Beginner Compact Camera Systems

[Chris989]

What are compact camera systems? Are they compact digital cameras but with interchangeable lenses? If their not can you tell what they are and why people may use them.

 

[Paul-H]

Hi

If you mean Compact System Cameras CSC then they are cameras like the Olympus and Panasonic m/43 range of interchangeable lens cameras, Samsung, Sony Nikon and Canon all make them.

Paul

 

[Chris989]

So what are CSC mostly used for?

 

[Dave *]

So what are CSC mostly used for?

Taking photographs just like a DSLR

I've heard some people even use them for video

 

[Chris989]

OK thanks

 

[Alastair]

Compact System Cameras (CSC) are small bodied usually mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lens systems. The principal players are:

• Sony with the NEX system
• Panasonic/Olympus with the micro-fourthirds system
• Fuji with the X-series

Most manufacturers have some sort of offering in the market, but the three systems listed above dominate. Samsung has it's own system that has a niche following, Canon and Nikon have both been rather half-hearted in this part of the market - Nikon taking it a bit more seriously than Canon.

They're smaller and lighter than a DSLR, and have the advantage of interchangeable lenses over the top-end compact cameras. Sensors are sometimes smaller than those in DSLRs, but Fuji and Sony both have APS-C models and if you count the Sony A7/A7r/A7s as a CSC then these have full-frame sensors.

 

[Dave *]

OK thanks

Have a browse of the forum, look for posts about the Olympus and Panasonic micro4/3rds, Fuji X cameras, Canon EOS M, Nikon 1, Sony NEX, all are CSC systems.

Plenty of threads out there...

 

[Chris989]

OK that helps a lot thank you