Looking for Good Quality Point-and-Shoot

charlesoutcalt · June 17, 2009

Hey Everyone,

When I travel, I usually haul along the whole kit – Canon 1D Mk III, 30D as backup, lots of lenses, etc.

However, I've got a family vacation coming up. In the past, the family has been pretty patient as I lug around all the gear. This time, though, I want to try traveling unencumbered, and I want to spare the family the ordeal of watching me futz with lenses. Plus, this will be a cruise, where there won't be much, if any, time to really set up a shot.

Here's my question: Is there a point-and-shoot out there that will give me OK pictures (mostly landscapes, and some candid on-ship indoor shots)? I know the point-and-shoot market below $400 is very crowded, but I'm willing to go up to $1,000 if I can get appreciably better image quality.

Since this camera is an alternative to the usual behemoths I have hung around my neck, I really want it to be small, discreet. Durable is good to. I just want it to work, without babying it.

Any recommendations? Or do you all think the $400 p-and-s cameras are enough?

Thanks!

Charles

jbakerphoto · June 17, 2009

charlesoutcalt wrote:

Hey Everyone,

When I travel, I usually haul along the whole kit – Canon 1D Mk III, 30D as backup, lots of lenses, etc.

However, I've got a family vacation coming up. In the past, the family has been pretty patient as I lug around all the gear. This time, though, I want to try traveling unencumbered, and I want to spare the family the ordeal of watching me futz with lenses. Plus, this will be a cruise, where there won't be much, if any, time to really set up a shot.

Here's my question: Is there a point-and-shoot out there that will give me OK pictures (mostly landscapes, and some candid on-ship indoor shots)? I know the point-and-shoot market below $400 is very crowded, but I'm willing to go up to $1,000 if I can get appreciably better image quality.

Since this camera is an alternative to the usual behemoths I have hung around my neck, I really want it to be small, discreet. Durable is good to. I just want it to work, without babying it.

Any recommendations? Or do you all think the $400 p-and-s cameras are enough?

Thanks!

Charles

I dont have one but if I was going to get a P&S it would be a Canon G10. It might be a little heavy. its 12 oz....But it has a hotshoe for your flash if you ever get in a pickle with light. I have heard good things about it....Check it out.....

NikonsandVstroms · June 17, 2009

The Olympus EP-1 sounds like what you want, the question is how long until it comes out.

Otherwise if you live mostly on the wide end Panasonic LX3, if you need telephoto the G10

ChatKat · June 17, 2009

G10
I think the G10 is a great little camera and you can shoot RAW with it. I went to London a few years ago after a two week cruise where I shot every day 100's of images. I was camera weary and wanted a break from the weight. I was very happy to have taken the S80 and got some lovely shots with it. I am thinking that I am going to replace my S80 with the G10.

chrisdg · June 17, 2009

Hi Charles,

Here's a comprehensive dpreview of the high-end compacts:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408enthusiastgroup/

Like others have said in this thread and on this board, the debate often comes down to the Panasonic LX3 and the Canon G10. Both are excellent, and afford the manual control and image quality that advanced dSLR users require. NOTE: the LX3 is basically the same camera as the Leica D-LUX4, but a fair bit cheaper.

Go with the LX3 if you want (a) the fastest lens in it's class, (b) the widest angle in it's class at 24-60mm equivalent, (c) smaller "pocket" size, and (d) can find it in stock somewhere.

Go with the G10 if you want (a) any telephoto range whatsoever, (b) don't care as much about size, and (c) perhaps desire less of a learning curve do to your familiarity with Canon menus/icons/software/etc. Others may chime in there, maybe build quality is higher? not sure.

I've been a Canon G-series user for years, and am currently deciding between the two myself. I've borrowed both cameras from friends. Personally, I'm getting the LX3 as soon as I can find a black one in stock....mainly because I tend be stay within the wider angle ranges, crave strong low light performance with decent flash-balancing when necessary, and really want a true pocket-size body.

When I considered that on my Canon 50D, I have either my 17-55 or 10-22 glass mounted about 95% of the time, this sealed the deal that wide and fast is the key for me when choosing a walkaround compact - particularly since I'll be using the compact during friends and family events, often indoors and at night. What range lens do you find yourself using most often? You might want to factor that strongly into your decision when considering the premium compacts.

charlesoutcalt · June 17, 2009

Thanks!
You all are the BEST!

I like to think I know something about the SLR world, but I'm a newbie to this class of camera. I learned a huge amount. I think I'll go for the LX3, if I can find it anywhere.

And it's available at B and H.

Looks like we have a winner.

I appreciate all your help, everyone.

Charles

chrisdg wrote:

Hi Charles,

Here's a comprehensive dpreview of the high-end compacts:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408enthusiastgroup/

Like others have said in this thread and on this board, the debate often comes down to the Panasonic LX3 and the Canon G10. Both are excellent, and afford the manual control and image quality that advanced dSLR users require. NOTE: the LX3 is basically the same camera as the Leica D-LUX4, but a fair bit cheaper.

Go with the LX3 if you want (a) the fastest lens in it's class, (b) the widest angle in it's class at 24-60mm equivalent, (c) smaller "pocket" size, and (d) can find it in stock somewhere.

Go with the G10 if you want (a) any telephoto range whatsoever, (b) don't care as much about size, and (c) perhaps desire less of a learning curve do to your familiarity with Canon menus/icons/software/etc. Others may chime in there, maybe build quality is higher? not sure.

I've been a Canon G-series user for years, and am currently deciding between the two myself. I've borrowed both cameras from friends. Personally, I'm getting the LX3 as soon as I can find a black one in stock....mainly because I tend be stay within the wider angle ranges, crave strong low light performance with decent flash-balancing when necessary, and really want a true pocket-size body.

When I considered that on my Canon 50D, I have either my 17-55 or 10-22 glass mounted about 95% of the time, this sealed the deal that wide and fast is the key for me when choosing a walkaround compact - particularly since I'll be using the compact during friends and family events, often indoors and at night. What range lens do you find yourself using most often? You might want to factor that strongly into your decision when considering the premium compacts.

chrisdg · June 17, 2009

charlesoutcalt wrote:

You all are the BEST!

I like to think I know something about the SLR world, but I'm a newbie to this class of camera. I learned a huge amount. I think I'll go for the LX3, if I can find it anywhere.

And it's available at B and H.

Looks like we have a winner.

I appreciate all your help, everyone.

Charles

You're right, it is in stock finally! This is recent status. Ordering mine now too.

Qarik · June 17, 2009

it would appear that many think it coms down to 2 models:

1) lumix LX3
2) Canon G10

Lumix I think is wider/less zoom and best in class ISO.

javierplumey · June 18, 2009

This was a very useful thread!

Unfortunately, my budget for a P&S right now is closer to $300 than $500.

Can anyone make a recommendation for a decent P&S for under three Benjamins? I have a D40 right now and it works fine for most of my needs except for the quick trips around town. I'd like to always have a camera with me, preferably one with video but that's not a hard requirement.

Thanks!

jjbaulikki · June 18, 2009

javierplumey wrote:

This was a very useful thread!

Unfortunately, my budget for a P&S right now is closer to $300 than $500.

Can anyone make a recommendation for a decent P&S for under three Benjamins? I have a D40 right now and it works fine for most of my needs except for the quick trips around town. I'd like to always have a camera with me, preferably one with video but that's not a hard requirement.

Thanks!

Qarik is right about the Lumix and you can pick one of those up in your price range.

chrisdg · June 18, 2009

javierplumey wrote:

This was a very useful thread!

Unfortunately, my budget for a P&S right now is closer to $300 than $500.

Can anyone make a recommendation for a decent P&S for under three Benjamins? I have a D40 right now and it works fine for most of my needs except for the quick trips around town. I'd like to always have a camera with me, preferably one with video but that's not a hard requirement.

Thanks!

The $300 price range is very crowded with many good entries, so the choice is a lot tougher here.

Check out this 12 page review of Premium Compacts:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408premiumgroup/
This is from Dec 2008, so a couple models may have been replaced by now, but the street price for most have likely dropped into your price range.

Also, the aforementioned review of the top-end compacts also has couple models in your price range:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408enthusiastgroup/

Finally, check out the newer SX 200 IS
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=18329

ziggy53 · June 18, 2009

jjbaulikki wrote:

Qarik is right about the Lumix and you can pick one of those up in your price range.

Jjbaulikki, welcome to the Digital Grin.

Thanks for you comments.

javierplumey · June 19, 2009

Thanks for the info. I hadn't been able to find any Lumix models in my price range but perhaps I was looking in the wrong place. I'll keep looking.

Thanks!

chrisdg · June 23, 2009

charlesoutcalt wrote:

You all are the BEST!

I like to think I know something about the SLR world, but I'm a newbie to this class of camera. I learned a huge amount. I think I'll go for the LX3, if I can find it anywhere.

And it's available at B and H.

Looks like we have a winner.

I appreciate all your help, everyone.

Charles

Charles - did your Lumix LX3 arrive yet? Mine arrived from B&H today. Just playing around with it now, definitely a solid little unit. Glad to have one to call my own. I'll be posting my G6 to the "for sale" forum here soon.

NikonsandVstroms · June 23, 2009

javierplumey wrote:

Thanks for the info. I hadn't been able to find any Lumix models in my price range but perhaps I was looking in the wrong place. I'll keep looking.

Thanks!

You can try the Nikon S range, they are small but the 10MP model can take great photos (you don't have funn control on the shutter/aperture though, using it I got pretty good with exposure compensation) they have a higher resolution model of manual controls now, but I'm not sure how it does image quality wise. For the 10 megapixel just keep the ISO at 100-200 for best results 400 is fine, but you won't be making clear 16 x 20s out of it like you can at base ISO.

I had the S600 and it had a slight update being the S610 which is 250
http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-Camera/26125/COOLPIX-S610.html

It also has a 28mm equivalent wide-angle which is something I really like

Looking for Good Quality Point-and-Shoot

Comments