Camera choices? Oh....what to bring

2 lbs.? That's it? Think about the previous shots you missed because you didn't have the right camera and the 2 extra pounds will not be an issue. Yes, take both.

Is bicycling, or travel photography your passion? Think the answer will dictate if one or both cameras are packed.

Claudia....actually both cycling and photography are my passions. Slow travel on the bike and time in towns and cities to capture the beauty of the country/town we are visiting! Thank you for the kind reply!

I think you have an excellent plan. As you know, the DSL camera can do things the other just cannot.

Claudia , would you expect an unkind reply? I bought the same canon DSLR two years ago for our first european trip . I have used this camera extensively for protracted trips in the UK and France . I also carry a canon PS elph as a backup and for certain circumstances (eg when on the move the DSLR is in my backpack and the PS is fastened to my belt ) As I'm sure you know The DSLR is not very burdensome , I have not found it so . My experience with the DSLR is that the flexibility and increased capability of the camera makes it well worth having at all times . Wherever I've been , town or country , I particulary find the wide angle aspect of the DSLR most useful . In any event . I don't think I would send it in a case of luggage with a third party. If it is lost or damaged it's not so much the cost of replacement that is at stake but the handicap of getting great pictures of the rest of your trip . My backpack with my cameras , and other electronic gear, meds and other sensitive items weighs in at 8 lbs total . Ihave never felt it as burdensome on both my past two trips . One last thing to consider : While Iam not a huge camera afficianado , my pictures are very important to me as they allow me to relive, in a certain way my travels . They are the best souvenirs I could ever find . Havs a wonderful trip!!!!! Best , Steve

I'd be nervous about a DSLR being transported apart from me. On my bike trips, I pack a DSLR with a superzoom lens and carry either in a daypack or in a pannier. Not a problem to take while biking and I get the shots throughout the trip.

@Steve I didn't make the original post so not certain what the kind/unkind reply remark means. Now that Ellen has stated both cycling and photography are her passions then I agree she should take both cameras and enjoy herself.

oopps!!!! sorry claudia my mistake . I only had one coffee this morning , but I'm awake now . All the best . steve

Ellen, I always travel with both a D-SLR as well as a compact P&S Camera, so I would definitely recommend bringing both. While it's more of an effort to haul around, the D-SLR will allow you to get some shots that are difficult or impossible with a P&S. I've found that Batteries tend to last longer on the D-SLR, mainly as the LCD display isn't needed for composing shots. However, it would still be a good idea to pack along at least one spare Battery (along with adequate Memory Cards). With the 18-270, you may find that you need to increase the ISO in lower light situations, as the Lens will be at f6.3 at full zoom. Happy travels!

Ellen... always a dilema for me as I am a professional photographer, but I also am sick and tired of carrying so much stuff if I can do 80% of what I want to with less equipment, I'll opt for less. Many times even if you do have the lens you want for the image, the lighting, etc. may not be perfect. So, it totally depends on what you will regret most.... the extra 2 lbs., or not having the camera you want. I am all for making it as easy as possible... and still getting what you want.

I haven't taken an SLR for years. I traveled together with a friend and our wives through three Asian countries. I brought an SLR, several lenses and a doubler, filters, tripod, and flash, all in a large camera bag. My friend brought a pocket size, but high-quality, Cannon. My pictures were outstanding, so were his. Mine may have been marginally better, but not nearly enough to justify lugging the weight. Not only that, but a large camera can sacrifice opportunities for great candids - which are often my favorite shots. Since then, I carry the best small camera I can find (I usually buy a new one every couple of years because they keep getting better) and pack plenty of memory. I like to replace the wrist strap with a light neck lanyard and keep it in a shirt pocket or tucked in my jacket when I'm not taking photos.

I have traveled with a DSLR, with a DSLR and point-shoot or just a point-shoot. With small pics, 8x10 or less, most point-shoots give acceptable results. And a 28 mm lens (equivalent) isn't bad for wide angle. However, I blow up (usually) 2 pics per trip and want the DSLR for that. Plus, the DSLR usually will give you much better options on an automatic setting than a point-shoot. I generally now take only the DSLR with a "walk around" 18x250 and for indoor shots a fixed 30mm f1.4. Part of the issue is what you want to take pictures of. Landscapes will normally be captured pretty well by lots of cameras. However as you get into low light, whether it is night or indoors, the smaller cameras really suffer with noise. As camera sensor size is not equal in all cases, it helps to understand how sensor size affects the actual amount of light reaching it, despite the "f" of thelens. This article does a decent job of showing how the smaller sensor does not capture light the way a larger sensor does..... so the f1.8 Sony DSC RX100 actually has a 35mm equivalent f of 4.0. (http://www.dpreview.com/previews/sony-dsc-rx100/) As I am fond of night shots, interiors of churches/museums and restaurants, I now take the DSLR and leave the point-shoot at home. The point-shoot does "fine" but there are differences in the overall quality. Well, at least the guys in my photo club are really good at picking out the problems with the point-shoot shots. I have a very small camera shaped bag which holds the DSLR with attached lens, the 30mm in the bottom, spare cards, spare battery, lens cleaner and a circular polarizer. Someone said photos were their best souvenirs of their trip. Mine too, and also the easiest way to share my experience with others. Good luck with your choices. Frankly, whatever you take will probably work out fine. ps I hope you don't get an unkind or off topic reply, yes, they do exist on these boards.

Ellen, I would not take D-SLR Canon T21, if it is not travelling with you. The G-11 is a good camera. Nice and small. I have to go with David from Sacramento on this one. We also use the Canon S100. I know this is going to sound like an advertisement, but under a half pound with the battery pack installed, 3 inch screen, video with stereo sound, high speed 8 frame bursts, 10 creative filter settings with miniture, HDR, toy camera, etc, etc. Also, the internal GPS imbeds a record of exactly where the picture was taken, and you can set it to log your position at set times, and track your entire trip on the Map software. Doesn't need a cord to transfer pictures. Around 400 dollars.
I last had a Kodak with so many menus and sub-menus, that it was really hard to use. And when it got cold, battery life was very short. Kept the battery pack inside my coat to keep it warm. A real pain. Missed so many good pictures because of no power. When it was stolen from the room in Spain, it didn't really bother me. Like a bad relative moving out of your house.

I've just returned from 6 weeks in Europe. I took both a DSLR with long lens and a compact Canon. We had a lot of rain so on the days it was really pouring I left the DSLR back at the hostel locked up in a packsafe bag and just used the point and shoot. I wasn't going to take stunning shots on those dark, wet days anyway. Often I had both cameras with me, and I utilized the smaller one when I wanted to be discrete, and the larger one for those amazing scenic shots. Have fun!