Point & Shoot recommendation - DPChallenge Forums

12/06/2010 11:51:36 AM · #1

I am researching point & shoot cameras - mostly bridge types.
I love my DSLR, but would like a p&s for several reasons.

~ "Legal" to take into concerts (usually)
~ Smaller & lighter for transporting everywhere - including, on my motorcycle.

Hoping for a price around $400 or under
I would like something with a long optical zoom. Also, want one that doesn't have shutter lag. Of course, good image quality.
I've looked on line at the Fuji Finepix S200EXR, Finepix HS10, Canon PowerShot SX30 IS, Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
I'm still leaning more to the Fuji S200EXR - but, would love other recommendations or opinions on these cameras or other similar models.
Thanks!

12/06/2010 12:04:56 PM · #2

I have a Powershot S5 IS which is the predecessor to several of the Canon models you mentioned. Nice big zoom, but the usual noise problems associated with small sensor cameras. I'm looking at getting a Powershot S90/95 or G9/10/11/12 in the near future. They have larger sensors for less noise and shoot RAW, but they don't have that huge zoom on them.

FourPointX

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

12/06/2010 12:10:29 PM · #3

the sx10IS is fantastic, it's concert legal

and the zoom is awesome. pretty chunky for a p&s but well worth the "chunk"

and yeah, spiff sold me on going for the sx series when i asked his opinion last year...i couldn't be happier with it.

12/06/2010 12:18:25 PM · #4

Thanks guys!
Couple of questions - what sensor should I look for that would be less noisy? I think those I am looking at have a CCD.
Also, any shutter lag on Powershots?

12/06/2010 12:26:07 PM · #5

Originally posted by AutumnCat:

Thanks guys!
Couple of questions - what sensor should I look for that would be less noisy? I think those I am looking at have a CCD.
Also, any shutter lag on Powershots?

The smaller the sensor the more noise. The larger the sensor, the less noise, but larger sensors and more zoom means bigger lenses. Can't totally get around the physics, so there is always a tradeoff. Really, the S5/SX10/SX20 series image quality is normal for that sort of camera. When I regularly used mine I simply got in the habit of using a monopod or tripod much sooner that I would with a DSLR. This one was taken in dim bar lighting, stabilized on the edge of the card table.

I guess it depends on what is more important for you, the image quality, or the zoom range.

Message edited by author 2010-12-06 12:27:05.

LevT

Olympus OM-1

12/06/2010 12:49:15 PM · #6

check out Panasonic Lumix lineup. I've recently bought LX5, which sports a great f2 Leica lens, large (relatively speaking) sensor, RAW format, and full manual control. The other one I considered was ZS6, which has a much longer zoom, but other factors (slower lens, smaller sensor, no RAW) led me to choose the LX5,even though it was about $200 more. Oh, it has a pretty small shutter lag too, and it keeps shooting while it records the large RAW files (it was a big issue with my previous P&S)

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

12/06/2010 12:56:50 PM · #7

Ok - the CCD sensor doesn't determine that it is a small or large sensor.
I compared the Fuji S200EXR with the Powershot S90 and their sensors are similar.
Fuji - 1/1.6 " (7.78 x 5.83 mm, 0.45 cm²) Powershot - 1/1.7 " (7.60 x 5.70 mm, 0.43 cm²)
Continuous shooting is comparable.
The difference is the zoom - and I imagine that what that changes is the size of the camera. I'm ok with a slightly larger p&s if it gives me the larger zoom range. Plus, it gives me a little more to grip - which I like.

Will also compare with the Lumix series. Thanks again!

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

12/06/2010 01:09:16 PM · #8

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

I guess it depends on what is more important for you, the image quality, or the zoom range.

I have the S3 IS (even a generation earlier) and basically went with the trade-off of flexibility vs low-light image quality. It can do practically everything pretty well, but is limited by excessive noise above ISO 200, and sometimes bad shutter-lag, and a hard-to-use manual focus. But it can
-take macros in-focus as close as touching the lens
-flip/tilt LCD allows shooting at odd angles
-zooms 36-432mm (35mm equivalent)
-built-in time-lapse programming
-30fps movies with stereo sound
-accept filters and additional lenses (wide-angle, tele-photo, close-up)

I think I could recommend the successor line if they have the same (or better) features. Another option for a P&S carry-around camera might be the Canon D10 -- waterproof (10m) and shock-resistant; you can let kids use it too, but sacrifice the long soom ...

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

12/06/2010 02:01:42 PM · #9

Again - thanks for the suggestions & feedback.
Does anyone know if you can use the FPS (frames per second) in continuous mode to gauge how fast or slow the shutter lag may be?

I do want a decent zoom - the S200EXR has a reasonable zoom (longer than my longest Canon lens of 200mm) & a larger sensor. FPS is only 1.6. That is faster than some of the others I mentioned - but, certainly not the fastest. But, the price is still decent.

Bear_Music

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

12/06/2010 02:04:17 PM · #10

Originally posted by LevT:

I second the Lumix, as long as you can live without the extreme zoom; the quality is awesome.

R.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

12/06/2010 02:06:09 PM · #11

Originally posted by AutumnCat:

Does anyone know if you can use the FPS (frames per second) in continuous mode to gauge how fast or slow the shutter lag may be?

I don't think they are related. I think shutter lag is mainly determined by how fast it can auto-focus, and perhaps determine/change any other settings.

If you shoot in manual mode so that shutter speed, aperture, and ISO are all pre-determined, and you either use manual focus or half-press to pre-autofocus, you shouldn't have much lag after that.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

12/06/2010 02:07:28 PM · #12

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by AutumnCat:
Does anyone know if you can use the FPS (frames per second) in continuous mode to gauge how fast or slow the shutter lag may be?

I don't think they are related. I think shutter lag is mainly determined by how fast it can auto-focus, and perhaps determine/change any other settings.

If you shoot in manual mode so that shutter speed, aperture, and ISO are all pre-determined, and you either use manual focus or half-press to pre-autofocus, you shouldn't have much lag after that.

That, plus the fact that electronic viewfinders (which these all are) have a real-time lag built in; what you are seeing has already happened.

R.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

12/06/2010 02:10:12 PM · #13

I would recommend the Canon S95, I have the S90, and it's quite good, even producing high scoring images if you use it right :)

FireBird

12/06/2010 02:46:37 PM · #14

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

That, plus the fact that electronic viewfinders (which these all are) have a real-time lag built in; what you are seeing has already happened.

R.

Snort! Everything you see has already happened. LOL :)

briantammy

Olympus PEN E-P3

Konica Minolta MF 85mm f/1.7

12/06/2010 03:49:56 PM · #15

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by LevT:
check out Panasonic Lumix lineup. I've recently bought LX5, which sports a great f2 Leica lens, large (relatively speaking) sensor, RAW format, and full manual control. The other one I considered was ZS6, which has a much longer zoom, but other factors (slower lens, smaller sensor, no RAW) led me to choose the LX5,even though it was about $200 more. Oh, it has a pretty small shutter lag too, and it keeps shooting while it records the large RAW files (it was a big issue with my previous P&S)

I second the Lumix, as long as you can live without the extreme zoom; the quality is awesome.

R.

these comments made me look at the Lx5 myself and i noticed that Panasonic is coming out with a new micro 4/3rds GF2 which seems quite impressive. Check out the video (you'll see a video link there, when you click it a video starts but chose the GF2 promo video at the right in that pop-up window.)

edit to add: possibilities

Message edited by author 2010-12-06 16:07:09.

d56ranger

Canon EOS-20D

12/06/2010 04:14:51 PM · #16

Are any PnSs, with a reasonable size(small) and a decently long lens, still made with an optical view finder? I find the optical view finders are very hard to use in bright conditions, especially in the snow.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

12/06/2010 04:25:07 PM · #17

Many of the Canon's are still made with an optical viewfinders. though they don't provide 100% coverage of the image area to be shot, it makes them usable in conditions where using the screen is problematic.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

12/06/2010 04:32:11 PM · #18

I don't know why everybody is so hung up on quality with a P&S. IMO, it should be for fun. If you want quality, go all the way and use your dSLR. Shit in the pot OR on the floor; but not BOTH, that just wouldn't make sense.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ED-IF

12/06/2010 04:43:53 PM · #19

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

I don't know why everybody is so hung up on quality with a P&S.

Because we want it ALL, and for under $400, that's why.

hesitant

Nikon D750

12/06/2010 06:31:06 PM · #20

My daughter has a Panasonic TZ10. It's very strong in all areas and is a lot more portable than a Hybrid. I still have the TZ1 and am in no rush to part with it.

My wife has the Canon SX10is which is great but you're more or less into SLR size and weight.