Point and Shoot Camera (P&S) or DSLR - Which Should I Buy?

I personally know Point-and-Shoot (P&S) photographers that having a problem deciding whether to upgrade to a DSLR or not. Consumer level point and shoot cameras have their own pros and cons. Conventional digital are more compact due to the lack of articulating mirror. Even so, the side of the camera is not everything. Today you can buy a mirrorless compact camera with large sensor that can achieve the same image quality like DSLR cameras. As photography technology progresses, buying a DSLR camera is not an obvious upgrade decision.

If you can afford to buy both types of cameras, you can enjoy the advantages of both worlds. Let's take the new Canon PowerShot SX30 IS for example. This ultra-zoom camera has an amazing zoom lens that goes to 840mm. If you love to shoot pictures in tele, you will appreciate the long focal range that the SX30 IS offers. The alternative is to buy a DSLR camera with an expensive telephoto-zoom lens and a x2 teleconverter from Canon, Kenko or Vivitar. The price difference is huge and for many Point and Shoot photographer, the Canon SX30 IS is a more affordable way to guy.
DSLR cameras have their own advantages like: more control over depth of field, faster operation, longer battery life and higher image quality. Mirrorless cameras become a popular choice for photographers who want to upgrade from a Point and Shoot camera to a more advanced camera (the Samsung NX100 is a good example of a great mirrorless camera). Let's take the Micro Four-Thirds format for example. The Micro Four-Thirds sensor has a larger focal range multiplier compared to ASP-C DSLRs. That means that you enjoy a longer focal range but lose it from the wide angle. It's a compromise, and you should know what pictures you love to shoot more.

I enjoy shooting far away subjects. If I had to choose between a DSLR with a 70-300mm lens or the SX30 IS with its amazing 840mm reach, I would probably go for the consumer-level camera. Even so, this is not a the complete story. Many photographers want to enjoy the flexibility that SLR cameras have. The control over the DOF is a major factor in their buying decision. You just can't get a smooth background in portraits like you get with a fast lens on a DSLR.  Consumer level P&S cameras usually have a tiny sensor compared to FF or ASP-C digital SLR cameras. That means that the suffer from large amount of noise in ISO above 400. Many photographers just can't accept it, especially if you enjoy low-light photography. P&S cameras will restrict you to shooting in well lighten condition. When the sun goes down, you will probably pack your camera and go home.

It is also true for digital SLR photographers and their lenses. In order to shoot pictures in low light, you must have a fast (preferably an image stabilized one). You can shoot with a tripod, but many P&S photographers will not take this is an option at first.

If you have read my previous post about the Canon Sx30 IS Ultra zoom capabilities, you can see why many people are so excited about it. The SX30 IS is not the only camera that has a ultra-zoom range, both Sony' Panasonic, Olympus and Nikon have their own ultra-zoom digital cameras.
If you are having trouble deciding whether to buy a DSLR or a consumer digital camera, ask yourself these questions:

1. Will I shoot most of my photographs is low-light conditions?
   DSLR have bigger sensor, therefore better light gathering capabilities. You can shoot pictures in high ISO levels with much less noise when compared to a point and shoot camera.
   
   
2. Is the camera ergonomics important to me?
   If you have big hands, you will feel more comfortable holding a DSLR in your hand than a P&S camera. It is a subjective issue, and the best thing to do, is to go to a store and try holding the camera yourself.
   
   
3. Will I take advantage of the ability to better control the DOF (Depth-of-field)?
   This is the main advantage that digital SLR cameras have over P&S ones. It is directly related to the size of the sensor and the lens (focal range) that attached to it. With DSLR cameras you can achieve beautifully and artistic blurry background, by using a small aperture setting. You can achieve somehow limited results in P&S, but only when the camera is in a very close range to the subject, preferably in macro mode.
   
   
4. What is my budget?
   Entry-level SLR cameras aren't expensive as they were a few years ago. Even so, in order to enjoy the benefits of a DSLR system, you will need to purchase a lens. The main problem with cheap lenses is their performance. If you want a high quality telephoto-zoom lens, it will cost you more than a brand new Canon PowerShot SX30 IS. Furthermore, you probably need to buy extra DSLR accessories with your first purchase.
   
   
5. How many pictures I intend to shoot every week?
   Many people get really excited about buying a new DSLR camera, but after one month, they find themselves shooting less and less pictures. For passionate photographers who shoot at least once a week, DSLR is probably the best way to go. If you intend to shoot once a month, to waste your hard earned money on an expensive DSLR and lenses. If you do, you will find yourself selling you camera on second-hand cameras online shops and regret buying it in the first place.
   
   
6. Does image quality important to me?
   The image quality that DSLR delivers surpass the image quality of Point-and-Shoot cameras.  Point-and-shoots have a smaller sensor and the light gathering capabilities is less than a DSLR. If you do care about the picture quality and even intend print the image in large size, DSLR is the way to go.
   
   
7. Do I intend to shoot via the viewfinder or via the LCD screen?
   Some of the P&S cameras (high-end P&S) do have an electronic viewfinder. The main advantage of DSLR cameras is that you have an optical viewfinder, that reflects the picture has it will be recorded by the sensor. In many P&S cameras you only have the option to shoot via an LCD screen. DSLR cameras now offer a Live View feature, which allows you to frame your picture via the LCD screen. Most photographers prefer framing their subject through the optical viewfinder, so they better connect to the subject that they take picture of.
   
   
8. Do I intend to shoot Ultra wide angle photos?
   With DSLR cameras you can enjoy a large variety of lenses which are available for you. You can shoot with Ultra wide angle lenses that allows you to be more creative when shooting architectural and landscape pictures. P&S cameras won't give you such an ultra wide-angle opposed to some wide-angle lenses with a DSLR camera. Another disadvantage of P&S cameras is that you can't change the lens. With DSLR cameras you can change lenses if, for example, you change your shooting habits.
   
   
9. Do I need fast access to various camera settings?
   With DSLR cameras you have more control and fast access to favorite camera settings. In P&S cameras, you will spend time digging into menus to change the camera settings.
   
   
10. Will anybody else will use the camera?
    If you buy a camera to use with other members in your family, a P&S can be smart buying decision. Even though entry-level digital SLR cameras are easy to operate, some people will find them to complicated to operate. The size of DSLR doesn't always fit for kids, and they will find it uncomfortable. On the other hand, if you have friends or family members that do have a dSLR camera, you can user their lenses on your camera. Of course you will need to buy a dSLR from the same manufacturer.
    
    

These are only few of the questions that you should ask yourself prior to purchasing a DSLR or a P&S camera. I honestly think that if you you are a creative person and you know that you enjoy photography, DSLR cameras will give you better flexibility. A camera is a tool for the creative mind. If you are a passionate photographer, the answer probably lies in you. For me, it is an easy choice. DSLR cameras are more versatile, provide better image quality and functionality and they have better ergonomics. If I went for a P&S camera, I would probably be missing some great shots.

Don't get me wrong here. You can shoot amazing images with a P&S camera. A camera is a tool and the final picture is a combination of the photographer's imagination, knowledge and experience (and sometimes just luck). If you decide to buy the Canon SX30 IS for example, you can shoot pictures that many photographers just couldn't take because the lack of focal range. The SX30IS can get you much closer to your subject, and sometimes you just can't get close to your subject because it is far away from you.

Before I end this post, take a look at this Point and Shoot vs. DSLR video, which explains in simple words why you should be shooting with a DSLR.

Take all the above into consideration and ask yourself the right questions and you get the right answers. If you ask general questions, you won't get the precise answers that you need to get to a decision. Good luck with your next purchase. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask them here.

I highly recommend comparing cameras side-by-side (both SLR and compact P&S cameras) and see what features are important to you.