How Small is Too Small?

wxwax · January 10, 2004

Cameras keep getting smaller and smaller. And for folks who like portable, at first blush that's a good thing.

But the fat-fingered among us might argue differently. Diminishing size has diminishing returns. For example, I kinda like the Canon Digital Elph.

But is this camera really too small?

John Macdonald · January 10, 2004

Too small?
No way.
Especially once it's in the Canon watertight case. That thing is cool.
The little elph just rocks. Love mine. It goes almost everywhere with me.
It handles quite well, even in motorcycle gloves. The ergonomics are great, the controls are very well laid out and have a good feel.

The viewfinder is teensy though, but if you've used other mini cameras in the past, it's not so bad. I always just use the LCD screen.

kbasa · January 10, 2004

I can use my S400 without difficulty, even one handed with motorcycle gloves on.

wxwax · January 10, 2004

Wow, you guys can operate it with gloves on? That's amazing to me... everything seems so small and tightly packed on it. Hmmm... (going into acquisitive mode... lessee, $400...)

aj2 · January 10, 2004

kbasa wrote:

I can use my S400 without difficulty, even one handed with motorcycle gloves on.

Hmm, a lot of motorcycle riders here, huh.

But seriously, I had an APS Elph, and while it was really easy to carry around, obviously, and no problem to use, I lost it very quickly. I'm not particularly prone to losing stuff, but it was just too damn small and probably got left in a hotel room somewhere. :sad:

onethumb · January 10, 2004

Never! I love mine!
Too small? I have a D60 for when shots really count, but as I'm running out the door to go somewhere, it's sooooo handy to grab my Z3 and not even notice it's there the whole time.

Some size comparisons courtesy of dpreview.

More: Casio Exilim Z3 images

Don

BMWRider · January 10, 2004

So far I've found the little compact cameras too small for my ham hands.
But I must say I'm impressed by their features and wouldn't rule one out in the future. I have a "normal"-sized digicam (Sony DSC-S85) and I love it but confess there are times I'd like something half its size ...

wxwax · January 10, 2004

BMWRider wrote:

So far I've found the little compact cameras too small for my ham hands.
But I must say I'm impressed by their features and wouldn't rule one out in the future. I have a "normal"-sized digicam (Sony DSC-S85) and I love it but confess there are times I'd like something half its size ...

Hi BMWRider

Just wait, maybe something will come out of Canon's February announcements that will encourage even a cheapskate such as yourself to say "My sweet spot has just been hit!"

wxwax · January 10, 2004

aj2 wrote:

Hmm, a lot of motorcycle riders here, huh.

Many of the first wave of registrants are coming over from Baldy's other message board, www.advrider.com, an Adventure Rider motorcycle board. A great bunch of solid citizens.

I never thought about losing the camera, that's a good point. :sad:

Here's where my head is. I have the Canon G3, which I don't feel comfortable stuffing into a jacket pocket.

So I'm sorta thinking about getting a camera that's small enough to easily fit into my riding jacket, or mayber even my pants pocket, and which I can whip out without any delays. One handed operation would be a huge bonus... which is where we get into the tricky area of small vs. too small. I don't want to mash buttons.

For example, I was riding home the other night and saw an overturned family van near the mall exit on a side road, small tree uprooted from the collision. No-one was hurt, and it would have made a nice reality shot. But my G3 was safely packed away in its carry bag, inside my side luggage. I didn't want to stop, turn off the bike, etc. But with a leetle beeety camera in my pocket, I could have pulled over, quickly snapped off a few shots, and been on my way.

Doh! · January 13, 2004

not small enough
Sid, your G3 needs the Pentax Optio S4 companion. I love mine.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2978590366&category=50531

fish · January 14, 2004

Interesting thread (hi rider

....baldy, please rename the smilies).

Different tools for different jobs. I love my new 10D, but I can't very well stuff it in a pocket and go. My S400 serves that purpose. It's also great for parties and candids. Funny thing...the S400 seems to have a fantastic DOF, whereas I have to think about and tweak the 10D to get it. Weird, huh?

Ah...what's a few pounds between friends?

wxwax · January 14, 2004

fish wrote:

Ah...what's a few pounds between friends?

Depends on whether you're on top or underneath.

Doh, I see your Pentax and also really like Fish's S400... equally teeny tiny. Good thing is I'm not in a hurry... and am interested to see what new cameras Canon will announce next month. Out of the 20 they're supposed to unveil, there may just be one that appeals to me!

ian408 · January 14, 2004

wxwax wrote:

Many of the first wave of registrants are coming over from Baldy's other message board, www.advrider.com, an Adventure Rider motorcycle board. A great bunch of solid citizens.

I never thought about losing the camera, that's a good point. :sad:

Here's where my head is. I have the Canon G3, which I don't feel comfortable stuffing into a jacket pocket.

I keep my s50 in my 'stich pocket. It has a nice little cover the s400 didn't
so that was my reasoning for choosing the s50 over the s400. plus, it's always
handy.

Ian

patch29 · January 18, 2004

wxwax wrote:

Wow, you guys can operate it with gloves on? That's amazing to me... everything seems so small and tightly packed on it. Hmmm... (going into acquisitive mode... lessee, $400...)

:nono That $400.00 is one-quarter of a 70-200/2.8 IS, priorities. You will need that lens for your fancy new EOS ??D.

patch29 · January 18, 2004

wxwax wrote:

Out of the 20 they're supposed to unveil, there may just be one that appeals to me!

I think that is 20 over the next year. I do not think they will announce that many at PMA, unless they count one model with five different color. 20 would be an amazing number of cameras.

davereys · January 19, 2004

Small Camera?

wxwax wrote:

Cameras keep getting smaller and smaller. And for folks who like portable, at first blush that's a good thing.

But the fat-fingered among us might argue differently. Diminishing size has diminishing returns. For example, I kinda like the Canon Digital Elph.

But is this camera really too small?

I also believe cameras are getting a bit on the small size, my way around the problem is to use a Grip that doubles as a tabletop tripod.

The one I use is made by Hama, just screws into the tripod socket, easy to keep the camera steady, cerainly makes it much easier to handle these little critters.

Cant ever remember taking a picture without the Grip.

Regards
David.

wxwax · January 19, 2004

David, do you have a link or a brand name?

davereys · January 21, 2004

Hi Sid,

Looking through the catalogue it seems that the Grip Tripod Hama used to make is no longer available.

I work in a camera store 3 days a week, forund the one I have in a box with a load of bits and pieces.

There must be other grips out there that will bo the job so I will do a mirror and look into it.

Regards
David.

wxwax · January 22, 2004

Thanks David, I did a search and only found stuff for DSLRs. Nothing for smaller cameras. Guess I'll have to get a second job in a camera store!

BMWRider · January 22, 2004

wxwax wrote:

Hi BMWRider

Just wait, maybe something will come out of Canon's February announcements that will encourage even a cheapskate such as yourself to say "My sweet spot has just been hit!"

I don't doubt it for a second. This camera business is crazier than the computer world: products seems to improve almost weekly.
It's insane!

wxwax · January 23, 2004

And about to get more so, with Canon expected to announce a new squadron of cameras in February.

davereys · January 29, 2004

Message for wxwax

wxwax wrote:

And about to get more so, with Canon expected to announce a new squadron of cameras in February.

Hi There,

Posted a few pics of the Grip Tripod I was teeling you about.

Regards
David,

davereys · January 29, 2004

davereys wrote:

Hi There,

Posted a few pics of the Grip Tripod I was teeling you about.

Regards
David,

Other pictures of this Tripod/Grip can be found at URL

http://au.photos.yahoo.com/davereys/

Regards
David.

wxwax · January 29, 2004

Thanks David. Now I understand. And you keep it attached all the time?

BMWRider · January 31, 2004

fish wrote:

Interesting thread (hi rider ....baldy, please rename the smilies).

Hi, Fish. Fancy running into you here.

How Small is Too Small?

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