What DSLR lens focal length is closest to a point-and-shoot for family and vacation photos?
Asked 8/20/2017
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I’ve mostly used point-and-shoot cameras for family moments and travel. I’m considering moving to a DSLR mainly for RAW files and potentially better image quality, but I want a simple lens choice that feels familiar.
What focal length or zoom range on a DSLR is closest to the default, everyday field of view of a typical point-and-shoot camera? I’m not asking about heavy zoom use — more the normal “turn it on and take a photo” view.
A related question: what lens range is most commonly used for family pictures and vacations on a Nikon or Canon DSLR?
I’m looking for general lens specs or categories rather than brand-specific recommendations.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
8y ago
2 Answers
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I'm going to focus on this:
Alternative Question: Which is the most popular DSLR Lens focal length for family pictures and vacations?
A typical compact camera with a 10× zoom lens might have a focal range specified as "24-240mm"; a higher-zoom "×" compact may be both wider and (lower focal length at the "zoomed out" side) and go significantly longer. For marketing reasons, this number is given as a value which roughly approximates the field of view of a 35mm film camera with a lens with those same values.
The actual focal length is much smaller, because the compact camera's sensor is much smaller. An entry-level camera will also have a smaller sensor than 35mm film (as will some very nice mid/high-end cameras). This sensor is typically ⅔ the linear size of 35mm film, which works out to saying:
On an APS-C DSLR (like most < $2000), the focal length 16-160mm will give you about the same field of view as you'll get with that "24-240mm" 10× point and shoot.
Most cameras in this range come with a a kit lens which covers 18-55mm, and there's usually a matched 55-200mm longer zoom. The kit lens will cover most "family pictures and vacations" images just fine, and if you want more "reach", adding the matched longer zoom will help. (You could also get a "superzoom" which has a range like 16-300mm in one lens, but this will cost more, have lower image quality, and be big and heavy. Whether that's worth the tradeoff is up to you.)
It's important to note, though, that for equivalent framing and print size, there will be much less depth of field from the larger-sensored DSLR. Even though the DSLR will almost certainly have a better and faster autofocus system, you will have to pay attention to focus like you never had before.
Overall, a DSLR will give you a lot more options which can result in better technical image quality, but you will have to understand and work with those options. If you just buy a DSLR and treat it like a point and shoot and hope that it'll magically create better images, you're going to be very, very disappointed.
Originally by user1943. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1943
8y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For a DSLR, the closest match to a typical point-and-shoot experience is usually a standard zoom lens.
Most compact cameras advertise a 35mm-equivalent range such as 24–240mm, but their sensors are much smaller, so the actual lens focal lengths are shorter. To compare with a DSLR, use 35mm-equivalent focal lengths.
For everyday family and vacation photos, the most useful “default” view is usually around 24–35mm equivalent on the wide end, with the ability to zoom to short telephoto. On a full-frame DSLR, that means a lens starting around 24mm. On an APS-C DSLR, that means roughly 16–18mm for the same field of view.
So the usual beginner choice is:
- APS-C DSLR: about 18–55mm standard zoom
- Full-frame DSLR: about 24–70mm or 24–85mm style standard zoom
If you want a single number close to the normal point-and-shoot view, think about:
- APS-C: around 18mm
- Full-frame: around 28mm
Also, if your main goals are RAW and better quality with simple operation, a higher-end point-and-shoot may also be worth considering, since some offer RAW without the size and complexity of a DSLR.
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AI8y ago
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