Really simple but reasonable quality compact

[flyingmonkeycorp]

I've been asked to recommend a compact for some folk here at work, for doing mainly simple mugshots and such, but that's high enough quality for print output. There's no need whatsoever for interchangeable lenses or even manual modes, really - ease of use is really paramount. Not too expensive would also be good (though it doesn't need to be super cheap!).

Is there anything out there like that at the moment? I imagine there must be...

 

[adrianday]

Lumix LX5 or LX7. Not cheap, but quite awesome.

 

[PJ S]

Fuji X10, bargain as is and even more so in a few weeks when the X20 releases, iirc.
You only have to look at the massive X10 thread here to see the image quality achieveable, which Duncan has proven by printing some JPEGs he took, at A3 size.

Not sure what the LX7 would offer over an above that.
So if time isn't of the essence, I'd hang fire for a wee while yet before making the decision.

 

[flyingmonkeycorp]

There's no hurry whatsoever... I've used an LX5 and liked it, I'll look into the X10 too.

Cheers guys

 

[woof woof]

I've been asked to recommend a compact for some folk here at work, for doing mainly simple mugshots and such, but that's high enough quality for print output.

Personally I think that the LX type recommendations are a bit OTT. Surely just about anything from the supermarket will be good enough?

When doing mug shots at work (if that's what you mean) I used my own Ixus, although really, any camera phone would probably be good enough if you're only doing small prints or producing images for screen view but assuming this is for work and that people aren't going to use their own phone or camera personally I'd head off down to ASDA or whatever your local supermarket is and buy whatever seems good value on the shelf.

 

[ernesto]

Personally I think that the LX type recommendations are a bit OTT. Surely just about anything from the supermarket will be good enough?

Agree. I got my mum a Fuji something or other for £40 from Argos and it couldn't be easier to use (turn on, press shutter button) and the IQ is easily good enough for mug shots and more.
(the focusing was faster than my X100 but that is another topic!)

Spending another £100 is more likely to get you features and build quality that will make no difference to the output.

 

[flyingmonkeycorp]

Hmm. It's mostly going to be headshots aye, but it'd be nice to have a bit more quality when needed. We already have a Lumix somethingorother that, to be honest, might do the job.

 

[PJ S]

If you're going down that road, the camera on your iPhone 4 or HTC/Samsung/Sony will be as good, if not better - so why spend any money at all, other than a tax deductible expense?

 

[flyingmonkeycorp]

Ok, so having done a bit more digging something a bit better in quality is required - and ideally with the capability to use a flash gun (or at least something that can bounce flash). Any ideas?

 

[PJ S]

Fuji has a TTL hotshoe and their own flash units, not sure about the LX7.

 

[stu.artd]

The pop up flash on the sony rx100 can be held back at an angle and used as a bounce flash. Obviously not as effective as a flash gun but very useful.