Camera people? Should I swap my camera, or stick with it?

[Dizzy]

As we have a new addition on the way I've been thinking about trading my camera in for an even better one. To be fair, mine does take great photos, but I'd like one that takes great photos for even a novice to use on auto (as in my other half ). Like point the camera and click and wham. I will use the more manual functions when I play, but he doesn't have much of a clue.

Mine is currently the Panasonic lumic G3 and I have the 20mm pancake lens. I like a lot about it. It's small and light enough to take anywhere and fits into a handbag it takes nice photos, but it's not an slr, so does lack some of the finer details. I like the lens, but it's fixed so I can't zoom, so tend to have to shoot and crop later. I'm generally happy with it, but I find I do prefer it on manual mode to get the colour balance right, light dark etc.... My major issue is, I'm not quick enough to snap away in manual.

Reasons I'd want to swap.

Better quality photos more easily. Less editing afterward (I simply don't have the time or inclination to do much more than upload and go these days!!!!!) - so a good lens that can capture nice light and focus. I want a good reliable shot from auto so I can snap and go quickly without having to mess around afterwards.

In an ideal world what I REALLY want is an slr that uploads straight to your computer lol!!! That would be awesome. I never get my laptop out anymore now I have a tablet....

But I want photos to capture and print out and save in a photo album, and maybe frame. So picture quality is important. I will do basic (very basic) tweaking in a photo editor on those I I tend to print/frame.

Why I don't want a p&s - because I simply don't. I like playing with manual sometimes, I like getting quality photos.

I use my phone way more than my camera now to take pictures, which is a shame, but I can't be bothered to edit them tbh.... My plan is to set up a website to share private baby photos with family as I don't want many on Facebook (for privacy), so the ability to shoot, upload and share there is going to be a factor.

If I went dslr, I have to say I'd probably go canon, mainly because I'm biased as my dad is a canon advocate and excellent photographer and he always bought me canon p&s as a kid and I loved them lol

Sorry for the waffle!

So, ideas????

 

[yv0nne]

Honestly? If you're not going to take the camera off auto& you upgrade for better 'auto' photos.. you're just going to end with an expensive camera that takes p&s looking photos.

If I was you& wanted to upgrade, I would buy a cheaper camera body& funnel some money into a few different lenses. The glass on your camera will make the largest difference. I broke my very expensive zoom lens& had to borrow the cheaper version from a friend for Disney& was so disappointed in the quality after being so used to mine. I don't know how it works there, but here the kit lens is pretty dismal. Look into a zoom& 50mm prime& you should do alright. It won't fit in your purse anymore.. you're looking at either bringing it along in the diaper bag or not bringing it& still just using your phone for most shots.. then it is an expensive paperweight ahah

 

[MandyPug]

Instead of investing in a whole new camera like an SLR that you might not want to lug around, why not just get a new lens or two for your current one?

 

[Fran101]

I would upgrade, it's a baby! If you aren't happy with your current, nothing will inspire you to explore a DSLR like a baby/childhood photos

I am DSLR user that never comes off auto, I just like that it's fast and pictures come out lovely

I have a canon eos and have nothing but nice things to say about it

 

[Dizzy]

Because I've pretty much got the best lens for the camera I've got. At least it was when I bought it.

And I do like the slr functions, I will use it as a dslr and I'm not afraid of manual. But I also want quick snap functions. I need an all rounder which will take awesome auto pics as other half is clueless and I'm not good at quick snapping auto (like dog walks!! I tend to pose them in manual, but anything involving anything more I struggle). I'm not a photographer, so I need the best of both worlds I guess.

I could explore what lenses are out for the camera I have, that's an option too

 

[MandyPug]

Because I've pretty much got the best lens for the camera I've got. At least it was when I bought it.

There really isn't one lens that's the end all be best lens period end of sentence. It's all about what you're using it for. I just shot a two day long trip to a national park for a tourism company (from a golf cart, climbing up a mountain, on horseback, from a row boat and laying on the floor of a candy shop photographing their legendary pez collection... so many different situations) and i used all three of my lenses; 50mm, 18-55mm, and 70-300mm. There's a place for all of them depending on what you're shooting. No one lens is better all around than the other, they all have their jobs. The 18-55mm is probably the most versatile out of my three though if i don't have to worry about zooming far (like for a bear a half a km away). My 50mm (or a 35mm if i had one) is my portrait lens, i adore it but i know it's capabilities and don't expect it to full fill the niche of my zoom or wide angle either. Then my zoom i use largely for wildlife, it's not good for portraits or close range things obviously lol.