"ArnyVee" said:
.....how about the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1? It was listed as one of the best in reviews on the B&H site. Any feedback on that one in comparison with the others on the list here?
Let me quote from my post above:
"zackiedawg" said:
Also worth a look is the Sony HX1, very similar to the SX from Canon. ; The HX1 has one very interesting feature unlike anything else on the market so far - a sweep panorama mode, that allows you to press the shutter and then 'sweep' to take panorama shots with no stitching required - the camera takes multipls shots, and they come right out of the camera pre-aligned and stitched into 2 different panorama lengths. ; It also has the ability to take multiple shots in low light situations and automatically stack them in camera for low noise and better dynamic range...you don't even need a tripod as the camera can align the shots despite slight movement while shooting.
I know I probably type far too much to want to read...sorry for that. ; Just wanted to take that snippet and point it out as I do actually recommend a look at the HX1 for serious consideration.
If you had your choice of the ones listed, would you still go for the Nikon DSLR vs the P&S models? I had actually researched the Nikon D40 before and it was on my short list. So, glad that the quality held up on those.
Here comes my huge post again! ; While Tim and Gary are spot on and correct in almost every way (I might add to Tim's list of point and shoot advantages to actually be two - portability/size for sure, but silence too is a great attribute - P&S models have no mirrors and mechanical bits to move inside, so you can turn off their shutter sounds which are all created, and shoot in complete and utter silence, such as at a recital, wedding, or any other event where shooting candidly and unnoticed is the preference)...I think folks should consider whether they intend to become photographers or not. ; By that, I mean do you take photography seriously enough as a pursuit that you will likely always be thinking about shots, wanting a camera in hand, wanting to shoot subjects other than the family and travel snaps, and willing to invest in a 'kit' that will grow and expand with your needs? ; We as photographers pretty much assume everyone else thinks the way we do...but a large number of people don't. ; It doesn't mean they aren't photo hobbyists, or can be quite skilled or capable...some folks with great photo 'eyes' and good technique still don't have a grand ambition to shoot artistically, professionally, or with enough regularity to justify large expenses and large kits. ; And others are just the stereotypical 'snapshooters' who just want the camera as an appliance that does a required job when needed - documenting a person, place, or trip.
The only reason the DSLR push rubs me a little bit the wrong way is because I know so many people who really shouldn't have bought one, but did anyway because every reviewer, camera shop, message board, and internet site told them that's what they should buy if they want good photos. ; Many of them have this big, heavy and capable camera sitting in a bag gathering dust except for 1 trip a year, when they pull it out and complain how bulky it is, or they demonstrate that they've never really learned how to use it because it just wasn't something they really wanted to do. ; And I know, from experience, how much better off some of them would have been had they chosen a very good P&S camera, that would have been perfectly capable of taking 99.9% of all the same photos they took, but easier, lighter, cheaper, and viewed on a computer screen or printed at 8x10, every bit as good. ; They didn't need a 1/8000 shutter speed with a 7fps burst to freeze sports stars on a distant field, or ISO12800 converted from RAW of a person camping under a tree on a moonless night. ; Sure, the DSLR has a much better result when those situations are needed...but those situations represent 1% or less of the photos many people need.
And the P&S compact can do some types of shots extremely well, with no additional parts needed. ; For example, try taking a macro shot of the stamen of a flower with a DSLR and kit lens. ; Sorry! ; Not without a macro lens, or closeup filters, or extension tubes. ; With many P&S models under $200...press 'macro' and stick the lens 1" from the flower, and snap away to your heart's content. ; Need a nice slow shutter night shot? ; P&S models can do them just fine, as long as you get one that can leave the shutter open at least 10 seconds or so. ; Landscapes are just fine too - nice and sharp and the depth of field is miles and miles on a small sensor P&S. ; Sure...DSLRs can do some of these shots incrementally better...but often times they can't do much better, or require specialty lenses or filters to do it. ; And of course, the flip side are the shots a DSLR can do that a P&S will struggle with - closeups with narrow depth of field, high ISO, action, etc.
Which is why I always recommend folks really think about what they want from their photography, and how far they will go with it. ; Many times, an advanced P&S can do folks just fine, and really is as far as they want their photography to go...it does everything they need it to do for a great price and a portable package. ; If you think you will want to grow and expand, and don't mind investing money and some shelf space to a growing camera collection, then a DSLR is a wonderful tool and I'd highly recommend one. ; Otherwise, there are some stellar P&S models out there from pocket cams to advanced ultrazooms and manual controlled compacts...and a person can get excellent results from them as their skill improves (some of us even managed to go semi-pro with P&S cameras...both selling, and publishing with them!).
