Posted by chris jones on June 12, 2007 at 11:32 AM
hi i was thinking of getting a small digi camera to take with me when
i dont have my 1dmk2 with me can some one recomend a model as i dont keep up to date with this sort of camera, i want it so i can just keep it in my pocket and its there when needed.
Dpreview is the site for comparisons but as you know the modern day choice is absolutely bewildering!
A couple of years ago I plumped for a Panny DMC LX1 because at the time it was one of the few that shot RAW files and had a decent Leica zoom lens plus image stabilisation of sorts. This has been updated to the LX2 with a better processing engine and 10MP rather than 8MP, but otherwise they are very similar.
When the LX1 was introduced the Panny's were slated for rubbish ISO performance., but as all compacts are useless at iso400+, I only ever use it ISO 200 maximum so the differences aren't that great for me. I've been very happy with it, solidly built and good optical performance for it's size and weight, the two things I find really usefull having lived with it for a while are the real time live view histogram function and LCD "thirds" grid line views - both indespensible for the arms length focussing technique used with compacts.
Personally it was a toss-up between either a Panny with Leica designed optics or Sony with Zeiss designed optics, working on the basis that bottle glass = squiffy images no matter how good the sensor and that modern sensors are pretty similar - the optics design was a bigger decider for me than ISO performance and other twiddly add-ons offered.
I use a Fuji F11 as a pocket sized compact. The latest model is the F30 or F31fd or F41fd, the F30 sells for about £140.
Mike is correct that all compacts are poor at higher ISOs but the Fuji compacts have a reputation for having the 'best' high ISO performance and I don't mind using mine at ISO400 or even ISO800 and for small snaps the performance is acceptable.
The Fuji has just enough manual control of aperture, shutter and ISO to give you some control when auto mode is not good enough.
Generally I like the Fuji compacts, well built, good battery life, excellent video mode too which can be fun.
If I was choosing today I would also look at the Canon A series (A550, A560, A570IS, etc) which are also very good for sub £200 compacts. Use AA batteries and SD cards too.
If your budget is a bit higher take a look at the Ricoh GX100 with a nice 24mm to 70mm (equivalent) zoom range and a nice 'rangefinder' camera style.
And also the Panasonic/Leica (same cameras, different badges) series of compacts are worth checking out as recommended by Mike.
Read the reviews on DP Review and decide which features are the most important to you. There is no perfect compact so decide whether high ISO performance, IS, wide angle, battery type, card type, etc are the deciding factors for you.
Discussion
4 repliesi dont have my 1dmk2 with me can some one recomend a model as i dont keep up to date with this sort of camera, i want it so i can just keep it in my pocket and its there when needed.
chris
A couple of years ago I plumped for a Panny DMC LX1 because at the time it was one of the few that shot RAW files and had a decent Leica zoom lens plus image stabilisation of sorts. This has been updated to the LX2 with a better processing engine and 10MP rather than 8MP, but otherwise they are very similar.
When the LX1 was introduced the Panny's were slated for rubbish ISO performance., but as all compacts are useless at iso400+, I only ever use it ISO 200 maximum so the differences aren't that great for me. I've been very happy with it, solidly built and good optical performance for it's size and weight, the two things I find really usefull having lived with it for a while are the real time live view histogram function and LCD "thirds" grid line views - both indespensible for the arms length focussing technique used with compacts.
Personally it was a toss-up between either a Panny with Leica designed optics or Sony with Zeiss designed optics, working on the basis that bottle glass = squiffy images no matter how good the sensor and that modern sensors are pretty similar - the optics design was a bigger decider for me than ISO performance and other twiddly add-ons offered.
I use a Fuji F11 as a pocket sized compact. The latest model is the F30 or F31fd or F41fd, the F30 sells for about £140.
Mike is correct that all compacts are poor at higher ISOs but the Fuji compacts have a reputation for having the 'best' high ISO performance and I don't mind using mine at ISO400 or even ISO800 and for small snaps the performance is acceptable.
The Fuji has just enough manual control of aperture, shutter and ISO to give you some control when auto mode is not good enough.
Generally I like the Fuji compacts, well built, good battery life, excellent video mode too which can be fun.
If I was choosing today I would also look at the Canon A series (A550, A560, A570IS, etc) which are also very good for sub £200 compacts. Use AA batteries and SD cards too.
If your budget is a bit higher take a look at the Ricoh GX100 with a nice 24mm to 70mm (equivalent) zoom range and a nice 'rangefinder' camera style.
And also the Panasonic/Leica (same cameras, different badges) series of compacts are worth checking out as recommended by Mike.
Read the reviews on DP Review and decide which features are the most important to you. There is no perfect compact so decide whether high ISO performance, IS, wide angle, battery type, card type, etc are the deciding factors for you.
Good luck choosing.
cheers
Sean
chris