Compact that can handle movement?

[joel222]

I'm looking to buy a compact that is capable of taking pics of my kids playing around, and such like. I currently own a 550d and a samsung wb700, but when I want to travel light the samsung just isn't good enough. It's ok for stationary pics, but as soon as they are moving the pics just end up blurred. I have even tried using it in shutter mode but it is basically useless, and most of the time it's my wife using it so it needs to be in auto. So, has anyone got any advice on what to buy, needs to be reasonably small, half decent zoom, and able to take pics of moving objects without being blurred (not expecting pin sharp).

 

[ernesto]

What's you budget?

Not sure how much the likes of Sony RX100 have improved things but I have owned a few compacts (X10, Ricoh GRD) and and found all of them lacking in the area you are after and they are at the expensive end.

Some of the CSCs are fast nowadays but assuming by compact you mean an all in one with zoom etc,.?

 

[rjbell]

If they are blurred the shutter speed is to slow. If your wife is using it on auto modes try the sport mode, with the running man icon which will speed up the shutter speed.

 

[ernesto]

If they are blurred the shutter speed is to slow. If your wife is using it on auto modes try the sport mode, with the running man icon which will speed up the shutter speed.

Good point, I was thinking of focusing speed which is generally lacking in compacts when trying to take quick shots so all depends whether they are blurred from movement or out of focus slightly.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

550d is feather light and will fit into any normal bag. You will find all compacts a total waste of money in the end, while camera phones now do a good enough job at taking pointless snaps

 

[woof woof]

550d is feather light and will fit into any normal bag. You will find all compacts a total waste of money in the end, while camera phones now do a good enough job at taking pointless snaps

A bit harsh IMVHO and to say that a 550D is featherlight is stretching things just a teeny tiny bit IMVHO.

OP. I have a Panasonic LX5 which is one of the better if slightly larger "compacts." It has the usual modes and like many cameras of this type it takes time to meter and focus but if pre set before shooting it can fire off shots with no significant lag at all and can therefore cope with moving things.

Here's a shot I took with a very similar LX2. As you can see the camera had to operate pretty quickly to capture this shot

So, if you are willing to look at higher end compacts and use them to their best I think you should be able to get good kid shots.

 

[joel222]

Thanks for the replies.

Ernesto - I don't really have a budget. I've been considering the canon g1 but the zoom lets it down for me. I've also considered the csc's but the lack of range in the lenses would mean carrying more than one and swapping it for long range shots, which is not what we want. They are definately blurred from movement and not focus issues.

rjbell - Have tried using it in sport mode but to be honest it's no different.

daugirdas - You're right about the 550d being light, but to say it will fit in any bag is quite a way from the truth. Also, only one of my lenses would not cover the distances she may want to shoot from so she would have to take two. Taking spontanious pics of my kids may seem like pointless snaps to you, but to me they are quite the opposite.

woof woof - Nice shot, that may be just what I'm looking for, thanks.

Does anyone know if it's possible to go into Jessops and try the cameras out before you buy?

 

[ernesto]

Does anyone know if it's possible to go into Jessops and try the cameras out before you buy?

Yes, it should be fine. Just close your ears to cut out any misinformed ramblings from the staff.