Best Point and Shoot

[Abubob]

If you are looking at G12 levels of control and quality in a small form factor there are only a few options:

• Canon S100
• Panasonic LX-5
• Olympus XZ-1
• Fuji X10
• Sony WX10

The M4/3 and other EVIL cameras are cool, but they don't IMO take the place of a pocket camera, especially for skiing where you want no protruding lenses. None of these have a very large zoom lens, but that is a result of large sensor size and high quality glass. The Casio I mentioned earlier has a great burst mode but its image quality is just average. It's not in the same class as these cameras.

Thanks for the list. That's just what I need.

These are kind of crummy pics but it was when I first got the S95 last year I was playing around at Wachusett with it... this is the tilt shift mode

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sguZTBiVRqM/TW2Y0eneEUI/AAAAAAACGqY/p03H9MRoRAk/s1024/IMG_0070.JPG

Why do you think thats crummy? I think it looks cool.

 

[riverc0il]

Just checked out the S100 specs. Quite a significant improvement from the S9x. If I was looking for a P&S, I'd look at that or the Olympus XZ-1.

 

[Nick]

Thanks for the list. That's just what I need.





Why do you think thats crummy? I think it looks cool.

I coulda focused it better.... or expanded the blur range. But I do still enjoy messing with it.

Here's a cool video a guy did with the S95 in Tokyo on miniature mode

 

[Abubob]

I coulda focused it better.... or expanded the blur range. But I do still enjoy messing with it.

Here's a cool video a guy did with the S95 in Tokyo on miniature mode

The effect seems to be emphasized by speeding up the video. I noticed it in the G12 example and now here too. You don't notice it as much with the traffic shots and until the girl zips onto and out of the frame you think the fish are moving at normal speed.

 

[bvibert]

These are kind of crummy pics but it was when I first got the S95 last year I was playing around at Wachusett with it... this is the tilt shift mode

Why do you think thats crummy? I think it looks cool.

I guess simulated tilt-shift can make even crummy pics look decent..

BTW - if you have some patience and the right software the same effect can be applied to any picture during PP. I've never done it, but I've seen a few tutorials around.

 

[Abubob]

I guess simulated tilt-shift can make even crummy pics look decent..

BTW - if you have some patience and the right software the same effect can be applied to any picture during PP. I've never done it, but I've seen a few tutorials around.

I've tried it and was never really satisfied. I'm probably doing it wrong.

I've started to review some of the suggestions made here. My head is kinda reeling but my early favs are the Canon S100 and Olympus XZ-1. I'll try to come up with some specifics a bit later.

 

[Nick]

If I were buying today I would ge tthe S100. love the geotagging built in. I geotag all my photos manually now in Picasa and every so often I can't remember where the hell I took a particular photo.

 

[Abubob]

Well, I’ve very nearly reached a decision.

For one - I’ve decided against the Canon S100 for this one reason: the flash pops open apparently whether you need it or not when you turn the camera on. To me, that just won’t work in an outdoor situation when it snowing. I don’t mind taking a camera out quickly and taking a shot if the weather is bad but for the top to pop open in the top of the camera is just inviting disaster.

There’s a very good review of six high-end compact cameras on dpreview, which I’ve base many of my comparisons on. I also did some side-by-side comparisons as well. If you care to look at that article you can reach it here: http://www.dpreview.com/articles/4333175133/buyers-guide-enthusiast-raw-shooting-compact-cameras

So based on that article and my own online comparisons I narrowed it down to between the Canon G12 and the Olympus XZ-1.

• Both cameras have excellent photo and quality but the G12 has more movie options.
• Both seem to have snappy processing although it seems the G12 is the faster of the two.
• The XZ-1 has a very bright lens of F1.8 to 2.5 while the G12 is lens is F2.8 to 4.5. While the G12 has a 28-140mm zoom the XZ-1 is limited to 28-112mm.
• The G12 has an articulated LCD display while the XZ-1’s display is fixed.
• While the XZ-1 has no AEL or AFL options and no direct WB or ISO controls the G12 has no direct movie button.
• The G12 has a viewfinder the XZ-1 does not.
• Continuous mode score: G12 - 2fps, XZ-1 - 2 fps with 7 fps and 15 fps burst modes.
• Both can focus within 1cm for really cool macro photos.
• Both have hot shoes for external flash.

And a myriad of other things. Its difficult to make definitive decision online. I may just have to find a place that is selling both and do a final comparison.

 

[Geoff]

• The G12 has a viewfinder the XZ-1 does not.

FYI:
The XZ-1 accepts the electronic viewfinder I have on my PEN E-P2. It's high resolution and works really well. The only drawback is that it doesn't mechanically lock into the shoe so you run the risk of having it fall off if you knock the camera around.

 

[riverc0il]

Surprised that flash pop up issue is a no go for you. I really don't see a problem with that. Just pop it back down after taking your picture. It is not going to be in the way.

Be sure to take a look at sample photos. My Olympus has some really nice saturated colors. I don't know if that is true for the XZ-1 or not. I really like Olympus colors. But some might prefer something a little less saturated. On the flip side, you can also look for RAW availability. I always shoot RAW + JPG but the JPGs are so good I hardly ever bother with the RAW.

Personally, I'd go S100 over G12 though an articulated LCD is a REALLY neat feature. I no longer miss view finders, I've gotten used to LCD. I think view finders are ideal but having to hot shoe a view finder on is more than I can deal with.

 

[Abubob]

Surprised that flash pop up issue is a no go for you. I really don't see a problem with that. Just pop it back down after taking your picture. It is not going to be in the way.

Be sure to take a look at sample photos. My Olympus has some really nice saturated colors. I don't know if that is true for the XZ-1 or not. I really like Olympus colors. But some might prefer something a little less saturated. On the flip side, you can also look for RAW availability. I always shoot RAW + JPG but the JPGs are so good I hardly ever bother with the RAW.

Personally, I'd go S100 over G12 though an articulated LCD is a REALLY neat feature. I no longer miss view finders, I've gotten used to LCD. I think view finders are ideal but having to hot shoe a view finder on is more than I can deal with.

I was definitely leaning toward the S100 until I read about the flash popping up. It sounds like a simple fix just to pop it back down but EVERY time? And would it stay down?

All the cameras mentioned in that dpreview article shot RAW photos. Definitely a plus there. Really none of the cameras in that article were losers at all. Any one of them would make a great camera. Makes me wish for a real brick and mortar that stocked all those just to hold them and fiddle with them could make the difference. I might like the Samson best after all.

 

[Abubob]

FYI:
The XZ-1 accepts the electronic viewfinder I have on my PEN E-P2. It's high resolution and works really well. The only drawback is that it doesn't mechanically lock into the shoe so you run the risk of having it fall off if you knock the camera around.

I did see those are available. I don't know. Something else to get and maybe loose. Rather it was built in.

Btw - I don't think any of the pocket compacts have viewfinders. My problem with that is the LCD display burn up batteries. I guess if I really want a pocket size camera I'll just have to deal with it.

 

[gmcunni]

cheap so if it breaks you don't get too pissed - on woot.com right now.

Panasonic 14.1MP Digital Camera with Leica 16x Optical Zoom, GPS & HD Video

$169.99

CONDITION:
Refurbished
PRODUCTS:
1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 14.1MP, Leica 16x Optical Zoom, GPS, 24mm Wide Angle Lens

 

[HD333]

We went with the Cannon SX230. We determined that we would mostly use auto mode. We have been happy with it so far.

 

[o3jeff]

Has there been any great advances in the point and shoot market? Need to get a new one and am looking at the Panasonic Lumix ZS25 since Costco has it for $229.

 

[Nick]

Funny bump. I'm going to sell my S95. I never use it anymore. My Galaxy S4 smartphone takes passable enough pics that I either use that; or my full fledged DSLR. I don't need that middle camera anymore.

 

[gmcunni]

i hae a panny and still use it not as uh sine getting iphone but still better for oo and other effets while still being portable

*note - y keyboard is essed up and i' too lay to swith to a working one

 

[Abubob]

Funny bump. I'm going to sell my S95. I never use it anymore. My Galaxy S4 smartphone takes passable enough pics that I either use that; or my full fledged DSLR. I don't need that middle camera anymore.

How much you want for it? I might be interested. Although I may have to ask permission from my bookkeeper (wife).

 

[o3jeff]

i hae a panny and still use it not as uh sine getting iphone but still better for oo and other effets while still being portable

*note - y keyboard is essed up and i' too lay to swith to a working one

Btw, Looks like it's more than just the y key....

 

[gmcunni]

Btw, Looks like it's more than just the y key....

all of the keys on the lower line eept for "bn/"