Suggest a P&S for a pro photographer??

[Crawn2003]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a decent point and shoot digital camera?

When it comes to DSLR's I know what the heck I'm looking for but I'm looking for a P&S to take around with me where my professional DSLR's won't go, i.e. an amusement park, to the bar with friends, etc.

I'm looking for something 8MP and above and isn't "handicapped", meaning not so easy to use that it's made for my parents that still use an old Polaroid camera. I want something that still has great features but in a P&S format. LOL, kind of like my Fuji S5 Pro or D300 in a P&S format.

Thanks for any help and suggestions!

~Crawn

[juanster]

i know you said over 8mp, and by no means i am not a pro- photographer, I have a Canon SD 1000 and i have a couple of friend that are pros and they have been pretty impressed by many shots i have taken with it...hope it helps, if not...i tried...

[Doylem]

When I'm out taking landscape pix (camera bag, big fancy camera, tripod = guy who knows what he's doing ;)), I'm often asked to shoot pix of people I meet with their own p & s cameras. And it's embarrassing to admit that I really haven't a clue how to use them. I hate the idea of holding a camera at arm's length, instead of up against my eye.

Some day soon, when I've got some spare cash, I'll be looking for a decent small camera too... but one that will deliver really good pictures (I can't see the point in compromising on that, just for 'pocketability').

Have I any suggestions for you? Erm, no. But I'll be interested to see what other folk suggest. :)

[Lorem Ipsum]

Canon G9. I have the G7 and it is superb. The G9 adds RAW, making an already killer, full-featured point and shoot, the one to have. Highly suggest googling the specs and reviews.

[HomeingPigeon]

I am not quite sure the name of it but a friend of mine just got a new cannon with pretty much all of the dslr features. He is still figuring it out but it looks really nice. It definitely does not have a handicap.

[Father Jack]

Go for the Leica Digilux 3 ... unbeatable Leica lens quality .. :)

Henri Carlier-Bresson and all Magnum Photo Agency photographers can't be wrong.

[Abstract]

Fuji F31fd. ;)

Since they're a rarity and everyone else is looking for them used, I'm going to suggest the recently announced Fuji F100fd, even though they never should have moved beyond 8 MP (they're at 12 MP now). Their cameras were the high ISO kings. In the point and shoot world, they still are, but their dominance isn't as great as before.

[miloblithe]

The Ricoh GX100 is designed to be the answer to your question, but it doesn't sound like it is:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/ricohgx100/

It'd be great if Fuji would put the sensor from the new S100FS into a compact camera.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08012410fujifS100FS.asp

I guess this could be an answer, but is it available anywhere?

http://www.sigma-dp1.com/

[yeroen]

Go for the Leica Digilux 3 ... unbeatable Leica lens quality .. :)

Henri Carlier-Bresson and all Magnum Photo Agency photographers can't be wrong.

Until you pick one up in your hands and realize it's just a plastic Panasonic with a Leica badge.

[amik]

Fuji F31fd. ;)

Excellent camera. Call Fuji and see if they have any refurbs. I called up and was able to get one for $219 and it is perfect. Best P&S I have ever used.

[Scarlet Fever]

Canon G9. I have the G7 and it is superb. The G9 adds RAW, making an already killer, full-featured point and shoot, the one to have. Highly suggest googling the specs and reviews.

+1, or if you want bigger zoom, get the S5. It's not as compact as the G9, but it is a killer camera. Have a look at my deviantart page for pics taken with an S3. You can download them in all their 6MP glory :D

[mr.666]

IMO while the Leica is nice, the things i dont like about it are the aspect ratio of the photos and the lack of an optical view finder. yes i know the leica/pana offer other ratios but at the expense if MP's. i like the G's as wll but they're so big for everyday. i found for me the perfect compact p&s was the canon SD800is. 7.1 MP though is borderline for letting in enough light on a compact so some noise will be there, and i also lacks RAW my only 2 issues.

[Padaung]

G9 recommended by me too, and a friend/colleague. Both of us are pro photographers.

Great camera, all the features you would need/expect - and probably more too!

[freebooter]

I'd recommend a Fuji F31d or a Canon A640. I have both, and each have their own charms. They both have build quality, sharp lenses and good jpegs, the Fuji for low light/high iso and the Canon for manual features and its tilt/swivel lcd. The very latest compacts have gone over the top on the megapixels, hence noisy.
Having said that, i'm selling them both the Fuji and Canon, not because i dislike them, but because i never use them any more--DSLR all the way. Have you considered a small DSLR and a pancake lens or light zoom? I last year I ran up and down the local mountains with a D40 (sold, now D40x) with a Micro 105 on it in a fanny pack all the time-no problem.

[amik]

I'd recommend a Fuji F31d or a Canon A640. I have both, and each have their own charms. They both have build quality, sharp lenses and good jpegs, the Fuji for low light/high iso and the Canon for manual features and its tilt/swivel lcd. The very latest compacts have gone over the top on the megapixels, hence noisy.
Having said that, i'm selling them both the Fuji and Canon, not because i dislike them, but because i never use them any more--DSLR all the way. Have you considered a small DSLR and a pancake lens or light zoom? I last year I ran up and down the local mountains with a D40 (sold, now D40x) with a Micro 105 on it in a fanny pack all the time-no problem.

Don't sell your P&S. I find that even though I use my D50 for a lot of tasks, the F31fd fills a different niche. Namely, the photos that I take when I wasn't out looking to shoot. This is especially true at social events where toting around a DSLR removes you from the scene somewhat, where a P&S is easily pocketable, and doesn't scream "photographer" when you pull it out. It also doesn't scream "mug me" like a DSLR and a bag of lenses.

[jerryrock]

Canon G9 is the point & shoot I went with. See the Luminous Landscape review:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/G9-Japan.shtml

[ChrisA]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a decent point and shoot digital camera?

When it comes to DSLR's I know what the heck I'm looking for but I'm looking for a P&S to take around with me where my professional DSLR's won't go, i.e. an amusement park, to the bar with friends, etc.

If you know cameras then you know about Leica.

Of course the M8 does what you ask but the price is out of the question for most of us. And a Leica "M" can hardly be called a Point and Shoot. The M8 however likely has better image quality than your pro level Nikon or Canon DSLR. For one thing it has a quite large senor, bigger then the Nikon/Canon crop bodies but not "full frame". But this is just to expensive unless you really need a pro-level camera that is silent and pocketable for stealth photography.

But look at the Leica "D-Lux 2". It has a native format 16:9 sensor. That alone sets it apart. Most P&S camera have the 4:3 format but the 16:9 is more like you are used to with 35mm film or DSLRs You can set the aspect ratio down too to match your SLR's 3:2 at to other formats. The abilty to shoot wide without cropping is a great feature.

Lots of pro feature and settings like your find on an SLR And of course Leica optics

Panosonic makes another version of this camera but with a few changes
(1) A rubber grip on the front and (2) Built-in image processing is "tunned" for "consumer taste" that is more color saturation and contrast. The Leica version is more accurate. (3) lower cost, you are not paying for the "leica" logo.

[freebooter]

Don't sell your P&S. I find that even though I use my D50 for a lot of tasks, the F31fd fills a different niche. Namely, the photos that I take when I wasn't out looking to shoot. This is especially true at social events where toting around a DSLR removes you from the scene somewhat, where a P&S is easily pocketable, and doesn't scream "photographer" when you pull it out. It also doesn't scream "mug me" like a DSLR and a bag of lenses.
I've had both the fuji and canon p&s for over a year and have used them almost never since I got my DSLR 11 months ago. I thought I'd still find a use for them, but no. Time for them to go.
There are no muggers where I live, Korea, or my homeland, Canada, unless you go to the worst part of the biggest cities at night, even then....pretty rare. People in some places (the States?) must think mugging is universal; it's not, at all.

[theBB]

Casio has nice P&S cameras. Some are almost credit card sized, very thin, some are slightly thicker, but with more manual control. One of them has 7x optical zoom, I forgot the name, something like EX-V7. I am happy with the image quality of my pics.

The best feature for me is MPEG4 or H264 video shooting (30fps, 640x480). Clips take up little space, so you can actually use it, but quality is not any worse than MJPEG cameras.

[Father Jack]

Until you pick one up in your hands and realize it's just a plastic Panasonic with a Leica badge.
Sorry my friend, the Leica has an alloy body ... :cool:

[ChrisA]

Until you pick one up in your hands and realize it's just a plastic Panasonic with a Leica badge.

Leica and Panasonic collaborated on this camera and each company sells their own version of the camera. The Leica and Panasonic version are close but not identical. Lots of cameras use plastic for some parts even high end pro SLRs.

[TimJim]

Leica D-Lux 3 looks super nice with a great manuel setting.

Link (http://www.leica-camera.us/photography/compact_cameras/d-lux_3/)

[ChrisA]

If you know cameras then you know about Leica.

Responding to my own post, I'd change it slightly. The LX-2 is so close to the D-lux2 that it is not possable to justify the price difference

Here is a review:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasoniclx2/

(I need to replace my very old P&S So your question got me to thinking and reading)

[Crawn2003]

Leica D-Lux 3 looks super nice with a great manuel setting.

Link (http://www.leica-camera.us/photography/compact_cameras/d-lux_3/)

I REALLY like that one, the Leica. It has a lot of features that I'd be interested in verses the others.

Besides price, any downsides to it?

Thanks for the replies everyone!

~Crawn

[scotpole]

I like Canons. I like their software and usually their software is backward compatible with previous cameras. An eye viewfinder can be useful for composing shots and people do not notice your extended arm as they do when you use the LCD. Since you are not using the LCD, battery life will be better.

Pict Bridge is good for direct connection to a printer.

I hate battery packs. They are expensive and hard to find. I prefer cameras that can run on Double A batteries, or Triple A batteries. If I forget to charge my batteries, I can usually buy some.

You may want to buy a camera that uses your current media. If you use compact flash you might be able to find a compact flash camera real cheap. Or SD, or other media.

4 X 4. Four times telephoto is great for most shots. Anything above 4 meg is gravy.

Image stabilization can be great in low light.

Go to a Circuit City or a Best Buy or check out the reviews at CNET.com. They have links for on online shopping.

[Baron58]

Canon G9. I have the G7 and it is superb. The G9 adds RAW, making an already killer, full-featured point and shoot, the one to have. Highly suggest googling the specs and reviews.

THIS!

[Father Jack]

I REALLY like that one, the Leica. It has a lot of features that I'd be interested in verses the others.

Besides price, any downsides to it?

Thanks for the replies everyone!

~Crawn
NO .... it's a beautiful camera to use and produces superb images.

[Over Achiever]

I agree with Abstract, I like Fuji compacts and their performance in low-light, can't be beat. I'd recommend either the F30/31fd if you can still get one for a reasonable price, or go with the F100fd which sounds decent, and has a 28mm wide-angle (although the sample picture seems to have quite a bit of barrel distortion). I find 28mm immensely more useful than 35/36mm on the wide-end.

[MagicWok]

Have a look at this camera. Might be what you're after, just here to provide you with more options. Our practise bought this as a new point ant shoot camera last summer when it came out, and is quite an easy but in-depth camera to use.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Panasonic/panasonic_dmclx2.asp

You can shoot in 4:3, or in 16:9 with it's widescreen CCD. Is has 10.2 megapixels, and also has an option to save in RAW. Has it's drawbacks if they apply, but I've found it an easy camera to use creating some very photos.


Up to you, you've got lots of good suggestions here, jsut throwing in another.

[Crawn2003]

So what's the big difference between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 and the Leica D-Lux 3?

Maybe I'm just blind reading the specs but they seem to be the exact same camera, just different manufactures and different price tag. I understand they co-developed the camera but is there some huge technical difference between the two?

~Crawn

[miloblithe]

So what's the big difference between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 and the Leica D-Lux 3?

Maybe I'm just blind reading the specs but they seem to be the exact same camera, just different manufactures and different price tag. I understand they co-developed the camera but is there some huge technical difference between the two?

~Crawn

Physically, they are the exact same camera (barring minor cosmetic differences). They are the exact same size and weight and have the same internals. The image processing and menus are a little different. That's it.

[Father Jack]

So what's the big difference between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 and the Leica D-Lux 3?

Maybe I'm just blind reading the specs but they seem to be the exact same camera, just different manufactures and different price tag. I understand they co-developed the camera but is there some huge technical difference between the two?

~Crawn
The two are the same except that the Leica has an aluminum alloy body where the Panasonic uses plastic and the Leica build quality is higher. The same great Leica lens is in both cameras.

[latergator116]

I have a PowerShot G7 and and it seems to work great (I've only had it for a few weeks). For a P&S, it has a lot of higher end features you might see on a DSLR. It's small compared to a DSLR, but it's not really a "pocket" camera. It also has a viewfinder which I find very nice!

[rhomsy]

Honestly, if you go to a store and try using a G9, I doubt you'll walk out of there with anything else. It's the perfect compact compliment to an SLR. Has pro features in a compact size, can record in RAW, and takes fantastic shots as long as you don't go over 400 ISO.

[macro]

Just curious, where can you take a point and shoot and not take a DSLR and get better results? Unless you want to be less conspicuous I guess. Don't get me wrong, I sometimes forgo a camera rather than haul a DSLR or an SLR into an intimate gathering. Just wondering what your thought process is as I have never considered using point and shoot for myself. I have used my wifes Olympus and it is fun but the results are not enlargeable. Of course, it is rather old. Again, just curious.

[Crawn2003]

Just curious, where can you take a point and shoot and not take a DSLR and get better results? Unless you want to be less conspicuous I guess. Don't get me wrong, I sometimes forgo a camera rather than haul a DSLR or an SLR into an intimate gathering. Just wondering what your thought process is as I have never considered using point and shoot for myself. I have used my wifes Olympus and it is fun but the results are not enlargeable. Of course, it is rather old. Again, just curious.

Why I'd rather have a P&S is for when I'm on the road and don't want to carry my $2000 Fuji S5 and my $7000 worth of glass around with me. For example, if I wanted to go to an amusement park I wouldn't want to take my DSLR or if I was going down to the City (San Francisco) and would rather just have a P&S with me then a DSLR.

It just boils down to convience and not having to worry about a more expensive camera.

~Crawn

[Plymouthbreezer]

I like this (http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=2&productNr=25580) camera - I might pick one up if I can sell my Sony 3.2MP CyberShot (even for like $50). Granted, it's $400, it has a hot shoe, good manual control, and a SLR-like grip.

Then again, my Sony is fine for times when I don't need my SLR, and I don't mind throwing it in a bag since its metal body can take an insane beating.

[taylorcjones]

I think the Canon G9 is going to be hard to beat. Since you're on the Nikon side, it'll probably take a bit of time getting used to the Canon, but I think you'll find it worth your time. I don't think I could get by with shooting jpeg, even if it was just a point a shoot.

[CalfCanuck]

Here's a excerpt from the Canon G9 Review's Conclusion at dpreview.com, which I think sums up the issues very well:

"It's the biggest irony of the compact digital camera market: since the cameras all use very similar sensors (often the exact same sensor) and many even share the same lens assembly, the price difference between the entry-level models and range-toppers such as the G9 simply isn't reflected in a commensurate difference in output quality. And it doesn't matter how much you are prepared to spend; you can't buy your way out of the 'compact camera problem' - a small, noisy sensor is a small noisy sensor no matter what kind of tank you build around it or how many 'professional' features you build into the body.
...
In the final analysis the G9 has more to recommend it than most enthusiast compacts we test, and at ISO 80 the quality is simply superb. It's a pleasure to use, is built like a tank and offers an SLR-like feature set in a compact format.
...
It's not a camera for everyone; you need to know what you're doing to coaxe the very best out of it, and it doesn't operate that effectively as a 'point and shoot' model (especially in low light), but in the right hands it's a real step up from the mass of indistinguishable compacts on the market, and the more you use it, the more you'll grow to appreciate it. And so, like the G7, the G9 only just scrapes into our highest rating bracket."

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong9/page20.asp

[CalfCanuck]

Why I'd rather have a P&S is for when I'm on the road and don't want to carry my $2000 Fuji S5 and my $7000 worth of glass around with me. For example, if I wanted to go to an amusement park I wouldn't want to take my DSLR or if I was going down to the City (San Francisco) and would rather just have a P&S with me then a DSLR.

It just boils down to convience and not having to worry about a more expensive camera.

~Crawn
I hear what you're saying, and I've always been a minimalist in my gear. (Why I used the tiny OM-4 in my old film days). I constantly am buying smaller gear bags to try to minimize my "look" when I'm shooting with my Canon DSLR's.

But you have to admit that the quote above is a bit of a "straw man" argument. You won't find a cheap P&S to replace the $9000 gear you mentioned above. You'll find a cheap $400 P&S camera to provide you with mediocre images. Not that carrying a P&S is bad, but you will be having an entirely different photographic experience.

If losing or breaking expensive gear is the main concern, there is the second solution. Use an old DSLR body and a cheap lens on it - even a three generation old Canon 10D (as an example) with any lens over $100 will give better images than the P&S.

Edit - forgot to say that I have the F30, as well as several older Canon P&S's. Reality is that the image quality is always the weak link compared to my L-series glass...

[princealfie]

dang it... I wish that Contax was still in business...

Canon G9 looks to be awesome with Panasonic to be good

My favorite point and shoots are the Sony DSC-V3 and the F828 which is awesome with the Zeiss lenses.

[macro]

Great points you raised in response to my question as to why you would want a point and shoot. Speaking only for myself, as a working photographer I never want to leave a photo to chance. The minimum camera I take on vacations and recreational activities is a D70s. It is light and unobtrusive. Takes excellent photos and looks like every other camera in any crowd. Doing so allows me to take a choice of lenses. As a pro you understand that zooms are not quite the same quality as primes. I generally take a 50mm, a 105 and a medium zoom. Weight is about 5 pounds. I use a Tamrac backpack and blend right in, other than my gray hair that is.

However, a good Leica, as others have mentioned, is a choice I had not considered. Maybe I will think about that and send the bill to the suggesters?
Hmmmmm.

[seany916]

We shoot Nikon dSLRs, but have experience with over 7 Canon P&S cameras. We really like the results from them. Don't expect D3 performance... just enjoy them as non-disposable fun shoot cameras that you pull out quickly at events you otherwise wouldn't bring your dSLR to.

[Crawn2003]

Great points you raised in response to my question as to why you would want a point and shoot. Speaking only for myself, as a working photographer I never want to leave a photo to chance. The minimum camera I take on vacations and recreational activities is a D70s. It is light and unobtrusive. Takes excellent photos and looks like every other camera in any crowd. Doing so allows me to take a choice of lenses. As a pro you understand that zooms are not quite the same quality as primes. I generally take a 50mm, a 105 and a medium zoom. Weight is about 5 pounds. I use a Tamrac backpack and blend right in, other than my gray hair that is.

However, a good Leica, as others have mentioned, is a choice I had not considered. Maybe I will think about that and send the bill to the suggesters?
Hmmmmm.

I have a D70s also that I used to carry around but my problem was taking my expensive glass in somewhere where it could get damaged, i.e. amusement park with water rides or water parks, etc. I know some would say take the case but I'd rather not carry a bookbag carrying case around with me for 8 hours.

I agree that the Leica doesn't hold a candle to a dSLR but why do I need to take a dSLR when all I want is a snapshot? If I wanted a great photo of San Francisco or the Golden Gate that I would sell to a client or hang on the wall then I would at least take my Fuji S5 with lenses to get the shot, or if I REALLY wanted the shot, my Sinar 4x5 with Leaf Valeo digital back.

The whole reason I started this thread was because I needed a suggestion for a great P&S camera that I could take around with me and not worry about dropping (as much as the dSLR gear or 4x5) and was small and light weight so it's easy to have around.

As for that, even though it isn't a dSLR, I highly recommended the Leica, or the Panasonic sister to it, because it does give a lot of extra control that I wanted from a dSLR in a small camera like the P&S Leica.

~Crawn