Superzoom vs. DSLR: Just Consider…

Just a point I want to drive home. Lot’s of folks land here looking for information on superzooms, and there is something to say for the amazing versatility of the modern superzoom camera. With their huge focal ranges, and relatively reasonable prices, they can seem irresistible to the  beginning photographer. But just take a moment to consider what you have going on inside the camera. The above illustrates the difference in sensor sizes between your typical superzoom (Canon PowerShot SX1 IS for example) and your average DSLR (Canon EOS Rebel XSi perhaps). Take 12 megapixels and insert on both sensors, and which one do you thing takes better, cleaner, higher quality photos?

But price is an issue you say? Hmmm… I’ll just remind you then that an excellent camera, like the Canon EOS Rebel XSi is about $650…..with a lens. And you’re well on you’re way to establishing a very nice camera system, where you can have exactly the lenses you need.

And if that’s too much, Canon, Nikon, and Sony all have even more affordable solutions. Just something to think about.

Canon EOS Rebel XSi at Amazon.

Continue the Discussion

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1. 

   Matt R says:

   December 9, 2009 at 6:46 pm

   Good point about sensor size. The DSLR will always win the IQ battle.
   But price *does* matter.
   In the UK an average superzoom is bout £300. A budget DSLR with a cheap 70-300mm is about £600, so twice as much.
   Then there is the portability issue. The DSLR with two lenses will weight at least twice the superzoom, and will require a more substantial camera bag. Some superzooms are coat pocket size. Would a DSLR with a 70-300mm fit in a coat pocket?
   It’s cost vs IQ vs size. Whichever is the most important determines what you buy.

   reply
   • 

     Patrick says:

     December 12, 2009 at 1:10 pm

     Matt,
     all good points. Personally IQ is king for me. It’s really all I care about so I’m NEVER really happy with small sensor IQ. But I’ll also probably never go past 300mm because of $$. Definitely a compromise.

     reply