Decision, Decisions

[darktiger]

Okay my fiancee said that she would buy me a Canon Rebel XT(350D) for my birthday(as long as I buy her a LV/Prada/or Fendi purse(for her bday, 1000toy vs a 500purse - good trade)). Currently I have a F717. Is it worth going to a DSLR. I know PQ is usually from the skill level of the photographer. I am going into amatur photography. I enjoy my P&S of the Sony F717(plus that CarlZeiss lens), but I currently do a lot of PP. So how is the PQ from a F717 compared to a non PP Canon Rebel XT RAW or JPEG?

 

[fugu]

You'll have the potential to shoot nicer pictures depending on your lens selection. Couple things to consider though.

The lens on the f717 is very fast (f/2.0-2.8), and you have a nice range. You'll probably have to spend roughly another $500 on lenses in to get an equivalent reach. You'd end up with slower lenses (f/4-5.6 range) unless you spend even more, but the high ISO performance of the XT will give you 2 or so extra stops that you couldn't have used on the Sony. That kind of makes up for it if we're just talking about speed and not DOF stuff.

The other thing is that with a DSLR, you'll be changing lenses. You'll lose a lot of the convenience of the Sony, not to mention gain quite a bit in size and weight.

 

[darktiger]

Can you take pictures by looking at the LCD or do you have to use the Viewfinder?

 

[Tedium]

You have to use the viewfinder.

 

[BillLeeLee]

Can you take pictures by looking at the LCD or do you have to use the Viewfinder?

Though you have to use the viewfinder, you actually see the image through the lens.

Of course, this also means never expect a movie mode in a DSLR.