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Point and Shoot vs DSLR
What would you pick between a DSLR and a Point and shoot? DSLRs are becoming more and more affordable, and many people are wondering if it’s high time they switch to a DSLR and toss and point and shoot cameras.
Presently point and shoot cameras have a long list of capabilities and features compared to slightly older DSLR versions such as face detection, GPS, face detection, and other new technologies are making their way into the point and shoot industry.
This has oversaturated this industry, making it hard for people to pick the ideal camera for their needs.
An analogous thing is also happening in the DSLR industry, where companies are splitting the industry into several segments as they try to capture a variety of potential clients.
But one is for certain; many people are stuck trying to determine whether they keep their point and shoot cameras or bite the bullet and switch to the better option; DSLR.
This review will look at the benefits and drawbacks of point and shoots as well as DSLRs.
This will help you evaluate which camera is best for your needs. Therefore if you are one of those people stuck wondering which is the best camera for you, this review is for you.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Point-and-Shoot Cameras
Fixed lens
All point and shoot cameras have fixed lenses, and you won’t have to sweat swapping lenses.
Massive DOF (Depth of Field)
In layman terms, point and shoot cameras don’t separate the background from the foreground. As a result, they focus on everything in the shot-making the whole scene look sharp. This can be a benefit and drawback as well.
Price
Point and shoot cameras are cheaper to buy and maintain compared to DSLRs.
Size
Point and shoot cameras are small, and you can fit them inside your pocket and take them anywhere. This makes this camera ideal if you’re an on-the-go kind of person.
Weight
Due to their compactness, point and shoot cameras are very lightweight, and you don’t need massive bags, tripod stands, or other accessories to carry or use them.
Drawbacks of Point-and-Shoot Cameras
Quality
Due to the image sensor’s small size, point and shoot cameras are not equal to DSLRs when it comes to quality, even if the point and shoot have more Megapixels.
Shooting In Low Light Conditions
Point and shoot cameras don’t have ideal capabilities for low-light photography.
Benefits and Drawbacks of DSLRs
Better Image Quality
A DSLR camera usually has a much larger sensor compared to a point-and-shoot camera. Point and shoots have a sensor region of about 3%-5% of a full-frame DSLR image sensor.
Better Sensitivity to Light
Less noise means that you can take a DSLR to a very dim environment and take photos that you would never be able to take with a point-and-shoot camera.
Focus and Shutter Speeds
A DSLR can acquire focus rapidly and take several stills per second. Some professional DSLRs can capture images at continuous speeds of up to 10 fps.
Full control over DoF (Depth of Field)
When you have a DSLR, you are in charge of isolating the background from the foreground. In addition, you can bring everything into focus via aperture lens control.
Inability to Take Wide-Angle Stills
Most point-and-shoot cameras comprise lenses that start at 30mm, which means you can’t fit an entire scene. As a result, you will need to stand back to capture the entire scene.
Solid Construction
DSLRs are made to last, and although some parts are made of tugged plastic, pro DSLRs are made of magnesium alloy, and they can take a hard beating.
Point and shoot cameras will quickly break down in tough environments.
Drawbacks
Complexity
DSLR cameras are quite difficult to work with; once you get a DSLR, you will need to spend plenty of time learning the camera’s inner workings.
Unfortunately, some people get quite frustrated with this lengthy learning process.
Pricier
DSLRs are pricier compared to point-and-shoot cameras. Even a used standard DSLR will probably cost more than an advanced point-and-shoot camera.
However, the high price doesn’t stop with the camera; proper DSLR lenses usually cost more than the camera itself.
Size and Weight
The babies are heavy; it might take you a while to get used to the sheer size and weight. What’s more, your neck might start to hurt if you’re using a duffle bag to carry them around.
Final Thought
The best camera for you depends on how you plan to use the camera.
Of course, expert photographers use high-end DSLRs, but if photography is a hobby for you, a point-and-shoot camera is interesting and challenging enough to help improve your photography skills.