My life with cameras started very simply, with a cheap plastic point + shoot film camera.

It probably cost RM80 at the time, there was no focus, it was auto flash and the film processing and printing cost heaps all the time.
Unfortunately, it was also the time when i was experimenting with photography, resulting in scores of blurry photographs which only i seemed to deem AMAZING! and LOVELY! and artistic.

Then i started fooling around with my Dad’s old mechanical camera when he figured i was old enough not to break it.
I learnt what shutter speed, aperture, and different films could give you.
And my dad learnt how much photo printing bills cost from giving your camera to your snap happy daughter.

During college, i started using a compact digicam and an SLR.
In a nutshell:
The SLR usually meant = better pictures, heavier camera and work
The compact digicam meant = play camera! Take everywhere with you and snap things like bugs and leaves and raindrops and partying!

Over the years, digicams have got better and better,
resulting in me racking my brains at to which cam to bring out at times.

Yes, the SLR took great shots.
But it’s so bulky!
The digicam can take decent shots too,
but what if i saw something that required more functions?

Anyway, I was thinking it’ll be cool to go through the different pros and cons
between an SLR and compact cam.

1. Image Quality

It’s fine if i’m taking pics for my blog,
but nonetheless better if the pic quality is high
(in case i have to use it for other purposes)

This was taken with my compact cam in Krabi
and when i zoom in…

This was taken with my SLR in Bali

and when i zoom in…

Photos taken by both cameras received no photoshopping (save for cropping)
and it’s obvious how the detail on the photograph taken by the SLR is much better.

No contest, the SLR is better.

2. DOF – Depth of Field

With the SLR, you can adjust the aperture from as low as 1.o to infinity
Your focal point is more accurate where you want it to be.

Whereas for a compact cam; i either use macro, normal, or infinity.

Read more about DOP here.

This was taken with my compact cam.
You can see how the foreground (crowd), focal point (model), and background (crowd) is all somewhat in focus.
Can do, but just about.

This was taken with my SLR.
So obvious how this picture looks so much better cos the focal point (colourful costume) is sharp,
compared to the foreground (blurry stage) and background (onlookers)
3. Far-off shots.

I know that i can just as well give up taking pictures from far away
if i’m using a compact cam,
as the lens size, shutter speed and zoom just doesn’t allow me to capture things
if it’s on a stage for instance.

I took the pic below with my compact cam when i went for Beauty & The Beast.
That was really the BEST i could do after playing around with the exposure and zoom quickly
(cos we weren’t allowed to take pictures :p)

Below is taken by my SLR using its kit lens.

At least it’s much sharper, and still acceptable if i crop it further.

And if i were to take pictures at a concert for work, i’d use my SLR for sure,
like for the picture below taken at Baybeats Sg.

4. Speed.

Shutter speed is so important when i want to capture something that’s going to be moving fast
If it’s daylight, i know it’ll be fine on the compact cam
But if it’s dark, more often than not, the moving object will be blurry with the bg being sharp

With the SLR, at least i can adjust the shutter speed to my liking.

5. Night effects.

The compact cam takes some cool night effects,
tho at times it’s really hit and miss.

But never the matter, nothing endless snapping can’t fix!

It’s fine when taking close up shots like above,
but a bit fail when taking shots of objects that are further away in the dark and the flash can’t reach it
(or in this case, her, when Serena was giving us a heart attack posing too close to a 7-storey drop)

Of course, the SLR takes cool night shots too
Super clear, with colour in the background being as important as object

(this wasn’t taken by my cam btw, think it was Matt’s)

6. Size and weight.

my SLR = 600 grams
my compact cam = 150 grams

My compact cam fits into my hand/hangs from my wrist easily.
My SLR has to be held in both hands (else i’d drop it >.<) and hangs from one shoulder.

It goes without saying that a compact cam is SO MUCH easier to bring around and shoot
especially when you least expect to
which is sometimes, i’d say, when you may get the most interesting shots!

Not to mention, i much prefer having a smaller cam for inconspicuous shots.

These pictures were taken by my compact cam one Cheng Beng at the temple
Doubt i’d be able to get any pictures if i was lugging an SLR around :p
I did get scolded after half an hour to stop taking pictures,
but not before i got these! 

Can’t help it, i love the compact cam for how easy it is to bring around
To the point i’ve neglected my SLR for months at a time.

>.<

These below were taken by snap-happy me with my compact cam:

It’s much easier and faster (with less complicating knobs and functions)

But then again, my SLR takes great pictures like THIS which my compact can’t get!

ISO: SLRs are usually better, tho some compact cams have very high and low ISOs now
Other things to consider are your flash settings, AF Mode, white balance settings, colour modes, saturation settings, battery life, etc.

When it comes to other functions,
the SLR usually reigns due to its size and price.

Though i have to say the compact cams nowadays are very competitive in what they offer as well.
Almost living up to the SLRs.

At the end of the day, i still manage some cool images thanks to my compact cam
It still manages great images as long as i get the subject, angle and lighting.
And i don’t have to lug around a big cam all the time.

Yet (see, i’m jumping again!) the SLR takes spectacular pictures.

If you could only bring one around with you always, which would it be?

The SLR?
– better pictures, heavier, more functions, better zoom, more detail.

Or the compact cam?
– lighter, easier to carry around, still gets you a great picture.

I rarely ask people to comment, but if you could, please do.

I’d like to know 

If you’d rather, you could comment on www.thebigcameradebate.com for more fun
as DJs Ben and Phat Fabes from Fly.FM battle it out on The Pagi Show

Ben says that SLRs/Pros are the way go to,
whereas Phat Fabes says compacts can give SLRs a run for their money.

Up until 16th June (next Tuesday), they’ll be debating every morning
and YOU get to join in the debate by commenting on www.thebigcameradebate.com

By helping them comment your argument (you have to pick a side of course!)
you get:
– to let YOUR voice be heard on why you think a pro/comp cam is better
– to determine who’s the winner of the daily debate
– to witness the loser performing outrageous dares
– a chance to win a camera worth RM1,500!

Day 2’s dare started out fairly tame, with the loser having to call the winner his Daddy
Battle of the Egos!

The PROS won, with Phat Fabes having to call Ben his Daddy.

You can watch the results and video updates (of the dares) on the website DAILY

I just watched Phat Fabes being bullied by Ben and kesian!
(But quite funny also ha ha)
Not to mention the number of comments on Ben’s side seems to be more than Fabes!

If nobody helps Fabes… i think he’s going to be doing dares every day till the 16th ok

Go check out the videos and comment now!

www.thebigcameradebate.com

     COMMENTS (8)