Keep DSLR or go back to superzoom/bridge camera?

Probably a questions I should have asked before buying Rebel T6 kit and selling Sony DSCHX200V.

I really liked the Sony.

PROs: I had gotten used to all the menu in and outs.  Could make the proper adjustments with very little fore thought.  It could really reach out with it's zoom lens.

CONs: What I was looking for was better manual focus for use where AF was not up to par, a live view finder for use in difficult lighting situations, ability to shoot RAW, lens mount accessories, and get away from the awful lens cap setup on the 200V.

My life with the Canon so far.

PROs:  I get the things I wanted....RAW, live VF, much better manual focus, a wealth of accessories, good form factor for my hands.

CONs:  I have not gotten the hang of the menus of this camera yet.  I find myself thinking of what I need to adjust and where to find it.  Still somewhat attached to the massive zoom from the Sony.  I have a 75-300mm lens which is still less than half of the reach of the Sony.  My images so far seem grainy and out of focus.  I admit I had the same problem with the Sony until I got the hang of it, but didn't expect it to be this bad starting off.

Perhaps I am not cut out for DSLR and should cut my losses and try to move back to the superzoom world or am I just expecting too much too fast and need to stick with the learning curve the change of style and brand naturally brings?

Thanks for any advice!

Can you post some pics that didn't turn out well (with EXIF intact).

R2

Grainy and out of focus is a problem, but likely not the fault of the camera.  The T6 is an entry level camera, but it is still capable of producing excellent quality photos.  The question is not about owning a DSLR, but learning which settings to use for a given situation.

Grain is most commonly caused by a high ISO value.  Do you understand how this setting effects your image quality?  Are you familiar with the various AF modes and when to use them?  There is a “triangle” of ISO, f/stop, and aperture which must be understood if you want to get really nice quality images.  Depth of field, aperture, and shutter speed can all effect the sharpness and focus.

Understanding the basics of photography and how to set up your camera are much more critical with any DSLR since, unlike many point and shoot cameras, you have to tell the camera what to do.  You can use the auto or preset modes to let the camera decide what to do, but that really defeats the whole point of owning a DSLR.

I do own a Nikon P900 “ super zoom “ and it is very useful, especially when I don't want to carry around a heavy body, and even heavier lens.  It does a very good job, but it can not duplicate the IQ of my 80D.  It's convenient, and the images are “ good enough,” but it's low light performance is very limited.

You have to learn how to use your T6 and what it needs you to do to maximize image quality.  It is definitely worth the effort.

Some good comments/questions already in this thread.

I own a couple of Canon P&S cameras (S5 and SX210).  I take a lot of pictures of things that move (kids, dogs, birds, ships), and I want a camera that takes the picture when I push the button.  I find that DSLRs do this and P&s cameras don't.

Steve

Why not both?  A DSLR for serious photography and a bridge for traveling light.  When walking a lot on holiday with a backpack full of water bottle, guide book snacks, momentos, I don't want to deal with changing lenses.  But, for more serious photography, a DSLR is the way to go. For me, they both have a purpose.

I really wanted great zoom capability and the best way to get that seemed to be the Nikon P900, which I have and really like a lot.  It's fantastic for long zoom but you do have to learn the best way to get good results with that camera.  I'm still working on it!

Meanwhile, I have been searching for a DSLR because I want to work with ultra wide angle lenses and cannot really get below 18mm (27mm full frame) in a bridge camera.  I tested out the Sony RX10iv and it was fantastic in its own way, but no way to do wider angle.  So back to DSLRs or perhaps mirrorless.  I read somewhere that you should decide which basic lenses you would like and then look at the cameras to go with them!  Right now I'm going back and forth between the Canon 77D or maybe 80D, the Nikon D7500, possibly the Fujifilm X-T70, and possibly the Canon M50.  I'm having a hard time deciding because I'm still refining the various features I would like....I've decided I like a flip out touchscreen, I like what I read about Canon DPAF, and on and on it goes.  It takes awhile to figure it out if you only have limited funds and want to make a decision you can live with for awhile.  For me it's a matter of figuring out which camera has the most of what I want.

R2D2 wrote:

Can you post some pics that didn't turn out well (with EXIF intact).

R2

Bump

CMCM: Well, it's a good idea to have P900 as a long reach setup/lens, and buy something else for wide angles.

10-18mm lens is awesome, I would pack it with SL2 or 80D.

11-22mm is even better, sharper, and actually can go close to 10mm -suitable for EOS M cameras

Or there is this Samyang 8mm f/2.8, which is amazing, wider and funnier, also sharp, but needs defishing at times. After selling my 11-22 for not making enough fun, I decided to get Samyang. Images did not come yet, as I got it in bad time (sick) and don't want to play with cameras anyway at this moment...

But it is surprisingly good lens. It just lacks AF....

First,I guess that you bought this model because of budget so I won't give the name of more expensive camera...

The camera that you have is a good one, it might not have the bells and wistles of more expensive one but should give you good pictures.

The lens is by far not the best you could pick, I have one and it really need a lot of light to bring you something.

Some examples of the bad pictures might help give better advise.

What helped me most with my own experience of a canon DSLR was a good book, it was included in the package and brought me steps by steps through the menus and options. It mght exist for your model, I need to check.

crashpc wrote:

CMCM: Well, it's a good idea to have P900 as a long reach setup/lens, and buy something else for wide angles.

10-18mm lens is awesome, I would pack it with SL2 or 80D.

11-22mm is even better, sharper, and actually can go close to 10mm -suitable for EOS M cameras

Or there is this Samyang 8mm f/2.8, which is amazing, wider and funnier, also sharp, but needs defishing at times. After selling my 11-22 for not making enough fun, I decided to get Samyang. Images did not come yet, as I got it in bad time (sick) and don't want to play with cameras anyway at this moment...

But it is surprisingly good lens. It just lacks AF....

Thanks, good info!

Hi! Before buying a DSLR, I had the Canon S3IS and then a Fujifilm HS20. Coming from a superzoom, the first thing I felt I lost was the reach. I was only able to let go of the HS20 when I bought the Tamron 16-300mm. The flexibility of that lens made the move a lot easier for me. Sure I still feel the lack of reach from time to time but getting more would mean spending more (a lot more) and I don't have the money for that, which is why the Nikon P900 still gets my attention from time to time, though I haven't convinced myself that I'm taking enough pictures at the long end that would justify the purchase.

Another thing that you should consider is getting a 50mm prime. It's an affordable lens and the image quality is not something that a superzoom can provide. This will convince you that you made the right decision.

By the way I've recently updated my camera from the Canon 600D to the SL2/200D. The new features and improvement in image quality in low light was significant. There are some compatibility issues with my Tamron lens but I can let that pass.

Thank you all for the replies and offers to help with photo examples.  I will get some uploaded ASAP.

Thanks again,

dirk1843 wrote:

Thank you all for the replies and offers to help with photo examples. I will get some uploaded ASAP.

Thanks again,

You can link them, post them to your gallery here, or even load them directly right into your post.

R2

No insult intended in any way. You need to work with folks here or elsewhere to unstaffed why you exposure and focus is off.  You can take fantastic pictures with the equipment you have.

What’s more, once you understand how to use the equipment you have, you’ll be able to understand what about it needs improvement for the kind of shooting you do.  There are many different kinds of photography, and they all demand different camera features or aspects.