Point and Shoot help?

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I was wondering if I could get some help on which Point and Shoot to buy. I have a Canon 450D SLR that is my main camera but I don't take it around with me most of the time. I like to have a secondary camera to carry around in my bag at all times for those "just in case" moments and for nights out/gigs.

I have a Canon Ixus 95 IS at the moment and I just find it really disappointing :'(. I mean its obvious that it won't compare to the SLR but it just really falls below my expectations so I am on the hunt for a new one and was wondering if you guys could help!

  • Firstly, it MUST be good in low light conditions as its main purpose/use will be shooting indoors and at gigs/clubs
  • As above it must have a fast focusing time. A camera that spends ages roaming for focus or takes ages to capture is useless to me
  • It should be compact enough to fit in my pocket
  • It should be sturdy: enough to cope with the odd bump/drop/spill on a night out
  • A good optical zoom factor would be nice but is not essential... I would sacrifice this for the other points
.So... any suggestions :p? Even if you can't recommend specific makes and models can you recommend what factors I should be looking for? For example when comparing specifications how can I tell which cameras will be good in low light conditions? Sensor size and ISO? What are good values for these in a point and shoot? Is there any well of telling how fast a camera is at focusing/capturing without trying it out or reading reviews?
 
You could start here and eliminate those that are just too slow then move on with that smaller list to the next important feature then move on from there etc etc. I would also put the ability to manual focus high on your list (Some can do it manually and others electronically, this will however limit your choices as its a feature that is quite rare)
 
Gazamonk said:
You could start here and eliminate those that are just too slow then move on with that smaller list to the next important feature then move on from there etc etc. I would also put the ability to manual focus high on your list (Some can do it manually and others electronically, this will however limit your choices as its a feature that is quite rare)
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"Start here"? Do you mean "start there" as in with iso and shutter size? What minimum values should I be looking for?

Edit: Also why manual focus rather than AF? What benefit does that give? Sorry, I'm not a complete newb but I still have a lot to learn. Do most point nd shoots even have manual focus?
 
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In the spirit of recommending what you own, Canon S90. I've only had mine a few days but I am so far mightily impressed with it. Metal bodied and feels sturdy, easily pocket sized, no focussing issues (yet, I've only had it a few days). Shoots RAW, manual focus ability, IS lens, 4x optical zoom and probably a lot more that I haven't discovered yet.

I've just shot some pics, both at ISO 3200, flat on a worktop so no shake (2.5MB each)

with flash (1/60, F8.0) http://comica.co.uk/with_flash.JPG

without flash (1 sec, F4.9) http://comica.co.uk/no_flash.JPG

This one is just me showing off(well, it's my insurance pic), handheld 1/60, F8.0, ISO100, flash used http://comica.co.uk/IMG_0514.JPG

The S90 is now old seeing as the S95 is about but from what I can see it only adds HD video. The only thing I now need to get is a little stick on grip from the US as the metal body is just too smooth to be grippy. I've nearly dropped it twice already. :bonk:
 
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Oops sorry forgot to add the links.

http://www.cameras.co.uk/html/shutter-lag-comparisons.cfm

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp

You also asked "Why manual focus" well you said a camera that hunts for focus is useless to you and you would mainly be shooting at gigs. Well no matter how good the camera, in really low light conditions like gigs AF will struggle. I have an old Olympus C750uz 4mp compact with manual focus and it is brilliant in dark pubs and clubs because I just switch to manual focus and voila no hunting for focus lock. Not a problem for my SLRs obviously. I agree with Dentedshed the S95 and S90s are great but look also at the Powershot G series because they have an external hotshoe that is E-ttl compatible with the Speedlite EX flashguns, now that adds some serious illumination to a pocket camera.
 
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Thanks :D.

Urm, why is the S90 more expensive than the S95 and the G12 more expensive than the G11? Surely the S95 and G12 are the newer models and should have all the features of the previous models and more?
 
Thanks. After having a scout I think it would be between the Canon Powershot S95 and the Panasonic Lumix LX5! I think I will have to check them out in person to really decide, its a close call.
 
I had a similar dilemma a few months ago - I love my DSLR kit, but just wanted something that I could pop into my bag and keep with me all the time. I looked at the S95, LX5 and I loved the micro 4/3 offerings such as the Oly Pen. I decided against the MFT as I knew I'd be buying into another system, and I'd be buying a whole set of lens's to go with it. It also wasn't quite portable enough for me.

I looked then at many reviews and comments between the LX5 and S95. I know that the S95 won it on size straightaway, but as hubby has a G11 and I carried that around for a while, I decided that I could cope with something a little larger than the S95. So I settled on an LX5 - What a great camera. It's liberating to have something that can just be put in a pocket and take great pictures as well. I do not regret getting the LX5 for one moment.

Definately agree with going to have a play - They will feel different in your hands. I really like the menus on the LX5, very easy to use. I think that was something that moved me away from the S95. I didn't have a play, but I can not get on with my husbands G11 menus and find them really cumbersome, so I figured that the S95 would have the basis for the same menu setup.
 
swag72 said:
I had a similar dilemma a few months ago - I love my DSLR kit, but just wanted something that I could pop into my bag and keep with me all the time. I looked at the S95, LX5 and I loved the micro 4/3 offerings such as the Oly Pen. I decided against the MFT as I knew I'd be buying into another system, and I'd be buying a whole set of lens's to go with it. It also wasn't quite portable enough for me.

I looked then at many reviews and comments between the LX5 and S95. I know that the S95 won it on size straightaway, but as hubby has a G11 and I carried that around for a while, I decided that I could cope with something a little larger than the S95. So I settled on an LX5 - What a great camera. It's liberating to have something that can just be put in a pocket and take great pictures as well. I do not regret getting the LX5 for one moment.

Definately agree with going to have a play - They will feel different in your hands. I really like the menus on the LX5, very easy to use. I think that was something that moved me away from the S95. I didn't have a play, but I can not get on with my husbands G11 menus and find them really cumbersome, so I figured that the S95 would have the basis for the same menu setup.
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Thanks :) its uesful to have opinions from people who've faced the same problems. I did find other "small"ish cameras that were better but I really don't want interchangeable lenses as that just defeats the point of having a small, portable camera!

The size of the Canon is definitely a plus and I already have a Canon compact which I have got used to using so the menu probably won't be that different. How big is the LX5 really? Can you put it in your front jeans pocket? Would it be happy being carried around in a largeish handbag? I've also heard that Panasonic has shoddy noise at higher ISOs relative to other cameras? Is this true?

These are my two biggest worries as being able to shoot well in low lighting and the entire point of this camera and if I can put these worries to rest then I think the LX5 takes the lead!
 
I put the LX5 in the side pocket of walking trousers and it fits perfectly. I have a case that I use and it sits in my handbag all of the time. I don't have a massive handbag, mid sized I'd say. I am happy with the size of it. Don't know about the high ISO stuff I'm afraid. Have you had a look at the reviews on DPreview? I usually find them quite good. They may cover that for you. There's also an LX5 thread on here in the equipement section. Sure it will come up with a quick search.
 
Panasonic LX5 and Canon s90/s95 seem to be the pick of the crop at the moment. I have had a s90 and now have the s95 and i am constantly impressed with the image quality. I have never used it in low light so can't say for sure how good it is but the reviews say it's good.
 
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