Is it common to bring dslr cameras to study abroad? - 1

I'm going abroad in the fall for a semester and I was wondering it if was worth buying a dslr camera. I own an iphone 5 and a point-and-shoot camera that works okay but takes somewhat blurry photos.

Is it worth buying a $400 dslr camera?

Is it common for students to bring dslr cameras while studying abroad or is it too clunky?

btw I'm in college

Entirely up to you

but its worth noting what you currently have in your iphone

that camera is twice as good as generally available digital cameras less than 10 yrs ago

in many respects the need to own a dedicated camera is gone - it is your point and shoot

so

it comes down to what youre doing with your camera

you going to sit in forests waiting to capture images of rare birds? How about high speed motor racing shots?

I would argue that if those two activities arent high on your to do list, the phone is all you need

How dedicated are you to photography? What kind of photography do you do? Take photos of family, friends, etc? Your old point & shoot has been superseded by your iphone. Don't bother taking your point & shoot, as your phone does the job far better.

Only spend the money on DSLR if you are serious about pursuing photography such as taking photography classes in school. And then you need something far higher-end than a $400 body, plus lenses & accessories.

You probably need that $400 for textbooks more than DSLR camera. Plus, going off to school, you have far greater essential uses for baggage number & weight limits than carrying phone, obsolete point & shoot, plus DSLR camera & accessories.