Initial DSLR or digital copy?

Question

Photo

Perhaps this is already a button accordion-holivar question, but still - what to choose? In one of the DC photo shops, I was advised to pay attention to the Lumix compact (like G2, I don’t remember exactly). It became interesting, because I originally thought about "mirror" options like the Canon 550D.

To make it clear the initial conditions:

1. Before that, there were only soap dishes
2. I want to record a video so as not to carry a video camera in parallel
3. At a price of 20-25 tyrov maximum.
4. I'm not a fan of photography, but I want to take high-quality family photos (there is a small child and a dog).

Naturally, the personal experience of Khabrovites is interesting. SLRs are very popular, but their dimensions are not for everyone, of course. I didn’t know about compacts until the aforementioned visit to the store, now I’m suffering))

Answer 1

I would like to record video , so as not to carry a video camera in parallel
. Then, it seems, DSLRs are immediately discounted.

Answer 2

Everything is simple here, decide what is more important to you: the quality of the pictures, or the portability and price of the camera. If the first, then a DSLR, if the second, then a compact (the same soap box).
The main parameter that most significantly affects the quality of images is, as a rule, the physical size of the matrix (not to be confused with the number of pixels).
A larger sensor leads to a larger lens and overall camera size. In addition, DSLRs have a prism and a mirror, which allows them to significantly save battery, not overheat the matrix, display an image in the optical viewfinder at the speed of light (without delays and brakes), focus in a faster and more accurate method (due to the use of separate sensors for this receiving light from a prism).
In addition, the large physical dimensions of the sensor lead to less depth of field at the same focal lengths, which makes portrait shots more voluminous and pleasing to the eye.

Answer 3

The topic is very interesting for me, I would like to take part in the discussion.
However, I can’t advise anything, because I’m just a fan of DSLRs, moreover, Canon. I can’t imagine a device more convenient and sweet to the heart. We shot video films and reports on a SLR, not to mention photographs. I like Canon lenses, shooting video can be interesting to play with focal length and aperture, taking close-ups with a telephoto lens with a beautifully blurred FR. This is an amazing feeling - the video is like the photos that you are used to come to life.
I really love the sound of the shutter and the movement of the mirror, I love to take a frame on the viewfinder, often I even bring the camera to my eyes - not shooting, but only checking the potential frame that I mentally saw before.
I held mirrorless cameras in my hands only at the exhibition. And I couldn’t help but compare them with my camera, I couldn’t abstract and shoot for my own pleasure. Everything is somehow wrong, not convenient, slow, clumsy. Such a small brick with a huge lens in front (I'm talking about the Sony NEX).
Summarizing the above, I would like to advise you to take a DSLR from one of your friends and shoot, say, a shooting day. Long exposure, high ISO, different lenses, speed (let's say playing with a dog). And decide for yourself - do you need it or not?
I sincerely wish you good luck!

Answer 4

You can take a look at the Samsung NX11 . This is mirrorless. Great camera for the price/quality. The main drawback is noisy from 800 ISO. If you want more quality and the dimensions are not very scary - Nikon D5100 DSLR - you can buy for 25k.

Answer 5

My advice is this. Borrow a DSLR from a friend for a week or two. Carry it everywhere with you. Take a vacation…
If you find out that dimensions and weight are not important for you, take a mirror, Canon or Nikon.
If the dimensions are of some importance - mirrorless. More compact is not only the carcass, but also the lenses. Choose from Micro 4/3 (Olympus, Panasonic) or Sony. I prefer Olympus - more compact than Panasonic and a stabilizer in the carcass. Who needs a viewfinder - it's better to take a Panasonic.
If the dimensions are really important (and don't care about the rest) - a soap dish.
I myself have an old mirrorless Olympus Pen E-P1. Compared to soap dishes - another level. Photography has become a real hobby, with a whole fleet of lenses and adapters. Our Soviet ones cost a penny and are put through an adapter. Thanks to its size, I carry it everywhere with me.
What is missing: autofocus speed (fixed in older models, now at the level of DSLRs), swivel screen (available in some older models). The depth of field and the sensitivity of the matrix are slightly worse than those of DSLRs, enough for an amateur. Yes, and bright lenses save.

Answer 6

I have a ~8Mpx Kodak soapbox two years ago (~$100). Shoots great. There is even a video recording option.

Answer 7

Received a comment in the mail:

I recommend:
Sony Alpha NEX-5
here is a review for example www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonynex5nex3/
and here is a good comparison plate
snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_550D-vs-Sony_Alpha_NEX-5
This is a mirrorless camera, very compact without a lens.
According to some reviews, the preference shoots better than the Canon 550D.
My recommendation is to take the NEX-5, because you are not a fan, it follows that most likely
you will not distinguish between pixels in canon and Sonya.
But for Sonya you get such important details as:
point and shoot, excellent automatic mode, the interface is very convenient and understandable,
built-in help in the device. (Plus all sorts of advice why what and why and how to take a picture).
The build quality is better than the Canon.
In the presence of a child and a dog, the speed, as it were, to quickly capture the moment will probably be more important.
Plus, for example, for a wife or a child, it will be easier to take a picture of you.
Another important feature is video recording in FULL HD 60 fps.
There is also a good feature - built-in panoramic shooting.
Swipe the device - the output is a finished panoramic photo.
There is a feature of 3D photos and 3D panoramas, for me they are still useless, maybe you will be hooked.
All the same, DSLRs require qualifications, although they take excellent photos anyway,
but the model from Sonya adds parameters such as size and other goodies to almost the same quality photos
, which will make it easier for you to enter the world of DSLRs.
Maybe later you will switch to some canon mark 2 thread;)
Sorry, I didn’t answer on Habré for lack of an account,
but I myself encountered this question, I was looking for a camera with my father for several months,
and looked at the SLRs until they took nex 5, we don’t regret it.
Sincerely, Leonid.

Answer 8

0. All of the following - IMHO;
1. SLR camera;
2. Choose from Canon/Nikon as they are the easiest to find lenses, batteries and more;
3. Canon products are often cheaper than comparable Nikon products;
4. If your friends/colleagues/acquaintances have Canon/Nikon equipment, choose the same brand. This will allow you to change lenses;
5. Sony, Minolta and Samsung - by.

Answer 9

Site with reviews and test shots - www.dpreview.com .
You can adequately compare the vending models.

Answer 10

I do not recommend Lumix in any way. The picture quality is disgusting.
A budget DSLR will be much better in quality than a sophisticated soap dish.
I would look at DSLRs with the ability to shoot video.

Answer 11

IMHO, among the most acceptable compromise solutions between top digital compacts and budget DSLRs, it is worth considering only the following hybrid / mirrorless camera models from Sony and Panasonic
Sony Alpha A55 (the A35 and A77 models are also expected)
Sony NEX-3 / NEX-5
Panasonic DMC- G3
Panasonic DMC-GF3

Answer 12

31% of cameras sold in Japan are already mirrorless cameras, which means something. I’m also thinking of changing my soap dish soon, but I already know that I’ll definitely take a mirrorless camera, the only question is which one.

Answer 13

Many recommend mirrorless. Unfortunately, their only plus is a large sensor. Everything else is the cons of soap dishes - autofocus, ergonomics (and hence the difficulty of taking a good shot in a dynamic environment - children, sports, ... airplanes).

Answer 14

Also wondered about this question.
And what do the pros have to say about the Canon EOS 600D (compared to the 550D)?

Answer 15

Here another person writes about his impression of the somewhat ancient, but good digitally compact Lumix LX3
But thanks for the question, I thought about it myself :)

Answer 16

Lumix g2