[DpM]

My work has asked me to look into compact cameras for them. It needs to be good at macro shots as they will be used for taking pictures of skin problems, spots, warts etc.
Im guessing the quicker it is at snapping and start up the better also.
The budget is £200 and they need to buy twenty of them. Ill confirm if that incudes memory card but for now lets say not.
The camera could also do with supplied software for minor edits but this is not essential.

I have not looked at compacts for ages so if anyone can suggest a goodun id appreciate it.

Thanks

[senu]

Seriuosly?
I take a lot of medical illustration type shots in the past and recently and even today I took one as a record of before and after treatment of a skin condition many of which are not easily diagnostic just by appaerance

I really would not consider most compacts as being up to the Job ( someone might give you a good example)
Even the most pocket friendly DSLR with an average macro lens will do a far better job

Many of mine have been taken with a Nikon D300 but even the Canon 30D with 17-85 ( not the worlds most sharp macro lens) has resulted in great images viewed blown up and projected to wide screen in teaching Seminars

Perhaps they need to consider a mix of cameras if the expense of many costlier cameras is worrying. I can post an example or 2 if you wish

[tontoshorse]

3cm focusing do'ya?
2.5 sec from switch on to 1st pic?



Canon IXUS 100 IS Review

and available for £170?

Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS Digital Camera - Black 2.5: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

[DpM]

Originally Posted by senu

Seriously?
I take a lot of medical illustration type shots in the past and recently and even today I took one as a record of before and after treatment of a skin condition many of which are not easily diagnostic just by appearance

I really would not consider most compacts as being up to the Job ( someone might give you a good example)
Even the most pocket friendly DSLR with an average macro lens will do a far better job

Many of mine have been taken with a Nikon D300 but even the Canon 30D with 17-85 ( not the worlds most sharp macro lens) has resulted in great images viewed blown up and projected to wide screen in teaching Seminars

Perhaps they need to consider a mix of cameras if the expense of many costlier cameras is worrying. I can post an example or 2 if you wish

OK most of us here know that a DSLR and macro lens will blow a compact out of the water, I asked yesterday as soon as they asked me. Is there room to budget on the buget for a better alternative and the answer was no.
I should have worded it different, what is the best compact at macro's for £200.

These are to be handed out to sales reps and as they already lug around a laptop, handheld, phone, paperwork, samples etc I dont think a DSLR would fit.

In light of that maybe a bridge camera would be a better compromise? Do you think they would do a better job than a compact?

I appreciate the response Sensu and if they had the budget they would all get a DSLR and macro lens Which would leave me jealous

[DpM]

Originally Posted by tontoshorse

3cm focusing do'ya?
2.5 sec from switch on to 1st pic?



Canon IXUS 100 IS Review

and available for £170?

Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS Digital Camera - Black 2.5: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Thanks, ill have a look at that model later and maybe compare it to some bridge cameras.

[senu]

Originally Posted by DpM

In light of that maybe a bridge camera would be a better compromise? Do you think they would do a better job than a compact?

Possibly

I am not saying Non-DSLR cameras dont have thier place ( Indeed even the pros have them for casual work),

I just express my own personal experience with the recording of skin lesions. ( I do have a decent collection of these) Even to the naked eye they can be a challenge to characterise to a dermatologist, let alone other doctors (GPs ect) or healthcare professionals. As such accurate colour rendition and sharpness to show textures with minimal need for PP is a good aspiration
Im pretty sure getting this is not exclusive to DSLRs but Im not sure just how accurate the imaging need be. If a compact or Bridge can do the job well. fine
The fact that digital camera are now " cheap as chips" and marketed as 12Mp in a ciggarette packet size may give the impression spending more is not VFM
Hence my coments , not dismissing compacts at all

I appreciate the response Senu and if they had the budget they would all get a DSLR and macro lens Which would leave me jealous

Thanks I wasn't suggesting they splash out but maybe consider a mix of Cameras, some better than others
Better than buying the pocket friendly kit only then finding them wanting

[DpM]

Good points Sensu. Ill go and have a chat witht he person that asked me to look into the cameras and see how good they need the images to be.