Before you read any further, let me tell you that this article is not for the professional photographer. This blog is for people who want to buy a DSLR because the general notion is DSLRs take great pictures. Many people who like photography always dream about the big DSLR camera with interchangeable zoom lenses. I, too, was super crazy until I became a professional photographer.
As the business grew so grew, the collection of cameras and lenses so much that I had a collection of about 15 DSLRs and multiple lenses. But this article is not about my photography gear but suggests that it's not fun to carry heavy camera equipment on a family trip or vacation. Hence this article is to throw some light on why you might not need a heavy DSLR if you are not into professional photography and that it makes much more sense to have a lighter and less bulky camera set up.
DSLR gear could be bulky: Despite having most cameras and lenses with me, I never carried them on picnics or vacation simply because of the bulk factor. Carrying a DSLR would mean carrying an additional camera bag. Since it's delicate, you can't trust anyone to carry it, and so you are carrying an extra piece of luggage everywhere you go.
DSLRs are expensive: Since your camera is an expensive piece of tech, you have to make sure you are careful with the bag. So throughout the trip, you are worried not to leave the bag anywhere, which means you are not only carrying the burden of the camera but the stress of not losing it. So there you are, fulfilling photo requests taking pictures of friends and family while having a ball of a time.
The Lens factor: When it comes to taking professional pictures having a great DSLR is not enough. You need to have the lenses as well, and most often, the lenses are more expensive than the camera. Also, it's the lens that makes a great picture. I mean here that if you have a great camera and a cheap lens, your photos will not be as great, but if you put a fantastic lens on a decent camera, you could get great pictures. That means that it's not enough to have a great camera body, but you would also need to spend more money getting those lenses. This means your camera could cost you more than a couple of thousand dollars. It also means that your camera bag also ends up being a lot heavier.
Maintaining the camera: If you have the expensive gear, you will need to have a moisture free camera cabinet to store your equipment, or else your lenses and camera sensor could get fungus, especially if you are living close to the ocean, which again means more investment into camera gear.
The Flashgun: If you have a DSLR kit, you might need a professional flashgun, which will add to the overall weight of your camera kit.
Moral of the story: Most people stop carrying their DSLR during family outings and end up taking pictures on their phones simply because of the bulk. Also, most DSLRs and lenses get fungus on them, and then you either spend more money to clean out the fungus, and ultimately the gear ends up on OLX.
The Solution: Invest in a generally tinier mirrorless camera. Also, look for cameras with a built-in zoom. These cameras take great pictures and also are easy to carry. These will easily fit in a pouch that can go in your backpack or travel luggage.
Below are our suggested cameras. You can click on the camera link to view the camera on Amazon and decide which ones are the best for you.
About the Author: Sudhir Nair has been a photographer for 25 years and is based in Goa, India. He is also passionate about filmmaking and experimenting with new ideas.
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