Digital SLR versus Ultra Zoom / POS

rpm

rpm

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Hi there

We are looking for a camera to take basic photos for MyBB’s articles at press events and the like. No-one really knows anything about photography, but we would obviously not like to compromise too much on quality,

Is a low end DSLR the best option or should we rather go for an Ultra Zoom camera? What is the learning curve like for low end DSLR cameras before you can use it properly?

Any advice will be great.
 
The easiest for press events etc, would be something like a Canon SX20IS. You would have to spend much more to get the same range and versatility from a DSLR.
 
Hey RPM, I am not sure on your budget, but I just bought the Nikon D3000 and being a novice I can tell you it is the most amazing camera I have ever used.

The picture quality is simply amazing not to mention it is really easy to use.

Auto will get you great shots, I tend to use the A or P mode to get a more refined shot, but either way it will give you amazing pictures.

As I mentioned, not sure on budget, but if you can afford +- R6999 (with the long lens) or R4999 with the standard 18 - 55 lens, I would highly recommend it to someone with no previous camera skills.

Grim
 
rpm said:
Is a low end DSLR the best option or should we rather go for an Ultra Zoom camera?
Click to expand...

I was going to say "you must be new here" until I noticed who made the post :)

My money is on the cheapest DSLR you can find.
 
If you're going to be doing events, consider investing in a decent flash for whatever camera you get - they help a lot with photo quality indoors.
 
I would go with a decent low-end dSLR....

Then it all depends on the budget really and the package you can get for the budget.
 
Thanks for the feedback so far. I am indeed new in this section Koffiejunkie - really don't have any idea about photography. So newby/noob may well be in order :D

From the feedback I assume one can use the low end DSLR cameras in auto-mode? And I assume something like the Canon SX20IS comes with a good flash and is easy to use?
 
Quantum Theory said:
The easiest for press events etc, would be something like a Canon SX20IS. You would have to spend much more to get the same range and versatility from a DSLR.
Click to expand...

We have this camera, as well as a Canon DSLR.

Personally it comes down to your budget.
A nice one to look at is the Canon D400.

The SX20IS (retail R3800) has one downside, due to it's ultrazoom..... it takes a century to focus.... compared to for instance, the D400 (retails at R8800) which has a lightning fast autofocus (or manual focus if you feel so inclined).

The night shots on the SX20IS is spectacular though, as are all Canon DC's at the moment. The flash is awesome too.

The big hook on the DSLR which would make me buy it above a DC is the fact that you can upgrade it and add whatever nifty lense you want- 18-55mm for quickies at events, or anything up to 200mm's if you are in an event and you can't reach out and grab your target.
 
rpm said:
Thanks for the feedback so far. I am indeed new in this section Koffiejunkie - really don't have any idea about photography. So newby/noob may well be in order :D

From the feedback I assume one can use the low end DSLR cameras in auto-mode? And I assume something like the Canon SX20IS comes with a good flash and is easy to use?
Click to expand...

Yes. Amazing flash (works up to ~7m) and I find the flash quite blinding - a good thing.
Easy to use..... oh yes. It's a regular "mik en druk"..... with the capability to do anything you want it to. Facial recognition is nice on it.
 
Thanks for the feedback froot.

I have previously been advised to also look at the Canon S90, the G11 or the PowerShot SX1 IS. Looks like a low end DSLR is the best route to follow, but if we want to only cover events an Ultra Zoom camera may well serve our purpose?
 
rpm said:
Thanks for the feedback froot.

I have previously been advised to also look at the Canon S90, the G11 or the PowerShot SX1 IS. Looks like a low end DSLR is the best route to follow, but if we want to only cover events an Ultra Zoom camera may well serve our purpose?
Click to expand...

An ultra zoom will definitely serve your purpose. I'm not too familiar with the S90 (it's the digital that looks like the DSLR) but know it's a good one.

The nice thing about the small ultrazooms for instance (SX20IS and so on) is that it's the size of a cellphone and is 10-12MP (more than enough).
 
froot said:
An ultra zoom will definitely serve your purpose. I'm not too familiar with the S90 (it's the digital that looks like the DSLR) but know it's a good one.
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No it's not but that's ok - for what they want to do they dont need or want an ultra zoom. At those times they're going to need that sort of reach they're going to need a real flash or at the very least some impressive quality high ISO.
 
bwana said:
No it's not but that's ok - for what they want to do they dont need or want an ultra zoom. At those times they're going to need that sort of reach they're going to need a real flash or at the very least some impressive quality high ISO.
Click to expand...

Not? Sorry, thinking about the wrong one then. Thanks :)
 
Hi Bwana

For mainly press briefings or the like, would you suggest something other than the Canon PowerShot or similar cameras? Would a DSLR with a standard lense serve our purposes better?
 
rpm, the dslr bundles are like really cheap now, plus im sure someone on the forum could hook u up with buying it as cost from a dealer?

the main reason i would suggest a DSLR is that with an externa flash, ISO 400, manual aperture to open and setting shutter to 1/40-1/60 you'll get far far better quality indoor photos than a point n shoot imho. lose the flash and fit a 300mm lens in the day for the outdoors events.

My next cam will be a Sony mainly cause of the built-in stabilization, but i've used Canon and Nikon and all 3 are way up there.
 
rpm said:
Hi Bwana

For mainly press briefings or the like, would you suggest something other than the Canon PowerShot or similar cameras? Would a DSLR with a standard lense serve our purposes better?
Click to expand...
Dont let all those knobs and dials put you off too much - they're there if you want to use them - if you put a dslr into full auto then it's no more difficult to use than a point and shoot.

The standard kit lens is fine to start off with.

I'm not a fan of that popup flash the dslr and p&s come with but at least with a dSLR (and selected P&Ss) you can add a larger flash.

If the budget stretches to a dslr then get it - they're better in every way.

You might also want to look at the Nikon D5000 or Canon's 500D (in the consumer dslr range) since they come with video - something else you might want to add to articles down the road.
froot said:
Not? Sorry, thinking about the wrong one then. Thanks :)
Click to expand...
Easy to do - sometimes it seems canon has a different model for everyday of the year! :eek:
 
My newbyish opinion but I do have both a good p&s and dSLR.

A good point and shoot like the s90 should be fine for your needs. I doubt you will notice a massive differance between it and a dSLR unless you 100x pictures, edit them or get a decent flash for the dSLR.

A dSLR might also be a pain in the arse to carry around to events. Why not ask a local forumite to give you a test on both? Both point and shoot & dSLR have there niches.
 
bwana said:
Dont let all those knobs and dials put you off too much - they're there if you want to use them - if you put a dslr into full auto then it's no more difficult to use than a point and shoot.

The standard kit lens is fine to start off with.

I'm not a fan of that popup flash the dslr and p&s come with but at least with a dSLR (and selected P&Ss) you can add a larger flash.

If the budget stretches to a dslr then get it - they're better in every way.

You might also want to look at the Nikon D5000 or Canon's 500D (in the consumer dslr range) since they come with video - something else you might want to add to articles down the road.Easy to do - sometimes it seems canon has a different model for everyday of the year! :eek:
Click to expand...

+1 on the movie. They've got 720p which I found with the SX20 is really awesome.
 
For events you definately need SLR - it needs to focus fast, shoot even faster in burst mode and cope with low light. The big sensor advantage of an SLR is key to its success in these situations. They can do very high ISO with minimal noise.

If you cannot afford one a nice ultra zoom with flash hotshoe (Canon SX1 / Kodak Z980) seems like a good alternative. Just make sure you set your AF to center spot else you will get very frustrated.
 
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