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Author Topic: Need recommendation on a P&S Camera  (Read 8957 times)

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« on: February 02, 2010, 10:39 »
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I am looking for a recommendation on a decent Point and Shoot camera that has fairly good low-light support.  My mom's camera is on its last legs and she mostly uses it indoors with normal home lighting.  She's looking to spend under $250, but I'd chip in a little if it's a good camera.

Thanks!


« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2010, 10:49 »
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I was pretty impressed with the Canon s90 when I looked at it a few months ago.  It is surprisingly similar to the G11 but in a compact form.  It has the same sensor as the G11

You can set the front dial to change a variety of functions and it seemed like a pretty UI.  It can also take RAW if that is of interest. 

lisafx

« Reply #2 on: February 02, 2010, 10:52 »
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My daughter has this Sony to photograph her artwork for submission to galleries and contests.  I am amazed at the quality of the images. 

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665775608

red

« Reply #3 on: February 02, 2010, 10:53 »
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Here's an interesting camera comparison site that is new, and taking suggestions for improvements.

http://snapsort.com/

« Reply #4 on: February 02, 2010, 21:17 »
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If you want something with full control, half decent low light (both reasonably fast lens and high ISO) and decent image quality either the Canon s90 or G11 would be good, if rather over budget. I have the G11 and have a 92 per cent acceptance rate with it at istock so far (and that was a  lighting rejection!)  so it's very high quality at low ISOs and  usable for snap shots at up to ISO 1600 (for little prints/websize) or ISO 800 if you are fussier. Also takes RAW and can handle the EX flashes. The s90  is more pocketable but has the same sensor, different lens (slightly inferior to the g11 in quality and range, but faster at full wide angle), no external flash capability, shots RAW.

If you aren't shooting microstock and don't want to loook at images at 100 per cent the jpeg engine in both is very fine - good colour (except under tungsten light) slight over use of noise reduction for my tastes - which isn't adjustable, making RAW necessary for stock

ap

« Reply #5 on: February 02, 2010, 21:34 »
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I was pretty impressed with the Canon s90 when I looked at it a few months ago.  It isjavascript:void(0) surprisingly similar to the G11 but in a compact form.  It has the same sensor as the G11

You can set the front dial to change a variety of functions and it seemed like a pretty UI.  It can also take RAW if that is of interest.  


i have this camera, but i find the noise to be unacceptable. but, i'm spoiled by my new nikon d700.  ::)

i used to love p&s until i took up dslr. the only drawback to this camera is that it does NOT have a viewfinder. but most people prefer to shoot through the ld. however, i find it hard to see what the picture actually is during the day and is not as accurate as looking through a viewfinder.

it's also more than $250 (more like $420), but it's the latest hot p&s.

« Reply #6 on: February 02, 2010, 21:48 »
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Friend of mine who is a pro shooter (like many do) carries around a P&S all the time.  He's got the G10 and it impressed the heck out of me.  Does darn near everything my 5D Mk II can... LOL..  I understand the G11 is supposed to be even better.  I liked it so much, I'm picking one up and retiring the old  A620 8)=tom

« Reply #7 on: February 03, 2010, 05:33 »
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i had the best experience with the fuji f30.
the latest p&s is,
Fujifilm FinePix F80EXR.
but any F-model will do fine.

« Reply #8 on: February 05, 2010, 20:47 »
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If Mom can go $250 and you can do about the same I'd go for the Canon G10 and be happy for a long time.  Check the reviews and prices but pro's carry this for a reason as a P and S camera.  Got my wife one and she is now on Shutterstock.com using this camera shooting in RAW.  Remember G10 not the G11, these are not the same in many ways.  Great camera for the money with many features very few P and S cameras have.  I shoot with a 20D and a 5D and love this little wonder of a camera !!!

« Reply #9 on: February 05, 2010, 21:55 »
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Last Lumix with Leica pancake optics sound good option.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmclx3/

« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2010, 01:32 »
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I have the Canon G9 (excellent p&s) and the Fuji F40 which is a fantastic compact and inexpensive lowlight camera.  I got mine for under 150.00.  Not good enough for stock but overall image quality is still pretty good.

lisafx

« Reply #11 on: August 14, 2010, 13:55 »
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Okay, I know this thread is an oldie, but a goodie.  I am tired of lugging my DSLR, lenses, and external flash to various family and church functions.  Most times I just don't bother to take pics at all anymore if they aren't for stock.

Finally decided to get a P&S, and based on the reviews here I went for the Canon S90.  I would have liked a longer zoom, like on the SX210, but the reports of slow/inaccurate focus and poor low light performance pushed me toward the S90 instead. 

Guess there is no better solution than a DSLR for shooting in low light with a long zoom range, such as sports, graduations, plays and performances on stage, etc. 

If anyone knows of a long zoom P&S that can handle those situations well I am all ears. 

Thanks :)

« Reply #12 on: August 14, 2010, 14:33 »
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DPR recently posted a super zoom shootout

http://dpreview.com/news/1007/10070605superzoomgrouptest.asp
.
Can't recommend any of them from experience though, and I wouldn't call any of them low light capable. The Pannys are generally noiseboxes, and the noise reduction causes pixel smaearing. I got tired of the point & shoot game long ago and just went and pulled the trigger on a Leica, so that's my P&S.

The S90 - I do catalog work for a client and they keep trying to give me pics taken with the S90 and IMO it's a relatively poor performer.

lisafx

« Reply #13 on: August 14, 2010, 16:43 »
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Thanks stormchaser.  That DPreview shootout is really helpful.  From that it looks like I might be very happy with the Canon SX10.  If I don't like the S90 or feel the reach just won't cut it I will consider the SX10 instead :).

« Reply #14 on: August 14, 2010, 22:49 »
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Okay, I know this thread is an oldie, but a goodie.  I am tired of lugging my DSLR, lenses, and external flash to various family and church functions.  Most times I just don't bother to take pics at all anymore if they aren't for stock.

Finally decided to get a P&S, and based on the reviews here I went for the Canon S90.  I would have liked a longer zoom, like on the SX210, but the reports of slow/inaccurate focus and poor low light performance pushed me toward the S90 instead. 

Guess there is no better solution than a DSLR for shooting in low light with a long zoom range, such as sports, graduations, plays and performances on stage, etc. 

If anyone knows of a long zoom P&S that can handle those situations well I am all ears. 

Thanks :)


Panasonic GF1 with 20mm f1.7 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist.jsp&A=cart&Q=add&sku=648494&is=REG&addedTroughType=search&addedTroughValue=gf1&q=1 for when you want something realtively compact, has DSLR quality and doesn't look like a professional camera.

Pop on a 45-200mm lens (90-400mm equivalent) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/588078-REG/Panasonic_H_FS045200_45_200mm_f_4_5_6_G_Vario.html when you need something not quite so compact but still light.

I realise that this isn't as compact as an s90, but at least its not in the category of "lugging"....

« Reply #15 on: August 15, 2010, 02:30 »
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I just bought an Olympus E-P1.  They are cheap now, perhaps because they are going to be discontinued?  Great IQ, much better than any P&S and on a par with dslr's.  Wont fit in my pocket but the lens collapses and it fits in a small bag that is easy to carry around all day.  Doesn't have a flash but the new E-PL1 has a built in flash if you need that.

« Reply #16 on: August 15, 2010, 04:26 »
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I just bought an Olympus E-P1.  They are cheap now, perhaps because they are going to be discontinued?  Great IQ, much better than any P&S and on a par with dslr's.  Wont fit in my pocket but the lens collapses and it fits in a small bag that is easy to carry around all day.  Doesn't have a flash but the new E-PL1 has a built in flash if you need that.

Think about adding the 20mm f1.7 lens from Panasonic if you haven't already - the extra 3 stops of light combined with the Oly's in body IS will make it one of the best low-light combinations available.


 

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