What Camera to Get - Compact or DSLR?

With the prices of Digital SLR camera at an all time low many amateur photographers are getting them.  What usually happens is after the first few months the novelty wears off and this relatively expensive piece of equipment ends up gathering dust on the shelf.  There are key questions you need to ask yourself before going out and purchasing a digital slr camera.

What type of photography interests you?

This is the most important question you need to ask yourself – Why do you want to buy a dslr?  Is it because you have a growing family and you wish to capture those special moments?  Or is it because you want to be able to capture fascinating holiday shots with a camera that gives you more control over normal auto function settings?
If these are your only reasons I will say you do not need a dslr.  The compact (point and shoot) cameras are really developed now and there are even compact cameras, e.g. Canon SX40 HS, Nikon Coolpix L120, that give you the flexibility you need in terms of taking pictures using the manual settings.

If you intend to take up photography as a serious hobby or become professional in future and you have reached the limitations of your current point and shoot camera, and you are also ready to commit to the costs involved in having a digital slr, then I will say go for it.

If you are a budding amateur photographer without a compact camera, and you are not yet sure if a dslr is for you, I recommend you get a compact camera first.  With the high end compact cameras now available with a host of manual settings that mimic a dslr there is not necessarily a need to get a dslr unless you are at a stage where you require flexibility and the professional edge that multiple lens will give you.  You must be willing to bear the fairly higher price.  A budding amateur will unlikely be at this stage yet.

Are you motivated enough?

Having a dslr does not make you a good photographer, and having the kind of functionality you will get from a dslr at your fingertips
does not mean you will know when or how best to use them. People sometimes think having a dslr camera will make them go out to take great pictures, while this might be the case, having a dslr will not necessarily motivate you to put in the time necessary to master the basics. Like all skills, getting good at photography has a learning curve which means lots of effort and time has to be spent mastering the basics, these basics includes lighting, composition and the exposure triage (to name a few), after which you then need the necessary practise which you only get by shooting lots of picture. So the first question you need to honestly ask yourself is do you have (the motivation) a strong enough will and desire, to put in the time required to get the knowledge and practise to become a good photographer?

Do you already have a Compact Camera?

One of the key reasons why it is important to have a compact camera, whether you are an amateur or a professional photographer is the flexibility you enjoy in its ease of use and portability.   I have had numerous times where going out and lugging along my heavy and cumbersome dslr camera is no option.  But if you are serious about photography you will never know when that wonderful opportunity for that wonderful picture will present itself and capturing it means you always have to have a camera on hand.  A compact camera serves this purpose; they are portable and generally easy to use.  Another reason to make your initial outlay on a good compact camera is to enable yourself to master the basics quickly.  Having a camera you will not be hesitant to carry it around at all times gives you the opportunity to practice taking picture and as we all know repetition is the source of all skills; and surely practice makes perfect!

Have you factored in the Costs?

Photography is an expensive hobby even with dslr prices as low as they are now you have to consider the cost of lens and other accessories for your camera such as lens filters, lens hood, external flashes, memory cards, extra batteries, camera bags and tripods.  To make this kind of expenditure on an item you only use once in a while when there are cheaper options that can serve similar needs will not be the smartest move.

Is Size and Weight an issue?

As mentioned previously, dslr cameras are not the lightest and easiest piece of kit to carry around – they are heavy especially when you have to consider the necessary accessories you need.  These quickly add up in weight and they are not exactly sturdy and effort must be made to ensure they are not damaged.  They are definitely not the ideal thing to carry to a party or holiday on the beach unless if you are prepared to put in the effort to ensure your camera’s safety.

Maintenance

A dslr requires regular maintenance unlike a compact camera.  There are lots of things that could go wrong during regular usage that will not fall under the D.I.Y repair (e.g. image sensor cleaning). You have to sometimes take them to the store to have them cleaned internally or serviced to ensure the optimum results for your photographs.  There is also basic general maintenance i.e. cleaning your lens.  You need to do this regularly so your camera lasts you for a long time.