New compact camera vs. old DSLR

[austriaka+]

Since the Camera Gear section is closed, I have to post my questions here.

I want to buy a "new" camera, and I struggle with the decision which camera I should chose.
I fell in love with the brand new Sony Cybershot DSC-H9 which will be released within the next weeks. On the other hand I can get a (used) Konica Minolta Dynax D5 for the same price, for which I have two objectives from my old analog Minolta.

I don't like the idea of carrying about 1kg of weight with me, but I hate seeing the image quality viewing the photos of my compact Kodak with 100%.

So please tell me, what do you think is better (besides the decision of weight and usability):
3 year old DSLR-Technology in Dynax/Maxxum 5D or brand new Compact Prosumer Technology (which uses a lot of Sony Alpha Tecnique) but on a small sensor.

KArin

[Joe[y]+]

the sony all the way. check out www.dpreview.com for more help.

[persianpix]

karen, it all depends on your style of photograhy and your preferences. for instance do you pick a day and go out shooting or do you take your camera around and wait for the moment!

i personally have a pocket size point and shoot camera (kodak easy share) which i carry with my all the time. altough i am limited with the presets that camera offers, i must admit that it takes really sharp photos in outdoor and it does a decent job with indoor shots. i do have a dSLR for those perfect shots that i want to take and i like the flexibility that it offers (controlling the exposure, chaning lens, etc). just remember that a 6 mexa pixel point and shoot camera is never as good as a 6 mexa pixel dslr because dslr cameras have a much bigger sensor and ultimately gathering more data on the sensor.

as for the sony cybershot, i used to have one and i loved it. it was one of the earlier 5 mexa pixel series. it was in my backpack 24/7 and it worked for 3 years. then the lens stopped working. it simply didn't come in and out and that's when i had to replace it with the kodak camera that i have now.

hope this was useful and good luck on the purchase of the new camera.

[austriaka+]

Thank you persianpix for your answer, it covers exactly my thoughts ;-)

Originally Posted by persianpix

karen, it all depends on your style of photograhy and your preferences. for instance do you pick a day and go out shooting or do you take your camera around and wait for the moment!

I used to make children- and holiday photos, not much more, so I replaced my beloved Sony cybershot (2.1 MP!) with a 6MP Kodak last year. Then I started with my photoblog and with that my needs and claims raised quickly.
It is nothing more horrible having a really nice shot and sitting hours with photoshop manally restoring the edges...
Yes, the Kodak is a fine sunshine camera. With low light and/or far away tele you can forget it because of pixeling and noise.

Nowadays I do both: making photo tours and trying to get the best out of motives and equipement, arranging still lifes with household things, close ups... and take the camera with me and wait what comes. But the first part gets more and more important for me I guess.

I don't have the money to have both for me. But perhaps I will purchase such a DSLR (a little bit reluctant though) and give the Kodak to my son where I can borrow it for "quick go away" shooting...

still confused
KArin

[blinking8s+]

everyone needs:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0702/07...s1dmarkiii.asp

and nothing less..



the issue with going the SLR route, you want to get the best purchase for your money, but the SLR is only as good as the patients and understanding of the photographer, as well as the future investments you will make. Odds are it will need a better lens, something for landscapes and something for portraits...that can be expensive as well, so its really a long term investment

but having the control of aperture and shutter speed with no limitations is much nicer than having a point and shoot tell me I cant do something...

[austriaka+]

I did it!!!
There was a new (!) Dynax 5d at ebay...
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...m=170091868036

Now waiting... and still don't know if it was the right decision
KArin

[jdleung]

waiting for your new photos with new camera ;=)

[blinking8s+]

congrats!

[photogemz]

Wouldn't it be nice if you could "test run" a camera for a day or two before buying. I like some of the new compacts, especially Fuiji, I have a 5100 but wanted something more substantial in my bag as well. I ended up buying a D100 used to try, knew I could sell it if I wanted something else.
Tried the new D80 - yuk! Doesn't compare to Nikon's other DSLRs (please don't email me, every photographer has their own preference). Anyway, my current love - and the one I've settled on - is my D200 with VR lens. Took it on a "safari" in the swamps of Florida, the day after I opened the box, and got some great one-the-move shots. I'm still hanging onto my N2020 for film.
Just me two cents worth.

[d'argo]

Austriaka, it's a pretty tricky job to choose from these two good cameras. I'd prefer the Sony Cybershot DSC-H9 camera, it's new and you could be sure it will work perfectly. The model has an issue with the shutter button but it's not a big deal. On the other hand the Konica Minolta Dynax D5 camera is a powerful model and the objectives you already have make it unbeatable in the competition. Yeah, pretty hard to choose.