Best compact with manual features?

EMA747

EMA747

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Andy
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I am looking into maybe getting a decent compact camera to take with me when I don't have my 1DmkIV. Now that I have a big heavy pro camcorder I find myself not taking a camera as much because I can't really take both due to weight.

I would like to get a compact, smallish, lightweight camera that will take pretty good shots and have manual controls. I researched this about two years ago and was taken by the Panasonic Lumix LX5 but I don't know how much the market has moved on since then.

I don't want to spend a fortune. Maybe £350ish and I am not averse to getting a used camera.

Any suggestions?

Andy S
 
I can recommend the Canon S95, as do many others. Search the forum as there's been a few recent threads on the S95.
 
The other one I looked at before was the Canon G9 though they have a few more recent models now. I liked it for having more readily available control buttons than the others.

How do the G10,11,12 compare with the LX5 or later similar models?
 
I loved my G10. The mode dials were great but the reality, in my case, was that it rarely went out of AV mode so part of me thinks it was slightly redundant. It was handy having the ISO & EV dial there for immediate changing though and it was very "canon" to use, which meant little or no learning curve when getting to grips with it. Not sure how it stacks up against the LX-5 though
 
I purchased a Canon S95 just 2 hours ago, after around 2 months of debating with myself and reading reviews. I wanted something small, with manual control and good image quality I could keep with me at all times, and it seems to fit the bill.

Can't wait to get out and start using it!:D
 
I still keep coming back to the LX5. I will go and try some out in a shop but the S95 looks like it could be just a tiny bit too small and fiddly.
 
If you want something truly pocketable, then the S95 is the clear winner (Panasonic LX5 is very bulky in comparison, due to the non-retractable lens).

Or you could get a nice small Micro 4/3 camera, like the Panasonic GF1 or Olympus E-P1/E-PL1 (depending on what you prefer - better noise control and a built in flash (E-PL1), or better ergonomics and build quality (E-P1)).
 
I've got an S90 and love its manual control, small size and IQ. For that reason alone I would say S95 also.

The control wheels on it are very well thought out and not at all fiddly. The only criticism I have of it (S90 that is) is that the pop-up flash pops up under where one of my fingers seem to naturally fall. This may just be a personal thing though.
 
grotty said:
I can recommend the Canon S95, as do many others. Search the forum as there's been a few recent threads on the S95.
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:plusone:
 
G11 for me. Well chuffed with it for a year now
 
Being used to a gripped 50D with either a 24-105 or 70-200 IS attached, I find that my G12 feels light and compact. Not trouser pocket compact but goes in a coat pocket OK, and on my shoulder in the Tamrac case I got it's still unobtrusive. The flip out/rotatable screen is very useful for "over and under" shots, and the controls are all nicely sited, especially the front dial (which I use for ISO). It was the screen and addition of the front dial that decided me over the G11.
 
I've just gone through a similar decision (compact to back up DSLR).

I've had experience with the G7 - G9, and thought they were brilliant, so I strongly considered the G12, especially as it had the tilt'y screen. However in the end (after trying one in the hand), I went with the S95, mainly because I realised that I was more likely to take the smaller camera "just in case", rather than have to think twice about taking the bulkier G12.

So far I have really enjoyed the S95, good picture quality, and the front and back adjustment wheels/rings make manual control very easy.
 
I have recently purchased the S95 and really love it. The photo quality is super and the controls are not fiddly at all, they have been well thought out.
 
Another vote for the Canon S95 here.
 
I have an LX3. I would like a little extra zoom range at times, which I believe the LX5 offers. I looked at this v the S90 and others.

One of the reasons I like it, which has nothing to do with image quality etc, is it feels like a (very) mini SLR almost when you hold it, and I like the way it looks. Doesn't affect image quality but I love the look of it!

Whilst things have changed now, I was principally attracted by the fast lens and the nothing but rave reviews. Wife has a panny TZ7 and I have to say Panasonic have done such a great job in the compact market that I now favour them over other brands (in a completely non-scientific \ testing comparative models way!).

I've not been disappointed with the LX3 (I know it's not an LX5 but I imagine fairly similar). I would say however that it is not quite pocketable (coat pocket yes, trouser pocket not really unless it's a baggy jeans day).

In capable hands this camera can take great images, could not find a previous link but some interesting ones here http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/popup/lx3_bruce_gallery/south_west/index.html

Good luck whatever you go for.

Al
 
Compact covers a fair range. The LX and G cameras are excellent, but far too bulky for unnoticeable carry, for me anyway. I was going to buy the S90 or S95 - which are truly compact - but eventually got a Panasonic TZ9 because my wife wanted the telephoto capability, and she'll probably use it more then I will. It also goes fairly wide, and I used it on a recent trip to Rome and was quite surprised by the results.
 
I'm pretty close to deciding on an LX5 but I still want to see an S95 in the flesh to see if the smaller size, ie truly pocketable, is worth it. I have an Ixus 55 which I find kind of too small but I do carry it around in my trouser pocket when I have it with me.

One question to anyone who has got a similar camera as an alternative to a DSLR...do you find yourself taking "serious" pictures with it or more just fun/happy/silly moments when you are on holiday for example? I ask because due to my Ixus 55s lowish quality I don't really bother trying to take "serious" pictures with it.
 
I used the TZ9 much the same way as I use my DSLR, within its limitations, and was quite happy with most of the results. I did miss the DSLR's features at times, but travel is far more important to me than photography, and I didn't want to carry the weight/bulk of a body and one or more lenses.
 
I've been on holidays with just my G10 and used it for everything from snapshots to, attempted, real photos. Being quite honest, I usually run out of talent long before the camera does!

One of the things I do find on holiday, carrying a more compact camera, is that I don't feel so paranoid/worried about asking strangers to take a photo of me & the other half where I just would generally avoid doing that when I've only got my DSLR. Firstly there's the fear they'll run off with it and, secondly, I can probably only think of a handful of times when I've given someone my DSLR and they've returned it with a decent photo, even in full auto mode. Never had that problem with the G10.

I also found that people/enthusiasts tend to strike up quick conversations when using them, like it's a little cult :lol:. When I was in HK with my G10, I got chatting to a guy who had a Nikon P7000 (?) in the middle of a park after we'd asked him to take a photo of us and then a girl with an earlier G-series, in Disneyland, who was thinking about upgrading to a G10. :)
 
Just to confuse the issue Nikon is to bring out the Coolpix 300 which appears to be aimed at the same market as the Canon S95 and Panasonic LX5.:bonk::bang: Expected march.

( I just received an Email from Park Cameras)

Best wishes, Mark
 
I've been away a few times with just my S90 and not felt restricted, as when I'm shooting with an SLR I always spend more time making sure everything is set up perfectly.
 
Craikeybaby said:
I've been away a few times with just my S90 and not felt restricted, as when I'm shooting with an SLR I always spend more time making sure everything is set up perfectly.
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That sounds exactly like me! I spend ages getting THE perfect shot and I almost always get back from holiday and just upload to flickr and that's the end of it. In hindsight it always seems a waste of holiday time but when I'm actually there I kind of get this feeling that I should be taking "serious" photos because I have a 1DmkIV around my neck. Silly I know. :bonk:
 
huffy said:
Just to confuse the issue Nikon is to bring out the Coolpix 300 which appears to be aimed at the same market as the Canon S95 and Panasonic LX5.:bonk::bang: Expected march.

( I just received an Email from Park Cameras)

Best wishes, Mark
Click to expand...

I have just read a preview abot the Nikon Coolpix P300 and it does not do RAW images and has a smaller sensor (1/2.3"CMOS) than the Canon S95 so it not going to hit the same market.

Best wishes, Mark
 
Keep looking at a compact myself, as the D300 can be a pain at times!! Done a fair bit of reading at the best 2 seem to be the S95 and LX5 - very close in performance, have held both and LX5 feels better in my hands, but the S95 really is pocket sized and as that is the point of a compact for me would go for that.

Interested to see what the new Nikons are like though.
 
EMA747 said:
That sounds exactly like me! I spend ages getting THE perfect shot and I almost always get back from holiday and just upload to flickr and that's the end of it. In hindsight it always seems a waste of holiday time but when I'm actually there I kind of get this feeling that I should be taking "serious" photos because I have a 1DmkIV around my neck. Silly I know. :bonk:
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EXACTLY!! And my holiday last year with the G11 was far better. Ok, so I went mad like a Japanese tourist, but it was fun and added to the holiday rather then taking away from it which is what my SLR was doing.

Make sure you get a spare battery if you get a G though - the battery metre goes from "yeah no worries mate" to "oh F***" in a single leap. I discovered this at the top of a mountain :bang:
 
Another vote for a G10 from me. Small enough to get in my fishing waistcoat and gives you decent quality 14 MP RAW files to work with. Definitely can be used for 'real' photos in addition to 'snaps'. Wee bit more noise to contend with and obviously not much DoF control to work with (compared to SLR) - horses for courses though...

Col
 
I normally use a D700, but I've been using an LX-3 for a year or two now, for holidays, family events, etc.

I'm quite happy with it, although anything over ISO400 is a bit of a mess, and the zoom range is a bit limited (24-60?) but the LX-5's a bit longer though. On the plus side, the 24mm is good though, as is the ability to shoot raw, and it does feel a solid, nicely made bit of kit. Must admit though, I've not really used it since I got a really good camera phone!
 
desantnik said:
EXACTLY!! And my holiday last year with the G11 was far better. Ok, so I went mad like a Japanese tourist, but it was fun and added to the holiday rather then taking away from it which is what my SLR was doing.

Make sure you get a spare battery if you get a G though - the battery metre goes from "yeah no worries mate" to "oh F***" in a single leap. I discovered this at the top of a mountain :bang:
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Sounds like a smaller camera could definitely do the trick. :) One problem I could see happening if I changed to using a smaller camera more and more is the 1DmkIV would start to seem like an expensive piece of gear that didn't get much use. To be honest at the moment it is very rarely used for anything like what it should be used for, ie fully professional/making money type shots. I would say since I have had it about 95% of the photos it has taken are just holiday and personal interest photos. :eek:
 
I'll swap you for my G11 :thumbs:
 
You definitely won't leave your big camera behind! The smaller camera will just fill in the gaps when you don't have the big one with you. The compacts these days are good but no where near as good as a proper SLR!
 
I had an LX2 and now have an LX5 but the image quality from the GF1 is in a different league IMVHO, and the images can take a lot of post capture processing without falling apart.
 
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