Shutterbug

Early this year, I came to realize that my neck and shoulder issues were limiting my ability to enjoy photography. Lugging around my SLR camera was tiring and painful. I found myself using it less and less. My Nikon D40 is the smallest and lightest option out there (best, I know) and caused too much strain. Plus, it's an entry level SLR and I felt I used it to the best of its ability over the last 5 years. Truth be told, I grew a bit bored with it. Investing in an upgraded body didn't make much sense. They only get bigger, heavier and more expensive than my model. After some research, I concluded that I'd have to seek out an alternative. Before Mexico, I purchased the Sony CyberShot RX100 III. I figured it was a good compromise. It offers better quality than my Olympus Tough TG-1 and it's ability to function in low light is pretty stellar. My Olympus is fantastic for off-roading and underwater, but it didn't satisfy my desire for crisp shots.

The Sony CyberShot RX100 III is a work horse, it's not pocket sized, but it stores well in a small purse. It's great for traveling or day-to-day on the go. It offers far more than your standard point & shoot camera, but it's very easy to use and not at all intimidating like and SLR can be. An additional perk is that it has WiFi so you can upload and share, without cords, card reader or pc. I've been very happy with it. However, as great as it is, it simply doesn't measure up to the SLR. You cannot beat that level of sharpness. That might be why I haven't been shooting as much. Lately, I've found that I do miss having the creative outlet. I figured once things settled down, I'd jump back into photography and continue to tweak the Sony CyberShot RX100 III settings until I can get the results I seek.

A friend had introduced me to the local Garage Sale Groups on Facebook when we moved, it's been great for finding deals without the hassle of Craigslist (hopefully, my luck will be just as good when I try selling). Anyhow, Friday, I was scrolling through listings and I found a barely used Nikon D3000. The price was very fair, I made the arrangements and picked it up Friday afternoon. I was able to break it in on Saturday. I snapped some 12 months photos of Addison and snuck a couple of her brother too. As you'll see they grow so fast. It'll be nice to freeze a few moments in time...



The camera handles just like my D40, the weight and feel are very similar. All my lenses and accessories are compatible too. It'll be nice to have for quick shoots. I'll continue to use the Sony CyberShot RX100 III on the go, and if I ever get back to off-roading you can bet I'll have my Olympus along for the ride. All three should meet my various photography needs.