Hey all,

I just bought a Nikon D40X (Kit) 2 weeks ago after using Canon S3-IS for quite a long time.

So far I can't seem to figure out what's so spectacular about the SLR camera compared to what I've been using all this while.

Between fast point and shoot applications, the S3 wins. I don't think you guys buy the SLR camera to use it's auto-shoot/scene/portrait... etc functions. By the time I finish setting up the shot, either the subject is impatient, or I'd have stood there for ages, and worse still if the shot doesn't turn out properly, I'd have to reset everything again.

Worse still the view-finder is so small compared to using the LCD + histogram for the S3. Changing apperture, shuttle speeds and ISO doesn't seem to affect what I see in the viewfinder. As a result, more often than not the shots turn out bad. So much for the "What you see is what you get" concept for SLR.

Zoom wise, the kit lens sucks compared to the in-hand 12x zoom of the S3. Don't even ask me to spend another RM 2.5k for something better. I know the SLR's advantage is interchangable lenses, henceforth versatility in taking pictures, but am I honestly expected to carry around 3 lenses and swap them each time I need to take a photo?

Thanks and appreciate some comments and feedback on the above. I'm beginning to think I blew away RM 2.5k on an unnecessary and (inferior) purchase.

* Btw, I use my cameras to mainly take scenery shots during travels, taking group photos... and all the normal stuff people use the camera for. I don't camp outdoors for hours just to take a photo, I don't use a tripod and I don't intend to sell any of my photos. I just like the satisfaction of taking some good shots every now and then, while having all my other shots turn out clear.

well another orange and apple surely come up one...

I'm no expert photographer, but I have a few friends who are.

It seems to me that you just got the wrong tool for your requirements and are now blaming the Nikon. I mean, if all you're doing is taking photos that don't require manual setup and timing etc etc why did you get rid of your S3?

Each one of your complaints is actually the reason why serious photographers buy their SLRs. They want to be able to do super macros, or fish eye or superzoom shots without being limited by their default equipment.

Seems to me you should just get rid of the nikon and get one of those prosumer point and shoots.

D40x enable u to change lenses and that is the major plus point of using a SLR camera, or in this matter, a DSLR.

dslr can be long term usage where lens can be changeable ...

its not a waste or useful if u r not satisfy with it ... since u bought it ... den get use to it!

in time of shooting ... u might find tat dslr actually more features than a normal digital cameras!

Blame yourself for not understanding what's the difference between a DSLR and a prosumer camera. It's a different class thing. You can't just compare like that.

That's simply because you are still haven't master the manual functions yet. Blame yourself for not spending more time to learn how to master the manual functions and straight jump to the conclusion that it's complicated to change between the modes. Do you actually know that they are almost the same? In S3 IS, you too have Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual and several other modes which are quite similar to DSLRs'.

You still haven't get used to it. Blame yourself if you can't get used to it yet.

You are comparing a kitlens which is suppose to be used to shoot wide angle scenes instead of far objects. Isn't that silly? Don't blame your DSLR, blame yourself if you yourself cant afford to buy good telelens.

Look at yourself, you obviously telling everybody that DSLR doesn't suit you. Conclusion is blame yourself for being dumb for buying a DSLR blindly knowing that it doesn't suit you.

p/s: I seriously advice you to sell off your Nikon D40x for you don't deserved to use DSLR for time being.

Firstly thanks for the quick replies.

I'm not blaming Nikon or Panasonic or Olympus or anybody for anything. I'm just putting forth honest viewpoints from a person that's trying to make the transition from point-and-shoot/prosumer to SLR cameras. So far it's a painful and (irritating) experience.

The way you guys put it, does it mean that SLR is such a *slow* camera that you guys have to slowly compose all your shots before finally taking a picture? Does it mean that you need to have several years of experience of using SLR to know what settings to use for particular photos/scenes?

From what I see, the *features* difference between SLR and Prosumer cameras is slowly disappearing. Nowadays you can do most of the adjustments as well in prosumer. You only can't change the lenses (But that's beside the point at the moment).

Edit : In reply to vikingw2k, so one must be a *camera geek* in order to master the SLR?

This post has been edited by darthbaboon: Jan 15 2008, 05:10 PM

I was a PnS user and slowly moved on to Prosumer before ended up using DSLR. Yes it takes time to slowly adapt. It depends on individual on how fast they can master which mode to use when they want to shoot a subject.

You just only hopped over to DSLR, you might not get used to it. Hence you might look down on what it can do for you. Spend more time to explore and spend a little more bucks to get yourself some good lens before jumping to the conclusion that Prosumer can do what DSLRs can do

p/s: No you don't need to be a geek to master the modes, you only need some time and patient to further explore it and you'll master them eventually.

This post has been edited by vikingw2k: Jan 15 2008, 05:20 PM

I was an ex-user of a Canon S3IS. I changed to DSLR because of what i cant achieve with my S3; bokeh, focusing speed, instant selection of focus points, no need to recompose as much as a PnS, noise control and obviously Image Quality.

Before i switch to DSLR, i did my own research on what DSLR can do and what's the downside of owning a dslr. Did you consider all the pros and cons of owning a dslr before jumping ship?

Why did you get a D40 when you know you wont get a 400mm focal length with it unless you invest in a 400mm lens whereas you can get 400mm on S3IS at 12x zoom? You yourself said you wont be bringing few lenses out to shoot something, why get a DSLR? You want an all rounder lens? The least you could've do is ask around this section for opinions before jumping to the DSLR bandwagon. And here you're complaining about yourself shouldn't have gotten a dslr

Stick with your D40 and explore all the possibilities that you can do with it b4 selling it off to get a PnS.

put it this way, u need to put in effort and time in order to master it, same goes to others, don't expect you'll be as fast as Kimi Raikonen if you are given a chance to drive his winning F1 car. Give u tiger woods golf set and caddy and u'll be as good as tiger woods ? I don't think so.

if you think with an DSLR you are 'pro' and will take 'pro' pictures, then you are very wrong. You are just too used to PnS that the DSLR takes out alot of those convenient.

1 Toyota Camry and 1 Toyota Estima...
So, what are the differences between these two cars?

Both also can take you around.

But why people buy Camry and why people buy Estima?
Different car got difference use and doesn't mean you need an Estima all the time.

Same goes with digital camera. Not everyone needs a dSLR.
Too many thread with this kinda comparison...

darthbaboon, i've used. pns, prosumer and DSLR.

each time i migrate, i see significant difference.

so if you upgrade and you see no difference. perhaps upgrading was a wrong move, you should've stick to your prosumer.



the pros and cons are stated already. if you buy a DSLR and still see no difference with your prosumer, then clearly you're in total lack of knowledge and understanding. comparing the DSLR and prosumer is like apples to orange.

while both are cameras, they work differently.




come join me in the paintball field. let's see what your prosumer can get.




no la. don't have to spend more also. just the kit lens also can do plenty of nice stuff already.



*btw there's a reason why i still keep my prosumer. WHY? I won't elaborate, one would understand if one knows their difference. reasons are in my article.

This post has been edited by goldfries: Jan 15 2008, 05:30 PM

Speaking of S3 IS, I'm kinda miss the superb video recording feature

i miss its 400mm focal length. lol

Get a video camera better

This post has been edited by Joshua_0718: Jan 15 2008, 05:39 PM

ehh, just get a 70-300 IS then you have more than 400mm on your side already mah you 30D user

anyway no one miss macro mode?

that's the nice thing about prosumer, all-in-one package.

ppl said : its not bout camera..its bout ppl behind it .

just c the image quality/color and can already la...both already can c the different...

well DSLR has bigger image sensor size and wider color range

waaa i tot orange and apple come up..

but..

Toyota Camry and 1 Toyota Estima...

sure getting creative.

me.. on the way to migrating... DSLR belum sampai lagi ooo...