Step down from DSLR to compact?

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RSMarco

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Hi all,
Have not really found anything that can help me and would like to ask what recommendations there are for a good compact camera.

I'm looking for a replacement compact but the replacement is purely because I am selling my equipment and just want something small but can produce good quality shots.

I currently have a Nikon D300s.

Many thanks

Mark
 
If Panasonic compacts are as good as their bridge cameras (I have 3 Panasonic bridge cameras), I'd recommend one of their's.
 
Canon G11 I think is the best non DSLR, the Canon S90 has good writeups and is smaller too.
 
What ever you get make sure it takes a lithium battery, those which take AA's burn through batteries in no time. Also go for one with a view finder instead of just a screen, the screens tend to use up battery life quick too.
 
Thanks guy's. Appreciate your help.

I do have a compact that is a few years old now ( Canon IXUS 400) and although it takes good pic's, I'd like something more up to date and with a larger screen etc.

Will have a look at the range you mention and search on here etc.

Mark
 
Panasonic TZ10 - excellent small camera. Just remember to turn the GPS option off though when you dont need it as it's heavy on batteries with it switched on. I never switch it on but perhaps I will if I get lost.:D
 
I have the Canon SX1 IS as well as my 30D. I cant afford to blow £2k on a big long lens, so decided as a small travel camera with 20x optical zoom, full HD video and a flash hot shoe would be perfect for when I dont wanna lug all my kit about or for more candid snaps.
Dont get me wrong, it has full manual controls which will produce stunning results too. I've even used it in a studio shoot, using the hotshoe for the radio transmitter.

Depends how much zoom you want, then it narrows the search down a bit. Most of the compacts have a 3, 4 or 5x zoom which is more than enough for most.
 
Thanks guy's.

Plenty of options for me to have a look at.

I know there no DSLR but for my needs at the mo, I think it is a better option.
 
I've got a lumix lx3 which imo is great. The new lx5 has been announced though. Might worth having a look!
 
Cheers all.

Have you any pictures taken from these cameras.


I'm currently reading the thread on the GF-1 which is very interesting.
 
RSMarco said:
Cheers all.

Have you any pictures taken from these cameras.


I'm currently reading the thread on the GF-1 which is very interesting.
Click to expand...

The GF-1 is an awesome little camera, I love mine. The 20mm pancake lens is lovely... and really compact.
 
ODG said:
How about the compact hybrid models with interchangeable lens flexibility?
They are smaller than the SLR's but have many of the same features and produce good quality shots.
Click to expand...


Flashman said:
The GF-1 is an awesome little camera, I love mine. The 20mm pancake lens is lovely... and really compact.
Click to expand...

The GF-1 is something that has caught my eye and I'm currently working my way through the very long thread on it.

The images look very good and IMHO I think this is the way for me to develop my photography.

What images do you have with the 20mm lens and how versatile is this lens?

Mark
 
I would highly reccomend a G11 or another powershot. Then you can use the CHDK Seen here from time to time if you fancy for a little extra functionality.

Never gone back since to another point and shoot. And best of all it apparently does not affect warranty.
 
Francesca said:
Never gone back since to another point and shoot. And best of all it apparently does not affect warranty.
Click to expand...

Good stuff that CHDK. Makes even my little A460s shoot half decent exposures. :)
 
A couple of years ago compacts were much slower than DSLRs. Is this still the case? My Canon S40 took so long between pressing the button and it taking the picture that "the moment" was often lost.
 
I'm also considering leaving the SLR at home for my next trip.

I would recommend LX3,S90 or G11 for the best quality in a small package.
 
I use the Olympus E-P1 as a small backup top my DSLR kit. I've done stuff for work (Press and PR) with it and the Eds haven't batted an eyelid :)
 
i use a Panasonic Lumix LX3 that i bought after long & hard research & its been great. the newly announced LX5 sounds like more of the same but with added improvements. it really looks like they have listened to their customers with this one.:thumbs:

if i was buying a compact now that would be top of my list. definitely ;)
 
I'm sure all the above mentioned cameras produce wonderful images and fit nicely in your luggage etc but two things put me off adding one to my armoury.

1. They're all wickedly expensive. I realise that there's a vast difference in quality between a 100 quid P&S camera and one of these higher-end ones but paying in the region of £500 for a non DSLR sits badly with me. I considered buying something like this a couple of years ago for foreign trips where I didn't want to lug a huge bag of lenses and a hefty body but in the end I lost my nerve and bought a D40 for less money.

2. Most of these high end P&S set-ups have no viewfinder and I'm not sure I could could go back to having a camera without one.
 
dan d said:
A couple of years ago compacts were much slower than DSLRs. Is this still the case? My Canon S40 took so long between pressing the button and it taking the picture that "the moment" was often lost.
Click to expand...

The GF-1 (and, presumably, all the other Micro Four Thirds cameras) has virtually no shutter lag.
 
zoom said:
They're all wickedly expensive. I realise that there's a vast difference in quality between a 100 quid P&S camera and one of these higher-end ones but paying in the region of £500 for a non DSLR sits badly with me.
Click to expand...
The S90 is available for @£310, the G11 and LX-3 for @£399 and although the GF1 and E-PL's are the best part of £500 - but if I were looking for a 4/3's I'd probably buy a G1 outfit for £370. (I know it has been superseded but that looks to be a pretty good deal)
 
I bought a SONY DSC-H50 2yrs ago and I am very pleased with it. My son-in-law bought the HX1 in May and is also very pleased with his purchase. He went to the RIAT at Fairford a couple of weeks ago and due to circumstances I have not seen him since so have not yet seen how his shots came out. We both treated ourselves to the appropriate teleconverters which takes my total lens length to around 980mm and before you all start bombarding me I know the quality will not be as good etc, etc, etc. But let the dslr owners go out and purchase a lens to equal it and you wont get much change out of a mortgage.

Martin
 
Voyager said:
The S90 is available for @£310, the G11 and LX-3 for @£399 and although the GF1 and E-PL's are the best part of £500 - but if I were looking for a 4/3's I'd probably buy a G1 outfit for £370. (I know it has been superseded but that looks to be a pretty good deal)
Click to expand...

not sure anyone would ever pay that much for an LX3 :thinking:
i only paid £350 for mine 18 months ago & even Jessops list them for under £300 when i looked the other day :naughty:

as for speed DPreview measured that on this page -
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmclx3/page5.asp

as for sample images have a look on the flickr group pool -
http://www.flickr.com/groups/843626@N22/pool/

plus i'm sure there will be some bargains to be had now the LX5 is on its way :thumbs:
you know that some people think that their camera stops working the day a new model is released :bonk:
 
love my nikon coolpix P5100, have had it a few years and will never part with it. tried lumix and sony's but got rid in favour of the coolpix.. great to use when cant be bothered lugging the DSLR around.. there is an updated P6000 now but not sure on pricing for that..
 
Tirpitz said:
not sure anyone would ever pay that much for an LX3 :thinking:
i only paid £350 for mine 18 months ago & even Jessops list them for under £300 when i looked the other day :naughty:
Click to expand...
You're right (they are available cheaper) and wrong (Jessops - £319). :D

Actually Amazon are now listing them at £288.50 - but I'm sure they weren't this morning!
Tirpitz said:
plus i'm sure there will be some bargains to be had now the LX5 is on its way :thumbs:
you know that some people think that their camera stops working the day a new model is released :bonk:
Click to expand...
It might. But the LX-5 is not in the shops yet and there is no price yet is there? If it is £490 the LX-3 would still be a big bargain! If it is

So the S90 and LX-3 are pretty close in price... I'd probably still pick a G1 for @£80 more. Unless I wanted a really pocketable camera....
 
In the course of my 'playing with all cameras in shops' mode, the compact that most interested me was the sony TX5. Dunkable underwater, thinner than an iPhone, 25-100mm lens; but the 2 coolest features were the handheld twilight mode [effectively 6-shot in camera HDR] and the sweep panorama mode [effective, in-camera photostitching].

All compacts smear detail at base ISO's and look noisy at ISO 800. So I'd pick the one that let me have the most fun - this is as near-indestructible as cameras get. Come to think of it, it offers creative shot opportunities you'd never get with an SLR.

Can you imagine placing your SLR in the middle of a puddle, using the pavement as a tripod, to get a cool long exposure night shot of reflected neon signs? Well, I wouldn't dare do that with a D3 or 5D...
 
I wouldn't say all, I've got an Fujifilm F70EXR and its got good noise levels up to 1600, but it tends to blur instead at those levels.
 
danbroad said:
In the course of my 'playing with all cameras in shops' mode, the compact that most interested me was the sony TX5. Dunkable underwater, thinner than an iPhone, 25-100mm lens; but the 2 coolest features were the handheld twilight mode [effectively 6-shot in camera HDR] and the sweep panorama mode [effective, in-camera photostitching].

All compacts smear detail at base ISO's and look noisy at ISO 800. So I'd pick the one that let me have the most fun - this is as near-indestructible as cameras get. Come to think of it, it offers creative shot opportunities you'd never get with an SLR.

Can you imagine placing your SLR in the middle of a puddle, using the pavement as a tripod, to get a cool long exposure night shot of reflected neon signs? Well, I wouldn't dare do that with a D3 or 5D...
Click to expand...


i've got the sony tx5 and it's great little camera. please explain the 6 shot HDR thing?

brought it as couldn't carry the dslr everywhere with a 1 year old, also wanted something for holiday on the poolside, beach as this is waterproof etc.
 
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