DSLR vs point and shoot - DPChallenge Forums

07/06/2017 12:59:32 PM · #1

Hi everyone,
I have a Nikon coolpix point and shoot that has manual settings, but I can't change the lenses. I was wondering if this is a good enough camera to start with, or if i should buy a DSLR. I would like to take pictures of the stars as well as landscape pictures.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/06/2017 01:13:42 PM · #2

The most critical factors are sensor size/quality, focal length range, and longest shutter-speed (for astro-photography). If you post the specs for your model camera it might be possible to give more specific opinions.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/06/2017 01:24:58 PM · #3

Based on the model you selected for your profile, you can see some of what others have achieved with that camera on this site here...

tanguera

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

07/06/2017 02:45:00 PM · #4

If you're talking astrophotography, that is possibly the most challenging genre of all. If your camera has bulb mode, a sensor that performs at very high ISO without a lot of noise, and a focal length that gives you the width you'd like, then it would work. I don't know of a p&s that does that.

If you're talking movie stars then yeah. Plenty good enough.

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

07/06/2017 03:04:19 PM · #5

I was thinking astrophotography. My camera can do a 15 second shutter speed, but i am not sure on the rest. I have to look at the model number when i get home.

tnun

Ricoh GR III

07/06/2017 04:42:25 PM · #6

Art's suggestion is a good one, but it seems you are using a Nikon now, and not the Fuji, of ancient provenance, which is on your home page. My personal belief is that almost any camera can deliver marvels if you let it. Moving up to an interchangeable lens camera (dslr or mirrorless) is a great expense and nuisance, albeit exciting, but also capable of marvels if you will it.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/06/2017 05:07:07 PM · #7

Originally posted by newbie27:

I was thinking astrophotography. My camera can do a 15 second shutter speed, but i am not sure on the rest. I have to look at the model number when i get home.

My camera is also limited to a maximum 15-second exposure, but that's plenty for capturing stars, at least the brighter ones ... especially since your camera almost assuredly has better high-ISO performance than mine. Perhaps the biggest obstacle to taking astro-pix with a fixed-lens camera is there is no (easy) way I know of to attach it to a telescope, unlike DSLRs and phones.

This was taken on a partly-cloudy night in an urban (light-polluted) environment.

07/06/2017 06:10:21 PM · #8

So, my good camera is a canon powershot SX520 HS. It does f/stop 3.4 to 8, exposure of -2 to 2 (I think thats what this is, anyway) and iso 100 to 1600.
I joined about ten years ago, and forgot when I posted this that I put a camera on my profile. :) Thanks for the help.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/06/2017 06:25:18 PM · #9

Originally posted by newbie27:

So, my good camera is a canon powershot SX520 HS. It does f/stop 3.4 to 8, exposure of -2 to 2 (I think thats what this is, anyway) and iso 100 to 1600.

That's basically the (much-)updated version of my camera, with three times the focal length and four times the ISO sensitivity (DPReview.com says it goes to ISO 3200) -- you should do fine with it.

If you want to do star trails look in the menu for the "Intervalometer" feature -- it will let you make unattended time-lapse images you can later stack.

07/06/2017 06:32:19 PM · #10

Great! That means I just have to learn to use it! Thank you!

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/06/2017 06:43:12 PM · #11

Ugh, I just looked at the complete specs -- you may not have the Intervalometer feature ... :-(

Other downsides (for me) are the fixed LCD screen and use of a special battery ... but it looks like it still has the SuperMacro mode which lets you focus right up to the lens surface, and an amazing 1000+mm (35mm EQ) focal length -- great for shooting the Moon and wildlife.

Canon has some stitching software and a shooting mode for making panoramas, but I prefer to shoot normally and use the free demo version of AutoStitch for that. There is also supposed to be a hack available for this genre of Canon cameras which will allow it to capture RAW images, but I've never gotten it to work on mine.

Message edited by author 2017-07-06 18:43:36.

Alex_Petrini

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

07/07/2017 02:28:26 AM · #12

For what you want to do you need a bigger sensor. The first camera you can get for a very low price is a Sony A6000 with kit lens. A great way to start IMO.

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/07/2017 05:08:37 AM · #13

Here is my ten cents worth:

Learn about photography. Use your current camera, and try to make the most of it.
Watch your results improve.

If you learn and practice, there will come a time where you KNOW you have reached the limits of what your camera can do, and you'll desperately long for something better.
At that point, you'll be in a VERY good position to decide if you want to buy a DSLR and if so, you'll understand all the terms/specs to help you know exactly what you want/need.

No point rushing into this right now - after all, you might find you're not interested enough to really study and practice, and there isn't much point buying a big camera only to use it on Auto.

07/07/2017 09:48:03 AM · #14

Thank you all for your help. My biggest issue right now is that I only have the vaguest understanding of all the settings. I think I will take Beetle's advice and start by learning to use what I have first.

Thank you all again!