I've kept my P&S and it does go along on trips but I also find that I go trough a lot of trouble to pack my D50 if at all possible. Reason being is that I experience shooting my little Fuji as very restrictive compared to my Nikon.Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/..

I have three levels of kit..

1. DSLR and heavy, high quality lenses - for doing stuff in 'studio.

2. Small DSLR - just like you are looking at - for high quality images on holidays, special events, etc.

3. P&S (about to buy) - a take every where option..

At the end of the day a dslr is something I have to think about when I take it out - but it gives me much better images when I do..

However a p&s (or more accurately a compact camera) is for all the other times, eg at work every day, in the pub, at a party, on the street, etc...

I've never felt that DSLR's were well suited to the "just grab and go" role. My small bag holds the camera body, three lenses, a flash and bounce card, a white balance reference card, a memory card case, usb cable, a slew of filters, cleaning supplies, ball head, etc. On occasion I'll grab just the camera with the midrange zoom. This is fine for a stroll, but not so good for casual social occasions where the omnipresent camera tends to identify you as "the photographer". So yes, different situations call for different tools...

Yes, I have a little wide-angle Panasonic that slips easily into my jeans pocket. Mostly I can't be bothered to carry my 400D with me, which is a shame, but the Panasonic does a great job and meets my expectations of it easily.Androohttp://Androo.smugmug.com..

I always end up with three cameras:.

1, Big, heavy and serious - currently a d/SLR.

2, Itsy-bitsy to carry in my shirt pocket or similar, and.

3, Something in between for travel to far off places when neither 1 (heavy) or 2 (small) will do..

30 years ago it was an Olympus XA (Very small CRF), Pentax (SLR) and Leica CL (medium sized CRF). Nowadays Olympus E-500 or E-20 for 1, Olympus 300 or Fuji F455 for 2 and Leica Digilux 2 for travel..

Wider choice these days as I can't trade in the old stuff and won't throw it away whilst it still works....

Regards, David..

I'd say that 99% of people who own a DSLR/SLR also own a small point & shoot type camera..

Tomorrow my wife and daughter are flying cross country to visit relatives for a few days. She'll take a camera with her for family type snap shots but it certainly won't be a DSLR...

I have:.

1/ Nikon D200 and lenses. Goes almost everywhere with me IF I'm sure I'll be taking pix..

2/ Fujifilm E-900 in a LowePro belt pouch. Goes along with me most times I'm out, whether to work or play. Small, light, fastish and shoots RAW if I need it to. Also does reasonable video..

HTH.Rob.

If you're bored...http://braveulysses.deviantart.com/gallery.

'Have the courage to be ignorant of a great number of things, in order to avoid the calamity of being ignorant of everything.' Sydney Smith (1771-1845)..

I use a DSLR, lenses and flash etc for work and some leisure..

A little Canon s400 to go in my pocket when a big camera is a bad idea. (Using focus and exposure lock can give plenty of latitude.).

And more recently a Fuji 9100 to help me get back what I was missing in terms of live preview and flip out LCD on the DSLR, plus the inconvenience of having to change lenses in difficult locations. Suitable for less demanding work and also leisure where carrying a kit bag is annoying..

I would of course prefer it if the little Canon pocket camera did everything. (The little thing nearly always gets exposure and focus right though!) But a flip out LCD is a good aid to composition and a 3x zoom is insufficient..

John.Please visit me at:http://www.pbase.com/johnfr/backtothebridgehttp://www.pbase.com/johnfr..

I currently have a small P&S, but I almost never use it as the quality is so much lower than a DSLR....

That's why I am eagerly awaiting the Sigma DP-1, because it's a compact with a DSLR sensor. The perfect thing just to have around, when you can't have your DSLR..

Your reasoning on the size of the DSLR is very sound - no DSLR is small enough to really carry around like a P&S camera. It's good to have both..

> Kendallhttp://InsideAperture.comhttp://www.pbase.com/kgelnerhttp://www.pbase.com/sigmadslr/user_home..

My Ricoh GX8 goes everywhere with me, my DSLR (Minolta 7D) doesn't. Guess which camera gets used more? .

Prog...

Image quality just not good enough, if I do take a compact tends to be 35mm..

If I were to pick one, a fuji F20/31FD would be decent.......

Image control:Zoom outZoom 100%Zoom inExpand AllOpen in new window.

Clint is on holiday! Soon to return! ..

Yes. I took my son and his friend to Knotts Berry Farm this last weekend. I didn't want to leave my SLR and lenses when we went on the thrill rides; my P&S was happily tucked in my pants pocket. The pictures are okay, not near what my SLR would do, but the memories are what matters...

Barry Fitzgerald wrote:.

Image quality just not good enough, if I do take a compact tends tobe 35mm..

Well, then those kit lenses that so many DSLR owners use are also not good enough in your book, right? My GX8 puts my 7D + KM 18-70 to shame, and when used in low-ISO, noise is not an issue unless you pixel peep real hard..

I wouldn't recommend the GX8 (or similar cameras) to those who are looking for good quality in high-ISO, but not everyone does, believe it or not..

Prog...

Oh, and one more thing - scanned 35mm is a very poor solution in my experience, regardless of camera/film/lens combinations. You might get good results from drum scanners, but those make the whole thing way too expensive..

Prog...

Prognathous wrote:.

Oh, and one more thing - scanned 35mm is a very poor solution in myexperience, regardless of camera/film/lens combinations. You mightget good results from drum scanners, but those make the whole thingway too expensive..

Prog..

I have a film scanner, and whilst decent, nothing beats direct from negative..not an issue to me. I just load ilford b&w and off we go..

As for the 18-70mm, I find it excellent and versatile, if not fast. Suitable for paid for work also. I know shocking isnt it? .

Image control:Zoom outZoom 100%Zoom inExpand AllOpen in new window.

Clint is on holiday! Soon to return! ..

Every camera has a specific fit that it works best for..

I carry a small F series fuji for indoors / flash, such as at parties, dinners, stores, etc....and I also like to carry a nice Pansonic for when I'm outside and need either a good zoom or wide angle..

My old Nikon 995 is great for Macro Work. My Sony 717 is an all around great camera..

Several others too as I can't get enough of them  .

TimColumbus, Ohiohttp://www.pbase.com/pdqgp..

Yes, although I am between P&S's at the moment. I still my Canon A75 which I still love even though it is a 3.2 Mp camera. My 10 year old son has currently inherited that camera though he allows me to use it from time to time.....  .

I'm not sure where I'm going to go but I have a few requirements in a P&S, that is AA batteries and either CF or SD cards, since both my DSLRS use these, I have tons of AA NiMH batteries and plenty of memory cards. I've been leaning towards one of the small Fuji A series cameras as a quick and easy pocketable camera..

JohnPentax *ist-D, K100D, Oly Stylushttp://www.pbase.com/jglover..

Currently I don't have a P & S system. I am considering the Canon G7 sometime in the future. There are times when a dslr is too intrusive and makes people nervous such as in a resteraunt as an example.http://www.pbase.com/mikesf..

Right now I have a point and shoot, a bridge camera and a DSLR. I'm thinking I don't need all 3 but I'm not sure. The Sony H9 gives great zoom range, at a lower price than it would cost to buy an equivalent focal length lens for my D80 so thats kinda handy. Also, my F20 is good in low light situations like my DSLR, but it's for times where I don't want to bring a huge camera, so that would be places like restaurants, pubs etc. But as of now, I am using and learning with my D80 so the others are not getting much use at moment.KelvinNikon D80, 18-200mm VR, SB-600 FlashGalleries (Taken with a Sony H5):.

Hawaiihttp://picasaweb.google.com/corrsfreak/Hawaii?authkey=QMYfcNocFqQCar show:http://picasaweb.google.com/.../corrsfreak/CarShowMar18?authkey=vdeSQn7a_sgZoo and Ducks:http://picasaweb.google.com/...corrsfreak/CalgaryZooMar17?authkey=DvyRbU989F0..

I have 2 DSLRs (D50/E-330) and a Nikon L4 P&S. While I'd like to take the DSLRs everywhere, the tiny and inexpensive L4 is nice when portability is more important than image quality. Or in situations where I don't want to risk damaging the DSLR such as on a golf cart or small fishing boat.Paul..

I just got a D40, but I also have a Minolta Z1 and a Canon A410. I use all three...

AnnK wrote:.

Question for current DSLR users - do you use both P&S and DSLR? Ismy reasoning sound....or once I start using DSLR will I never wantto go back to P&S? Thanks for sharing your thoughts....Ann.

Sure, like many DSLR owners, I have a P&S as well (several in fact). Like many DSLR owners I first had the P&S before getting the DSLR and it's assortment of lenses, and I even bought two P&S's after getting the DSLR..

Sometimes, I will take the pocket camera (Fuji F30) just in case something interesting comes up. Sometimes I take the superzoom camera (Olympus C-2100UZ/Canon S1) so I don't have to futz around with changing lenses, etc. Usually my S1 just sits in the car in case I see anything interesting when driving, and I can pull over to the shoulder to take the shot. Its a tradeoff, between small size and functionality. Usually though, if I'm taking something more than a quick snapshot, I quickly remember why I upgraded to a DSLR and threaten to throw the camera against a wall (particularly if they can't get a focus lock)...

I use both. Mostly use a Nikon D80, but I have a Canon S3 IS (more of a "bridge" camera) that I still use it's real handy for social events where a big DSLR might be out of place. The S3 is a lot smaller than the D80, but it won't fit in a pocket. Next camera will probably be a sub compact P&S that I can leave in my car and will fit in a pocket...

When I want something I can just stick in my pocket, I grab my F10. (I got it before the F30 was available - I would definitely have preferred having aperture priority and shutter priority modes)..

Plus it can take movies, something which no DSLR can do..

Chris..

Prognathous wrote:.

I wouldn't recommend the GX8 (or similar cameras) to those who arelooking for good quality in high-ISO, but not everyone does,believe it or not..

What about highlight clipping?Regards, Ajayhttp://picasaweb.google.com/ajay0612..

Ajay0612 wrote:.

Prognathous wrote:.

I wouldn't recommend the GX8 (or similar cameras) to those who arelooking for good quality in high-ISO, but not everyone does,believe it or not..

What about highlight clipping?.

I avoid highlight clipping the same way I do with my DSLR - using negative exposure compensation when needed. In fact, on the GX8 it's even easier, as the camera has live histogram, a useful feature that's missing on almost all DSLR's..

Prog...

Exactly. So on a typical sunny day (more so when shooting snowy mountains, including clouds in scene etc.), shadows will virtually be obliterated to total darkness (high tone curve & excessive shadow noise if one try to lift up the shadows). As DSLRs have more DR, there is more information in shadows coupled with less noise..

Prognathous wrote:.

Ajay0612 wrote:.

Prognathous wrote:.

I wouldn't recommend the GX8 (or similar cameras) to those who arelooking for good quality in high-ISO, but not everyone does,believe it or not..

What about highlight clipping?.

I avoid highlight clipping the same way I do with my DSLR - usingnegative exposure compensation when needed. In fact, on the GX8it's even easier, as the camera has live histogram, a usefulfeature that's missing on almost all DSLR's..

Prog..

Regards, Ajayhttp://picasaweb.google.com/ajay0612..

Ajay0612 wrote:.

Exactly. So on a typical sunny day (more so when shooting snowymountains, including clouds in scene etc.), shadows will virtuallybe obliterated to total darkness (high tone curve & excessiveshadow noise if one try to lift up the shadows). As DSLRs have moreDR, there is more information in shadows coupled with less noise..

I don't find DR to be that much different than what I get with the 7D. All I need to do is make sure the exposure is correct, and the resulting images are usually very much to my liking..

The DR of small-sensor cameras (e.g. my GX8 and Oly C5060) is not something that makes me regret leaving my DSLR at home, YMMV..

If you're looking for imperfections in the GX8, you can find them in my (generally positive) user review of the camera:.

Http://www.dpreview.com/...inion_text.asp?prodkey=ricoh_gx8&opinion=35943.

Prog...

I followed the link there and saw some real good shots taken by you..

But I have lost many landscape images due to DR limitation of S602 (Shadows become too noisy then. Your style may not need to lift up shadow much). So I always take pains to take my R1 (and bulky tripod) with me, while S602 is used to capture movie clips of kids:-) and occasional incidental photograph..

Prognathous wrote:.

Ajay0612 wrote:.

Exactly. So on a typical sunny day (more so when shooting snowymountains, including clouds in scene etc.), shadows will virtuallybe obliterated to total darkness (high tone curve & excessiveshadow noise if one try to lift up the shadows). As DSLRs have moreDR, there is more information in shadows coupled with less noise..

I don't find DR to be that much different than what I get with the7D. All I need to do is make sure the exposure is correct, and theresulting images are usually very much to my liking..

The DR of small-sensor cameras (e.g. my GX8 and Oly C5060) is notsomething that makes me regret leaving my DSLR at home, YMMV..

If you're looking for imperfections in the GX8, you can find themin my (generally positive) user review of the camera:.

Http://www.dpreview.com/...inion_text.asp?prodkey=ricoh_gx8&opinion=35943.

Prog..

Regards, Ajayhttp://picasaweb.google.com/ajay0612..

Ann,.

I started with a P&S but now have my D80. I am using it more (just because it is new) but there are times when you will not want to take it or your not allowed..

Certain places will allow you to take a P&S and do not want you to have a "professional" camera. We did this at a local concert..

I will never give up my P&S because there is nothing wrong with it. In fact, there are times, my wife and I are shooting at the same time..

Mike.

Just starting out and having fun at it!.

Nikon D80 18-135mmNikon Coolpix 3100 (Hey, I had to start somewhere)..

I have 3 point and shoots:.

An Olympus C-8080 and a Canon Pro-1 - great lenses but not small cameras and not good for low light. Between the two I prefer the 8080. Both are discontinued..

I don't like noisy shutter sounds and the size of the SLR if I'm at a get-together. Most other point and shoots need a flash indoors and that becomes annoying to other people. I recently got a Fuji F31fd. The F31 is quiet, small and does OK in available light.The Fuji belt pouch for it is worth getting..

The F40 is smaller and 8mp but not as good in low light..

Jon Stony Plain Alberta..

Jon,.

That is a great point. The two drawbacks to my Coolpix 3100 was small LCD (it was big at the time I bought it) and that it did not perform well in low light. This one used AA batteries and ate them up pretty quick, but that is why they make rechargables..

Mike.

Just starting out and having fun at it!.

Nikon D80 18-135mmNikon Coolpix 3100 (Hey, I had to start somewhere)..

I prefer the handling and overall functionality of the C7070, but the CP8400 has a sharper lens. Given good light, the CP8400 takes images as sharp or sharper than most 8Mp dDSLRs. It loses about a stop of dynamic range. It also gives me a 24mm capability without having to buy one for my DSLR..

These are both "jacket-pocketable" cameras..

There are plenty of cameras that would be smaller and cost less that would be perfectly good for many snapshooting situations. The main limitation of the two cameras above is you have limited ways to get shallow DoF and they don't do particularly well in low light..

So now I'm thinking that I should relook at DSLR's and evaluatesome of the larger size models - like the D80 (which would open upall of the Nikon lenses for auto focus). I can see myself using theDSLR most of the time, and the P&S for those times (like yesterday)when I just don't have enough hands to bring along a camera bag. Inthat case, having the smallest DSLR available isn't as big of afactor in my purchase decision - I'll still have the P&S for thosetimes when I really need something small..

Take a look at the Olympus E-410 before you make a final decision..

Question for current DSLR users - do you use both P&S and DSLR? Ismy reasoning sound....or once I start using DSLR will I never wantto go back to P&S?.

I usually carry a compact in addition to my DSLR. It sometimes makes more sense than carrying an additional lens..

Your reasoning seems sound enough to me. But it depends on your honesty with yourself about your own behaviour and preferences..

Jay Turbervillehttp://www.jayandwanda.com..

MY son, he's 12, has a point and shoot camra that we use sometimes when we don't really want to work at picture taking..

And the other day I went to a birthday party (60 year old) and left my camera in the car. I just borrowed his wife's pint and shoot, and used it. She reports they really like the pictures..

So, yes, two cameras can be a good idea..

BAK..