Canon camera user thinking of upgrading

[jbcohen]

I got the Canon EOS Digital Rebel probably twelve years ago and used for a while then put it away and recently brought it back out of storage.  I have since enjoyed working with the XT.  My question is this: Since the discontinuation of the XT photography technology must have come a long way.  In your opinionin are the advances worth the addition of a second camera to take advantage of the advances in camera technology?  I am posting this question in the power shot section rather than the EOS section, becuasse I am unlikely to buy another EOS and instead would buy a Power Shot SX IS models

[Skirball]

If you bought a camera, used it for awhile, then didn't touch it for the better part of a decade, then it's unlikely that a new camera is going to be much different.  The one difference is if you didn't use it much because you didn't feel like 'dragging out the camera'.  If you're more likely to use a camera because it's small and you'd keep it on you, then sure, a slim point and shoot might help.  But as to technology coming a long way - sure, features like auto smile detection, or wifi, or HDR, or options like that have come a long way.  But when it comes to image quality, your old XT is probably still going to be better, simply because it has a much larger sensor.  Your XT is going to be able to rattle off a bunch of photos, focusing in-between, much better than a point and shoot.

Point and shoots have their purpose, and for those who don't want to deal with bulky cameras or lenses, I get it.  I know many people who own and love them.  But the benefit of a point and shoot over a modern camera phone just aren't significant enough for me to carry one, in addition to my phone, which is always on me anyway.

[smack53]

Depending on what your budget is like, the SX series of PowerShot Cameras have very small sensors and lack the Image Quality (IQ) that you get with your XT. You might be a bit disappointed with the results from that tiny sensor. I have the SX150 IS and the Canon G12, and the G12 has a much better IQ than the SX150 IS. In addition, the SX series tend to have a bit of compromise in the lens to keep the price point where it is, so image quality can be different throughout the focal length. While the pictures are not terrible, you will notice a big difference if you comapre to the photos you get now.

The Canon G and S series have the same internals for the most part, with the G being a larger body and the S being more pocketable. Neither has the focal length of the SX series, but the images are much clearer and sharper. The G1X II and G7X have even larger sensors and better lenses, but they are rather pricey at the moment.

As stated by skirball, that big sensor in your XT may do a much better job than the point and shoot category that you are looking into. I would suggest that you check out a photo site such as Flickr and look up the different cameras that interest you to get an idea of image quality before you buy a new camera.

Good luck on whichever model you choose and happy shooting!

Steve M.