Point/Shoots for Picky SLR Users

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

02/13/2007 04:55:09 PM · #1

Hi there,

I'm trying to find a compact point/shoot for those times when SLRs are not allowed or just too bulky (dinners, concerts, etc.). I have the Canon A700, and it's terribly grainy at 400 ISO.

My priorities for a new camera were:
1. Flash compensation - I hate those self portraits with friends where the two of you are bright white with a blue tint! Ugh!

2. Ultracompact - fitting in my pocket

3. Noise Low - I can't stand grain/noise...

4. Fast - I hate waiting for a picture to save between taking another one. I want something that writes really fast!

Now that I know that flash comp and ultracompact do not exist in one camera, I need to find a solution. Do any of you have experience with p/s cameras, getting some great fun, every day dinner, event shots? Low noise, nice color, accurate brightness?

Nullix

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

02/13/2007 05:03:22 PM · #2

And RAW mode and a f2.8 lens.

Apple iPhone 5

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

02/13/2007 05:05:39 PM · #3

'Fujifilm' F30

No RAW mode. But it handles low light and high-ISOs really well.

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/13/2007 05:13:12 PM · #4

Leica M8

Fromac

Nikon D7000

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

02/13/2007 05:18:06 PM · #5

Sony W30. High res and lots of features. Very compact. Good price.

Ubersteiny

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM for Canon

02/13/2007 05:19:34 PM · #6

canon g7... kind of compact

GinaRothfels

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

02/13/2007 05:25:50 PM · #7

Originally posted by jhonan:

'Fujifilm' F30

No RAW mode. But it handles low light and high-ISOs really well.

It's not a camera I've used, but from what I've read, it's probably what you're looking for. I thought about the F30 long and hard before buying my Pentax W10, but I wanted something with a lens which remains flat when the camera is switched on and there weren't too many to choose from in that department. The picture quality of the F30 is certainly way better than my Pentax and I still think there may be a Fuji in my future.

02/13/2007 05:26:11 PM · #8

The leica is huge! The Sony and Fuji look good. I really want to know more about noise and image quality (color, brightness). Any other thoughts?

Ubersteiny

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM for Canon

02/13/2007 05:35:31 PM · #9

Originally posted by mirdonamy:

The leica is huge! The Sony and Fuji look good. I really want to know more about noise and image quality (color, brightness). Any other thoughts?

Sony DSC-T10
Canon SD800

xXxscarletxXx

Nikon D80

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

02/13/2007 05:37:06 PM · #10

Apparently my camera handles high iso's well but you know its big...
Bigger is better!!! lol

Message edited by author 2007-02-13 17:37:27.

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

02/13/2007 05:38:26 PM · #11

I'm really liking the Fuji F30 so far. DPReview ratings are very high and the noise tests show great results. I do worry about the high contrast and highlight issues though.

Bud

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

02/13/2007 05:38:30 PM · #12

Originally posted by GinaRothfels:

Originally posted by jhonan:
'Fujifilm' F30

No RAW mode. But it handles low light and high-ISOs really well.

It's not a camera I've used, but from what I've read, it's probably what you're looking for. I thought about the F30 long and hard before buying my Pentax W10, but I wanted something with a lens which remains flat when the camera is switched on and there weren't too many to choose from in that department. The picture quality of the F30 is certainly way better than my Pentax and I still think there may be a Fuji in my future.

I have never been disappointed by Fuji... they do high ISO & colors better than anyone else in the market. (edit for spelling)

Message edited by author 2007-02-13 17:39:28.

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/13/2007 05:38:31 PM · #13

Originally posted by mirdonamy:

The leica is huge!

Big pockets.
Fast. Low noise. Excellent image quality. Robust built. Personal support.

Apple iPhone 5

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

02/13/2007 05:50:54 PM · #14

Originally posted by zeuszen:

Originally posted by mirdonamy:
The leica is huge!

Big pockets.
Fast. Low noise. Excellent image quality.

Purple blacks... :p

Apple iPhone 5

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

02/13/2007 05:55:06 PM · #15

Originally posted by mirdonamy:

I'm really liking the Fuji F30 so far. DPReview ratings are very high and the noise tests show great results. I do worry about the high contrast and highlight issues though.

The highlight issue hasn't caused me a problem, I set the EV to -1/3 and it's fine. The only drawback I've had is lack of full manual mode (but that's what you have your dSLR for). Once you get used to the modes and scenes it offers it takes some very nice shots. Oh, and the movie clips are pretty high quality too. But the best feature is the low-noise high-iso for low light.

Nusbaum

Fujifilm X-T1

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

02/13/2007 06:11:34 PM · #16

I have the Fuji F10 and it's performance in low light still shocks people. I would definitely recommend the F30.

xianart

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

02/13/2007 06:11:57 PM · #17

leica leica leica. it's not all that big. i used to have an m2.4, and they're realy pretty small cameras.

that said, the Lumix cameras look pretty good. they're from panasonic, with leica lenses.

Message edited by author 2007-02-13 22:04:11.

GinaRothfels

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

02/13/2007 06:19:13 PM · #18

Originally posted by xianart:

leica leica leica. it all that big. i used to have an m2.4, and they're realy pretty small cameras.

that said, the Lumix cameras look pretty good. they're from panasonic, with leica lenses.

If you're looking for low noise, I DON'T recommend Panasonic. Visible noise even at ISO 80 on my FZ5, and the newer ones are probably even worse.

Rob O

02/13/2007 06:34:12 PM · #19

Originally posted by GinaRothfels:

Originally posted by xianart:
leica leica leica. it all that big. i used to have an m2.4, and they're realy pretty small cameras.

that said, the Lumix cameras look pretty good. they're from panasonic, with leica lenses.

If you're looking for low noise, I DON'T recommend Panasonic. Visible noise even at ISO 80 on my FZ5, and the newer ones are probably even worse.

Second that. The entire Lumix line suffers from unacceptable levels of noise from ISO200 up; I've even seen more grain at ISO100 from an FZ20 than my 20D produces at ISO800 under similar conditions.

Sadly that carries over to Leica's Digilux range as well (sensors shared with Panasonic). I really wanted to get the wife a C-Lux or D-lux for Christmas, but couldn't live with real-world reports of noise from fellow photogs with these P&S models.

Ultimately it came down to the Fuji F31FD (F30 with face detection) or either the Canon SD700 IS or SD800 IS. I couldn't find an F31FD to play with at a local retailer, so stuck with what I've known to produce solid images and which get great reviews and went with the SD800 IS. The SD700 IS actually received a better review from dpreview.com than its theoretical successor, the SD800 IS, but I couldn't find one in stock ahead of the holidays -- even online retailers were backordered.

I elected to forego dragging the 20D and all my lenses/gear to Vegas on a recent weekend, taking the compact SD800 IS instead. To say I missed the control -- and, ultimately, image quality -- of the 20D is an understatment ... but I didn't miss lugging it around the casinos! The SD800 IS performed admirably for a compact with slight noise at ISO400. I miss having RAW though, which Leicas do offer.

A couple samples:

1/2sec handheld at f/2.8 (will have to check ISO when I get home). Shot through hotel room window, so reflections were unavoidable.

1/13sec handheld at f/2.8

1/2sec handheld at f/2.8

Message edited by author 2007-02-13 18:34:36.

02/13/2007 09:03:03 PM · #20

Those images are great! I still am feeling the Fuji F30 since it's so highly recommended. Anyone have images to share from the F30 from nighttime or dinners (people socializing)?