All Cameras are NOT Created Equal

Well, it's going on two weeks without my Rebel and I must admit, I'm lost.  I've been using my Canon Power Shot S3 to take some pictures these last two weeks and I've noticed quite a bit of a difference.  My husband purchased this camera for me six years ago when our daughter was born.  It was my first digital camera and I took over 6000 pictures with it!

When I decided last fall that I wanted to bump up my camera to persue photography as more than a hobby, I started looking into cameras that I thought would accomplish what I desired.  It was a hard decision for me.  I really like my Canon and I decided I wanted to stick with that brand.

I finally decided on the EOS Rebel XSi.  It didn't have as many megapixels as the T1i, which was another camera I was looking at, or do video.  I didn't feel that those were important.  I had a video camera and the PowerShot did video, too.  Why did I need another camera to take video?  Plus, this was going to be my professional camera, not my family camera! So rather than spending the extra couple hundred dollars, I purchased the XSi. 

I loved the XSi.  I could tell a difference in my photos immediately.  For one, the prints were sharper, there was less noise and they could be printed in larger sizes.  I didn't really miss the video mode as I was more interested in getting my tack sharp photos.  I purchased with it the 70-200mm lens and found that I had a wide range to "play" with.  I was happy with my purchase.

Then one of the pieces inside the camera popped out and I had to send it in for repair.  Not a huge deal because I didn't have any appointments on the books yet and I wanted it to be in top notch condidtion.  We still had some family outings and so I decided to use my ole PowerShot. 

What I missed about the PowerShot was using the screen rather than the eyepiece to take pictures.  It seems so much simpler.  I also found that I missed the video function, too.  I found myself getting video of my son on the monkey bars, my kids singing and my husband shooting.  These are all memories that I wouldn't have captured had I had my XSi with me on those trips.

On the other hand, I noticed that my photos were not as sharp.  There was a lot of noise and I was actually disappointed with how they came out.  It's strange because before my XSi, I thought my PowerShot took awesome pictures.  But now that I've used the XSi, the PowerShot isn't what I thought she was. 

So, now I'm thinking that I might just vamp up to the T1i to get that extra boost of megapixels for larger pictures and to have that video option.  I do carry my video camera with me on trips, but then I have to take the time to put one camera away, get another out, get it started, push record, etc.  By then, the moment has passed.

My suggestion to anyone looking to purchase a new camera, or questioning whether you should, make sure you think about everything you use your camera for now and what you want to capture in the future.  And know that sometimes you'll question the output of cash, but the end result will be worth it!  You will notice a difference in your pictures, even if you're just using it to get little Susie in the parade twirling her baton.  And also know that you might not always make the perfect choice the first time. 

Unfortunately, unless you want to pay out a lot of money, you can't really "rent" a camera to try it out.  Each camera is unique and finding the one that suites you is what is important.  Not the cost.