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Any cameras that fit Altoids?

goodtimes5

goodtimes5

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 4, 2004
778
0
Bay Area
I'm in the market for an ultraportable digital camera that fits into an Altoids box.

I know about that Pentax camera, but it's only 3.2 MP. I'm looking for something at least 4 MP.

Thanks for any replies.
 
Wow, sweet, an updated Pentax.

Now, I'm a total newbie to digital cameras. Would the sacrifices I make for size be worth the $300? The sample pictures on Amazon don't look too hot.
 
I do not know if it will fit in an Altoids tin like the Pentax, but the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX7 is quite small. It uses a Leica lense system and gets favourable write-ups as far as picture quality goes. The problem with this size camera is that a lot of sacrifices need to be made, and quite often photo quality suffers. The Minolta Dimage X cameras are also very small, but have this problem as far as picture quality. I can't speak to the Sony product, but I know they do have some small cameras and some of their products use Carl-Zeiss lenses.
 
Really small cameras? How about the Casio Exilim series? Not sure if it will fit into an Altoids tin, but they sure are small. The EX-Z750 measures about 3.5 x 2.2 inches, and it has a 7 megapixel sensor. I'm planning to get one of these.
 
The new Canon SD500 is small, but won't fit in an Altoids tin. It's awesome nonetheless. 7 megapixels. Review here. Probably what I'm gonna get.
 
sw1tcher said:
The new Canon SD500 is small, but won't fit in an Altoids tin. It's awesome nonetheless. 7 megapixels. Review here. Probably what I'm gonna get.
Click to expand...
I have one. Well worth it for those who want a readily portable digicam. The DSLRs take better pictures, but the SD500 is a great combination of small size and stunning ability.
 
I recommend the Casio Exilim models. i have a 3.2MP one and i LOVE it.. thought of replacing it with the 5MP model but just don't have the funds right now.

EDIT: i do see someone else mentioned this already. so i recommend them AGAIN.

also, they do not fit in an altoids can, but they're about the same size. the body is metal so you're safe putting in your pocket (alone or with something soft..i wouldn't recommend with your keys or coins for example)..

i carried mine around to a big car show 2 years ago without any problems for 5 days. barely knew it was there.
 
you could always get another kind of tin besides the altoids one. antique stores have bunches from the time when everything came in a tin.
 
ITASOR said:
What's with people on this forum and altoid tin cameras?
Click to expand...
They're tiny and cute?

When I had mine, I used video mode a lot. I kept covering the microphone with my giant hands.
My gigantical hands do not play well with tiny Altoids cameras. Much shakey and microphone covering, and "holy crap, I touched the lens!"


But they do have a great WOW factor. Tiny cameras are the GUI of OS X in the camera world.
(That made no sense, I know, but it worked up here. *taps head*)
 
My mom has the Pentax (the 4MP version). From what I have seen there is little sacrifice for the size. It takes great pictures. Besides a decent zoom is hard to find on a camera that small. The Pentax has 3x, very respectable.

As for the Altoids tin. I have seen people use one as a case!
 
After G said:
Really small cameras? How about the Casio Exilim series? Not sure if it will fit into an Altoids tin, but they sure are small. The EX-Z750 measures about 3.5 x 2.2 inches, and it has a 7 megapixel sensor. I'm planning to get one of these.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't recommend the Casio's...every time I hear the name, I think calculators. I've seen pictures from them, compared to pictures from other cameras, and the quality is definately lower. A lot of what the picture ends up like depends on the lens.
Sony uses Carl Zeiss lens in their cameras usually P-100 and up. They're putting the lens on a few of their cheaper cameras now, too. Canon, Nikon, and Kodak all use really good lenses too. Kodak using a really good German lens (I forget the name off the top of my head...it starts with a K and is hyphenated with Schneider).
 
goodtimes5 said:
I'm in the market for an ultraportable digital camera that fits into an Altoids box.

I know about that Pentax camera, but it's only 3.2 MP. I'm looking for something at least 4 MP.

Thanks for any replies.
Click to expand...


i use a pentax optio s (the one that fits in the altoids which is the case i use, great for concerts!) and the pictures it captures is great!


dont doubt the 3.2 its amazing!
 
I have the Pentax Optio S4, the 4MP Altoids model. It's been a great performer and the machined finish is much nicer than the smoother current stock. I would worry more about the lens system and performance and less over the MP. I have considered a second camera... Lumix FZ20.
 
Are you really sure you want a tiny camera? For "digicams," I prefer the medium sized ones, as they're easier to work the controls. You can really handle them better than the little ones (in my experience) because you're not as afraid of dropping or losing it. I think the medium cameras in the 3-5 mp range are an OK compromise between size, quality, and price. My obsolete olympus is two years old, has a bunch of scratches, but it still works great. I will be upgrading to a DSLR in awhile though, after I purchase a medium format camera and lenses, and win the lottery....
 
Instead of the Canon SD500, how about the 5MP SD400? (I only plan to use this camera casually for social events and the such.) The quality of pictures and button layout on this camera seem to blow everything else away.

The physical dimensions of the camera seem to allow an Altoids case, but I just wanted to confirm with one of you awesome people.

ITASOR said:
What's with people on this forum and altoid tin cameras?
Click to expand...
The cool factor is unbeatable.
 
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