Please suggest a small camera when you do not want to carry all the Digital SLR equipment (and of course MF/LF ).
It need not be the latest and greatest, I'm fine with 6mp+raw files. The two options I see are Lumix LX1 (LX2 verdict is not out yet and just has 2mp more which is perhaps not of much use anyway) or FujiE series. LX1 is attractive as it has a 9:16 option and smaller (perhaps).
I find the Fuji F30 to be a very good candidate. I don't personally own it but found a lot of very good reviews on the net. Tried for 1 day and really pleased with the results. Look here, i.e:
I have the Fuji finepix E900 (I think that's the model #). It takes wonderful pictures. It has 9 megapixels. It has RAW capabilities, but I find the processed RAW files are horribly noisy...and my Capture One LE converter does not support it. There may be another converter that does a better job. It worked wonderfully this weekend when I was taking photos at an amusement park in bright sunlight. It handled the contrasty situation very well. It has a good macro function. It does not have image stabilization though, which I see some of the more recent P&S cameras have.
I've been pretty happy with the Fuji E900. The only gizmo it doesn't have is vibration reduction so if you need it look elsewhere. Otherwise it has great resolution, lots of manual features, and a compact size. It also has a real glass finder, though not a very accurate one. I absolutely hate EVFs. Be aware that it comes with a tiny memory card that's utterly useless so you will need to spend a little extra for a 1GB card (I wouldn't go with less if you plan to use raw - the files are enormous). It is fully supported by ACR.
Most modern P&S models don't have a raw mode. The last P&S from Canon to have one was the S70 which is another excellent choice if you can find it used (and it takes CF cards too).
The LX1 looks good but I heard it's very noisy. No hands-on experience though.
Guy
Posted by Frank Winters on October 4, 2006 at 8:52 AM
Thanks for posting this Prashant and Tejaswita! I was about to post a similar entry asking the same question.
I enjoy using a pocket sized or near pocket sized camera and have been wondering what one would be best for a while. (I used to own a Leica M3 and was spoiled by it.)
I've considered the Ricoh GR but the reviews are bad. See this one on DP Reviews:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/ricohgrd/
Noisy photos even at the lowest ISO setting and soft JPEGS. No matter what else is good about it if the image quality is bad the camera in ng.
Has anyone used a Canon S70? It gets very high marks in the same website:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons70/
And the Canon G series is also highly regarded.
I have an Olympus C-7000 that I like alot. Its a 7 mp camera -- very small (maybe too small) with lots of features for us 'serious' photographers. Metal body -- very fast -- very good image quality.
Low noise. F2.8 - 4.8 lens ~ 35mm - 190mm zoom. But somehow I'm not quite satisfied. It has a very annoying feature that I keep triping over -- if i accidently press the left arrow it sets an exposure compensation of -.3 the plus arrow gives me a +.3. Several photo sessions -- taken on the run -- have been screwed up by this feature that i would rather see a bit more difficult to get at. Maybe there is a way to lock the exposure mod4e -- I'll look into that.
The LX1 looks good but I heard it's very noisy. >>>
Yes, that is a problem.
Guy, have you printed larger images with E900?
Frank,
Canon G cameras are almost as big as a small DSLR.
Yes, S70 is a good option too.
Posted by Frank Winters on October 4, 2006 at 9:07 AM
The G6 is small SLR like but I used a G1 for a couple of years and it was very portable. Fit into a coat pocket -- it was a good winter camera! Image from it were excellent. Also used a G2 for a while -- same thing. Think of getting a G5 now that they are cheap. Or an S70 .......
Yes LX1 has a noisy reputation. The Canons battle CA but otherwise get high marks.
Posted by Ronno Tramper on October 5, 2006 at 11:07 AM
I've got the fujifilm F30. Very compact. It doesn't have Raw capability, but the quality of its JPEGs at ISO 100 and 200 is indistinguishable from the JPEGs of the Nikon D70. The fujifilm S6500fd will have the same sensor. Should be available soon.
Ronno Tramper
www.ronnotramper.com
Posted by Vandit Kalia on October 8, 2006 at 10:01 AM
LX-1. No contest, IMO - image quality is very good, but the ergonomics are flat-out spectacular. This is the first digital compact I have used that feels like a camera. Noise is high at higher ISOs, but shoot in RAW and it can be managed quite well. This is a photographer's camera.
Some shots from it are here:
http://www.photosafariindia.com/galleries/darjeeling/thumbs.html
I also have a review of this camera online there, linked in the above article.
I am taking it to the Pushkar Camel Fair at the end of this month, and will post an article on that at TPN.
Vandit
Posted by Kent Staubus on October 8, 2006 at 11:10 AM
I have a Canon S70 and it is nearly perfect. Fits into a shirt pocket and has a significantly wider lens than most p&s digitals--28mm (thirtyfive mm equiv.) Lots of manual adjustments are possible and it's very solid. There is a newer version, the SD800, which does have IS. I wouldn't mind having one of those!
I have no specific recomendations, but I can offer some advice on features based on my recent experience with owning a digital point-and-shoot.
1. An EVF (as least the one on my Sony) is a horrible thing. I don't even bother using it 99% of the time I just use the somewhat less horrible LCD.
2. I don't like being restricted to jpg files, but I think you already know that.
3. I really miss having a histogram available for checking exposure.
4. Find a little camera you can live with and have it around all the time. I like the spontaneity.
Just a thought, I bought an inexpensive, used PS just to test the waters. I'll get my $150 worth out of that camera without a doubt, and using it gives me an idea of what I might look for if/when I need a replacement.
Discussion
11 repliesIt need not be the latest and greatest, I'm fine with 6mp+raw files. The two options I see are Lumix LX1 (LX2 verdict is not out yet and just has 2mp more which is perhaps not of much use anyway) or FujiE series. LX1 is attractive as it has a 9:16 option and smaller (perhaps).
Thanks in advance,
http://www.prime-junta.net/pont/Reviews/070_Fujifilm_F30/_Fujifilm_F30.html
My 2 cents,
Massimo
What about a Ricoh GR digital.
Most modern P&S models don't have a raw mode. The last P&S from Canon to have one was the S70 which is another excellent choice if you can find it used (and it takes CF cards too).
The LX1 looks good but I heard it's very noisy. No hands-on experience though.
Guy
I enjoy using a pocket sized or near pocket sized camera and have been wondering what one would be best for a while. (I used to own a Leica M3 and was spoiled by it.)
I've considered the Ricoh GR but the reviews are bad. See this one on DP Reviews:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/ricohgrd/
Noisy photos even at the lowest ISO setting and soft JPEGS. No matter what else is good about it if the image quality is bad the camera in ng.
Has anyone used a Canon S70? It gets very high marks in the same website:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons70/
And the Canon G series is also highly regarded.
I have an Olympus C-7000 that I like alot. Its a 7 mp camera -- very small (maybe too small) with lots of features for us 'serious' photographers. Metal body -- very fast -- very good image quality.
Low noise. F2.8 - 4.8 lens ~ 35mm - 190mm zoom. But somehow I'm not quite satisfied. It has a very annoying feature that I keep triping over -- if i accidently press the left arrow it sets an exposure compensation of -.3 the plus arrow gives me a +.3. Several photo sessions -- taken on the run -- have been screwed up by this feature that i would rather see a bit more difficult to get at. Maybe there is a way to lock the exposure mod4e -- I'll look into that.
Frank
Yes, that is a problem.
Guy, have you printed larger images with E900?
Frank,
Canon G cameras are almost as big as a small DSLR.
Yes, S70 is a good option too.
Yes LX1 has a noisy reputation. The Canons battle CA but otherwise get high marks.
Ronno Tramper
www.ronnotramper.com
Some shots from it are here:
http://www.photosafariindia.com/galleries/darjeeling/thumbs.html
I also have a review of this camera online there, linked in the above article.
I am taking it to the Pushkar Camel Fair at the end of this month, and will post an article on that at TPN.
Vandit
Kent in SD
1. An EVF (as least the one on my Sony) is a horrible thing. I don't even bother using it 99% of the time I just use the somewhat less horrible LCD.
2. I don't like being restricted to jpg files, but I think you already know that.
3. I really miss having a histogram available for checking exposure.
4. Find a little camera you can live with and have it around all the time. I like the spontaneity.
Just a thought, I bought an inexpensive, used PS just to test the waters. I'll get my $150 worth out of that camera without a doubt, and using it gives me an idea of what I might look for if/when I need a replacement.
Pete D.