My twin sons’ birthday is coming up in July. It will also be our 15th year anniversary with my wife and we will celebrate it in Italy.
I do have an iPhone 6S and I am thinking of getting a good camera or camcorder but there aren’t many options that transfer pictures/videos over WiFi and the ones that do are expensive. What do you think? Are cameras and camcorders obsolete?
It all depends on your expectations of images you want to capture. You’re going to get responses on both extremes. It is a very subjective issue.
They always say the best camera is the one you use. Which means an I phone for many of us. However, for those of us who really love quality images, a good camera is invaluable, especially in lower light conditions. Taking the camera card and sticking it in the computer or downloading to computer via cord, are not that laborious, even for a technophobe like me.
Camcorders are obsolete, but good cameras aren’t. My sons (in their 20’s) each bought themselves good cameras recently because they enjoy photography.
W has a cheap (<$100) camera that sends her photos into Dropbox anytime the camera is within range of our wifi signal. That feature is not an exclusive feature of expensive cameras.
One kid just requested a pricey camera for a birthday gift. There is a lot a good quality camera can do that a smartphone can’t.
Whatever your method of taking picture… make sure you still print out a few now and then.
When we went to Italy, we borrowed my fil’s nice camera. It took much superior pictures to my iPhone and cheap camera. Italy and probably all of Europe had plenty of places that flash is prohibited and the camera we borrowed was great.
I have a memory card reader for my iPad and downloaded my pictures that way. Do they still make that accessory? I have an older iPad and have used that memory card reader a lot actually.
My canon Sureshot takes really nice pictures in dim light, backlighting and full sun. I think the quality is nicer than my phone. I prefer using that, but it’s a bummer not to have the sharing features. I do find that I leave it home more and more though.
Thanks all.
Below Canon has Wifi capability. Before I pull the trigger, I want opinions of experienced people please.
Sorry. Forgot to add the link.
I have a Canon Powershot that is several years old. It takes great pictures but I only use it for action shots (the reason I bought it.)
Many cameras now take good quality video (1080p and even 4k HD), so dedicated camcorders are no longer needed unless you’re shooting movies. I find that lugging a large camera isn’t very ideal especially while traveling. Something small that can fit into a small bag or pocket is the best, like the Sony DSC-RX100 series or the Lumix LX-100. Alas, they don’t have wifi, but are more suited to a serious photographer.
I use a triple threat approach to pics. One, I have a d-SLR which takes the best pictures. But its relatively big so I can’t take it everywhere. Two, I have a good point and shoot camera. It takes great pics other than things that are moving and isn’t great at night (but workable). Easily fits in my pocket so I can take it places I do not take the SLR. But I don’t take it everywhere so I go with option three – my phone. I take what I view as good snapshots. Again, nothing moving and its not great at night but actually better than the point and shoot at night.
I read something once which said that the worst picture is one not taken. If you don’t have a camera/photo taking device with you, you can’t take a picture. So you will get much better pictures with a point and shoot or phone you take everywhere than you will with a fantastic SLR that you left at home.
A lot of people like snapshots. Just want to share with friends on social media. Quality there isn’t that important. Nothing wrong with that.
I like to take pictures. I think it must be therapeutic because often its not the final result that I like. Its finding the right light, angle and composing the picture that I enjoy. Taking pics without a memory card in the camera would be just as good.
I don’t have a camcorder. Use point and shoot and phone for videos.
There is a huge difference in image quality between my Sony point & shoot and my iPhone 6, so I tuck my Sony in my bag even when traveling light. My DLSR hasn’t seen much use since I picked up the Sony.
The camera I just bought for my kid was a mirror-less Sony. Picture quality of a DLSR without the bulk.
A good quality camcorder is better than a smartphone if audio and video quality are critical…such as recording a performance for a band playing live.
While a smartphone will do in a pinch, the audio quality is greatly reduced…especially if the band planned to use the audio portion as a basis for releasing a live CD.
Oh…that might be my next camera!
The only camera I use other than my iphone is a GoPro.
We have a Nikon D3300. Takes excellent photos and video. Has its own wifi hotspot and can send photos from it to my phone or laptop.
My daughter works at a concert venue and was laughing about the “old guy” with the camcorder last night when she came home.