own Nikon N75 (which means I can buy only D70 body) and Samsung Digimax 530 (5 megapixel, A/S/M modes, spot metering, manual ISO, exposure compensation modes).
There questions is whether D70 would yield noticably better results than I can achieve with this Samsung camera? After adding a bit of saturation in PS – pictures look very good. Anyways I read that people use PS after D70 as well.

I am aware that SLR allows me to change lenses, but at least with respect to wide-angle lenses, nowadays I can create good panoramic shots with software merging.

So far the only feature I really miss on Samsung is ability to add filters. Other than that, it works just fine (plus it has macro mode that would require additional lenses for Nikon).
So basically I would have to pay about $1000 to get an equivalent of my small camera.

Is my logic wrong?

Thanks,
Leon.

It's hard to think of ways that a dSLR can help you take better pictures when you have no point of reference. So it is as hard for you to look forward and justify your purchase as it is for me to look back and say "what did I do without one?"

It may turn out that none of the features of a dSLR have anything to do with your usage of a camera, in which case there is no point in spending the extra money.

If you want a camera that does everything your N75 does, plus a gazillion things more, then the D70(or D70s) is your next camera. If you want a compact, all-in-one, that takes decent stills and movies then stick with what you have.

[ReF]

as others have already said but in different ways, you probably don't need to upgrade unless you are frustrated with the limitations of your camera. i've noticed a big jump in picture quality and flexibility when i upgraded from the canon a80 (also has a/s/m) to a dslr. it can be a pain to carry around though.

[speaklightly]

Phil-

In all honesty, we all, naturally attempt to justify the digital camera that we are currently using. As the old saying goes, "You can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig."

Perhaps you are just not ready for a dSLR camera. That is indeed, OK! Don't fret about it one bit. In the mean time there will be a ton of folks out there learning and moving forward with their photographic skills. Sooner or later, because you want to take better photos, you make some changes when they feel comfortable to you.

Sarah Joyce

[Bluedog]

as others have already said but in different ways, you probably don't need to upgrade unless you are frustrated with the limitations of your camera. I've noticed a big jump in picture quality and flexibility when i upgraded from the canon a80 (also has a/s/m) to a dslr. it can be a pain to carry around though.

Exactly in agreement here. I went almost 4 years since carrying around my Minolta 7000i SLR and here we go again but hey the results are worth it in the end.

And I'll add this: once you shoot RAW (something most P&S can't do) it becomes addictive ... :D

[Rhys]

And I'll add this: once you shoot RAW (something most P&S can't do) it becomes addictive ... :D

I'm not really a RAW fan. I prefer JPEG. In fact, I did a brief survey and found opinion was 50/50 on jpeg/raw among dSLR users.This might be biassed by S3 users for whom JPEG is the only usable format.

[Bluedog]

I'm not really a RAW fan. I prefer JPEG. In fact, I did a brief survey and found opinion was 50/50 on jpeg/raw among dSLR users.This might be biassed by S3 users for whom JPEG is the only usable format.

I don't have a problem with that but I find using RAW provides a higher level of depicting the image quality details thats not as easily done in .jpg. Being able to quickly adjust the White Balance and Exposure Latitude is a big advantage to me without loosing image quality. I've done comparisons with my 350D/XT and the RAW processed image wins every time but to each his own and if .jpg is better for some users thats fine too ... ;)