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Point & Shoot w/ F2 or similar fast lens options?

fridgeymonster3

fridgeymonster3

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 28, 2008
493
14
Philadelphia
I'm looking to replace my Canon 7D with a Point & Shoot camera that has an F2 or similar lens offering. With my 7D, I mainly use fast primes and I'd like a P&S to be as close as possible to providing a fast prime feel. I was looking at the Panasonic Lumix LX5. Are there any other options anyone can suggest? My budget is around $300-$400.


FYI, before anyone comments about the move from a 7D to a P&S, my reason is pretty simple. I'll be attending law school in the fall and I'll be selling all of my 7D and L lenses to help finance part of my first semester/year. My equipment was a luxury I could have while working full-time, but I can't rationalize the need to keep my equipment when I will have loans and much less free time.

Thanks for any help/suggestions on cameras!
 
I'm a prime shooter as well, so I understand the lust for large apertures. But, unfortunately, even if you find a point and shoot with that aperture, it will not be the same. The sensor is way too small and the focal length too short. I had a Samsung point and shoot that went up to f2.8, but it made zero difference in depth of field, and very marginally compensated stops between shutter speed and ISO.

This isn't to say that a point and shoot doesn't exist with decent large aperture performance, just that you might need to move up to larger sensors like four thirds or something.
 
The Canon S95 has got an f/2 lens and is well spoken of. It's the sort of camera a dSLR user might choose for their second camera. Might be worth checking out. It's very small, which you may or may not find to be an advantage but the picture quality is good.
 
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Hi! If you're thinking about the LX5 I'd say it looks an amazing camera. I've been using a Leica D-Lux 4 (aka the Panasonic LX3)- and from what I can gather about the upgrade to LX5 its quite a minor one (the stepped zoom letting you choose prime 'focal lengths' and being able to zoom during video looks like a bigger improvement than in IQ).

Apparently the sensor size of these is quite large and I'm very happy with the depth of field that I can separate- if you don't mind I've attached a couple of snaps at f2 to give an impression of what I'm talking about. (I also love the level of manual control one gets with these.)

Cheers!
 
Last edited:
bsamcash said:
I'm a prime shooter as well, so I understand the lust for large apertures. But, unfortunately, even if you find a point and shoot with that aperture, it will not be the same. The sensor is way too small and the focal length too short.
Click to expand...

I understand a P&S won't perform as well as a 7D and 50 1.2 L and that is completely fine. I'm just looking for something that "resembles" or "mimicks" the manual ability of a dSLR and a prime lens.

I really don't want 4/3's because I don't want interchangeable lenses. I need to stay away from the temptation to add lenses.

JDDavis said:
Olympus XZ-1 10 MP Digital Camera with f1.8 Lens and 3-Inch OLED Monitor (Black)


The Fuji is not in your budget but the Ricoh and the Oly are close. If I was buying today it would be the Oly. I haven't shot with any of them. They are just the ones I've been considering.
Click to expand...

Yeah that Oly looks great and is just over my budget. I think I'm definitely going to consider it.
 
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The Canon S95 is what I have and it's a winner.

Just understand that you will not even get close to the DOF of your 7D or any other DSLR just because the S95 has a fast f/2.0 lens. It's simply best to use it to let in more light. So for anything that requires DOF, P&S will not cut it.
 
Nikon Coolpix P300
Olympus XZ-1
Canon PowerShot S95
Canon PowerShot S90
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
Ricoh GR Digital III
Samsung TL500 (EX1)
 
FWIW, the maximum aperture of the S90/95 shrinks pretty rapidly as you zoom:

28mm - f2
35mm - f2.5
50mm - f3.2
85mm - f4
105mm - f4.9

It's a decent enough camera, but it's no SLR. The ISO ratchets up pretty quickly too, and noise is evident starting around ISO 800. It might be worth your while to look into one of the low end mirrorless cameras from Olympus, Panasonic, or Sony.
 
The Canon S95 is an excellent camera. I've shot with it and was impressed with the quality. But it's so damn expensive!
 
Don't get me wrong, but as long as you are looking at point and shoots the aperture value of f/2 is useless. What you are looking for is an aperture in relation to sensor size.

For better understanding: http://www.josephjamesphotography.com/equivalence/#1

And, btw, I am sorry, but there isn't any point and shoot alternative resembling an aperture of f/2 on APS-C sensors except a Leica M9 or similarly expensive.

...otherwise, let me know, I would be interested in your answer
 
JDDavis said:
Ricoh GR DIGITAL III 10 MP CCD Digital Camera with 28mm f/1.9 GR Fixed Lens and 3-Inch LCD

Olympus XZ-1 10 MP Digital Camera with f1.8 Lens and 3-Inch OLED Monitor (Black)

Fujifilm X100 12.3 MP APS-C CMOS EXR Digital Camera with 23mm Fujinon Lens and 2.8-Inch LCD

The Fuji is not in your budget but the Ricoh and the Oly are close. If I was buying today it would be the Oly. I haven't shot with any of them. They are just the ones I've been considering.
Click to expand...

I have the Fuji X100, and I have played with the Oly XZ-1. I think the Oly is a good camera. It won't actually give you the shallow DOF of your 7D and primes, but it will if you're within maybe 2 feet of your subject. Also, it'll still help in low light conditions.
 
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huskyte said:
Don't get me wrong, but as long as you are looking at point and shoots the aperture value of f/2 is useless. What you are looking for is an aperture in relation to sensor size.

For better understanding: http://www.josephjamesphotography.com/equivalence/#1

And, btw, I am sorry, but there isn't any point and shoot alternative resembling an aperture of f/2 on APS-C sensors except a Leica M9 or similarly expensive.

...otherwise, let me know, I would be interested in your answer
Click to expand...

F2 is still very useful when there isn't enough light.
 
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