Need Advice - About to be new parent - Sony DSC HX100V or Nikon d3100?

[theride66]

Hi guys. I've had an old Canon Power Shot from 2004, which i have been using for years. Because i am about to be a new parent next month, i'd like to upgrade my rather ancient Powershot. I'm thinking of either getting a Superzoom camera (Sony DSC HX100V) or a DLSR (Nikon d3100). Now i know DLSR comes with a higher learning curve and is not your typical point and shoot camera and is more bulkier. However, i think once i have it i will really get into it.

Having said that, i've always been a point and shoot guy and with a new baby growing everyday, i wan't something simple and easy with good pictures and video which the Sony seems to offer. Plus i'm not an expert photographer at all, so i don't know if i would be really able to tell the diference in picture quality between a superzoom and a DLSR.

Also, i was hoping to not spend more than $500.

My understanding is that the Sony model that i listed is the best superzoom out there and that the Nikon is the best entry level DLSR with 1080p video. Is it practical to have a DLSR as your go to camera for a newborn/toddler/child or is it more practical to go with a superzoom?

Please help. If there are other models that i should be looking at, please let me know.



Thanks,
Rider

[kennyhohoho]

How much time do you think you can devote to learning how to use a DSLR?

If you think you devote a few hours here and there to learning the basics, I'd recommend the DSLR. But if you think that you won't have the time to do any of that, a DSLR just amounts to a really expensive and heavy point and shoot.

Even if you DON'T plan on going down the DSLR route, I would recommend something like the Canon S95, Panasonic LX5, or Canon G12 instead of a superzoom.

These are the best "point and shoot" cameras right now, but still provide some manual control if you so choose. They also shoot RAW, which is nice :)

[smartie]

I had exactly same questions 10 months ago:) just my two cents
1: video function is the must!
2: I don;t think you will have time to learn DSLR,even you do,probably just basic function,so I don't think it will be much different. for bday party,DSLR is better,but in most case,you won't want to carry DSLR,too heavy
3: memory card at least 16G.
4: buy a WD hard drive for backup
5: like Kenny said,might be s95 or lx5 is better

[mk5gti]

i actually start learning to use DSLR with my 1st baby, (2nd one coming btw), with P&S, it just wo'nt cut it, .....you are force to use flash all the time if you P&S isn't the fancy one (big sensor with large aperture lens), since your newborn will sleep all the time, light would be dim.

from a Parent point of view, you don't need a Super zoom, not until they rearch 3+ of age.....

out of the two, i would get the D3100, for better low light, and overall Image quality, especially if you decide to print 8x10 or larger a lot....

if video is as important as pictures, i would recommand you getting a Sony NEX 3, or Panasonic G3, especially the G3, video Autofocus is way better than the Nikon 3100.

I would get the G3 if i were you, that is from a parent point of view.

hope this help

[goofball]

Most definitely the Nikon D3100. Save up to invest in something as simple as an SB-400 and you will be very happy with the results (though if you can find an SB-600 used, it's a much better flash)
You don't need to really pay that much attention. My wife knows nothing about camera settings. I put the DSLR on M mode, shutter speed at 1/125 (newborns typically don't move that much unless they are crying/freaking out), flash on bounce mode, ISO 400, and she just takes pictures. Yes, it's a glorified point and shoot but the results were much better than the P&S that we have, to the point that the P&S has been sold and she prefers the DSLR now.

[theride66]

Thanks for all the replies. What i liked about the Sony DSC HX100V is the 1080p video and the optical zoom and not having to carry another lens around and the nice LCD display. I realize the picture quality is not going to be the same as a DSLR. With respect to the DSLR, for those that have it, how crucial is a zoom lense, especially when photographing kids, new borns. Do you guys get buy on the kit lens? My problem with the DSLR is the high cost and the high cost of a telephoto lens, flash, mic on top of that. That's why i figure i was getting everything all in one package with sony and for under $500.

Is there a DSLR that gives me 1080p recording (good autofocs is a must) and enough zoom in one lense?

[NewsyL]

Thanks for all the replies. What i liked about the Sony DSC HX100V is the 1080p video and the optical zoom and not having to carry another lens around and the nice LCD display. I realize the picture quality is not going to be the same as a DSLR. With respect to the DSLR, for those that have it, how crucial is a zoom lense, especially when photographing kids, new borns. Do you guys get buy on the kit lens? My problem with the DSLR is the high cost and the high cost of a telephoto lens, flash, mic on top of that. That's why i figure i was getting everything all in one package with sony and for under $500.

Is there a DSLR that gives me 1080p recording (good autofocs is a must) and enough zoom in one lense?

I've used both P&S 3x and 20x zooms and a DSLR with a 17-70mm and 50-500mm to catch "kid" shots. A zoom of 5x or less is not a deal breaker for shooting kids. The autofocus speed is critical. Having the camera close at hand when something is happening is critical. Even a DSLR can miss fast moving kids especially when you have to remove your precious DSLR from its travel bag. I wish I'd had digital HD video available when my kids were younger.

Personally, after my experience, I'd be interested in the Sony DSC-HX9V or the Nikon S9100 for the kid photos.

Have you checked out image and video samples on Flickr or YouTube or Vimeo ? One thing about reviews from technical review sites - they can get very pissy over small details that are not noticeable to the average user. So read some reviews but for sure look at samples and think about if these are results you'd be happy with.

example:

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=sony+DSC-HX100v

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25KhqQJnY9Y

http://vimeo.com/25508528

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/CPS9100/CPS9100A.HTM

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/HX9V/HX9VA.HTM

http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/nikon/coolpix-s9100/nikon-coolpix-s9100-review.html

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/comparisons/2011-compact-gps-ultra-zoom-cameras


After looking at some of the sample HX100v videos, I like that you can barely (if at all) hear the lens zooming in and out while the video is recording. Videos look decent.

[amyandjason]

Thanks for all the replies. What i liked about the Sony DSC HX100V is the 1080p video and the optical zoom and not having to carry another lens around and the nice LCD display. I realize the picture quality is not going to be the same as a DSLR. With respect to the DSLR, for those that have it, how crucial is a zoom lense, especially when photographing kids, new borns. Do you guys get buy on the kit lens? My problem with the DSLR is the high cost and the high cost of a telephoto lens, flash, mic on top of that. That's why i figure i was getting everything all in one package with sony and for under $500.

Is there a DSLR that gives me 1080p recording (good autofocs is a must) and enough zoom in one lense?

The biggest difference you'll initially see in a DSLR coming from a point and shoot is the speed. You can get great pictures with a cheap entry level model like the Canon XS, whereas in a couple years, your point and shoot pictures will usually be of your toddler running out of the frame ;)

With my kids, I prefer a single zoom lens to the better quality you might get with primes or multiple zooms covering shorter ranges. I find the versatility of the 18-135 is a nice compromise on quality/price (can be had for around 250 used, maybe less). There are plenty of other options too, depending on what you want, but with young kids, it is difficult to juggle lenses.

As for the video - if you're a new to manually focusing, then you'll probably find a steep learning curve with DSLR video. Might be better to buy a cheap (ideally waterproof) camera or pocket HD video recorder to supplement the DSLR. We use the point and shoot to record a video of the cake coming out, while I can still take pictures with the DSLR.

[theride66]

The biggest difference you'll initially see in a DSLR coming from a point and shoot is the speed. You can get great pictures with a cheap entry level model like the Canon XS, whereas in a couple years, your point and shoot pictures will usually be of your toddler running out of the frame ;)

With my kids, I prefer a single zoom lens to the better quality you might get with primes or multiple zooms covering shorter ranges. I find the versatility of the 18-135 is a nice compromise on quality/price (can be had for around 250 used, maybe less). There are plenty of other options too, depending on what you want, but with young kids, it is difficult to juggle lenses.

As for the video - if you're a new to manually focusing, then you'll probably find a steep learning curve with DSLR video. Might be better to buy a cheap (ideally waterproof) camera or pocket HD video recorder to supplement the DSLR. We use the point and shoot to record a video of the cake coming out, while I can still take pictures with the DSLR.

So if i went the DSLR route and i want good HD Video, should i go for canon t2i (its on sale at downtown camera for $690) or nikon d3100? I'm not good with manual focus, but i'm a quick learner.

[k__dam]

I would recommend a dslr with a 35mm 1.8 prime lens. What i do for my gf is put the camera in aperature priority mode and set the aperature to 1.8....and all she has to do is point and shoot.

Pictures comes out pretty amazing compared to digital camera. If you buy used, you'll probably be in your $500 range

[hightech]

I would recommend a dslr with a 35mm 1.8 prime lens. What i do for my gf is put the camera in aperature priority mode and set the aperature to 1.8....and all she has to do is point and shoot.

Pictures comes out pretty amazing compared to digital camera. If you buy used, you'll probably be in your $500 range

Setting a lens to 1.8 and shooting is a rookie mistake. You need to understand the depth of field correctly or else your pics will not be properly taken. I just saw some guys pics who did the same thing and they turned out like crap because only part of the subject was in focus and the rest was too blurred. You would be better off setting the prime to 4.0 and shooting and having a better chance of the images being in focus and a nice bokeh.

[k__dam]

Setting a lens to 1.8 and shooting is a rookie mistake. You need to understand the depth of field correctly or else your pics will not be properly taken. I just saw some guys pics who did the same thing and they turned out like crap because only part of the subject was in focus and the rest was too blurred. You would be better off setting the prime to 4.0 and shooting and having a better chance of the images being in focus and a nice bokeh.

Makes sense. Thanks for the tips!

[theride66]

i wound up getting a Canon t2i. Amazing camera. Can't even believe i was thinking about getting the Sony.