Compact or SLR? …..that is the question.

If you read my article in the computer section of this site, “Tablet or Netbook? …..that was the question.” you will probably not be too surprised to learn that, even if I justify the need for a new one, I am unable to reach a quick decision about which camera would suit me best. Once again one of life's more difficult decisions.

“Compact or SLR? …..that is the question.”

Flicking through the camera review pages of various photo magazines, I'm often bemused at such lines as “....ideal as a second camera” implying that one probably needs at least two, when not a whole cupboard full of the things.

But apart from the professional photographers, who really takes a bag full of cameras with them on a daily basis?. Imagine the frustration of owning a wonderful top end SLR and going for a walk with only the second best! Imagine the dilema of choosing which camera to take walkies – that must surely be even worse than choosing which wellies to wear on a wet day... assuming, that is, that one is blessed with more than just one pair.

So, what should a hobby photographer like myself buy?

I'm currently rather taken with both the Fujifilm X10 and the Pentax K-30. Nothing too extravagant, but certainly very nice cameras at a price that I could possibly afford. A few months ago the D5100 or the D7000 from Nikon were at the top of my wish list but as usual, by the time I actually get round to buying something, another little gem comes along and I have to start evaluating all over again.

Analysing my needs, I suppose a compact camera would do me nicely. I currently use a Lumix LX2. It's small, light and produces pleasing images, but even after all these years, I still miss a viewfinder.

Looking around for something different, the slightly retro looking X10 from Fujifilm caught my eye and it appears to be perfect for what I need it for.

If the reviews are anything to go by it has excellent image quality, it is beautifully built and it's an ideal size to carry around on a daily basis, so street photography and all those spontaneous shots for my blog should pose no problems.

I sometimes wonder whether I really need a good quality image at all because all my blog pictures are reduced in both size and quality before publishing... perhaps I could save a few hundred pounds and buy myself cheap camera which, at the end of the day, would probably produce quite adequate images. Sorry, I digress, now that I've narrowed the field down to just a two models, I'd better not start widening my choice otherwise I'll never buy anything. That's settled then, I'll buy myself an X10... perhaps.

So! what about the Pentax? There's no doubt an SLR does offer many more features than a compact camera (although the gap seems to be closing rapidly), and I'm sure that even a reasonably priced model could achieve a good deal more image quality too. In addition, there is a selection of lenses providing focal lengths from fisheye to long zooms, in fact one could fill a whole bag full of goodies! Personally, one big advantage of the the Pentax would most certainly be the weather proofing! I tend to be out in all weathers, and rain certainly tends to inhibit by artistic freedom ;-)

In my opinion the negative aspects of an SLR are not only the sheer bulk of the thing, but also the bag full of hardware that needs to be lugged around.... and if you don't have a bag load of hardware then I suppose there's no real reason for choosing an SLR in the first place.... but then again?

Then there's the price! Compact cameras don't really have any add on stuff, that means you buy your camera, you take your photos, you have lots of fun and that's it!

An SLR with a couple of decent lenses would cost me lots, and price is by no means irrelevant.

But I suppose they are worth the extra, after all SLRs do seem to have a hint of professionalism about them, a tool for someone who takes their hobby seriously, a quality device for the modern 'it man' ..... yes, I could certainly imaging myself with one of those ;-)

Owning a rainproof Pentax would also add an outdoor, rugged feeling to my day to day photography and imply a sense of adventure to every trip out with it.... similar to slipping into a Barbour jacket for the office.

I have deliberately not mentioned cameras such a 'Bridge' or those neat little compact thingies with interchangeable lenses and no mirrors... they seem very nice too, but if I start considering their good points it'll take me years to even get near a decision, and cameras as we know them will probably be superseded by mobile phones anyway.

So the choice is obvious isn't it? …..

Well, if the choice really was that obvious, why have I spent all this time and effort convincing myself that a compact camera may be what I really want or that an SLR is the answer to my dreams?

Perhaps I need both after all? Or perhaps I really should take a look at those mirror-less wonder thingies....... Grrrhhhh!!!

December 2012

Since writing the above article I reached a decision, and in August 2013 I bought myself a Pentax K-30 - more about that in the article 'Pentax K-30' and the 'camera info' section.

November 2013