DSLR vs Compact Camera Challenge

In my never-ending quest to push technology to its limit as I attempt to reduce the equipment or the weight of the equipment I carry in the field, today I completed a comparison test of capabilities between my DSLR and a compact camera. When I found worthy compositions during my hike I shot photos using both cameras. At home I then edited both in a similar manner. My goal was to see if I could produce comparable images with the compact camera that I can with the DSLR. That was many words to say I compared camera outputs.

As expected, the compact camera image quality did not quite measure up to the DSLR. However, if I would not have had the DSLR images to compare to, the files produced by the compact camera would have been acceptable without a doubt.

So what does this mean? I now have to decide what I want to carry when I go backpacking. Will I be satisfied with the image quality of the compact camera for a weight savings of 7.2 ounces? Or, should I just carry my DSLR equipment and know that I will be pleased with the results? Fortunately I have time to ponder this serious question.

For those interested I have put together a video comparing the image quality of both cameras. View the photo challenge video at this link:

Cedar Bend Park Captures - A Photo Challenge

For todays pictures I will share several I found particularly interesting. More can be seen in the video.