Anyone using an old compact camera as a carry-around?

jamiebonline

jamiebonline

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Hi folks

I found a Canon Powershot A570. A mighty 7 megapixel camera from 2007 and decided to try it out as a carry around camera rather than my phone. It is very popular these days to use a phone and I think almost fashionable. How many photography magazines have pictures from iphones (and more often than not, no other brand of smart phone) on their pages or how often do pictures win competitions this way too. I think it has a lot to do with the mild shock value of being able to create a masterpiece without having a separate tool for the job but something you already have on you. It does tend to wear thin a bit though.

The reason for having the little canon with me in my bag is simple. It beats my smart phone in a number of ways: far more ergonomic (it's an actual camera after all), better IQ, optical zoom, optical viewfinder, full manual control and much larger jpeg images which means cropping is not out of the question. The only downside is it gobbles batteries. Anyway, someone out there using an old compact over a phone? And for similar reasons?

Thanks
 
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I sometimes carry a little Medion compact camera or a Canon Ixus 82 or my most modern compact a Panasonic LF1.

I've been using my phone recently but although close up shots don't look too bad, actually they're quite good, more distant stuff looks rubbish and then there's the issue of seeing the screen in daylight so I think I'll give up and start carrying a compact again. My GF used to shoot like crazy with her iPhone but these days she just telly me to shoot stuff as I take better pictures :D
 
I still use a compact for work, have an Ixus 130 and for it's size its a fantastic camera! Does full HD video too.
Added bonus, it's smaller than my iPhone so fits a jean pocket easy too.
 
I used to try and keep an old Coolpix in the glove box but on the rare occasions that I needed it the battery was flat. I rely on the phone now.

In the past I had an Olympus trip or similar loaded with colour print film and it stood me in good stead after a couple of minor motoring shunts.
 
Hi Jamie and All:)!

Early last year, I spotted a Canon Powershot A40 (2003) in a charity shop window. It was a fiver, so what could I do? The batteries had been left in it and I could see that it took a larger card than the SDHC cards that I'm familiar with (I got a 1GB CF card from Amazon for it after seeking advice from the local specialist photography shop). Anyway, the old batteries hadn't caused any damage and I invested in rechargeables. I had great fun with this camera all last summer. This particular model received very good reviews when it was released but yes, it gobbles ordinary batteries. I learnt a lot from using it as it has full manual control. Review here:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/A40/A40A.HTM

Like Ed, I have a Canon Ixus (105). It takes great pics despite only offering Automatic and Program mode. It's the camera I grab just in case...;)
 
jamiebonline said:
Hi folks

I found a Canon Powershot A570. A mighty 7 megapixel camera from 2007 and decided to try it out as a carry around camera rather than my phone. It is very popular these days to use a phone and I think almost fashionable. How many photography magazines have pictures from iphones (and more often than not, no other brand of smart phone) on their pages or how often do pictures win competitions this way too. I think it has a lot to do with the mild shock value of being able to create a masterpiece without having a separate tool for the job but something you already have on you. It does tend to wear thin a bit though.

The reason for having the little canon with me in my bag is simple. It beats my smart phone in a number of ways: far more ergonomic (it's an actual camera after all), better IQ, optical zoom, optical viewfinder, full manual control and much larger jpeg images which means cropping is not out of the question. The only downside is it gobbles batteries. Anyway, someone out there using an old compact over a phone? And for similar reasons?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I have an old Canon Ixus 82 IS, it still produces some lovely photos. When there is good light, it produces some good colours in photos. The little Canon produces better photos than my phone, and it feels good to use also.
 
Eltheza said:
Hi Jamie and All:)!

Early last year, I spotted a Canon Powershot A40 (2003) in a charity shop window. It was a fiver, so what could I do? The batteries had been left in it and I could see that it took a larger card than the SDHC cards that I'm familiar with (I got a 1GB CF card from Amazon for it after seeking advice from the local specialist photography shop). Anyway, the old batteries hadn't caused any damage and I invested in rechargeables. I had great fun with this camera all last summer. This particular model received very good reviews when it was released but yes, it gobbles ordinary batteries. I learnt a lot from using it as it has full manual control. Review here:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/A40/A40A.HTM

Like Ed, I have a Canon Ixus (105). It takes great pics despite only offering Automatic and Program mode. It's the camera I grab just in case...;)
Click to expand...
I bought a Canon Powershot A40 when the camera first came out, I paid £230 for it. I must have been mad, you got a bargain. Compact flash and AA batteries, but photos were pretty decent.
 
Hi John:)!
No, you weren't mad; that was the going price when it was released in 2003. I bought my camera in 2015! Yes, very decent photos! My camera was obviously "pre-loved", as they say; surface scratches etc. It made me realise how rapidly technology advances. I shall still use it; it's got a nice 'feel'.
 
Canon A720is still in use here, 8mp, viewfinder (basically a hole with a bit of plastic or glass covering it) and stabilization.

Takes 2 x AA's, prefer Lithiums which last for ages and I use a Sandisk 4gb SD card with it, handy little thing that folds back to reveal a built in usb jack, plugs straight into a pc or laptop

Very reliable little camera, used it at work for a few years and still going strong, must be eight or nine years old

Haven't got a phone with a camera, only carry an old mobile phone for use in an emergency so can't offer any comparisons
 
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Why bother?

The latest iPhone does a lot more than some older cameras and it is always to hand.

No brainer really.

(Its only drawback is the appalling flash, but for speed and convenience I wouldn't dream of going back to a compact).
 
shreds said:
Why bother?

The latest iPhone does a lot more than some older cameras and it is always to hand.

No brainer really.

(Its only drawback is the appalling flash, but for speed and convenience I wouldn't dream of going back to a compact).
Click to expand...
I prefer the images from my old canon compact, over my iphone.
 
shreds said:
Why bother?

The latest iPhone does a lot more than some older cameras and it is always to hand.

No brainer really.

(Its only drawback is the appalling flash, but for speed and convenience I wouldn't dream of going back to a compact).
Click to expand...

My sister has a new iphone and when we were on the beach the other day she couldn't see the screen and looking at the shots on my pc I have to say that the same comments I made about my phone (it's ok for close subjects but rubbish for distant stuff) look just as true for my sisters iphone shots and my GF's too but I don't think her iPhone is the latest as she's had it a while now. Anyway, there's no way on earth that either of those phones take better pictures than any of the better compacts I've had and of course in bright sunlight... forget it, you can't frame a shot accurately as you can't see the screen.
 
Dead easy to create a black non reflective three sided shade, out of a scrap of mount board.

The phone is not for serious stuff, just a pocket handy work round, that is always to hand when the proper camera is not present.
 
shreds said:
Dead easy to create a black non reflective three sided shade, out of a scrap of mount board.

The phone is not for serious stuff, just a pocket handy work round, that is always to hand when the proper camera is not present.
Click to expand...
What? Are you serious? What about when you want to change orientation? Surely it needs a four sided shade? That's going to make slipping the phone into your pocket a bit on the difficult side isn't it?

But it could work... Have you got a picture of your shaded phone setup you could post? Maybe just wear a cape and flip it over your head instead?

Sorry, that sound a whole lot more hassle than slipping a credit card footprint VF equipped compact into a trouser pocket.
 
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I carry a Panasonic HX-WA10 video camera with me at most times. Not only HD vids but also 16mp stills.
 
I normally have a Fuji XP70 in my jacket pocket. Image quality so-so but no worries about rain or dust or dropping it - it's reasonably light and compact.

If I am carrying my other kit and the conditions get bad I can leave my bag sealed and pull it out as my 'rain camera'.
 
I used to have a Fuji x10. But reluctantly sold it. I'm using my galaxy s6 atm.
 
My Galaxy Note 4 can produce some stunning images but it's just a lot easier making photos using a compact, in my experience - the camera UI of phones has some way to go (although I know you can now buy various accessories to make it easier to use a phone cam). Eg. Seeing the screen in bright sunlight, one hand shooting, changing "stuff" etc........
 
shreds said:
Why bother?

The latest iPhone does a lot more than some older cameras and it is always to hand.

No brainer really.

(Its only drawback is the appalling flash, but for speed and convenience I wouldn't dream of going back to a compact).
Click to expand...
I find the main problem with taking photos on a phone is it's kind of fiddly as you have to compose "at arms length" as phones don't have a viewfinder and then you have to "tap" the screen to take a shot - I usually end up tapping the wrong bit of the screen and closing the app, and i can only clearly see a phone screen if i remove my distance glasses which slows the process down.
 
I use a sony rx100 mk1 as my carry round everywhere camera
I used to use my phone but as I've mentioned before the image quality on the compact is so much better
 
happygolucky said:
I used to have a Fuji x10. But reluctantly sold it. I'm using my galaxy s6 atm.
Click to expand...
I am still plodding along with my X10 and I will not get rid of it. Besides what would get for it? Has to be worth more to me as a usable everyday camera.
 
An ancient TZ8 lives in my work bag / goes with me most places where I wouldn't be taking my dslr.
Easier to use (and better quality) than the camera on my MotoG.

Of course, it doesn't stop GAS make me lust after a TZ100 to leave in my bag...
 
Here's one of my little compact carry arounds.

Olympus-XA2-small by Andy, on Flickr

Bl**dy gorgeous lens.
 
The original XA was even better. A proper rangefinder camera with one of the best lenses Olympus every produced but it is still very expensive in comparison to the XA2. This one cost me £4.99. :D
 
I still use a Nikon Coolpix S10 I bought in 2006 I think, I liked it then and have had no reason not to like it since, in fact it has been round the world with me. There is a slight shutter delay but ergonomically it suits me fine. Off to SW Ireland next week and it will be coming with me. I have been there before and done all the 'proper' photography I want to so no need to lug round DSLR, lenses and all the stuff again.
 
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