Which compact?

pete s

pete s

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If I wanted to spend £400 on a top quality compact with a nice long optical zoom and good number of features, including manual stuff, where should I start?

Had a brief read about the Panasonic Lumix TZ10 and the specs seem quite impressive, but what are peoples thoughts on this camera?
 
I bought a Canon Powershot SX210 (currently £262 from Amazon) a little while ago and I've been blown away by the results I get from it. It's as manual as an SLR if you want it to be, or you can stick it in a program mode and still get great results :)
 
I have the Canon s90 which shoots RAW and has all the manual features of most budget DSLR's. It's also tiny and the image quality is superb...in my opinion! It has the same sensor and Digic 4 processor as the G11. I have a set of images taken with the s90 on my flickr account (see link below)

Another option would be a used Panasonic GF1 or Olympus E-P1 as they have changable lenses like a DSLR. THe Panasonic G1 is very very cheap at the moment as the G2 is out but that may be a little big if you really want a compact.
 
Many people dont class the Canon G11 as a compact as it is bigger than most compacts, and certainly not pocket size. The Canon S90 is pocket size and from what I read, the best true compact out there.
 
I'm have to say I'm a bit unsure exactly what I want or will best suit my needs. I have a Canon 40D SLR, but want something that will preform well but is smaller, lighter, less expensive, to carry around when the DSLR is not appropriate.

A true compact may do the trick, but then some of the larger 'bridge' cameras have great specs. Not sure about thw 4/3rds cameras, but ehy do have impressive specs also.

I'm confused!
 
I love our G10 but hate the lack of blurry backgrounds due to the almost infinite DOF of the tiny sensor. We added a G11 to the kit and appreciated the extra 1.5 stops on the iso settings for the same noise levels but it's horrid flippy flappy screen and slight increase of bulk was just too much. Sold it on fleabay after a month.

A client has the s90 which is a true compact and I guess that I can accept the DOF limitations. noise levels as G11 and IQ excellent.

I personally use a GF-1 with a 20mm lens and a metal voigtlander cold shoe optical VF and love it but stick on a longer lens and it ain't compact.

My final attempt to find a pocket cam might end up as a weatherproof jobby but for now it's the GF-1
 
I like the look and sound of the G11, but the 'flappy screen' puts me off a bit also. A slightly larger, but fixed one would have been much better (IMO).

S90 looks good, but there are others out there which on paper at least look similarly good. Sony HX5 for one.
 
ChrisJ_SLH said:
:thumbs: for the S90. I picked one up (from Kerso) as an always cary compact and I love it. Lots of manual control (when I want it), and just gets on with it in auto when my wife uses it.

Well built, very compact and surprisingly good IQ.
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What price did you got it for from Kerso?
 
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