BootsnAll Travel Community

I'm all for packing EXTRA light when traveling. But I'm thinking of getting a new Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H5. It's an Ultrazoom camera. So basically it bigger than your normal ponit-and-shoot. But smaller (and less baggage) than DSLR's.

Here it is:


Should I take it travelling? I also have a point and shoot, but would like to take my bigger camera cos I can get better pics.

My thoughts on it at the moment are that it will too big (although its fairly light). And its something I don't want to have to consattntly worry about gettin nicked.

Any thoughts or suggestions welcome

My general rule of thumb is to only take along things that you can afford to lose.

Depends what you're going to use it for.

For all round general situations from landscapes to nights out then a compact is probably better. However, if it's those 'perfect' images you're after of the locations you are visiting then taking a camera like this is obviously perfect.

That said, if you're going to spend more time worrying about it's whereabouts than using it then maybe a smaller camera is the better option.

I'm taking my older compact and a DSLR. I'd be more than annoyed if either were nicked, but have accepted that if it happens it happens. The chance is worth it for the photos I may get and based on that i'm taking the SLR...

I think it depends on how important good photos are to you. I'm a "wannabe" photographer, and would probably would be more inclined to take along a bigger SLR. For me, it would be important to have the features of the camera available so I could get the shots I really want. I might just put up with the extra bulk and weight.

If you are just looking to get decent shots to document your trip, I'd take the smaller cheaper camera and save yourself the grief and weight of the DSLR. I've also done this second route, and though my photos disappointed me (because I know what they could have looked like), just being able to go on the trip was worth it even without the wonderful photos. I don't have images I want to show off, but they still mean a lot to me becasue they remind me of where I was and what I did.

You should also consider the durability of the camera. I took my Nikon Coolpix 4800 around NZ in a van and the lens unit got damaged. I bought the camera and warranty in the states and had to pay the NZ Nikon folks upfront to fix it, although I have since been reimbursed by Nikon USA. Its unlikely that a smaller point and shoot camera would be as suscepitable to the extreme condensation and my one careless error (it only takes one).

All that said, I will still take it on my future travels and live with the risks. Just get insurance on it if you can, and have all your warranty information with you in case you have mechanical problems along the way.

Where in the World is Saura

Just to clarify. This cmaera ISN'T a DSLR. Its a step up from small point-and-shoot cameras. So I won't need to have all the extra lenses and stuff that go with a DSLR.

I've got pretty good travel insurance that will cover it if it gets nicked. And I realise that these things happen, and I'm happy to live with the consequences if it does get stolen. So thats ok I guess. I'm more worried about the hassel of carrying around a camera of this size. Even though it is not as bid as DSLR's. It is some what bigger than your ordinary point and shoot. What are your experiences, does it get in the way?

I travelled in March with a similar camera as yours (Fuji S9000 which isn't an SLR either) and am glad I did. I was also worried about carrying around a big camera but I would just turn it over so the lens pointed down and with the strap over my shoulder, the camera was sort of more under my arm. This way, it was slightly protected and I was also surprised how out of the way and hassle-free it was.

The biggest problem was the way I had it slung over my shoulder while walking around, I would always have to take my coat off to change the camera in position for picture-taking. Therefore, if I knew I was going to be taking pictures shortly, I would just wear it around my neck normally.

From my experience, I will no longer be travelling with my smaller point and shoot. And nicks can happen even at home so I look at the risk being worth the better quality of photographs.