Small but good?

martin99 · 29-09-2009, 6:31 PM

Hi chaps..

I was going to get another DSLR body but after missing a couple of good photo opportunities in the last week because i didn't have a camera with me I've decided on a change of tack

I cant quite run to a Leica M9 but whats the best small camera I can carry aroiund all the time? I was thinking a S90 but have yet to see any reviews budget is upto £500 but the smaller the better.

cheers

Martin

weetsie · 30-09-2009, 12:03 AM

sigma DP1

its not everyones cup of tea but if i was buying a decent compact and i couldn't afford a EP-1 or GF-1 i would buy a DP-1 for sure.

shotokan101 · 30-09-2009, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weetsie

sigma DP1

its not everyones cup of tea but if i was buying a decent compact and i couldn't afford a EP-1 or GF-1 i would buy a DP-1 for sure.

Doesn't have Macro capability though I think - if that matters ?

Jim

martin99 · 30-09-2009, 4:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weetsie

sigma DP1

its not everyones cup of tea but if i was buying a decent compact and i couldn't afford a EP-1 or GF-1 i would buy a DP-1 for sure.

I could afford them, but size wise they seem to be a "tubby" ( like me really )

Want i want is something that will fit in a jean or jacket pocket. If i have to carry them separately then I may as well take the SLR.

I'm in central London tomorrow so I'll have a mooch around Jessops and try to work out what's feasible.

springtide · 30-09-2009, 8:18 AM

What about an LX3? IQ is pretty good and great manual control:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

If you just want a point and shoot then Fuji F200 gets good reviews - probably the best point and shoot for IQ (hasn't been compared to the Sony below yet!), but not so good for manual control:
Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

There are a couple of new Sony's coming out, with the 'Exmor R' sensor (Sony unveils 'Exmor R' back-illuminated CMOS technology: Digital Photography Review) which is supposed to have great IQ:
Sony releases DSC-WX1 & TX1 with Exmor R sensor: Digital Photography Review
But haven't seen any reviews of the cameras yet, but the samples images has caused much discussion.

martin99 · 30-09-2009, 11:14 AM

Dont really want a point and shoot. What i do want is

A fast lens
Ability to shoot in RAW
Manual controls, ( if i want to change the EV or ISO i dont want to have to go through loads of menus)

kartwheel · 01-10-2009, 12:11 PM

I bought a Panasonic LX3 a couple of months ago after my Canon s60 died. It is feature packed with everything a DSLR can do - raw, macro, large screen, but no viewfinder. The best thing is once you've figured out your settings you can save your 4 most used ones to a quick access button.
Its very small, and large fingered people may find it a little tricky to opperate. Also, allthough it will increase the size a bit it, you can by a extension tube to attach to the body so that you can use filters.
I havn't printed any photos yet, but the picture quality looks good on PC and I think maybe better than the S60. The software for the raw developing looks good, but the software for viewing jpegs is pants - I will ellaborate if your interested but I quickly reverted back to using Canon Zoombrowser.

martin99 · 05-10-2009, 5:42 PM

to round this thread off I've decided to get a fujifilm f200 exr. ( the fragility of the tz7 worries me)

No I know its got no RAW support, but i figure I can live with that till the LX4 comes out.

cheers

martin

pcookie · 06-10-2009, 12:12 PM

Why not wait for the Canon S90? Small, shoots raw, fully manual, brilliant control interface.
Or if the large zoom of the TZ7 appealed, but the build quality didn't, look at the Ricoh CXII.

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martin99 · 06-10-2009, 12:19 PM

I actually need a camera for an event this weekend, and its not really practical to take the DSLR.

I'm also guessing the S90 price will start high and not drop till after Xmas?

Anyway I've got the 200EXR for under £200 so if something appreciably better comes out I haven't lost a lot, or if I win the lottery I can get the M9

pcookie · 06-10-2009, 12:41 PM

Sorry Martin
Didn't pay close attention to your opening thread! The S90 is currently being preordered at £350 from a couple of places. I'd look closely at the Ricoh though. Well within your budget (£300). 10x zoom. Metal bodied and it has similar 2 shot technology to the Fuji.

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martin99 · 06-10-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcookie

Sorry Martin
Didn't pay close attention to your opening thread! The S90 is currently being preordered at £350 from a couple of places. I'd look closely at the Ricoh though. Well within your budget (£300). 10x zoom. Metal bodied and it has similar 2 shot technology to the Fuji.

cookie

Too late now, Fuji ordered, paid for, and should arrive tomorrow.

To be honest I've decided its not worth sweating over "small" cameras what ever you get is going to be a compromise.

Re-evaluating what I needed I decided in this case size was everything.

When quality is really important I get out the Nikon's (a D40 will joined by a D700s or D4 next year, and F3hp and F5) and the lens set, about 10, from 18 to 500mm and the forklift to move them all!