which compact for DSLR users?

benners

benners

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hi everyone
having been walking around on holiday with a D90 + 18-50 2.8, I found it was getting a bit cumbersome to have as a point/shoot camera... and that was having left the d700 + 24-70 at home.

so i think what i'd like is a decent compact that can slip in the pocket and take good pics, without the bulk of a dslr. something with good Manual control would be good.

i've no real preference over make, just something that will provide good control and results and slip in a pocket.

which compacts do seasoned dslr owners have for this kind of thing?

any advice, suggestions, recommendations gratefully received! :)
 
I'm just looking at the new Nikon 7100, great image quality and lots of controls on the outside. Look on the Dpreview.com website for details.
 
great suggestions guys, am off to Google these now!
 
As an old fogey, I can't use a compact without an optical (or electronic) viewfinder so I've just bought a Fujifilm X10. If you can manage with just the LCD the Olympus XZ-1 is also worth considering.

As a fellow Nikon owner I wish the P7100's viewfinder was better as I'd love to be able to use my existing flashes, etc. but it's not good enough for me.
 
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I had an LX3 thinking that would be a good camera to carry around when not specifically out on a photgraph mission but even that proved too bulky. The manual controls are nice but didn't find I was really using them (and some are not as effective as SLR manual controls anyway - aperture specifically)
I ended up pretty much pointing and shooting so moved to a very small Canon Ixus 220. This goes everywhere with me whereas the LX3 didn't as wasn't comfortable in a pocket. The IQ is not quite there in some places but for the out and about shots it is good enough for me.

For me it was better to have a really pocketable camera and have it on me all the time rather than a more controllable camera left at home...
 
My main camera is also a D700, and I use an LX-3 although, as suggested, it's not the most compact of compacts. That said, it's a nice little thing, shoots raw, has manual controls and the wide end (24mm) of the lens is useful, but the long end (60mm) is too short. I think that's been rectified on the LX5 though.
That said, I've never been over enamoured with it, and I'm going to replace it with a Fuji X10 when the prices come down to something realistic. I believe that for a compact, it's pretty good in low light (which the LX-3 isn't), and having used a D700 for the last few years, I prefer my photos to be usable over ISO400!
 
My main camera is a D700 and I went for a p7000 and love it. Yes the view finder is a bit pants but it's a great little camera if using in a, s or m mode if used in auto it's rubbish!!
 
I have a Nikon D300S and opted for the Canon S95. No bias here. ;)

I had wanted to get the G10, then G11, then G12 as my 'compact' camera for some time because of the features and quality, but especially the optical viewfinder. When I wanted to get a pocket camera before I went on holiday, I had to admit that the G12 would have been too big to put in my pocket. :( I tried as many pocket cameras as I could find in my local shops and it was between the Canon S95 and the Fuji F500. I couldn't find any Panasonics. :shrug: The Fuji had a longer 16x zoom range and 1080 HD video, but lost out because of the flash which popped up every time it was switched on (something I may not have known if I bought sight unseen) and not having RAW.

So far I've been very happy with the S95, and would recommend it to anyone. The image quality is very good, and I especially like the user interface. I think the S100 has compromised the user interface to incorporate the GPS from what I have read. DPReview have had trouble with the copies they have been sent for review and the sample images DPReview have posted look awful. The good thing about the S100 being released is that the price of the S95 has come right down. :eek: At least while stocks last. ;)
 
i've read a few s95 owners impressed with the sx220/230. versus the s95 drops a bit on sharpness but makes up with super zoom and cheaper
 
ahh i'll look into the sx220/230, the s95 has been leading the suggestions. i think as long as I can have Manual control, and shoot in RAW, they're the main things. a wide angle would be nice, but i guess 28mm is the standard?

the only difference i can see between the sx220 and sx230 is the 230 has gps and a better movie mode?
 
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I have just bought an sx220 well it was for the wife but I have to say its a great compact camera. Manual controls including focus and not too bad at higher iso settings. You can pick them up cheap now as the 230 has superseded it with its gps capability.

My other compact is a g9 but still a bit cumbersome to be carried around in a pocket.
 
hmm i think i'll have to knock the 220/230 on the head as they don't shoot raw?
 
Nikon P300 for me which is a very unpopular choice as it is not a highly rated piece of kit. Having used it for 3 months now I can conclude that quality is terrific, but the most important thing for me is that it does NOT have RAW. My concern was that I would purchase a compact and my D300s would stay in the bag. NOT having RAW goes along way in preventing this.
In my eyes a compact should be for when you just can't be arsed to carry everything else.
 
I'm a fan of my Canon G12 (also normally a Nikon user), but then I am a girl and my requirement was that it fits nicely into any handbag or coat-pocket - and it sure doesn't fit into any of my trouser pockets.

The S95 or S100 should make a good, smaller alternative.
 
S95 here too. That or my mrs' GF1 & pancake 20mm if I'm wearing a coat and have bigger pockets!
 
The S95 should drop a bit in price now the S100 has arrived (the s100 seems really expensive, but I'm sure the price will drop). I managed to bag my S95 from WEX sometime ago for £250, so keep an eye out.
 
ShrubMonkey said:
The S95 should drop a bit in price now the S100 has arrived (the s100 seems really expensive, but I'm sure the price will drop). I managed to bag my S95 from WEX sometime ago for £250, so keep an eye out.
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I'm currently selling my LX5 because it is slightly too bulky.

I have bought a refurbished S90 off Canons official refurbished on eBay and I love it!

The LX5 is better due to more manual controls (same image quality though) but a compact should fit in your pocket without looking like you're pleased to see everyone you meet :-)

I got my S90 for £137 with 12 months warranty :-D bargain of you ask me.
 
benners said:
hmm i think i'll have to knock the 220/230 on the head as they don't shoot raw?
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But it can using CHDK. I've been umming and ahhing for a very long time about the S95 but I just don't think it provides anywhere near enough to justify £100 more compared to the Powershot 220 with CHDK.
 
wow, i think with so many :thumbs: for the S95, that seems a wise move.

it's a shame the Lumix range doesn't support RAW, as they seem to be highly discounted on amazon at the moment?
 
P7100 for me. Cracking image quality, Raw recording, many external controls, hinged screen, and a superb stabilised 28-200 zoom lens.
 
I went for the Canon SX230 hs. It doesn't shoot raw, but then again, nor do I!
Allan
 
Another vote for the S95. I love mine, never without it!
 
Sootchucker said:
P7100 for me. Cracking image quality, Raw recording, many external controls, hinged screen, and a superb stabilised 28-200 zoom lens.
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I have been looking at these the last few days. Do you have any shots you can post or link to?
 
benners said:
wow, i think with so many :thumbs: for the S95, that seems a wise move.

it's a shame the Lumix range doesn't support RAW, as they seem to be highly discounted on amazon at the moment?
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LX series does.

I've taken LX5 and GF1+20mm f1.7 on my last three holidays. I used the GF1 for most stuff including low light and the LX5 when even the limited bulk of the GF1 was too much and for wider or longer shots.
 
I was going to get the S95, but my wife wanted the TZ9 for the wider zoom range. I agreed, because it was really for her, and I learned not to pick cameras for wife and daughter years ago. They always nodded and agreed with my 'superior' choice, but it was always pretty obvious that they'd rather have got the one they liked. The Panasonic is OK, but nothing special. I actually prefer my old Canon A640, but it's a bit bulky/heavy for a compact, and not really a pocket camera. I might still get an S95/100 one day, or whatever the model number is up to by that time!
 
woof woof said:
LX series does.

I've taken LX5 and GF1+20mm f1.7 on my last three holidays. I used the GF1 for most stuff including low light and the LX5 when even the limited bulk of the GF1 was too much and for wider or longer shots.
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hmm the LX5 looks a bit on the bulky side to me? especially with that pancake-style lens on the front?

and the GF1 has detachable lenses?

i think my focus is more on the "compact" in my search... s95 still leading so far i reckon :)
 
The LX5 isn't a pocket camera, not a trouser or shirt pocket anyway but it will fit in my jacket pocket or a small bag.

I think we've got a spoilt recently. Not too long ago I/we were using smallish film cameras that wouldn't fit in a shirt or trouser pocket. I still have a couple of those and they're about the same size as a GF1 although the GF1 is heavier. I have Medion and Canon compacts that have about the same footprint as a credit card... but these small things are a pretty new beast to the mass market.

LX5 earns a place for me for its lens, fast and wide, although the S95 and others could possibly be an equally valid choice.
 
Yet another vote for the S95. It replaced my G9.

Here's why...

The whole point of a compact is that it's easy to carry with you.

Now, if you're a woman with a handbag, perhaps a larger camera like the Canon G series, or some of the Panny LX's will be acceptable.

But, if you want pocketable, it's hard to beat the S95. It's fast, sharp, and truly 'compact'.

:thumbs:
 
tomah said:
Yet another vote for the S95. It replaced my G9.

Here's why...

The whole point of a compact is that it's easy to carry with you.

Now, if you're a woman with a handbag, perhaps a larger camera like the Canon G series, or some of the Panny LX's will be acceptable.

But, if you want pocketable, it's hard to beat the S95. It's fast, sharp, and truly 'compact'.

:thumbs:
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that's what we're after ;)
well, i've bookmarked camerapricebuster and will give it a few weeks to see if the price drops from £244 (current lowest price, at Amzn)
 
benners said:
that's what we're after ;)
well, i've bookmarked camerapricebuster and will give it a few weeks to see if the price drops from £244 (current lowest price, at Amzn)
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Be careful they don't run out. ;)

I bought mine in July for £315, :eek: so it has come down quite a lot since the S100 has been announced and released.
 
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