Join Now
Join ePHOTOzine, the friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more for free!
Looking to get a digital camera that I can carry around a bit more easily when generally out and about, instead of all my SLR kit; something like a Canon power shot, and wondered if anyone has any recomendations?
Do these cameras all come with electronic viewfinders? Not sure I like that much?
Would also like something that would make a respectable 3rd (backup camera) after my 2 SLR's for wedding work etc.
Any pointers gratefully recieved
Thanks
Jules
There are heaps of threads on this. But my summary would be if you want it trouser-pocketable then the Canon S100. If you want it jacket pocketable, then the G12. A bit larger is the X10. The G12 and X10 have optical viewfinders. Not much larger would be the Olympus PEN, Panasonic G3 with fixed focal length pancake lens.
I think image quality up to A4 will be pretty much the same for all of these.
Sony NEX with its larger sensor will be a step up in quality but again you would need a fixed focal length for pocketability.
Otherwise the Panasonic/PEN/NEX with zoom will fit in a small belt pouch.
Take your choice...
When I don't want to take my 5D and lenses I take my S95, currently down in price because of the S100 arriving (bargain here)
It's genuinely compact. Fits in a jeans pocket and you forget you've got it. Has physical controls (no need to go into menus all the time like some compacts), shoots RAW, takes brilliant photos, works in the dark.
I pick it up when I pick my keys up. A snap I took with it at a friend's wedding turns out to be their favourite shot from the entire day.
I must confess that I thought the sensor size on the Nikon V1 was a bit small when it was first announced. But now that hands-on tests are appearing in the magazines, as a genuinely pocket-sized camera, it seems to be blowing all opposition out of the water in terms of image quality. But it is expensive.
For a slightly larger and much cheaper alternative, my wife's Nikon P7100 compact is producing fantastic photographs and I am very pleased with my Olympus PEN E-PL3 CSC camera (again a lot cheaper and slightly larger than the Nikon V1)
I guess that the truth of the matter is that there are a plethora of decent cameras down in those brackets and it really does come back to whatever takes you fancy. I doubt if there is a bad one from a major manufacturer in the £300-£800 bracket.
Love my lumix LX3 with its Leica lens....now discontinued so s/h or the LX5...I have serious doubts about the new mini nikons....is this a new breed?...... crossover from camera to gadget?
Quote:
.is this a new breed?...... crossover from camera to gadget?
That's an interesting way of putting it BS. I know exactly what you mean.
But I am sure we can all remember when the early digital cameras were regarded in precisely the same way by we photographers back in the 80s. Hell, autofocus and program AE were just gadgets to us in those days - certainly not what we would expect to find on "serious" cameras.
i have a 3rd camera it's the olympus ep3 and i love it, it takes superb shots crisp and sharp it has lots and lots of fun functions too that work very very well.
Fixed lens the Fuji X10
http://www.boxedlight.com/x10/index.htm
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2011/11/08/the-fuji-x10-digital-camera-review-a-lo...
Or the CSC camera`s such as Pens, Panasonic G series or Sony or Nikon systems, but I do like the pens
The small is better/beautiful trend is long running....I flirted with Pen FT half frame slrs and I think a Konica T3 which switched between full 35mm and half frame.....I also had a Baby Rolleiflex which ran on 127 rollfilm...these things have much value today but only as "collectables" and the photo world is littered with "format follies".....I am by no means anti Nikon having carried three f3`s as a pro and still owning an f5, fx90, d70 and a d90 with enough optics to choke a transit van but every time the format drops in size I personally shudder. The new Nikon 1 series are an example of this for me.
By all means carry the best quality pocket camera with a small flat lens that you can afford but dont fall into trap set by the big players who NEED you to believe that these cameras with sensors the size of a childs toe nail are their gift to the future of photography.
A good indication is to be found if you look at the s/h price being asked for a nikon d700
stuart
If you want a completely good all rounder, go for one of the high end Panasonic Lumix range giving you the best of zoom, macro plus HD video..................Leica lens too:
But if you want a Photographer's compact go for a Panasonic Lumix XL5 with the amazing Leica Sumicron lens, it shoots in RAW, has HD video..................but only 3 x Zoom:
There is nothing wrong with electronic viewfinders......................I have one on my full size SONY A55 and don't notice it is electronic any more........a great camera:
Good luck............have fun!
Hobbo
Add a Comment
ePHOTOzine, the web's friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more.
Login or Join Now
New to ePHOTOzine? Join ePHOTOzine for free!
Join Our Free Newsletter
Awards
Current Competitions
foliopic 'Movement' Competition
1st May 2012 - 31st May 2012
This month's competition theme is 'Movement' which can be interpreted in a number of ways. You could photograph an animal running, a person walking or a car speeding...Featured e2 Photo
Featured Directory Listing
May's Photo Month
Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
Interact
Photography Gallery Photography Forums Recent Forum Activity Members' Meetings Members' BlogsSearch ePHOTOzine
Having trouble or would like to make a suggestion? Create a report
Calibrate your monitor so you can see 16 different shades.
ePHOTOzine © 2001 - 2012 Magezine Publishing | Contact Us | Site Map | Top