Recommend a good point and shoot

[DionM]

Hi all,

I'm thinking of replacing my faithful Powershot G2 with a new PnS, to supplement my DSLR. Basically it is for times I don't want to lug my DSLR along.

To this end, my two priorities are Image quality and pocket size.

It must be pocket sized and must have very good IQ. If it doesn't have these, I won't use it (not small enough, or not happy with the photo quality).

I am leaning towards an Ixus of some sorts, but they don't have a RAW mode which is annoying Anyone know of any other cameras around a similar size that have good IQ and RAW format?

Should I worry about RAW format is JPEG in its least-lossy mode quite okay? Remember I am coming from a 20D and all L-glass so am fussy about IQ.

[losfp]

I like the ixus models. Decent image quality and small enough to fit in a pocket. You won't get RAW of course, but that's the price you pay for the convenience. I may be wrong, but I don't think any of the ultra compact models have RAW. You can still tweak levels, curves and colours in photoshop with JPEGs with a bit of work. If it is only a backup camera, then I don't see that it's a big issue.

[Pa]

found this on ebay CANON S40 DIGITAL CAMERA 4 MP 3x OPT RAW IMAGE 512MB CF you might be able to see it at a camera shop and check it out. i see it has a raw system.
cheers pa

[the foto fanatic]

I have just been using a Canon A620. Fits in your pocket, 7.1 megapixels, 4 X zoom. Doesn't have RAW capability - I think Canon have now dropped that from all their current model P&S cameras - but the Superfine JPEG is pretty good. Price - around $500, less GST rebate if travelling OS.

This camera has a 2" LCD on a swivel mount so that you can rotate it to any position, and importantly also has a viewfinder for those bright conditions where the LCD is useless for composing a shot.

This camera has a "Highly Recommended" tag from DPReview, and after taking several hundred shots with it on an overseas trip, I would endorse it too. Here's a link to the review:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canona620/

Negatives:
- still a bit noisy in some low-light situations (most small sensor/large megapixel camers are)
- can experience shutter lag when using flash
- wide end of zoom only 35mm. 28mm can be found on some Canon models, but they are a lot more expensive.

Here is a link to a gallery where all shots were taken with this camera:
http://newms.smugmug.com/gallery/1503848
Hope this is of some help.

[Alpha_7]

Katie has a IXUS 50 which takes some nice shots, and was very handy on our recent trip to Fiji and very good for her solo adventures in Boston, I think the newer versions are even better but perhaps have shorter battery life due to the Massive LCDs.

[Greg B]

I bought Rosanne the IXUS 55 for $399. She absolutely loves it.

- Large LCD
- 5 MP
- Image quality seems very good, it punches above it's weight
- uses the SD card, I got a 2Gig card for $99
- relatively quick start up and shooting
- decent feature set
- a bit small for me personally

Always difficult to go PnS after the SLR. My second camera (ie read - previous camera before the SLR) is a G3 which I love too.

[Marvin]

I am not a big fan of the ixus - to me the image quality, particularly using the flash, isn't that great. I have an old g2 as well and still love it. Do you particularly want a very small one? What about the next g (6?). I have used heaps of p & s at work and friend's cameras, but nothing to me is like the g2 (but maybe I am biased!).

[mR_CaESaR]

what about the Canon S80?

Seems like a very capable point and shoot, too bad canon dropped the raw ability of it from the s70

[Yi-P]

I will go for a Canon A620, its a nice backup to the DSLR whenever you cannot bring your DSLR along or you simply cant pull it out for some reason.

[shutterbug]

Fuji F10 or F30

[Trieu]

Go the Canon IXUS, through snow, through heat all over the world, it didn't miss a beat!

Small and discreet as well not to mention some cracker quality shots.

[Yi-P]

For for the Fuji F-XX if you need ISO1600 (DSLR's high ISO) low light power

Canon if you need portability and dont care much about ISO1600

They both have acceptable quality images (when paired with a cheap lens on DSLR)

[Oneputt]

This is a dear Dorothy Dix Dion you know that unless it is a Canon you wont buy it so lets narrow the filed down to that brand

[DionM]

Thanks guys.

It has to be small (pocket sized), else I might as well keep using my G2 or get another G-series.

The Fuji E900 came quite close in my search - it has RAW, 9MP ... but is just not quite small enough. The S80 is also on my list, but just not small enough. The A620 may not be small enough either.

The Ixus 800IS is my current favourite, 7MP, Ixus size and IS to boot, just wish it had RAW.

Not overly worried about cost. I'm also aiming for at least 7MP.

I don't even care about zoom. The Ricoh GR digital for example would be ideal ... but its not quite small enough.

Shall keep on searching ...

Oh and Oneputt, I've been looking at the Nikon S3 etc, but not enough features.

[DionM]

The Panasonic DMC-LX1 seems to meet the wishlist - smallish, RAW, 8MP. However reading the reviews noise seems to be an issue.

<sigh>

Shall keep on hunting.

[Dug]

If I had the money the Ricoh GR would be a choice 8mp and RAW.

last I looked with the ultra wide lens about $1,500.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/R ... igital.asp

[DionM]

Dug,

I have been looking at it too. I just don't know if the single focal length would be too much of a limitation. But I think I'd rather have fixed focal length than say the poor high ISO noise of the Panasonic, or the complete lack of RAW on an Ixus.

It's $1k for the body only (not too bad).

I suppose I could get the GR and an Ixus ...

[Nnnnsic]

I recommend the A620.

A friend recently asked me to find her a good camera for her trip overseas and I did a whole ton of research and found the A620 for her.

She just came back and loved the trip and the camera and even before she left, I got a good play of it and it's a really nice little camera.

For a Canon, that is.

[birddog114]

Canon digital IXUS65

[drifter]

I have a canon a95 (which doesn't seem to exsist anymore ) but there are a lot similar .It has a ton of slr style settings ( arperture priority , shutter priority , adjustable focus point , custom WB etc... ) and takes a good pic. Not a bad size screen and is pretty compact . Handles harsh light well too which is a plus if the camera is used by the Mrs or friends who like taking shots straight into the sun .


I may be totally wrong but don't all the ixus cameras operate via modes only for shooting rather than having shutter or arperture settings etc. ?Which might be frustrating for a SLR user .

[Matt. K]

9mm automatic Browning. Just point and shoot.

[whiz]

It's funny to read this thread and then after going through the responses, decide that you won't bother posting.

Much as I'm a Nikon user in terms of DSLR's, I have to say that I have used a HUGE number of PnS cameras while visiting camera shops on my sojourns around the country.
Unfortunately the only shots that I could bring home were from the SD based cameras and sometimes (but not any more) the Compactflash ones.
I have always been most impressed by the Canons.
If they all had the shutter response of the Ricoh Caplio RV1, they'd be the perfect P&S for me.
Also impressed by the Casios.
Now go shopping!