Help - Camera (4/3rds) or raw/full manual compacts

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astalemind

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Hi All,

I was hoping for some advise from users on the following camera type.

I am looking to get a compact camera, (not sure the official title), but the series that can shoot full manual, raw, etc, like the X100, E-P2, etc, etc.

I want a pocketable camera that I can carry with me all the time when I don't want to carry my DSLR with me, but still allows me to capture great quality with the possibility of full post processing after from Raw.

I have been looking at a number of cameras, some with fixed zooms like the XZ-1, and changeable lenses like the E-P2 (no preference to Olympus here). I also like the idea of using a wireless trigger for off camera flash. Using SB-28's at mo so no TTL, full manual only.

My budget is around £500-£700, but I am struggling to put together a list of a few cameras to go an try. The X100 seems popular at the mo but the £1000 is to much for me.

I was recently offered a 2nd hand P6000 for £200 (mate upgrade to an X100) which put me onto the raw in compacts, which would be great to dump the old P&S. Whilst looking into the P6000 (which I think the ISO is not great above 400 which I would like to shoot evening/low light too) I started looking at 4/3 systems which look hot too as well as the APS-C like the X100 which looks amazing but at £1K a little to much for what I want it for. The other option I liked, based on the reviews are the APC-S Sony NEX system like the NEX-5.

My aim would be printing to say 12x8 sizes for wall hanging at home.

Can you guys give me some advise onto what you like and use so I can start narrowing down my list.

Matt
 
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You may have to forget about wireless triggers.
Have a look at the Panasonic G3, or any of the GF's for inter-changable and small lens bodies.
For true compacts look at the Canon S95 (good low light and tiny) or maybe the Lumix lx5.
 
Danny_Two said:
You may have to forget about wireless triggers.
Have a look at the Panasonic G3, or any of the GF's for inter-changable and small lens bodies.
For true compacts look at the Canon S95 (good low light and tiny) or maybe the Lumix lx5.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think I was being optimistic about the triggers. LOL.

I prefer the GF size bodies to the G's as the aim of this camera is a more pocketable size. If I was to carry the G3 around, I'd probably just jump up size a little more and carry my DSLR.

So Really I have been looking at the E-P(1&2), E-PL(1&2), NEX-5, and GF(2&3), and as mention before the P6000 as a £200 2nd hand option which started me off. I think the fixed lens camera would work well too, but not looked into them too much yet.
 
Hi. I bought a Samsung EX1 which shoots RAW, has a hotshoe, has all sorts of settings and is mostly a wide-angle lens which I got for holidays, street photography, well under your budget and has 10mp. I'm very pleased with it. It has a swivel LCD which was one of the main criteria for me.
 
Cheers all.

At the moment I am tossing up between the E-P2, E-P2L and the G-F2. The E-PL2 is cheaper then the E-P2 but seems to have the same spec (in essence) but due to the plastic casing is cheaper.

The other options is looking that the APC-S like the NEX-3 or 5 but they are not as compact as I had hoped. Or going fully compact with something like the P7000 or S95.

What to do. Decisions.
 
The S95 is great for anything that doesn't move. It's small, does go into your jeans pocket and is very versatile with good video too. Settings changing is all menu driven. Screen good even in bright conditions.

I've got a GF1 as well. Usually use it with a 20mm. Fantastic double act. Needs a (small man) bag tho or a jacket pocket to carry. Great for anything - fast movers, low light. And very quick and easy (and intuitive) to change settings with lots of buttons. Unlike the G1/2 very few dials/manual switches to accidently knock out of position. It's almost the perfect camera, except for the screen - difficult in bright sunlight.

I enjoy using both but I wish the GF1 was the size of the S95!
 
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