So many of my friends come to me asking whether they should buy a dSLR for their travel photography. It’s hard to say whether or not exactly you should buy one, as it’s a very personal decision, but often I find people are buying them for the sake of it and not really thinking about the practicalities of them. When I ask people why they want an SLR their response is always the same
“I want to take great photos”
Here’s a big surprise: you don’t need an SLR to take great photos, in fact I know a few people who brought SLRs expecting to open it out of the box, press the shutter and to take amazing photos – they were sorely disappointed. It simply doesn’t work like that, it’s all on the photographer to take great photos. A good camera helps take things “next level” but when you consider the additional cost and price, it might not be practical for you.
My first SLR was a Canon 400d, which is an entry level SLR. I had this camera for a couple of years, but only ever used the kit lens. I enjoyed taking photos and occasionally got a few photos I was proud of, but the truth was I could have easily taken equivalent photos on a Point and Shoot that would have cost and weighed half as much. I got to the point in my photography where I became frustrated, I wasn’t really making much progress, so what did I do? I invested in a 5d mark ii and spent time researching lenses that would suit what I wanted to achieve from my photography. It was an expensive decision, but my reasoning behind it was that if I had the best camera and lenses I could afford, then it definitely wasn’t my gear that was limiting me anymore, it was me. I found my photography improved in leaps and bounds. Do you need to invest in a full frame SLR for your photography to improve? No! You just need to change your frame of mind.
The truth is a high end point and shoot is probably going to serve you better than a low end SLR, especially if you’re going to stick to the kit lens. If you’re reading this article, then chances are you’re interested in buying an SLR or at least upgrading your camera, so let’s point out what I consider to be essential when purchasing a new camera if you want to take great photos.
The first thing I would encourage you to look out for is a camera that shoots with adjustable settings – for example, a camera that you can shoot in AV (aperture priority) or manual mode. This will allow you to have a lot more control of the specifics of the photo – which I believe is absolutely key to making progress in your photography.
The second essential criterion is: a camera that shoots in RAW. For some people this might not be as important as it is for me – it is a deal breaker. I will discuss the benefits of shooting in RAW properly at a later date, but for now I will say that shooting in RAW basically takes an entire snapshot of what the camera sees. When you shoot in JPEG or other formats, the camera automatically compresses the image. This means that when you come to edit the photo (a key aspect of photography, for me personally) you have an image that already has a fixed exposure and if you try to edit it you will negatively impact the image quality. However, if you shoot in RAW, you have much more flexibility with your image processing at a later date, as the “snapshot” of the image has been saved.
A high end point and shoot will meet both of those criteria, for example the Canon G12 which is a great camera. But SLRs are bigger, so they’re better, right? You might be able to take marginally better pictures on the entry level SLR with kit lens than your high end point and shoot, but, for the extra price you pay and the size and weight of the SLR, my overall opinion is no – they are not better.
If you’re going to set aside thousands of dollars to invest in good quality lenses to go along with your SLR then by all means, go ahead and make the financial commitment. But if all you’re looking to do is take great photos on a practically sized camera without destroying your bank account, then look for an adjustable high end point and shoot.
What do you you use for your travel photography?
At the moment I’m camera-less as my 5d was stolen in Los Angeles, so I’m using my iPhone!
I’m really thinking about buying a dSLR camera. I want to take great photos while travelling and of Reuben.
Any suggestions of where I should look in NZ at cameras? And how much something good will set me back?
It depends on how much you want to spend, really. I’ve only used Canons so that’s all I know about. What are the main motivations for getting an SLR over a high end smaller camera? If you’re planning to travel with it, size will matter. I would suggest a G12 point and shoot over a Canon 1000d or 600d. The 60d, 7d and 5ds are all great cameras, but the prices work their way up easily.
Are you wanting to buy a couple of different lenses and get into it seriously? Or do you just want good photos? All important questions! 🙂
I’ve had a few friends ask for advice about getting DSLRs, and I always say the same thing – just because it looks fancier, doesn’t mean it will take better pictures. You’re completely right – the photographer matters, not the camera. I’ve seen some amazing shots taken with the most low-tech equipment, even camera phones!! Usually I just recommend a really good point-and-shoot for people interested in casual photography, and DSLRs for people who are interested in having manual control over a camera’s settings and the ability to change lenses. Most people do just fine with a good point-and-shoot, I think 🙂
Naomi – that’s really great advice. If someone looks for a point and shoot with the manual or AV modes, they’ll likely to be able to meet all of their needs. What I’ve noticed about my SLR is that there’s “little” difference between landscape photography, it’s just during portraits or anything that allows for a lot of bokeh that it becomes more obvious that it’s a full framed SLR.
More important to focus on your own techniques than the camera you own…
I like my micro 4/3rds camera: about the same size as a point-and-shoot, but it has a much bigger light sensor and can take different lenses. Entry level Olympus Pen series are about $400, and a really high-end one runs about $1000. They are small, flexible, can use almost any lens (with adaptors) and take photos comparable to dSLR cameras. They are also generally easier to learn to use than most dSLRs, more like point-and-shoots. Depending on the model, they can go from very auto to almost completely manual. Check them out. Lots of companies make them.
I’ve heard great things about micro cameras – I’ve never played on one though. They sound like a great middle ground between a point and shoot and a dSLR!
There’s a lot to be said for a camera that’s lightweight that you’ll WANT to take with you everywhere, too! Better to have a camera with you, than a beefy SLR at home.
What mode do you shoot in Jess?
I shoot in jpeg + Raw, which means that I get two photos: one that I can see in any format, and the Raw photo, which I can’t see until I open it. I can then scroll through the jpegs looking for photos I’ll like. When I don’t like one, I delete it. Since the jpeg and Raw have the same numerical sequence in their name, I then know to only open the Raw photos with a corresponding jpeg. That saves me tons of time in processing, since jpegs open quickly and Raw files don’t. To see examples, you can visit my photo blog: snapbugblog.wordpress.com
Over here another micro 4/3 switcher.
I always had DSLRs, my first a big F4 Nikon, and on from that… and of course the fast lenses that suited such a great cameras.
And then I started traveling. Big 70 L backpack and all my gear in another one. I thought, well, that’s the way it is, you know, not only getting tanned but grow some muscles too.
Oh oh, the ‘weight’ of becoming a great photographer…
And then I just got fed up with it, the burden of carrying around that stuff. More often then not I just left all the gear in my room and walked around with a small Panasonic LX3. The relief! No more missed photographic opportunities cause I couldn’t bother to bring my weightlifter pro stuff on just a 10 min stroll for a street snack, or late night beerlaria and dance – the camera was always with me.
And then those micro 4/3 cameras came along. Small, as good as DSLR’s, with great lenses but in a small package (pancake lenses like the Panasonic 20mm 1.7 or the Olympus 12mm 2.0 ). It was a easy decision. I sold all my big stuff and got me a system that not only is up to the job, but above all, I carry my camera (with a selection of lenses) ALL the time with me.
Life was light again. 😉
Thanks for this interesting comment, Conrad, maybe I should add micros to the post as they seem really popular. I agree SLRs are really heavy, they might be practical for short trips, but for long term travel they can be a burden. For me, it was all I ever traveled with, so for me it was normal and the discomfort was fine. I actually never let myself buy a high end point and shoot, in fear that I would stop using my SLR.
Long term travel is all about making life light 🙂 thanks for your really informative comment, I’m sure others will find it helpful!
Just the post I needed to read! I am currently trying to decide which camera to buy for my upcoming move to Thailand. My boyfriend thinks we should get an SLR, but after reading this, I’m thinking a high end point and shoot.It’s just as you say…we want to be able to take ‘better pictures’! Is there a particular point and shoot you would recommend? Thanks!
Hey Sophie, depends what your budget is? A few people have talked about the micro cameras, I’m not very familiar with them. Maybe give me an idea of how much you’re wanting to spend and I can give you some suggestions. Best bet is to always go try them in store, when you can 🙂
I agree with Izy, Sophie: go try cameras in the store. I was undecided on the “lite” version of my camera vs. the heavier one, and then when I went to the store, surprised myself by preferring the heavier camera for the grip it had. Also, you can google the name of a camera and see the sort of images you can create.
If I were to buy my camera all over again, I would get the same model: an Olympus Pen EP-2, but I wouldn’t get the stock lens (saving myself about $150). I would buy my Panasonic 20mm pancake lens that I love using, and then I would splurge and get one really good zoom lens. The stock lenses on these cameras are often not so great. Go look on the forums (there are micro 2/3rds forums, of course!) and see what lenses folks love most. I’d buy the body, the Panasonic 20, and a 100-200 zoom and be done.
Shop around, and look at what each camera can do. Mine does less of the fancy in-camera stuff, as I don’t spend a lot of time taking HDR or Panoramic shots. I wanted a camera I could easily manually control. Some micro 4/3rds are more like super-great point-and-shoots, with tons of filters and HDR-makers and crazy Panorama-makers right in the camera. You need to decide how you like taking pictures, then shop accordingly. A great new camera on Auto will take wonderful photos.
I also think the iPhone takes phenomenal photos, and if you need a reason to get one, the camera alone is worth the cost. That thing rocks beyond all expectations. Most people would be happy using just the iPhone camera and a great app like PhotoToaster for editing, and not even need to own a point-and-shoot.
Izy,
Great point about the photographer being the key behind the great photographs. With the new DSLRs people think they’ll be able to take amazing photos. All you do is point the camera and push the button right? What’s so hard about that?
I have a 5d Mark Ii and the lenses are so expensive I have only been renting to try out different lenses. I’m a little hesitant carrying around a camera and tripod when I travel but really want great. Is this practical or do you think I’ll be a target for theft?
Thanks for the great post.
Well, my camera was stolen in Los Angeles so I don’t think I’m the best person to ask for advice. I was also stabbed protecting my camera in Indonesia, so yes… maybe. But when/if my SLR is replaced I’ll definitely travel with it again, so I wouldn’t let that stop me. The 5d is such a GREAT camera! I’m jealous (haha). What have been your favourite lenses? I traveled with a 28 1.8, 50mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8. I like primes, and found they were small enough to lug around but awesome enough to get some decent photos.
Thanks for your helpful comments, I agree DPreview is awesome!
Hey Izy and Jess,
I am on a fairly tight budget but would like to spend around £200 on a camera, I think. Hopefully this will get me a pretty good point and shoot. Really would like a view-finder, though, which many don’t seem to have!
Thanks so much for the advice! I am going shopping next week and will visit a few stores. As a novice, I guess I need something that will take pretty good pictures on auto, but that does have manual functions I can play around with to improve.
Cheers 🙂
Sophie
Sophie,
Check out http://www.dpreview.com for camera reviews.
They have a huge list of camera reviews and they do very throroughly review each one (includes test shots).
I can’t really give you any advice on point and shoots as I’ve graduated to the DSLRs.
Will
Sophie, though it doesn’t have a viewfinder, my old Canon Powershot SX130IS did exactly what you describe: it took lovely photos on Auto and let me learn how to take manual photos over time. The older photos in Snapbugblog are taken with it. Did it take photos as good as my current camera? No. Did it take photos in RAW? No. But it was kinder $200 and it took such great photos that readers of my cycling blog, rideblog, often asked which lenses I was using! Check it out as an option. And again, I can recommend the iPhone camera as highly as any point-and-shoot and there are cheap aps to let you go “full auto” on it.
I mean “under” $200, though “kinder” is true too!
Hey Jess, thanks for your helpful comments. The iphone camera is pretty decent. What apps are you talking about Jess that allow you to go “full auto” ? I have Camera+ which is good. Instagram is fun but I find that it degrades the quality a lot.
Hi all. For the iPhone, I hear that Procamera will let you do even more than Camera+, but I should admit to using neither. I like what the iPhone does as it is. Where I enjoy working with it is in post-production. My personal favorite editing program by far is Phototoaster. It let’s you use filters, just like Instsgram… Except it has three times as many. Or you can use the easy living adjustment controls to do go your photo anything you would expect to do to a jpeg. You can adjust sharpness, exposure, color/tint, add textures and frames. Or you can do both: put on the filter, then adjust it as you like. Finally, since you cannot a square crop too, you upload directly to your albums, Facebook, and Instsgram, as well as many other sharing spots. Check out my Instagram feed for Phototoaster examples: distantmountaintrips.
Sophie, i think Dpreview is an awesome site for reviews. I’m not really sure of any good cameras in the 200 pounds range, sorry. If you find something you’re considering I can look at the stats and give you my opinion, but there’s nothing I can suggest off the top of my head.
I think that a view finder is really key, so try not to budge on that if you can find something in that price range 🙂 my preference is always Canon and make sure it has a re chargable battery! I’m sure most do these days, but it makes a difference.
Good luck! How exciting 😀
[…] and people. If I’m honest there’s no way that it compares to the quality of my SLR, but I don’t think you need an SLR to take great photos. The best thing about having an iPhone with such a good quality camera is that it’s always […]
Thank you for clearing my doubt about point and shoot and SLR camera. it save my lots of money.
No problem, I hope you enjoy your (new?) camera!