DSLR vs Point-And-Shoot: Is It Time To Upgrade?

That little point-and-shoot has served you well, but you’ve become dissatisfied with it.  The autofocus is too slow. The shutter lags too long after you press the button, and you’re missing shots because of it.  The prints aren’t all that sharp, particularly when enlarged to 8×10.  You’re thinking it’s time to replace it, but do you get another point-and-shoot, or bite-the-bullet and go for an expensive DSLR, Digital Single Lens Reflex?  Here is a quick test to determine if you may be ready for a DSLR.  Just answer “Yes” or “No” or “Don’t know” to each question.

1. Are you dissatisfied with the image quality your point-and-shoot produces?
2. Do you regularly do post production on your images?
3. Do you routinely make prints 8 x 10 inches or larger?
4. Does the lens on your point-and-shoot fail to fulfill your creative needs?
5. Is your camera too slow?
6. Do you require frame rates of 3 or more per second?
7. Do you think of yourself as a “serious” photographer?

If you answered “Yes” to four or more of the above questions, you most likely are a good candidate for a DSLR.  Here’s why.

Question 1: Dissatisfaction is the first indicator that a change is needed whether that be to a better point-and-shoot or a DSLR. The goal is to find a camera that produces images that satisfy well beyond your current needs, and has the features you require even if you have to spend more than you want.  That way, you won’t be looking for a new camera six months down the road.

Question 2: If you’re post producing your images regularly, you’ve reached a critical point photographically.  It is the first sign of professionalism where you judge your work against a higher standard, and want to improve your images.  This typically leads to getting a better camera and lens to produce higher quality images to begin with.  Usually that camera will be a DSLR.

Question 3: To put it bluntly: The typical digital point-and-shoot is not designed to make large prints.  It’s designed for snapshots by people who know nothing about photography.  If you want to make quality large prints, the DSLR with its much larger sensor is the way to go.

Question 4: There is nothing more frustrating than trying to take pictures with a lens that just doesn’t “work.”  Either it’s not wide enough or not long enough or not sharp enough or has too much image distortion or flare, etc.  With a point-and-shoot, the only lens you get is the one that came permanently attached to the camera.  With a DSLR, you can choose any lens or lenses that you need to fulfill your creative vision, since they are interchangeable, and that is the DSLR’s biggest asset.

Question 5: DSLRs, even the entry-level ones, operate much, much faster than the best point-and-shoots.

Question 6: If you need to record fast action or get peak action, high frames rates are highly desirable.  Only a DSLR will do.

Question 7: A serious photographer is a student of the craft, and forever seeks to improve.  And while such a student, because of that acquired knowledge and experience, can take better pictures with a point-and-shoot than the average user, a point-and-shoot is limiting.  The DSLR is a proper tool for the serious shooter.

Well, that, in a nutshell, is it.  Next time I’ll cover choosing a DSLR that is right for you.

Tags: dslr, point-and-shoot