Is it true a point and click camera would get nicer pictures as compared to a DSLR when used in auto mode?

I heard that it is because compact cameras are assumed to be used in auto while DSLRs are assumed to be used in manual mode, even when the former has manual settings.





Any truth to the statement? Or would the various advantages of the DSLR camera result in nicer pictures even when used like a point and click camera?Is it true a point and click camera would get nicer pictures as compared to a DSLR when used in auto mode?
It's not true but...





One of the biggest problems with taking photos is a lack of sharpness of subjects. Digital point and shoots have physically smaller sensors than SLRs, which helps to increase depth of field (the area in focus). In other words, at the same settings, the point and shoot is more likely to have more area in focus and this often helps people who are not good at taking photos, particularly family photos with groups of people or vacation photos with objects in the foreground and background that they want to be sharp.





In terms of exposure, digital SLRs are actually better because they have more sophisticated metering systems, which are more accurate whether the SLR is used in Auto, manual or other modes.





A digital SLR has far more advantages making it the better choice to get better photos. However, to get the same depth of field as a point and shoot, you'll have to change the aperture to get more depth of field, which requires a bit of photographic skill and knowledge. Essentially though, it's the increased depth of field which makes point and shoots attractive to people who are not very skilled at taking sharp photos. However, for a skilled photographer, having control over the depth of field is very important.





In any case, there's no truth to the statement about the assumptions for compact cameras and SLRs. It's simply an issue of physics.Is it true a point and click camera would get nicer pictures as compared to a DSLR when used in auto mode?
I have a Canon SD900 point and shoot as my pocket camera. I shopped for about 6 months for this camera, as I wanted the absolute best overall image quality possible in a point and shoot camera. If I take pictures at a family gathering, for instance, everyone simply expects my pictures to be ';the best'; and I would not settle for less than the best. There are only a handful of P%26amp;S cameras in the same class as the SD900, in my opinion.





However...





We own 3 different DSLR's and there is simply no comparison.





See: http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstei鈥?/a> Click on ';All sizes'; and then original. Or, just go directly here: http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=鈥?/a> The difference in image quality is almost mind boggling. Leaves and trees are about the most detailed subjects you can find, so they are always a challenge for a camera - film or digital - to reproduce accurately.





AND - the D200 was used with matrix metering on ';P'; or ';Program'; mode, which is the closest thing the D200 has to ';AUTO.'; I don't recall for the SD900, but it was probably on manual mode so I could access ISO 80 for best image quality.
just to back up fhotoace's answer. You pay extra for a DSLR for a very good reason!





teef_au
Well my brother borrowed my DSLR once and he took picture just as good as when he takes pictures with his point and shoot so for me, it's always the photographer.





It is true though that when he took his picture with my DSLR the picture have less noise but that's that.





But then again, it still depends on the situation. DSLR still have an edge with the lack of shutter lag that even a casual or even beginner can have benefit out of it if they're taking pictures of children or sports. That is, you might capture the right moment with your DSLR, but if you had your point and shoot then it might be half a second too late for that moment even if you press the shutter button at the same time.





Just me rambling. ;)
Who ever said that hasn't a clue ... about cameras or photography





DSLR's are NOT used in the manual mode but for two possible reasons. 1) you are using a flash unit and want to preset the shutter speed to sync with the flash, 2) the photographer is shooting in a situation where the manual mode just makes more sense. ... maybe a third ... when the photographer does not trust the camera to shoot in auto.





Nicer picture wise?





The DSLR has a much larger sensor and uses superior lenses to any point and shoot camera. Usually the photographer using a DSLR has a lot of experience as a photographer and uses all those skills to produce superior images. The point and shoot cameras are almost always used by people who have never taken a class in photography in their lives.





IF the statement, ';... a point and click camera would get nicer pictures as compared to a DSLR when used in auto mode'; were true, all the pros would be using them ... They do not.
In bright light condition, you may get a sharper picture from a P%26amp;S camera than from a DSLR. The P%26amp;S has a much higher in-camera sharpening setting then a DSLR.





Sharpening is a destructive change to the picture if you shoot in jpg. You cannot recover the lost details after too much sharpening. Therefore, DSLR usually has a much lower default in-camera sharpening setting. Of course, you can turn it up higher if you want.





If you shoot in raw format, you can use a software to sharpen your pictures in computer.