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P&S Recommendations

May 19, 2007, 11:31:04 AM

I'm getting tired of having to drag out my dSLR when I go to scout a location. Seems a little overkill. So I started looking at compact P&S cameras and realized that while I've kept up with dSLR releases I have no idea on P&S.

- File size - not all that important. I'm still using a 6mpx Canon 10d for work and haven't had a problem enlarging up to 16x20 with it so 3-6mpx would be fine.
- JPEG only is fine, I don't see that I'd need RAW in a small camera.
- Size is the biggest factor. The smaller the better.
- CF would be nice since I already have a handful of CF cards, but probably contradictory against wanting a small camera. I've got a few SD cards as well so that would work.
- Shutter lag - the shorter the better. My only other real experience with a digital P&S is from a 0.5mpx that had a 0.5 second shutter lag. I'm sure they've gotten better in the 5 or more years it's been since that camera was current.

Any suggestions?

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Ryan

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Leen Koper

Reply #1 - May 19, 2007, 03:58:20 PM

Ryan, in my opinion one of the best ones to buy is the Fujifilm FinePix F40 fd, just because of the wonderful colors and extended dynamic range compared to other cameras. You will need SD cards, so no problem. Moreover, as they are getting cheaper each week, I don't think it is an issue any more. The weight is only about 180 grams, it has a 36-108 mm zoomlens and 8 mpx, so more than sufficient. The Panasonic/Leica alternative looks rather tempting, but I would prefer the quality of a Fuji sensor.

However, I'm also looking for a camera for hiking purposes, so small and lightweight, but als good image quality, and I am a little disappointed the manufacturers don't produce such a camera with a APX sized sensor. It could be build rather small, the sensor is smaller than 35mm size and even the Rollei 35 was built extremely small with a retractable lens. I don't quite understand why they don't, there should be a pretty large market waiting for such a camera.

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Leen Koper
www.fotografieleenkoper.nl

BobEdens

Reply #2 - May 20, 2007, 02:42:08 PM

Same problem as you, I would see a photo and then decide if it was worth climbing in the camera bag and dragging the bazooka out. (I shoot with the Sigma 50-500 [grin])

I solved my problem with the coolpix s10 It has VR and 10x zoom and most important to me, it doesn't grow. I hate a camera that you turn on and it *grows* for a few seconds before you can shoot anthing. God forbid it getting turned on in your pocket.. (it uses SD cards)

Another great camera that is even smaller, has less zoom though, is the coolpix s5

I've shot through a lot of the fujifilm cameras and they are good.

of course there's always the $700 Leica

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-----------------------------------
"I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one heck of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult. "- EB White

Chattanooga Photographer www.BobEdens.com

Leen Koper

Reply #3 - May 20, 2007, 04:58:44 PM

There is an interesting article about the behaviour of small cameras at higher ISO values on Dpreview. It just was published today. Definitely worth reading!

Leen

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Leen Koper
www.fotografieleenkoper.nl

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