Anyone regret bringing point-and-shoot instead of heavy D-SLR on vacation?

for me I bring a small point-and-shoot because it's light and I always have it with me. I think of it as a daylight camera; doesn't do so well in darker places such as museums or churches where flash isn't allowed.

However you mention that your hobby is photography, so you have a bigger investment in it than many people. So, I think that for you the chance to use a better tool in a fascinating place means bring the D-SLR.

BTW have you seen the flip mini-HD cameras? Small and light, but still good quality images.

in terms of safety invest in a pacsafe camera strap which can not be cut through....
also if you end up using another kind of bag such as a messanger bag you can get the pacsafe carry strap.

Just reading your wording of your question.....I'd say take the DSLR. You sound like you will miss it too much.

Perhaps think of it this way....if you want to focus on your wife, instead of photography...your wife will have so many wonderful moments when you get to share the photos of HER in Europe on your trip.

It sounds like you love photography, and your wife....share that love with both and you will be happy.

You can figure out a way to carry your camera. Yes, it will be a bit of a pain due to size/weight, but in the end, you will be happier because you took the wife that you love, and the camera that you love. YOu don't need to sacrifice for this trip. If you've NEVER been to Europe before, you NEED to take the photos of this trip with the camera that you know best, and know takes the best photos.

My 2¢.

I will support you. Use to carry a Contax G-1, multi len system, tripod, etc. Constantly playing with lens, etc. Now I carry a Cannon A720 and prior to that a Minolta Dimage. Actually think my skills and photos have improved because I focus on composition, lighting, etc. and less on equipment. Also, like that the smaller camera allows for more discreet shooting and it is quicker to use. I carry it uncased in a pocket and can have it out and really to shot in less than five seconds. I know I have some great shots that I never would have taken with the old system. I would never go back to a large, nulti-lens camera system.

The day they make a point and shoot with the ability to add filters, I will be thrilled. For me, the ONE thing I miss about having an SLR is the ability to add a circular polarizing filter. It would be nice to also be able to get wider angle shots and zoom in on details, but more important to me is the intensity of color and contrast I get by adjusting my polarizer.

The only framed photo of mine that is mounted and on display in our living room was taken with a 3.0 megapixel kodak point and shoot. If you are like me, you manipulate your best images, cropping, eliminating red eye, etc. Good pictures are more than the equipment... a lesson learned long ago from a very good photographer who encouraged me to go into the dark room.

I would put the SLR away for a bit and just use the P/S... if you can get good pics with it, then you will be able to get good shots in Europe.

I echo Frank's opinon

Hi Peter,

Since this is your first trip to Europe "focus" on the experience. I'd pack the smaller camera and plan another trip with the photography as the purpose! I guarantee that after this trip you'll want to return again and again!

I have this argument with myself a lot as I am a very small person and find it knackering trying to drag a SLR around (especially as camera rucksacks seem to be made for men's bodies). I have now decided to stick to my digital compact unless I am going somewhere like a safari where I will need all the options a SLR provides. I bought a Panasonic Lumix with 12x optical zoom and it is just perfect for photographing normal holiday stuff. To be honest compact cameras are getting so good it's getting to the point where I am wondering why I bother dragging my SLR anywhere!

Honestly if I was to leave my slr at home I would have regretted it!!!
If you love photography you will really kick yourself for just taking a point and shoot.

I say leave the camcorder at home.

While I have never taken an extended trip without the SLR (originally a Canon Elan II, now a Canon Rebel Xt/350D), I have taken a few weekend trips without it limiting myself to my P&S (Canon Powershot A70 replaced with an A590IS). In all cases I have kicked myself for doing so, despite the liberation it brings. Part of it may depend on how you use the SLR. If you generally use auto or scene modes, maybe you won't notice a difference. (I generally shoot in Av.) I just find it frustrating when trying to have the control I want with the P&S which would be so simple with the SLR. There's also the fact that the P&S has a much smaller sensor. This leads to two issues: (1) it's very difficult (if not impossible) to achieve selective focus since the depth of field is going to be large no matter the aperture, and, more importantly, (2) the small sensor yields poor low light performance. You will be limited in dark churches, etc., with the P&S as you won't be able to go to higher than ISO 400 (if that). (I get acceptable results even at 1600 with the SLR.) One other consideration is that the 790IS lens starts at effectively 37mm while the D40 lens is at 27mm. That extra 10mm will come in very useful in Europe.

As to the risk of theft, I personally think it's way overblown. I'm not saying it won't happen to you, but I have traveled quite a bit in Europe with my SLR and never felt the least bit worried about the camera.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip.

Bring it, you won't regret it.

Some of our best photos of Europe were on our D80 that I complained about dragging around all the time. In the end it was worth it!

That was my first thought too--it seems like a serious photographer would be happier with a nice camera, and happier with the resulting photos, than he would with a camcorder. Are you really going to value movie footage of...what, going up the Eiffel Tower? more than you would beautiful photos that you can hang on your wall, share online with friends, etc?

I would take the D40 and the 18-200 lens. If you think you will miss the camera you probably will. I took a D40 in 2007 and a D90 in 2009. No regrets either time.

Just asked my husband this question--he has a Nikon D80 with 18-200 lens. Because he is used to using an SLR and the features, he gets frustrated using my little Canon point and shoot. So, he brings his camera on our trips and has learned to be selective in what he shoots and how many shots so as not to ignore wifey. I use the small camera--is that a possibility for your wife? I echo leaving the camcorder at home and focussing on some really good stills.

Peter,

My advice would be to most definitely bring the dSLR on your trip! I've been taking both a P&S and dSLR on my European trips for several years, and while travelling with a dSLR is definetly more work, there have been numerous occasions when it has allowed me to get some shots that wouldn't have been possible with a P&S. A few thoughts on the subject...

• Although this is your first trip, it's quite possible you may never return to some of the places you'll be visiting. You'll need a dSLR if you want good photos of darker areas (ie: inside Churches) where lighting isn't always the best and flash is forbidden).

• P&S Cameras tend to be a bit "limited" with both zoom and wide angle range and especially ISO range. A dSLR will allow you to get the images you want and have some control of depth of field and other parameters.

• With the gear you're taking, you might "split" the photography, with your Wife handling the HD Camcorder and you focusing on the still photos.

• Theft issues: That is certainly a concern, but if you take reasonable precautions you should be fine. If I'm going out in the evening with just the P&S, I remove the Memory Card from the dSLR and store it in my Money Belt. If the Camera is stolen, at least I'll have my holiday photos. When in public (especially in crowded places or on the Metro) I keep a firm grip on the Camera and strap and keep it close to my side. At Cafes (especially outdoor) attach the strap to a chair or whatever so it's not so easy to "grab & run".

There's been some discussion here regarding whether or not to travel with "Fanny Packs", but a word of advice - don't refer to the pack with that wording if you'll be travelling in the UK or Ireland (it has a somewhat different meaning).

Happy travels!

My husband has a new, fairly large, fancy camera he will be bringing with us to Europe. Before we've always used a small point and shoot. I will use that one. I do worry that this new camera will detract from our experience while there. He's been trying it out here (and loves it and it does take great pictures!), but it's always a matter of getting it out of the camera bag and handing the large bag to me while he takes many pictures.

Hi Peter,

You mentioned you'd like to focus on your wife, not your hobby. How thoughtful! However, even as the wife of someone who took his point-and-shoot to Europe last year and his DSLR this year, I have to second the recent votes for the SLR! I was skeptical about lugging the SLR too, but hopefully your wife will be as delighted with the beautiful photos as I was. I know my husband loved having his better camera. We've printed and framed a couple of the photos from the trip.

If you do decide to bring the SLR, we found a lot of good tips on this board for avoiding theft:

Whether you bring a photo backpack or stash the camera in your daypack, do make sure you secure the openings of the backpack. For instance, we secured the double zippers with a keyring.

When you change lenses, make sure you're both on the alert for pickpockets. You don't want to be fumbling with the camera while your backpack is left wide open and your travel partner is half a block away.

Other folks have suggested using black electrical tape to cover the brand name on your camera and wearing your neck strap across your chest and having the camera on your side.

Bottom line: Whatever equipment you bring, you will LOVE Europe!

I've been back and forth on this... at the moment I'm not bringing mine - the extra weight and space is just too much. I think for me it depends on the nature of the trip - my trip is really long, and I'm moving around a fair amount. I just don't want to be lugging it around for all that time. With a shorter trip (less than the current 8 weeks I'm gone) I think I could handle it, and especially if I was staying in one city.

I've been paying attention to the tourists in town, and all the ones with DSLRs... besides getting hit by a few of them, it's just very out there. It's what you notice first when someone is carrying one.

I'm not worried about a camera branding me as a tourist - living in a tourist town, it's just obvious, ignoring clothes, accents, etc. Their bevhaviour, and how they look at things is different. Suddenly all those things that I'm used to and bored by are very interesting!

I would suggest taking a look at pictures taken by both cameras. I did that with mine, and realized that I do love my A720IS and have taken astoundingly amazing pictures with it. I know there are times when I want my DSLR, but don't believe those times will be enough to deal with everything that goes along with it.

My husband is an avid photgrapher, and he uses a point and shoot when we travel. He gets awesome shots! But if you really enjoy your DSL, take it and the point and shoot. Leave the Camcorder at home. You can choose to carry either the p&s or the dsl on any given day and lock up the other at the hotel-- or always carry both. Put them in your day bag- get a good padded one. By the way- where are you going? My husband has gotten wonderful pics in Austria and Scotland, was well as England- not to mention Austraila and Hong Kong.

Take both--if you can manage with just the one lens on the DSLR that will eliminate changing and the hassles it can be. I debated before my last trip, but took both, even though I was going alone, so no one to hold extra stuff. I have a Nikon P80 that takes great shots, and lots of editing ability. But when I used the Canon 30D, it was so much faster at shooting. It was like an old familiar friend. I did take a purse that could accomodate both, but generally I had one out at all times. Have fun! Put your wife in the picture so you can have lovely shots of your lovely wife!!

Peter, if you bet you will miss the DSLR, you will. No amount of justifying rationale will overcome the wish that you hadn't left it at home. Sure, you may get good photos with your P&S, but you will probably be kicking yourself that you do not have the versatility Nikon's 18-200mm great all-purpose lens gives you. The D40 body is light for a DSLR body. I agree with those who suggest leaving the camcorder at home but also agree with those who suggest taking both the P&S and the DSLR; you will find yourself in situations where the P&S is actually more suitable than the DSLR. Likewise, you will find situations where the P&S cannot match the DSLR. I carry both a Canon P&S and a Nikon DSLR and have been glad I had both. Get something other than a fanny pack for the camera(s); fanny packs are invitations for thieves in cities they haunt. The Pacsafe camera strap is excellent. I use one.

Pete, I'm taking my Nikon D40 with me to England. I know the size may be a little inconvenient at times but I'm taking it anyway. I only wish I had a D80.

bring your DSLR camera.

Theft concern: Most tourists have dslr cameras. There are so many to choose from, I doubt the thief will look at yours. Besides, security has improved so much in Europe. In 2003, my mother was almost pickpocketed by gypsies. In 2009, everything went smoothly....no one had any problem.

There are some beautiful scenery that can only be taken with DSLR's special function, (being able to take pictures behind wired fences (hint: some pictures are better behind the construction/security fences)/greater zoom ability, etc.) I will post a website of my travels and you can see for yourself.

Amongst my many purchases in Europe, my DSLR purchase was the best investment I have ever made.

But you are so sweet: "want to focus on wife instead of the hobby of photography.".......awwwwe :)

Peter,

A few more comments about the "theft" issue and also the difficulty of carrying a dSLR when out touring in the daytime.

When I'm travelling between destinations, all the dSLR and associated kit is carried in a LowePro case. When I arrive at my next city, the Camera comes out of the bag and most of the gear stays in the Hotel room. Therefore, I don't have to lug it around.

When out touring in the daytime, the majority of the time I take the Camera with one attached Lens (24-105 "walkabout") and one other Lens (10-22 wide angle) which is stored in a "special" pocket along with a Circular Polarizing filter and Lens Hood. The Lens is a fairly tight fit in the pocket, so it would be quite difficult to lift it.

As I mentioned above, I always carry my Camera out in the open and never in a Backpack or other carrying case as I've found that if it's in a Pack I often miss shots (but I always keep a firm grip on both the strap and the Camera).

Cheers!

The last time I carried major equipment was on a trip with a friend and our wives. We traveled through several Asian countries. I carried (lugged is a better term) a full camera bag with SLR, lenses, filters, cleaners, tripod, etc. My friend carried only a Canon pocket sized camera.

When I got my pictures I was really pleased ... until I saw my friends pictures. My pictures were good, but they weren't enough better than my friends to justify carrying the equipment. Now I only bring a pocket sized camera. I've found that I lose a little on certain shots but I gain in the ability to shoot candids, which are often the shots we value the most.

If you just bring a P&S, consider something like the Lumix LX3, which has all the adjustment capabilities (Av, Tv, B etc.) of a DSLR, a Leica lens, ability to add a 49mm filter, shoots in RAW and jpeg, and is great quality for its class.

For its class. Any P&S will have a much smaller sensor than a DSLR, which limits how big you can enlarge pics (regardless of # of pixels), increases noise, and limits overall quality.

So I bring both. The P&S for snapshots, family pics, restaurants, and other times I don't want to be bothered with the DSLR. The DSLR comes out in the mornings and evenings, along the hiking trails, or when I'm out exploring on my own while my wife or kids are back at the hotel sleeping or resting.

For security, I picked up a Pacsafe Camera strap, which protects against slash and grab theft.

We've taken the D-SLR and the point & shoot, but I'd hate to have to worry about the camcorder also. Three might be overkill.

Brad, your last paragraph is a great summary of this "discussion." The marginal gain of a dSLR is a marginal benefit that only a very few can appreciate. For someone to suggest that if you love photography you have to have to use a dSLR is ridiculous. Some people are just equipment nuts. But it is strictly a personal choice. I will never go back to carrying any more than my 8 oz Canon regardless the above arguments. And I will match photos with anyone anytime.

Frank,

"Some people are just equipment nuts."

I'm not sure I agree with that statement. I don't carry a dSLR because I'm an "equipment nut", but rather because I find it gives me the creative ability to get the images that I want. On occasions where I've just taken the P&S, I feel very "constrained" as it just doesn't have the capabilities or range of controls that I need to get some shots.

A P&S is good for snapshots, but leaves a bit to be desired especially considering the detail that is removed from the image during the JPEG compression process. I always shoot RAW + JPEG so have the RAW images available if necessary. I'm not concerned about the large file sizes, as memory is fairly cheap these days.

I do agree with you on one point though, this is a very personal choice and everyone should adopt the method that works best for them.

Cheers!

After a trip to the West Coast a few weeks ago I was so disappointed in the quality of my pictures that I made an impulse purchase of a D-SLR. I could not be happier with it. I got the smallest bag that would fit it and I will take it to Europe in a few weeks. It will be a pain to keep up with, but for me it's worth it.

I must admit that I am not a rabid photographer but
I get some wonderful photos with my Canon P and S.
I think the fact that you can take so many photos in succession helps. I always take a lot of something I really like. I am also very aware of the light conditions. You always get better photos later in the day but of course you can't restrict your sightseeing to that time! I also like to take a lot of close-up vignettes...the markets, flowers in window boxes, children playing, street signs and the iike....very ordinary day-to-day things which after a trip really bring back the moments of your trip.
I don't take a distance shot of the Eiffel Tower
but I might take a photo standing underneath it to give a feeling of its immensity. (one of the legs)

I am usually very pleased with the shots and have enlarged and framed some. I also think that color quality is very good. I can just keep my camera in my pocket (cool weather)or around my neck so I am always ready for that great candid shot.

I accept that this is not a satisfactory approach for photography fiends but I bet I get a lot more
great instant shots. I think everyone should carry a P and S. Maybe the wife?

Boy I remember the days of carrying a 35 mm camera and a light meter, etc. So much easier these days, even if I did get great photos with that camera.

Happy traveling!

Hi, Maryann. It sounds as if you take the sort of pictures that I take (small "slices of life") and that your reasons for taking your P&S on your travels are very much why I am considering a P&S for next year. Glad you posted.

Well I would not say I am equipment nuts either...
I use one because a) I love the creativity that it can give me that a p&S does not b) they are much better in low light situations such as church where you can not use flash c) you can take much better night shots than you can with a P&S d) photography is one of my main hobbies e) a P&S I find too limiting.
If I was truly equipement nuts I would be taking my 17-50, my 24-105, my 50, my 17-85, my speedlight and a 75-200 (which I have yet to buy)...but instead I am just taking my 30d body, 17-50 and 24-105.

I hope that, when you return, you will report back on what you decided and how it worked for you. I am a bit torn, myself, between taking my dSLR on our trip (UK and Paris) next year or buying a P&S.

Last year, we both took our dSLRs to the UK. Weight became a major concern for me. We walked everywhere in London. After lugging my equipment along with me for a day, I was exhausted.

I also felt that I was missing out on some pictures. Sometimes, particularly if time was an issue, I would have liked to just raise a camera, snap a picture and hope for the best. Taking the dSLR out of my over-the-shoulder tote bag (I thought I was being inconspicuous by not having it out all the time, but probably not) seemed like too much effort, especially later in the day when we were on our way back to our hotel after a full day of sightseeing. (And, no doubt, missing some really great late-day lighting as a result!)

I think it's great that you want to focus on your wife during this trip, rather than on your photography. In our family, DH was always the photographer and I the non-photographer (you know, pulling at the photographer's shirt sleeve, as in "are you done yet, dear?"). However, I now have my own equipment and I so enjoy it (although DH still takes the better picture). I find that I see more on our trips than I used to because I am "looking" for pictures. (So, perhaps you should take your dSLR and buy your wife the P&S to take?)

I really think it is a matter of personal preference. A friend has travelled extensively with his P&S and taken some amazing pictures. DH will be taking his dSLR next year. As I say, I am a bit torn - probably a P&S, but no firm decision yet.

Ann,

Based on the information in your Post, it would seem that the perfect solution would be for your husband to handle the dSLR (which of course you could use on occasion as well). You could pack either a compact P&S (ie: Canon Elph series) or perhaps a "superzoom" (various models available from Canon, Panasonic and others). That might be the best compromise?

I always take both, as I often like to just throw the P&S in a pocket if I'm going out for the evening, but it's also useful for getting quick snapshots of unusual things I encounter during trips. Usually these snapshots aren't something that are worthy of a 12 MB file in the dSLR (although I will sometimes flip the dSLR to "Auto" if I want a record of something, as that's only about a 3 MB file). I also like to have a "backup" in case of problems with the dSLR.

Happy travels!

I wouldn't bring a camcorder, but here is why I told a friend I had to buy a DSLR. With my P&Ss, I would feel like I was getting an awesome shot and then go home and be disappointed by the picture. With my DSLR (a D60), whether the picture is good or not is all on me. I didn't find the equipment too much. I only have 2 lenses...I wish I had one, but I am too cheap to buy an expensive one.

Like another poster above, I recently purchased a Panasonic ZS3 P&S for my upcoming trip. The options that it offered like a 12x optical zoom, and AVCHD-Lite videos were that deciding factor for me in leaving the DSLR at home. I'm sure I'll miss the DSLR but I won't miss the bulk of it.

If you do decide to take it, you could buy something like this strap from Pacsafe which is slashproof for a little extra piece of mind.

http://www.pac-safe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=16

I just ordered the brand new Olympus Pen EP-1. It looks like it might be the best of both worlds. I plan to learn how to use it, then take it to Italy this October. I wasn't really into photography when I went to Europe for 6 weeks a couple years go. I think my trip actually is what turned me on to getting more interested in photography. I look back at the pictures I took, and I took many really lovely photos, but I just can't help but think what I could've captured if i'd had a DSLR that I knew how to use. It's not a mistake I personally will be making again.

I wanted the convenience & portability of a point-&-shoot but wanted a lot more capacity than a basic 3X zoom. I took a Lumix TZ5 with 10X zoom, & got some excellent photos, even in low-light no-flash situations.