Question on taking digital cameras on tour.

If you had an older digital camera (5 MP) which was not an SLR, but was small in size, and a new much larger SLR type digital camera (10 MP), which would you take on an Insight tour and why?

Both cameras take great pictures.

Does the new SLR have image stabilization?

What's the optical zoom on the two cameras?

A 5MP camera can do probably everything you need for standard shots. If you're not interested in anything other than documenting the trip, the 5MP camera will do.

If you're interested in more sophisticated images and that's why you bought the SLR, I would definitely take the SLR. If I had a new 10 MP SLR I would take it along as long as I had the lenses to make it worthwhile.

P.S. If you are sorry that you bought the SLR and want to find a good home for it, let me know

Hi Cat's Inheritance, we are photo enthusiasts so are not the norm. We, my wife and I, are each taking a digital SLR with associated lenses, plus we are also carrying a small Ricoh point & shoot digital "pocket" camera. Why all this gear? So we can come home with the best photos we can possibly take whilst we are there. Because, when you get home, we believe that it is the photos that help you relive and remember your travels forever.
Take your DSLR and take plenty of photos, and then some more. You may not get a second chance to take them again.

Taking both cameras may be the way.

The Canon SLR has the 18-55 kit lens. With one lens, I could be limited.

Hi Cat's Inheritance, I'm back after buying another lens to pack into the camera bag for my trip.
Additional reasons to take the DSLR are:
1. The bigger file sizes will be appreciated when you get back home and find that you can do more with the photos, eg print at a larger size.
2. Should you need to photograph in okaces where there is less light and you therefore increase your camera's ISO setting, there will be less digital noise in the photo as compared to the point & shoot cameras due to the actual size of the camera's sensor.
3. As far as only having the single lens, that is a good starting point. Many good camera shops also stock suitable second hand lenses at a much cheaper price, so you do not have to spend all your money on cameras but can leave enough to buy a few more coffees.
4. The Canon DSLR will also be easier to use when composing your photo and the built in flash also makes for convenient use. That flash will also be stronger than one in a P & S camera.
Hope it all works out for and you get plenty of nice shots.

One of the most important advantages of a DSLR (especially CANON) over any point-and-shoot camera is the better quality images (less noise) at higher ISO settings. At 200 and below point-and-shoots perform well, but from ISO400 and above there is no comparison. This is important as you often find yourself in low light conditions and having to use ISO 400 and up. You could even at a pinch use ISO3200 if required. This often means that under certain conditions you will only be able to get an acceptable photo with a DSLR.

quote:

Originally posted by GrahamA:
Hi Cat's Inheritance, we are photo enthusiasts so are not the norm. ............. Because, when you get home, we believe that it is the photos that help you relive and remember your travels ....take plenty of photos, and then some more. You may not get a second chance to take them again.

Hi, Graham!
I agree with everything you say. I'm going on an Insight tour shortly. Is it worth taking a (bulky) tripod (which I have)? Or would you recommend buying one of those Gorillapod stands?
Cheers!

Hsaving just toted a DSLR around Europe for 35 days, I can back up many of the comments here, and add a couple of critical ones:

- The DSLR WILL take better photos - particularly in low light such as inside churches where flash isn't possible. I got great shots inside St Peters and the Vatican Museum for instance, and many night shots on cruises because I could go up to 1600ASA on my old EOS 300D.

- The speed of the turn on, focus, shoot cycle of a SLR is fantastic for those shots where you only have moments to get it - you'll be smiling when everyone else on the bus is swearing because their compact digital hadn't focussed yet...

- Photos from a 10MPixel camera will take up twice the space of the other one - so you'll need twice the memory cards, or some backup option for photos on tour. If you are using a SLR, you will want to shoot at max resolution and max quality to take advantage of it...

- The WEIGHT of a DSLR is important. Many people find this a burden after a while. My suggestion is way before your holiday begins, go on a few day (walking) trips where you will have your camera IN YOUR HANDS or AROUND YOUR NECK for the entire day to simulate what you'll end up doing on tour.

- Switching lenses while on tour isn't exactly practical - generally you'll go with a mid range zoom (I used a 28-135mm) and stick with it. The main issue with extra lenses is weight, and the size of your day pack...

Thanks for these comments PeterF

We have taken a compact on the last 2 trips as it fits into a pocket and we did not want the extra burden and worry of a larger camera, although hubby wanted to take it on the last one and I just could see the problems with climbing Incan/Mayan pyramids with it slug on/over/under his back. On hindsight it would have been a great benefit to the photos taken.

I think we should take it next trip (if son allows us, its his) as we plan to do Italy with all its possible inside shots (if allowed)

I picked up a Panasonic super zoom digital. It is not a DSLR but the zoom range is equivalent to 36-432mm. It is also quite compact and not too heavy. Pretty easy to use and good range of features for special photos and adjusting to light source etc. I've had it for a few months and been trying to get used to it before I go in September.

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