I think its about time I replaced my compact, its crap, always has been, now the battery wont hold charge and I never use it because its so bad.
So Im looking for a compact, no point in getting a bridge as I have the DSLR and if Im going somewhere Ill take that but Id like a compact so I dont have to lug the beast round all the time.
I like the canon powershot g11 but wondering what you guys would recommend, looking for something with a professional edge
Has to have a viewfinder, none of the screen only BS
Has to have a good lens and some optical zoom 3x-5x if not more
Has to use rechargeable li-ion pack rather than std batteries that last 5 mins
Dont want to pay the earth for it
I like canon cameras but dont want to limit myself to one brand
Doesnt need to be 100mp, ideally wants good glass and sensor to take a good picture rather than the marketing gimmicks of 1000mp
Wont bother with underwater or waterproofing stuff, doesnt have to be too rugged as Im careful with my stuff
Ideally a good macro mode to
So, suggestions?
Ignoring the fact you want a view finder, and Im not sure how much the earth costs...
The Panasonic Lumix TZ series cameras are seriously good, they have a nice big Leica lens which lets in a good amount of light, and 12x zoom.
I got my ex the TZ6 (Doesnt have HD video recording) and very impressed, the TZ7 has HD and I believe there are newer versions now TZ8 etc...
Take a look, its much much better than my old canon compact, not as good as my SLR, but not far off in some pics
my parents have a TZ-6
I hate shooting with the screen.
can get the canon for £350 or less so im looking at around that
Sorry should have had a look at the canon you were looking at! Looks a very nice bit of kit!
LX3 is v. cute although I havent used it - supposed to be excellent.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-DMCLX3-Digital-Camera-Optical/dp/B001D2NHE0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1280528707&sr=1-1
Problem with the G-series for me is the size - if youre willing to go that big you could go for a cheaper, less rugged, canon that can still shoot RAW and all that jazz with CDHK.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-PowerShot-Digital-Megapixel-Optical/dp/B002LSI1IW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1280528744&sr=1-1
^^I had the model prior to that and was very impressed til I went DSLR.
Id lose the viewfinder on either of those
Why do you really want a viewfinder, why do you find using the screen so bad? The only problem I have with screens is when Im doing portrait shots with polarised sunglasses!
TBH youre not going to do better than a Canon G series and thats coming from a guy who generally detests Canon kit.
I can see where youre coming from on the viewfinder, but it really limits your choices. If you must have a finder, just buy the Canon G and have done with it. I dont think theres another camera in your price range with a VF which will touch the Canon.
The only other option Id consdier in your shoes is the Olympus E-P series, the EP-1 is available around the right price and the Zuiko glass is sweet.
I just got rid of my G10 because of its size. Its just too big for a compact, if i was going to carry my G10 i would always end up taking the DSLR. The G series are just too big for a compact although the are excellent.
Im surprised no one has mentioned the canon S90 yet, its an unbelievable camera, smaller and better IQ than the G series and the Lumixs. Again though, no viewfinder.
I also think the kind of photos you tend to take with a compact are less reliant on a viewfinder... seems like a limiting choice tbh.
Plus Compact viewfinders are nothing like a good DSLR viewfinder anyway.
Problem with screens is if the suns on it you struggle to see and they chew power so the battery life isnt as good
That used to be the case but not really any more. I know you dont want a rugged/waterproof jobby, but using my Olympus cameras as an example, you can see the screen crystal clear during the day just as well as indoors. Battery life is sufficient that I will fill an 8gb memory card with the 1300 picture capacity before it actually runs out. The only time I have had it run out properly has been when Ive been doing vids of birds in the back garden, but that isnt down to the screen I think, more the rest of the camera recording video when it really isnt a video cam.
If you want to see how the screen looks outside in the sun youre welcome to pop round to have a look if itll help burst that misconception about modern screens :P
My parents really struggle with their TZ-6 in the sunlight on the screen
Id suggest giving some newer compact screens a go outside if you can find a shop that will let you go outside with them when its sunny, before you discount them all as struggling in bright light, you might be surprised by what you find!
Ill go and check a few out, id like to see a G11 anyway, it may be too big as mentioned but until i can get hold of one i wont really know.
The G11 has a great layout of dials and buttons to change all the same stuff i adjust on my slr as well which is nice.
Yep, the G11 will have no downsides in easy of use, quality or layout. Its an awesome camera but its just not a compact - Id say it needs to be able to fit into a pocket, which it cant.
Having a play is probably your best bet. If size is an issue have a look at the S90 as well, the F2.0 lens is meant to be spectacular.
I had a look at 2 compacts today, no chance to go outside with them though.
I looked at the canon G11 and the canon SX210
Both are probably very good cameras, i liked the viewfinder on the G11 and the general feel of the camera, had something i could actually hold, yes it has an almost slr style grip, sure the camera is a bit larger but feeling confident holding it and being able to keep it very steady are definitely good things. I didnt think it was too big really, never had a camera in my pocket that wasnt on a phone anyway, the 35mm compacts were fairly chunky as well back in the day. The SX210, well its a different animal, tiny, felt like you could easily drop it, and tbh it felt very fragile compared to the G11, more x zoom and a higher MP but the controls were all wrong and the zoom control is fiddly compared to the G11s layout.
Both cameras shoot video but the G11 is only standard def, thats not a big deal for me as im not looking to do any video work, could be a deal breaker for some though im sure.
The cost is another factor, the SX210 is only £249 in store so probably a fair bit cheaper on the net, so it is substantially cheaper.
Wont be able to buy anything until the end of the month but its looking like itll be the G11 so far, after all its the closest thing i can get to having the dslr on me without actually taking it.
QuoteSo Im looking for a compact, no point in getting a bridge as I have the DSLR and if Im going somewhere Ill take that but Id like a compact so I dont have to lug the beast round all the time
Youre almost getting towards a Bridge camera with the G11 though surely, defeating the object of getting a "Take anywhere, do anything" camera. With the G11 youll either hardly use it because you decide to take the SLR instead, or vice versa.
To me the point of a compact is something that can easily fit in a pocket, or a backpack etc, without the need of its own little soft carry bag etc. It shouldnt be so expensive that you fear breaking or losing it, as it should be the camera you take when either the bulk and accessories, or fear of damage/loss prevents taking an SLR. At the same time it should take reasonable pictures and be built well enough to withstand these things (Im not meaning ruggeds only, some cameras are well made, others seem to be made of thin plastic).
Quote from: zpyderIt shouldnt be so expensive that you fear breaking or losing it
Rules out pretty much all the worth having compacts then really, doesnt take much to bash the screen in a bag and break it, they are all rather exposed on the back, at least with the g11 you can flip it round and its protected.
Bridge cameras are like twice as fat as the lens doesnt retract fully into the body.
I dont know what youve been doing in that case, Ive yet to do more than put a massive scratch on a week old LCD screen on any of my cameras, theyve been sat on, dropped, thrown into bags that have been roughly handled etc :|
As to being not so expensive you fear breaking it, thatd subjective to what you deem expensive. If you have your SLR, the body and lens is likely what, £600+? In which case a £300 compact would be my camera of choice if there is a risk of breakage. IMO the bulkier a camera is the more likely it is to get knocked. Sure it might be less likely to get dropped, but a small camera is easier to protect I find.