Carrying a camera around Rome

You'll be okay if you wear it cross-wise across your body instead of on one shoulder. You won't be allowed to take photos in some museums and in others you can but without a flash, in which case you'll be glad you have the SLR for low light conditions and will brace yourself against something stationary when pressing the shutter button.

Most places that don't allow pictures will still let you keep your camera, EXCEPT the Borghese Gallery, which will make you check it. If you don't want to check it, don't bring it with you that day.

Although I didn't hear of it during my European trips, I have seen that some places that allow cameras without flash, will take issue with the 'modeling light' that many of the dSLR's use. Notably is the area where the Declaration of Independence is housed. If they see that focus-assist light come on, they will yell at you!
It may not be an issue, but it is something to be aware of.

I decided to leave my digital SLR at home last fall, and just took my pocket sized digital. It was just not worth the hassle on subways, trains and other public transit, or the extra bulk trying to navigate through crowds. I don't know about theft risk, though it clearly draws the attention of those who might also be interested in your wallet, etc.

Many of my pictures were really nice, suitable for framing, etc. We did a lot of traveling in the last couple years, to some remote, very photogenic areas. I agonized over leaving the SLR at home. In the end, although a high quality pocket digital camera might not be as good as an SLR, for me it was good enough.

Where the SLR seems to make a big difference is in exactly the low light conditions that you often find in museums (if they let you take pics without a flash) and church/duomo interiors. But it's a tradeoff, the extra bulk vs the better quality interior low light shots.

I took my mid size digital camera everywhere with me in Rome last November. I had no issues at all. I kept it in a Pac Safe shoulder bag that looked sort of like a handbag.

I took pictures everywhere, and got some great shots. I'd never compromise my memories/photos by taking a compact camera....I bought my digital just for travel -why would I leave it home?

I use the Sony H5, not quite as large as a DSLR, but almost!

Use common sense when traveling with a camera...and know that you are not the only out there taking photos of everything - you aren't more of a target than a million other tourists in Rome, just watch your surroundings in crowded situations and you will be fine.

Only in the Sistine Chapel were we told not to take photos (but I did anyway - don't tell) No problems in St Pauls, or any other smaller churches, just don't use a flash.

Thanks for all the replys. I will take the DSLR with me. I recently sold my compact to buy the SLR. The quality of the pics, especially in low light is important to me. I will be very careful with it!

You WILL want to take that DSLR with you! You will kick your self in the butt if you don't! I had mine all the time and glad I did. I had no problems with pickpockets. If you are worried www.pacsafe.com makes a good slash proof strap you can get at www.rei.com There are site that you can't take photos but they don't take your camera away. I constatly had a good grip on my camera and no problems in fact I usually had people asking me about my camera.

melanie, thanks for the pacsafe site. I will get one of their cut proof camera straps.