Digital cameras 101

[CassandraSays]

Anyone have any experience with concert photography? I'm taking shots mostly for publication online, so they don't need to be super high quality, but obviously they have to be decent. I'm trying to decide between getting a high end point and shoot like the Canon G10 or the Sigma DP1 or getting an entry level SLR. Obviously I'll be shooting mostly in low light, so an SLR sounds better, but...heavy, hard to carry around in a crowd, lens is somewhat fragile, complicated menus and settings are a problem when I can only shoot for 3 songs and don't really have time to mess with them. So I'm trying to figure out if I can make a high quality point and shoot work or if I really need the SLR, and if so which one.

Any suggestions welcome! Particularly in terms of how to adjust settings to optimise image quality and which cameras in both of those ranges work best in low light conditions.

(Also, examples of pics I took with the Canon G10 that came out relatively well - that's about the level of image quality I need, at minimum)

[bdery]

Hi,

we do not like recommending particular brands or models, because that's a very personal choice. Some notes:

-DSLR lenses are not more fragile than P&S lenses, and in some cases are better protected (weatherproofed, for instance)

-DSLR and lenses are more expensive but also much more adapted to low light photography

-Changing settings applies to DSLRs and P&S both. And in both cases you can fall back and use auto modes. But once you've found the settings which work best, you can keep them and start shooting.

-Some DSLR models offer built-in image stabilization, while other brands put IS in the lenses, which means your preview is stabilized but your lenses are more expensive (and not all lenses have IS).

-A lens with a large aperture (fast lens) will be your best ally, whether you select a DSLr or a P&S.

[CassandraSays]

Do you think it would help if I experimented with tweaking the aperature? Most of the high end point and shoots seem to allow that to a certain extent.

I love the idea of using an SLR, but don't love the cost or the reality of having to lug that much equipment around at a concert.

[bdery]

Hi,

opening the aperture is almost a requirement for that kind of photography, but I suspect your camera did it already. You normally adjust the aperture via the A or Av mode. A smaller number means a wider aperture. Lenses generally do not perform at their best wide open, but it's often less visible on a P&S.

Regarding the size of a DSLR, only you can decide what size suits you. Manufacturers always offer small entry-level models, and cameras from Pentax, Canon and especially Olympus are quite small (though stilllarger than a compact, of course). Panasonic also launched a "micro four thirds" camera that's somewhat expensive but even smaller. Prices also have come down, but again it's a very personal decision.

A DSLR will always give you better images, but the difference is not always visible. Only you can decide what camera is best. Remember that not many cameras nowadays are "bad" so there is no really wrong choice

[ShutterbugGail]

If you can wait a while, since you are considering the G10 you may want to take a look at the new Canon G11, which was just recently announced. There is a lot of excitement over it. It has a larger sensor than most compact digital cameras, and a fairly fast lens: F2.8-4.5. It has a 5x zoom range (28-140mm / 35mm equiv). The larger sensor and relatively fast lens at the widest angle will help insure better low light photos. It is certainly more compact than a DSLR and takes converter lenses if you want more zoom. It has an hot shoe too.

Because it has not been released, there are no reviews of the camera that I know of.

http://www.digicamhelp.com/amazon-store/?apid=B002LITT56

I'm seriously considering getting the Canon S90, which will not be on the market until October. It is a very compact camera with a larger sensor than most point and shoots. And the lens is quite fast. F2.0-4.9). It is expected to do well in low light. The zoom range is limited but does start at wide angle: 28-105mm

http://www.digicamhelp.com/amazon-store/?apid=B002LITT42

Related reading: Converter lenses

http://www.digicamhelp.com/accessories/lenses/converter-adapter/