I don't know how good you are with that Ixus. Greece during the daytime doesn't exactly mean low light situations. The D40, while being a very good camera, will not guarantee better pics in the auto mode..

As an alternative, why not pack a tripod or gorrilapod? Will allow you to shoot interiors a lot better.Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/..

Kenoo wrote:.

Hi!.

I currently have a Canon Ixus 70 that I have been kind of satisfiedwith. I does pretty much what I expect from it. However, it is a bitslow and taking photos in low light without flash is just not anoption..

But they are nice cameras and there's no law against using flash....

In a few weeks I am taking a trip to greece and I am thinking aboutgetting myself a Nikon D40. My question is, will I see alot ofdifference from my Ixus? To begin with I will probably take mostphotos on auto settings and I will be using the kit lens for now. Irealise that using manual settings is a large part of photographingwith a SLR and I am going to learn that, but for now I would justlike to know if it is a big step up if I just use auto settings withthe kit lens..

This is a difficult question to answer. My first thoughts were that the Canon is a nice camera and not one to disappoint. Which leads to my next point and that is that spending money on an expensive camera is not going to improve things for you at first. It takes time to learn how to use a dSLR and there is a lot to go wrong (often simply due to touching the wrong button without realising it). Getting out of trouble with a dSLR takes time and experience..

So my answer is that at first you won't see any difference but as/if you learn from your mistakes and RTFM (that means Read the Manual First - I'm not sure why the "F" is in the wrong place  ). The question is do you want that period of learning and making mistakes to happen during your holiday?.

BTW, yes, you can run an expensive dSLR in auto everything mode and it will behave like a P&S. Especially if you lock the ISO setting to about ISO 100 (perfect in Greece outdoors)..

Also, in your shoes I'd seriously consider spending a bit of money on a book and some extra media cards for the Canon and playing with it a lot before going on holiday. And asking friends to criticise the pictures....

As I said, it's a good camera and easy to cope with on holiday. With dSLR's you have to carry the things and all the bits and pieces _all the time_ or else leave it in the hotel room when out for a meal and worry about it being stolen (and all you photo's with it). Whereas with the Canon you can slip it into your pocket and that's the end of the matter. Far easier and far less worrying - especially when taking pictures of others who may be shy of a "pro" looking camera but relaxed by a tourist with a little camera..

Just my 2d worth..

Regards, David..

David Hughes wrote:.

Far easier and far less worrying - especially when takingpictures of others who may be shy of a "pro" looking camera butrelaxed by a tourist with a little camera..

Interesting thought..

Although, I can think up quite a few situations, where "pro"-looking camera and behavior may be less provocative and conspicious: "Why, he's just doing his job" vs "Damn those pesky tourists and their flashes"  No one-size-fits-all answer to that...

And with a kit lens the rendering of the D40 is going to be different. Take a look at these two samples, one taken by the Ixus 70 (different name, same model) and the other by a D40.http://www.steves-digicams.com/.../2007_reviews/sd1000/samples/img_0016.jpghttp://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/d40/samples/dsc_0362.jpgthen compare them to the same shot from a Canon 400D/XTihttp://www.steves-digicams.com/.../2006_reviews/rebelxti/samples/IMG_1559.JPG.

Personaly I think the difference is quite noticable, but it will depend on how big you intend to print as to how obvious it will look..

Kenoo wrote:.

Hi!.

I currently have a Canon Ixus 70 that I have been kind of satisfiedwith. I does pretty much what I expect from it. However, it is a bitslow and taking photos in low light without flash is just not anoption..

In a few weeks I am taking a trip to greece and I am thinking aboutgetting myself a Nikon D40. My question is, will I see alot ofdifference from my Ixus? To begin with I will probably take mostphotos on auto settings and I will be using the kit lens for now. Irealise that using manual settings is a large part of photographingwith a SLR and I am going to learn that, but for now I would justlike to know if it is a big step up if I just use auto settings withthe kit lens...

Considering those photos, i'd say the D40 one is a whole lot better. But they are taken on different ocasions which makes it hard to compare. But still, it looks alot better. If the difference is this large in good lightning, I guess it gets even larger when the conditions are worse, and thus it might be worth it...

Well... I've taken an Ixus on trips and had some very pleasing results from it, however there were plenty of times when I had to really work it hard to get around situations in which a DSLR would have managed it even better with just +/-EV. And not having 28mm wide angle equivalent on the Ixus was a real pain sometimes as it meant Canon Photostitch had to be used later (and it's not easy to keep those exposures consistent.).

D40 will give you clearer pictures (nicer quality to the sharpness) and sometimes even allow you to effectively isolate your subject from the background..

But it's going to be hanging around your neck like the proverbial millistone whereas an Ixus can be put in a pocket or clipped to your belt..

You can look at it logically: if you are a photo enthusiast and might want to sell your photos, or if you are in with a pixel peeping crowd then a DSLR is essential. If you want to enjoy your holiday and simply shoot some nice momentoes then it is not..

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

It does depend on the body and what lens(es) one takes. I find that I stay on the wide end for the most part when travelling and may get a DA21 limited pancake to go on my DS. That would keep the whole down to a reasonable size..

I am not sure what is available for the D40. I do know the lack of lens compatability limits the choices...

That the conditions where not vastly different. Here's another comparison, but this time in studio conditions (so the same lighting) and at 1600 ISO.http://www.steves-digicams.com/.../2007_reviews/sd1000/samples/img_0155.jpgand the D40http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/d40/samples/dsc_0228.jpg.

Kenoo wrote:.

Considering those photos, i'd say the D40 one is a whole lot better.But they are taken on different ocasions which makes it hard tocompare. But still, it looks alot better. If the difference is thislarge in good lightning, I guess it gets even larger when theconditions are worse, and thus it might be worth it...