Editorial: 5 Reasons why I haven't used my DSLR for months

since nobody pays for photographer these days, kind of stupid to spend that much amount of money on a DSLR.

Hmmm, seems 3 years ago I had the last iteration of a Nikon (d)slr in 35 years of shooting Nikon. Then along came an X100. Then along came a D800. The latter is gone. Along with all other dslr kit other than a couple of old Nikkors I could not part with.

I am starting to tilt in this direction. I keep thinking about the old adage that the best camera is the one you have with you and I do not carry my DSLR bodies and a bag of lenses around with me all the time. To be honest, I get really tired of it. Even though I love them and what they allow me to do. I sometimes sit and thumb through my big fat wonderful book of Cartier-Bresson images and marvel at what can be done with a small range-finder camera that one actually has in their pocket.

I agree with tjbates when it comes to face recognition in the camera. It truly is a blessing that pays great dividends when taking photos of children. The children's EYES have it!

Couldn't agree more with this opinion. For me though THE number 1 reason to use my m4/3 camera over my FF Canon is face recognition auto focus. I bought a GH2 for video but quickly realised that the face recognition auto focus for photographing my children was a winner. I'd spent years hunting around trying to engage the correct focus point on my DSLR and the moment was gone - or I'd successfully select the correct focus point but realised the composition was compromised. The m4/3 system cameras have such extremely fast auto focus and the accuracy is soooo much better than my DSLR. The other realisation is that many of the best m4/3 lenses are already at their best wide open. Not so with many of the best FF lenses. Bokeh - not a problem.

These reasons could be replaced with one answer, because you stopped bringing it with you.

I've recently been shooting with an Oly EP5 with prime lenses.
The quality is fantastic... if you haven't seen the images these little kits are turning out, you should.

I have a few other benefits to add to the list. The small camera does not attract the attention of certain undesirable types while I'm out in the streets.

The small body does not make people self conscious or intimidate them.

The EP5 looks really cool. (yeah, I know.. but I like the way stuff looks.)

A top quality lens does not cost as much as a used car, weigh as much as a gallon of milk, or fill half of your gear bag.

It's easy to handle the body with one hand and shoot from unusual POVs. I shoot many of my street images while holding the body near my waist with the LCD screen flipped out... I'm shooting, but most people seem to think I'm just messing with my camera.

I don't get hassled by suspicious security types like I do when lugging the DSLR.

++

When I studied the trumpet my teacher told me "the quickest way to become satisfied with your performance is to lower your standards." The same applies to photography.

I'll keep my 5DIII; the compacts and mirror-less (I've tried a couple) are just not ready yet. I'll carry an EOS-M with 22mm f/2 when photography is secondary and I want something reasonable with me.

For most people a dSLR is overkill. Because prices have fallen people think they can buy one and immediately will be a photographer. They don't realize its a whole new level.

I carry a compact for everyday snaps, but my dSLR and its accompanying baggage of kit when I have a specific purpose or project.

Sadly, many compacts are really bad. One has to be ever so selective in buying one! I had this illustrated vividly this term, giving a basic photography class to some kids (average age 11). The cameras!!! Oh dear, oh my, oh help.

12mpx yes, quality .. none. Little control, horrid unreliable buttons, AA or AAA powered. Worst was a 'Thomson' .. the company should be banned from making anything ever again, even paperclips.

CIPA are wondering why sales are down. Duh, look at the quality. Rather raise the entry price but do not throw your brand's name away. This even applies to the lower end Canon, Nikon, etc.

Pentax Q + Prime 01.
Nothing left to say.

Good article, and very true. Though I left DSLRS one year ago I'm back now, my main subject being three running children I just need the AF of DSLR at least for the next few years... But the X100s just tempts me too much for events where my DSLR is too big the the iPhone inadequate.

Sorry to say this... but I find that your higher iso shots are demonstrating that you should have brought along your dslr. The noise is reminiscent of smaller sensor cameras. Is there no other way you could have gotten those shots, other than cranking up the ISO so high?

I'll agree with all you said except for the portrait of the tattoed girl. In that photo it is really easy to see the distortion of the girl's features from the 35mm lens.

I always hear that the biggest reason to switch to mirrorless, especially m4/3rd is to save weight. I think if you compare comparable equipment in terms of quality the difference can be measured in ounces. I never see any actual figures presented by any authors that write articles like this. What I think is really happening is that the m4/3 and mirrorless manufacturers are throwing a lot of money into the industry to promote their products. I'm going on 58 years old and I have no problem carrying around 15 lbs. of gear all day long. I have even carried around 2 DSLR bodies, a D700 with a grip and 'AA's in it, a D800E, as well as Nikon 14-24, 24-70, and 70-200 lenses, plus a flash, batteries, etc. all day long. I'd like the author to weigh his equipment, and then I'll weigh comparable equipment, and let's see just how much weight I'd save by spending a whole lot of money.

For me, and I suspect a lot of others ,an eye level view finder is essential

I agree. I have had several SLRs - never got to a digital one. I like travel and hiking and those just jot too burdensome. You don't get ANY shot of the camera is back at camp.
The compacts just keep getting smaller and better.

My view about SLR: more natural, realistic pictures and details capture, leaves you to edit as much as you like
P&S: a birght over-saturated and over processed pictures out of the camera for everyone like.
Everyone picks his choice, after using my 550D plus a 17-55 f2.8 there is no return back.

It is such a shame that DPreview is becoming like this. It is full of anti-DSLR comments and users. I often think those who say that DSLR is terrible are just jealous that they cannot buy a 5D or something, its quite pathetic and sad. Sorry but a DSLR will not be getting replaced any-time soon in most pros bags, wake up you dreamers. I still shoot with a 40D!

Nice.... boring shots.....

Great article, thanks. Personally I haven't touched my DSLR or compact camera since I got my Olympus Pen E-PL3 ILC.

The great thing with it is that it's modular!

I can stick a 150-600mm (eqv) superzoom on it, use my old superb IQ Zuiko 22-44mm (eqv) wide angle. And lately I used it with a macro and a ring flash for some jewellery product shoots.

And then I can take off the EVF, attach the Panasonic 40mm (eqv) f1.7 pancake lens and put the whole thing in my (large) pocket.

The photo in #4 is a perfect illustration of why you DO need zoom... the perspective is really quite unflattering.

My EM5 made a professional wedding photographer dump his Canon 5D MkIII. My point is, never ask what your gear can do for you, instead, it is more relevant to ask how you can maximize what you have with your current gear. Years ago when Iphone first made their mark, we already got people using iphone for a whole wedding shoot. Again it proved the point the author is trying to say, user over gear.

Trust me, I have my fair share of "Pro" showing off their big gear when after you observe how they approach their shoot, you will realize that the dslr is a big waste in the wrong hands.

I am not trying to say I am pro, pro as what the author stated 'Pro' doesn't necessarily mean 'uses a DSLR'. I am just happy that DPreview has opened up to none DSLR stuff.

I get my best photos from a Google images search! -- just trying to lighten things up here. : ) On a serious note, I enjoyed the article.

I recently stayed in Iceland for ten days to take in a International Panoramic Photographers Conference. I took a "pro" SLR kit and a new Sony NEX-6. The SLR was NEVER used. The compact did everything I expected and with in camera panorama plus HDR, it exceed my expectations. Two months later I still haven't taken my SLR out of the bag.

This note gives the GearShop a "compact" and "light" boost...

I think this is a good article. Number 5 is a very important realization and it's something that 95% of your readers should think about before they go and buy the next big new camera.

Personally, I do need a DSLR and all that extra gear a lot of the time. When not working I almost always bring my Leica because I don't WANT to drag around that extra gear if I don't need to. (And those comments about Leicas being for collectors are nonsense)

I was always concerned with big performance in small packages. I chose the D700 over the D3 because I could add a grip to the D700 if I needed it and lose it if I didn't. I was working alongside pros who thought I was cheap and went for the D700 nope. I went for versatility.

Recently I also realized that I don't need high-res cameras. The D800 was slowing me down. I sold it. I kept the D700 instead. Yep, it's old but it still does what I need it to when it counts.

I'm in this same boat:

"I'm just an average enthusiast with a day job. I don't need ultra-fast AF, ten frames-per second and ISO 20,000+ any more. Photography is still a huge part of my life, but I just don't need that much gear."

I get a lot of criticism when I go out shooting with friends who have all the DSLR gear and I'm using my RX100, but when we review the pics at the end of the day they often admit the IQ is the same.

If there was challenging light, or if we were shooting wildlife, it might be a different story.

Great article Barney. I agree with you and I see myself using more and more my mirrorless camera than he Dslr, even on travel.
But one thing item that I struggle is when I need a indoor external flash, which I have one for the mirrorless but the output is far from acceptable.
Any experience with that?

I save my DSLR for commercial jobs. Bought a Ricoh GR recently. For what I like and do - perfect!

You have to use what you have in this moment.
I was for hollidays in Viena and Y carry my DSLR and a small Panasonic TZ40.
I use a wide angle zoom in my DSLR most of the time and the TZ 40 with the zoom.
Yes it works with good light but shoot with maximun zoom with such small camera is very dificult. It moves in my hands and even the OIS is not enough.
When I left my DSLR at home I wanted to carried it and when I carry it I wanted to have left it at home. Very dificult decision