SLR or point and shoot for cruise/land trip?

You will probably regret not traveling light. And don't let the cruise be the excuse. When we cruise we add one, carryon size rolling bag to handle the extra clothing for the cruise. On our last cruise when we checked in with our three bags we were asked if our other luggage had been sent ahead. I use to carry a lot of photography equipment - Contax G-1 system with multi lens, etc. - Now I carry a Canon P&S and the pictures are as good as before. The key to stunning pictures is composure and lightning and not the camera body. Another reason for the Canon is that it uses AA batteries so no needed for a charger.

Kinda of depends on how much you like your photography: is it a hobby or you're mostly taking shots of the family and "we were there." I do a little of both. In the past I took a DSLR with several lenses and it was bulky and clunky. I've used a P&S but as I do like to (occasionally) blow up a pic to 17 or 24 inches, they don't really do that too well, even with decent post processing. However, as I thought about it, that is far less than .001% of the pics I take. Right now I am considering a "bridge" camera.... either the Panasonic DMC-FZ150K or the FuijiFilm HS30EXR. They both do some amazing things and (critical for me) shoot in RAW for good post processing. The best article I've ever heard about travel and photography asked "Are you a traveler who photographs or a photographer who travels?" If #1, a P&S is great, if #2 I'd consider a bridge or even a micro 3/4 (although they can be quite expensive.) As an aside, I am a photographer at home, but a traveler (kind of) when I go abroad and am just tired of the DSLR thing. My last trip was 3 1/2 weeks and I took 4,000 shots.

Jen, The answer may depend on what type of photography you're used to. DSLR's have a bit of a "learning curve", so learning how to operate it during a vacation is probably not the best idea. However, if you have a week or two prior to your trip, that's certainly an option. A couple of thoughts concerning your questions. As one of your main criteria is to get "stunning pictures", I'd be leaning towards a DSLR. Although they're more trouble to haul around during travels, the T3i is not a particularly large or heavy Camera, so it's manageable. There are a few reasons to consider a DSLR: > They provide a FAR greater degree of flexibility in terms of settings - shutter or aperture priority, program mode, manual, ISO settings, etc. Therefore, it's easier to get good shots in a variety of situations. > The sensors in DSLR's are usually larger than in P&S models, so the quality is better (IMHO). > DSLR's allow shooting in RAW. Not all P&S models have that capability (although a few do). RAW images provide the best quality, since none of the image quality is removed when the images are compressed to JPEG's. Of course, if you decice to shoot RAW, you'll need to be prepared to do post-processing. Most DSLR's allow shooting RAW + JPEG, but you'll need lots of memory cards for that. As you'll be travelling with your kids, the images that you capture on this trip (visiting places you may never return to as a family), my preference would be to give yourself the best chance to get great images. If you're willing to haul a larger Camera and all the kit that goes with it, a DSLR would be my suggestion. Perhaps one of you could pack a DSLR and the other a P&S. That would not only provide a "backup" but also a wider variety of photos. Happy travels!

Jen, A few additional thoughts..... I agree with Frank that it's not only the Camera that provides great photos, but also composure, lighting and the skills of the person behind the lens. However, when using a P&S Camera that doesn't provide RAW capability, you'll always be left with "less than optimum" images as a lot of information is removed from JPEG's when they're compressed, information which can never be recovered. If you're wondering, I always travel with a DSLR and associated kit and also a compact P&S. It's a bit of a nuisance to haul around, but photography is a big part of my travels so it's the only option for me.

Dang you, Frank, Ray and Ken. I'm getting ready to leave on Thursday for 2 1/2 weeks in Croatia & Slovenia. I have been agonizing over the combination of photo gear to bring. I'm used to traveling with a DSLR, a point and shoot, and an HD video cam. This trip, I have been thinking about leaving the heavy DSLR at home. But now I think you've reminded/convinced me of all the reasons I put up with bringing a heavy camera. I'll lug it along one more time (just one lens though - I stopped schlepping multiple lenses around the world). My wife and I will be bringing iPhones along, too, but even though they have a pretty decent camera for a phone I think I'll stick to the DSLR as my main camera. Oh well, that's just a bit less socks and underwear I can bring. We'll do laundry more often I guess. FWIW I think for next trip I might get a new micro 3/4 camera, and take that as a replacement for the DSLR, the HD video cam and the point-and-shoot. Still waiting for that holy grail camera - maybe next year.

I KNOW...I looked at the "Nikon 1", but even with the larger lens available (Sam's Club has a kit with the body & 2 lenses) it didn't seem to get me the zoom that I wanted. And that lens was already pretty big (physically I mean, I can't remember what zoom it went up to). There is no perfect camera, I guess. Right now I have my "old" Canon digital Rebel (the first one they made) with a 28-250 IS lens. It is 8 years old and only has 6 megapixels. And a Nikon CoolPix S9100 point & shoot, with 16 megapixels (or 18?), and video capability. That is why I am thinking of the T3i. HD video & 18 MP! I would just bring the 28-250 lens.

Jen,
I have not used the Canon. We are very happy with our Panasonic Lumix. Not a DSLR, but we do have a range of 24 - 300. I believe the current model is 14 megapixels. You can set the default to the highest resolution and have no problem enlarging photos to 12 x 12 or larger. For night and extreme telephoto we've had great success using the gorilla pod for a tripod. Compared to the DSLRs, it is quite small and lightweight. Good luck with your decision and have a wonderful trip!

I bought an XSi (the predecessor to the T3i) several years ago and loved it. I never traveled with it, though. I bought it after my last trip to Europe, sadly. I recently upgraded to the 7D and love it as wellI'm a big fan of Canon DSLRs. But. a previous poster mentioned that DSLRs have a steep learning curve, and that's absolutely true. Unless you have several months to acquaint yourself really well with your new camera AND are interested in using some of the features that set DSLRs apart from point and shoots, I would skip a DSLR and go with a high end point and shoot. Here's why. When I upgraded to the 7D, even though I was accustomed to shooting in manual mode with my XSi, it took several months before I was really comfortable with the camera and happy with the images I got. If you aren't interested in or don't have time to learn the extra features a DSLR offers, such as having more control over the settings, you'll end up shooting in auto, and if that's the case, you might as well take a higher end point and shoot, because you won't notice a huge difference between auto on a DSLR and auto on a good quality point and shoot, but may regret the extra weight. A lot of point and shoots now have some good manual controls to work with, so you aren't stuck with auto, and that may be all you need. Also, in my experience, I am much more limited by my own photographic abilities than by my cameraboth my knowledge of the camera itself and abilities to frame a shot. For me, learning is part of what I enjoy, but I would not want to take a new camera to Europethat's a huge risk in my book. Good luck with your decision! Edited to add: sorry, I missed your post where you said you already had a rebel. My mistake, carry on!!

David, "My wife and I will be bringing iPhones along, too, but even though they have a pretty decent camera for a phone" Hopefully you'll be disabling the data roaming on your phones, or signing up for a plan that provides better rates for roaming? I definitely agree that it's best not to rely on an iPhone Camera as the primary Camera on a vacation. I held an iPhone Camera in my hand the other day, and there's NO WAY that can produce the same quality of photos as my DSLR. The iPhone Cameras are fine for quick snapshots, but there are limitations. I'm currently trying to become comfortable with the operation of the "stock" iPhone Camera as well as two other Camera app's (Camera+ and Camera Awesome). None of them are particular fast at focusing, and sometimes "hunt" while they're trying to get a lock. Even my P&S is superior to the iPhone Cameras. Jen, One note on Lenses. I find that I use two Lenses for the majority of my travel photography - a 24-105 mm zoom and a 10-22 mm wide angle. I usually have a 70-300 mm zoom available, but rarely use it. Since you already have a Lens, you could save some money by purchasing the T3i "Body Only". Is your 28-250 mm Lens a Canon model or other? As the T3i is a "crop" Camera, the Lens characteristics will have a bearing on the actual zoom range. BTW, the T3i gets a good rating on dp review. Cheers!

I agree with Barbara regarding the Panasonic Lumix. We have taken the DSC ZS1 on the last three trips and have bought a DSC ZS9 after the last trip. The telephoto feature is outstanding. They work well without flash in low light such as inside churches and museums. Night scenes are good too. The ZS1 has a twelve power telephoto, the ZS9 a sixteen power. Both can be pushed. The ZS9 is just like the ZS10 only without GPS. We download all our pictures into our desk top at home and print ed pictures to an 8 1/2 x 10 inch size. The larger than snapshot size pictures really show what these cameras will do. The definition is surprising. I take all my pictures with the automatic setting and without flash. From the last trip's ca. 1300 pictures we printed about one hundred forty. Ink and paper cost about a dollar a print, but looking at them or showing them in that format is much more pleasing than a computer slide show. My wife downloads all the photos to her iPad and iPod Touch for showing to people just after they have seen the grandchildren.

@Ken - Hopefully you'll be disabling the data roaming on your phones, or signing up for a plan that provides better rates for roaming? No roaming for us. We have unlocked, no-contract iPhones. Our carrier at home (uses the AT&T network but charges half what AT&T does) simply doesn't exist overseas so using them is not an option. We'll pick up micro sim cards from a local Croatian provider upon arrival (we'll be leaving our domestic sims at home). I don't consider the iPhone camera a "real" camera. OK for snapshots in a pinch, but not for a photo I care about. My HD video cam takes decent stills, but the colors tend to be way oversaturated and it's awkward to frame a shot. My little Canon point-and-shoot does surprisingly well for stills and takes awful, grainy video. The heavy DSLR is the go-to camera. Yeah, it's heavy - but probably weighs no more than the wheels and frame in my wife's convertible backpack (my pack has none of that junk and is quite light - so I can be smug and justify the weight of the DSLR).

Jen since you already use a canon and really very similar controls to the one you have, I'd suggest updating the camera body, not by the lenses Your current lens will be fine, but the skies the limit if you want to Get "L" series lenses. If you don't already have one get a polarizing filter I,d also suggest a good book, "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson 26usd e book versions are also available. it's byline on the front cover is "How to shoot great photographs with any camera" shutter speed, f stop and ISP are all explained along with travel images. Raw v jpeg file format only comes into play if you want to post process your images, if you do then shooting raw would be better.
Regards

Jen, If you are looking for a good telephoto, check out the two bridge cameras I mentioned. The Fuijifilm has a 24-720mm (35mm equivalent) telephoto and a larger sensor than the average point and shoot. Some other interesting features include reducing the pixel count in half for low light (reduces noise and lets you use a much faster iso.....you can override this if you have a tripod.) Similar cool features in the Panasonic I mentioned. Plus, both of these cameras avoid AA batteries. Not only saves you $, but more pics per charge than a fresh set of AAs. Compared to what you could get in cameras even a few years ago, these are pretty amazing travel cameras. ps I've used the point and shoot lumix cameras in the past, they are great for what they are, small, all in one and easy to use.

Years ago I took a three country trip with a friend and our wives. I packed an SLR, multiple lenses, doubler, filters, flash, tripod, etc. in a camera bag. My friend brought a Canon all-in-one, point an shoot. After the trip I got my pictures back and was thrilled... until I saw my friend's pictures. Mine weren't enough better than his to justify lugging the extra weight. A large camera also inhibits your ability to quickly grab candids, which are often my favorite pictures. Since then I look for a quality camera in the smallest possible package. Currently I'm using a Nikon 8100. It has 10x digital zoom, which usually does the trick (3x is definitely too little), plus really good low-light performance that covers a wide range of conditions. It was under $300 from Costco and is about the size and weight of a deck of cards. I do change the wrist strap little cameras come with for a neck lanyard (so I don't have to carry it all the time), then put the camera around my neck and inside my shirt pocket or just tuck it inside my jacket.

I have the old Rebel XTi DSLR which I love but it's really not a traveling camera. For traveling & indeed walking around town, I use a higher end Canon P & S. Currently, I have the S100, having upgraded from the S95. It's very compact but offers excellent manual control & raw images as well as jpeg; you can even shoot raw+jpeg simultaneously. It has a decent lowlight capability, as an automatic setting. I'm looking forward to trying it out in building interiors in Europe. P.S. I've had a good experience with Costco's trade-in program for electronics, operated by Gazelle. Depending on the age & condition of the items I've traded in, I've gotten up to $200 in the form of Costco gift cards.

Have you ever used a DSLR (or any "fancy") camera before? If not, no matter how clever you are, it is unlikely that you would create better shots with a fancy camera than you would with a decent pocket-sized P&S. The fancy camera requires a learning curve. The best way to tackle that curve is to take hundreds, if not thousands of experimental shots at home when you have time to think about your shot, settings, and the ramifications of each setting change. When you are on your trip, chances are, you just want to point the camera and shoot. P&S cameras have gotten quite good in the last few years. Their automatic settings are very "smart". Find a clock with a second hand. Visualize yourself on your trip. imagine coming upon a scene you want to capture on film. Look at the clock and watch five seconds go by. Now do the same and watch 30 seconds go by. Which way do you want to take photos? PS; Upon our return from Australia, I had three photos I took with my nice quality P&S blown up to 11x17 and entered in a photo show. Good photos are really more about the person than the camera - though obviously the camera can hinder the person if it is poor. Randy
Land of 10,000 lakes

Costco has discontinued the trade-in program as of April 2012.

A little point & shoot that you know how to use is worth more than struggling with a new camera....especially with a husband and three kids in tow. As stated before, it is the photographer, not the camera that makes the image...and yes, you definitely need something of adequate quality, but those 'stunning' images that you see require all the components... subject matter, lighting (usually means getting up really early) composition and exposure... and a decent quality camera, but it does not have to be a DSLR. Something small with a nice little zoom will be much easier and may allow you the freedom to spend time enjoying the photography and composing your images rather than trying to be sure all the settings are correct. I am a professional photographer and I really subscribe to the fact that 'less is more.' Its about the mood and content of your image. I took an image with my Iphone of the buildings in Prague from the riverboat as the sun was setting and have enlarged and printed it to 16x24 and regularly sell it from my Art Print collection. Sometimes its fun to see what you can do with as little equipment as possible.