Compact advice please

Trev4

Trev4

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Trev
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My wife uses a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ6 for snapshots. She has used my 7D very occasionally but doesn't like the weight or size especially with a long L lens on.

While the results from the Panny are relatively good, its an impressive bit of kit for the price and as a P & S camera. She is now finding the shutter lag among other things a bit restricting for what she uses it for (shooting pics of the grandchildren, often when they are being active, general snapshots, and some wildlife shots, plus anything else that she fancies shooting). She isn't interested in the technical side of photography, she wants to pick it up and shoot, but wants a better camera than her present Panny and with much reduced shutter lag time.

Its an area of cameras I haven't looked at and have very little knowledge of what's available in the current market for compact or advanced P & S cameras.

With a suggested budget of around £500.00, has anyone been looking at this area of the market and had any thoughts about makes, models etc.

As a Canon user, I would be happy to stay with that brand, but that's not the main criteria, other than if there is a Canon compact that could in some way share my Canon lenses, but as far as I know they haven't produced a compact with that facility.

Any opinions would be welcome guys.
 
Not a compact but the new Canon 100D is pretty small and uses your lenses. It is worth physically looking at one as they really are a nice size.

There is also the Canon EOS M which I think can use your lenses with an adaptor.
 
As ernesto states the new 100d is the smallest DSLR you can buy. I understand your wifes frustration with the shutter lag. My wife, like yours, was not interested in the technical abilities of her camera and just wanted shots of the grandchildren but the dreadful shutter lag on some (not all) P&S cameras is awful and most children at play shots are missed. Hers was a Lumix as well btw.

There is an interesting Shutter Lag Comparison site out there that is an interesting read but I dont know how current the models are that they test.

I bought myself a Canon G15 as a carry around when I cant be bothered lugging the gear around and I may have to buy another one since my wife started borrowing it. She loves the responsiveness and the almost non existent lag and she captures every shot she goes for. The G15 is much smaller than the older G series models but still has the super construction and as a bonus you would be able to "BORROW" it and use its more tog oriented functionality. (Wink)

Addendum: Also be aware that some cameras have low shutter lag characteristics with available light but the lag can become intolerable with the flash switched on. Make sure you check lag with both.
 
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Sony's RX100 is very highly thought of but I don't know how it does in terms of shutter lag.
 
Thanks for your thoughts and the links guys, its good of you to take the time to reply. There's some room for thought there and I've taken a look at some of the reviews on these models. Its far better to get personal recommendations as well rather than just reading the advertising spiel.
As Garry said, when the GK'ds are at play, they are almost onto the next game by the time the Lumix fires, which is frustrating when you lose so many shots that cant be re-enacted and are gone forever.

At the moment, the G15 looks good but I have to check out the others properly and then take a hands on looksee in a store.
Cheers again :thumbs:
 
BIG advantage of the Canon and the Fuji....Optical viewfinders. Not as good as an OVF on an SLR but in bright sunlight LCD screens are next to useless and any form of OVF is a blessing. Just recently back from Malta and the OVF on my G15 was a godsend, there is just something about composing with the camera to your eye that I find comforting, lol.

An even bigger bonus on the G15 is a fully dedicated Canon Hotshoe so all your lovely Speedlights and accessories will work and believe me that can make a HUGE difference to the compacts flexibility and potential.
 
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