Upgrade my point-and-shoot or move to DSLR?
January 1, 2018 6:21 AM Subscribe
My Canon SX500 IS point-and-shoot has served me well and is now busted. Do I replace it with another very similar model, or get an entry-level DSLR that I will probably just treat like a point-and-shoot? I just want to keep creating videos and photos, not really interested in spending hours learning to use the equipment.
I have used the Canon SX500 IS for many years with good results. The most important thing I do with it is shoot video for clients' YouTube channels. A typical video is an inside-the-factory "how we do a thing" informational video that includes waist-up clips of people operating machinery as well as close-up shots of what they are doing with their hands; all using ambient light (no windows). The other is close-up work of coin-sized devices moving, also shot in ambient light but for these I'm able to set up the devices near a window. The camera is adequate, but it does have a hard time sometimes with autofocus in the low light.
I've learned to compensate by not trying to do much pan or zoom during recording. It's usually fine.
I'm sure I could do better if I even bothered to learn more about the SX500 IS settings... but I only do about one video a month and if I DO learn a camera setting trick, I'm likely to forget where that setting lives in the menu by the next month... so set-and-forget is a priority for me. The super-zoom is cool for personal use but not essential for work.
There are newer offerings in the SX500 series - still with the small format sensor, but for example the SX510 HS has a CMOS sensor which promises better low-light performance. It seems a good choice and a simple transition from my current setup.
But... always one to over-think a purchase, I wonder if I should consider this an opportunity to upgrade to an entry-level DSLR. Large format sensor! And then I am completely overwhelmed at the thought of navigating the menus and settings. So I would probably use the "auto" mode and just take what it delivers.
In that case, have I gained much over the SX510 HS if all I do is assemble a video in Premier Elements and put it on YouTube?
I don't see myself spending time playing with settings or processing RAW files. My clients know I'm not a professional videographer / photographer (it's just a part of what I do for them, not my main work) and are satisfied with my work - more so than I am, I am always trying to resist the urge to make it "perfect" when good enough is good enough.
So... do I
1. stick with a familiar point and shoot like big baby? Or
2. get a bigger, more powerful camera and use it on baby mode like a big poser?
If #2, what entry-level DSLR best lets me treat it like a point-and-shoot especially for indoor videos?
I have used the Canon SX500 IS for many years with good results. The most important thing I do with it is shoot video for clients' YouTube channels. A typical video is an inside-the-factory "how we do a thing" informational video that includes waist-up clips of people operating machinery as well as close-up shots of what they are doing with their hands; all using ambient light (no windows). The other is close-up work of coin-sized devices moving, also shot in ambient light but for these I'm able to set up the devices near a window. The camera is adequate, but it does have a hard time sometimes with autofocus in the low light.
I've learned to compensate by not trying to do much pan or zoom during recording. It's usually fine.
I'm sure I could do better if I even bothered to learn more about the SX500 IS settings... but I only do about one video a month and if I DO learn a camera setting trick, I'm likely to forget where that setting lives in the menu by the next month... so set-and-forget is a priority for me. The super-zoom is cool for personal use but not essential for work.
There are newer offerings in the SX500 series - still with the small format sensor, but for example the SX510 HS has a CMOS sensor which promises better low-light performance. It seems a good choice and a simple transition from my current setup.
But... always one to over-think a purchase, I wonder if I should consider this an opportunity to upgrade to an entry-level DSLR. Large format sensor! And then I am completely overwhelmed at the thought of navigating the menus and settings. So I would probably use the "auto" mode and just take what it delivers.
In that case, have I gained much over the SX510 HS if all I do is assemble a video in Premier Elements and put it on YouTube?
I don't see myself spending time playing with settings or processing RAW files. My clients know I'm not a professional videographer / photographer (it's just a part of what I do for them, not my main work) and are satisfied with my work - more so than I am, I am always trying to resist the urge to make it "perfect" when good enough is good enough.
So... do I
1. stick with a familiar point and shoot like big baby? Or
2. get a bigger, more powerful camera and use it on baby mode like a big poser?
If #2, what entry-level DSLR best lets me treat it like a point-and-shoot especially for indoor videos?
Whether you should get a DSLR or a more full-featured point and shoot is a decision that should be influenced by your desire/willingness to invest in a bunch of different lenses for it. If you're not going to build a lens collection, then you might as well stick with fixed-lens cameras.
Fortunately, there are a lot of mid-range options these days that offer SLR-like ergonomics and features with a fixed lens. Stuff like the Nikon Coolpix B500 and the Canon PowerShot G5 seem like they might fit your needs here.
posted by tobascodagama at 7:02 AM on January 1, 2018 [4 favorites]
Fortunately, there are a lot of mid-range options these days that offer SLR-like ergonomics and features with a fixed lens. Stuff like the Nikon Coolpix B500 and the Canon PowerShot G5 seem like they might fit your needs here.
posted by tobascodagama at 7:02 AM on January 1, 2018 [4 favorites]
Don't underestimate the advantage of compactness. Most DSLRs are big and clunky.
posted by Bee'sWing at 7:10 AM on January 1, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Bee'sWing at 7:10 AM on January 1, 2018 [2 favorites]
The DSLR route gets expensive fast because there are so many fun lenses and accessories. I have an SL1 and I really like the small form factor. Canon STM lenses tend to be fast and quiet for video.
It's hard to say what the right choice is, but if you don't think you'd go beyond auto mode I might just stick with a point-and-shoot.
posted by starman at 8:01 AM on January 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
It's hard to say what the right choice is, but if you don't think you'd go beyond auto mode I might just stick with a point-and-shoot.
posted by starman at 8:01 AM on January 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
Came in to suggest a mirrorless. I just bout a Fuji XT20 and I am in LOVE. It is very light and easy to carry but has all the benefits of a DSLR. I mean, this is the kit lens on auto settings.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:03 AM on January 1, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:03 AM on January 1, 2018 [2 favorites]
If your workflow can accommodate it, I suspect that you'll get better results by upgrading to a better point and shoot (or maybe mirrorless) camera and adding a little off-camera lighting. Some of the cheap LED panels are quite potent and light enough to give you options for mounting it like clipping it onto things as well as floor stands.
posted by Candleman at 8:38 AM on January 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Candleman at 8:38 AM on January 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
I always thought that the big advantages of an SLR were control of depth of field and accurate framing. (Historically, view finders were none too accurate.) The use of view screen has reduced these advantages to some extent.
I'm wondering if a better camera will make your work easier or better without you having to work at it very hard. For example, better low light capability might reduce the number of times you have to move the subject near a window. Overriding autofocus and setting distance to an easily estimated approximate number might save some annoyance. If you buy something SLR-like, you may be able to buy the camera body and a lens that's better for low light than the standard lens.
Two things that almost always help are a tripod and more light.
posted by SemiSalt at 9:20 AM on January 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
I'm wondering if a better camera will make your work easier or better without you having to work at it very hard. For example, better low light capability might reduce the number of times you have to move the subject near a window. Overriding autofocus and setting distance to an easily estimated approximate number might save some annoyance. If you buy something SLR-like, you may be able to buy the camera body and a lens that's better for low light than the standard lens.
Two things that almost always help are a tripod and more light.
posted by SemiSalt at 9:20 AM on January 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
There's no need to upgrade to DSLR "just because". If you have a good reason, that's fine, but it is absolutely not the case that you need an SLR to take good or great pictures. There are some simple P&S cameras that turn seasoned pros into drooling fanbois.
I note that your camera has an impressive zoom. That's going to be impossible to replicate with one lens on an SLR, so you either need to commit to getting multiple lenses (big bucks) or sticking with P&S super-zoom cameras. Fortunately, your camera is 137 years old (in camera years), so you have some options. Looking at Wirecutter for superzoom cameras I see both tiny cameras with the same zoom (Sony DSCHX80) and cameras with the same form factor that have insane zoom (Nikon COOLPIX 8700, with a 60x zoom). Both are in the $300-$500 range.
I'm not recommending either of them, but it's clear from that page that you have options.
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 10:43 AM on January 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
I note that your camera has an impressive zoom. That's going to be impossible to replicate with one lens on an SLR, so you either need to commit to getting multiple lenses (big bucks) or sticking with P&S super-zoom cameras. Fortunately, your camera is 137 years old (in camera years), so you have some options. Looking at Wirecutter for superzoom cameras I see both tiny cameras with the same zoom (Sony DSCHX80) and cameras with the same form factor that have insane zoom (Nikon COOLPIX 8700, with a 60x zoom). Both are in the $300-$500 range.
I'm not recommending either of them, but it's clear from that page that you have options.
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 10:43 AM on January 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
From my admittedly shallow experience, cameras just aren't that great for taking video... they're designed for stills. They "can" take video, but I've usually seen that my phone camera takes better video than any of my compact cameras or DSLRs, so I always whip out my phone for video when the time comes for it. This guy did a comparison where he shows the image quality of an iPhone 6 to be better than the Canon D750 he uses for work.
Downside to phone cameras is that the suffer in low light (not sure how dim the tipping point would be) and they have no zoom, which could be dealbreakers, but honestly before buying something new, if you have a relatively new iPhone or Samsung Galaxy you could just try it and see how you like it, you may be surprised.
posted by xdvesper at 4:25 PM on January 1, 2018
Downside to phone cameras is that the suffer in low light (not sure how dim the tipping point would be) and they have no zoom, which could be dealbreakers, but honestly before buying something new, if you have a relatively new iPhone or Samsung Galaxy you could just try it and see how you like it, you may be surprised.
posted by xdvesper at 4:25 PM on January 1, 2018
Sony makes a highly regarded point-and-shoot with a DSLR sensor and a first rate Lens thats easy to use and substantially more capable than all the other point-and-shoot cameras. Its th Sony RX100, 200 and 300 models. They cost as much as a DSLR though.
posted by Fupped Duck at 4:59 PM on January 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Fupped Duck at 4:59 PM on January 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
Since you don't want to spend the time with settings or editing RAW, 'Auto' isn't baby mode. It's the right tool for the job.
Almost any current camera with a larger sensor will outclass the SX500is by a margin of 'wow'. The best value might be the Canon EOS M3. It's mirrorless. No viewfinder, only LCD. Same sensor as in Canon's entry level DSLRs. Manual control is possible, but it was designed for point and shoot.
First version of the camera (EOS M) had poor autofocus. By the M3 it had improved to average for mirrorless cameras. Still, it's not suitable for shooting action like a kid or dog running around.
Video is 1080p at 24, 25 and 30 fps. Good enough for you? The SX500is has 720p.
BH Photo Video currently has a 2 lens kit (18-55, 55-200) of moderate speed zooms for $779.
I bought an EOS M after both I dropped my camera 3 weeks before planned travel and Canon slashed the price in half. A year later I moved into micro four thirds (m43). The image quality of Canon's moderate speed standard zoom was so much better than the best of the similar m43 lens that I thought my copy was defective. It wasn't.
Size comparision: SX500is vs EOS M3
posted by Homer42 at 10:26 PM on January 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
Almost any current camera with a larger sensor will outclass the SX500is by a margin of 'wow'. The best value might be the Canon EOS M3. It's mirrorless. No viewfinder, only LCD. Same sensor as in Canon's entry level DSLRs. Manual control is possible, but it was designed for point and shoot.
First version of the camera (EOS M) had poor autofocus. By the M3 it had improved to average for mirrorless cameras. Still, it's not suitable for shooting action like a kid or dog running around.
Video is 1080p at 24, 25 and 30 fps. Good enough for you? The SX500is has 720p.
BH Photo Video currently has a 2 lens kit (18-55, 55-200) of moderate speed zooms for $779.
I bought an EOS M after both I dropped my camera 3 weeks before planned travel and Canon slashed the price in half. A year later I moved into micro four thirds (m43). The image quality of Canon's moderate speed standard zoom was so much better than the best of the similar m43 lens that I thought my copy was defective. It wasn't.
Size comparision: SX500is vs EOS M3
posted by Homer42 at 10:26 PM on January 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
Longtime DSLR shooter here. You know whatim taking 99% of my favorite photos on? My silly iPhone 7+. It’s always with me, works well enough in lowish light, has a portrait mode which has made passable portraits my family loves and paired w Google photos I don’t have to worry about backing up.
posted by iiniisfree at 10:55 PM on January 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by iiniisfree at 10:55 PM on January 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
(By lowish light I mean I took a spur of the moment indoor dinner table photo w candlelight & I can see the expression on everyone’s face). It’s nothing I’m going to blow up to frame on a wall but it’s shareable and was so great not having to deal w charging, memory transfer or carrying anything else that evening.
posted by iiniisfree at 11:00 PM on January 1, 2018
posted by iiniisfree at 11:00 PM on January 1, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
Do you record sound on your videos? You might consider a DSLR/mirrorless that you can plug an external microphone into.
Lastly, if you need to record longer clips, be aware most dslrs have a sub 30 minute max length for tax reasons.
posted by TheAdamist at 6:36 AM on January 1, 2018 [5 favorites]