I know there are a few photo buffs who follow my musings here, so I’m hopeful that maybe a few of you will come out of the woodwork to put a comment or two on this post. This is one of those interactive posts that could use some input :).
I started shooting back in the 35mm days on a Minolta x370. I LOVED that camera, and the lenses I had for it were excellent. Once digital photography came into play I grabbed a nice Canon point and shoot and put aside the old film camera, mostly for good. Eventually I wanted to get back to having an SLR again with interchangeable lenses, but I was now enmeshed in the digital world, so my next SLR would need to be a DSLR. I started my research, and decided to get a Pentax K100D with a couple of zoom lenses, and for years it’s served me well. I still used my digital point and shoot to capture everyday moments, but for anything more serious I pull out my camera bag with the heavy hitter.
Since the advent of smartphone cameras I’ve come to depend on my iPhone for my camera to capture daily moments. Technology doesn’t change though, and when it comes to capturing nice images it’s all about the glass. If the camera you’re using doesn’t have a good lens, it doesn’t matter how many megapixels or special features it has, it’s going to be less than you can get with really good glass. Despite iPhone’s having really top notch cell phone camera lenses, they’re still only a few millimeters in size and nowhere near the quality of what you can get with a DSLR.
Lately, as I’ve been trying to periodically do more formal shooting, I’ve pulled down the DSLR from the shelf and taken some shots, but a few things have left me lacking. First, the size and weight of a full DSLR makes me want to leave it on the shelf more often. I’ve got a great shoulder bag for it, and it’s not that cumbersome to carry, but when you toss in a flash, extra batteries, two lenses, etc. it gets to be a bit much.
Second, it’s getting a bit long in the tooth from a technology standpoint. The K100D has a 6MP sensor, which is tiny compared to most of even today’s point and shoots. Even my iPhone has an 8MP sensor inside it’s tiny shell. Additionally, most DSLR’s now allow for video recording, utilizing the full capabilities of the lens that you put on it. I’ve seen many videos that have come off DSLR’s and they’re really nice.
Therefore, I’m starting to consider my options. I have no bias right now towards any particular brand, and my current investment is not so large that I couldn’t eBay my current equipment. I’m considering a few different questions/options.
- Do I stick with a full-size DSLR, with all of the bulk that comes with it, but with the capabilities of a full kit?
- Do I consider some of the hybrid point and shoots, that have really nice lenses but which aren’t interchangeable.
- There are brands like Sony that are creating ultra-compact mirror-less DSLR’s that look like really nice options if you’re willing to buy into Sony’s ecosystem.
- What about other brands out there that might be up-and-comers trying to make waves in an old industry?
Anyone out there have any thoughts to contribute?
Second Runnings 
Full size DLSR camera’s have come down a great deal in weight. The difference between my original a Canon EOS Rebel and Nikon D7000 is significant. Of course, lenses also add weight, but the bodies have come down.
I thought of going with a mirrorless micro 4/3 system to save some weight, but I REALLY like an optical viewfinder, shooting from the screen takes me away from the moment. This is also my problem with mirrorless cameras in general. Sony actually has a mirrorless full-frame camera right now that has great specs, but I cannot stand the digital viewfinder. When I’m shooting with a DSLR I feel like I’m still present. Of course, your mileage may vary.
And I think you need to come for a visit and we can go up to B&H photo!
Totally love my Nikon schwag… When I’m out for a run/walk, or bit of cycling, I rely on my Galaxy Note which gets the job done. One of the greatest online resources I’ve found over the years is DPreview. It’s a site run by obvious lovers of all things photographic so I recommend them all the time. These days with smartphones coming with 16mp cameras, you have to wonder what’s more important, the camera or the eye of the beholder?
EVF/OVF: I’m now sold on EVF’s. I’m spoiled by being able to have wysiwyg in the viewfinder – including changes to exposure, highlight/shadow blinking on over/under exposure, histograms in the viewfinder while I’m composing. The latest generation of EVF’s are really good. The only OVF I still prefer is the Fuji x100 series – because they can overlay electronic information on the optical viewfinder.
Unless you really want to change lenses or if you are planning on using long zooms, I’d lean toward compact cameras that don’t have interchangeable lenses as the starting point for getting back into photography. I’d lean toward Panasonic LX100, Sony RX100 or equivalent. Image quality is excellent (I’m routinely printing 13×19 with 12 & 16 MP cameras), they are very compact, and really well-designed. The Panasonic LX100 is so good the Leica re-badges it and sells its as a Leica.
I you think you’ll want to change lenses, then Sony, Fuji, Olympus/Panasonic have compact cameras with interchangeable lenses.
The spot where the traditional DSLR’s shine is when you are using long zooms, particularly for bird’s in flight. For things that move fast, they win.
I came from Nikon with all its bulk and left it behind a few years ago. For the last system change in my life I went to Olympus m4/3 and I never looked back. I own an Om-D E-M1 and a PEN-F plus most of Oly lenses, both primes and a couple zooms. You can check my blog out, majority of images are from my Olympus cams (I also own a Ricoh GR II). If you have particular questions on one of the cams or lenses let me know. Marcus