Digital Camera: What's the most compact, with FULL manual controls?

Namuna

Platinum Member
Jun 20, 2000
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I recently bought a Pentax Optio 43WR and it's a great little camera (especially for being waterproof down to 3ft of water!).

But I'm SORELY missing the level of control I have with my Digital SLR (like setting shutter speed, or aperture. etc...).

So now I'm thinking about selling the Pentax (waterproof is nice, but it's not as big a feature as I thought I'd want) and instead getting something else.

Basically I want a digicam that's as compact as possible (about the size of a Canon Digital ELPH would be great) with at least 3.2mp and allows me to have full control over the shutter speed and aperture.

thanks.
 

Namuna

Platinum Member
Jun 20, 2000
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Thanks for the replies folks...That comparison site was indeed helpful GT, thanks.

Doesn't have to be a Canon digicam either folks.

thanks.
 

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
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Originally posted by: Namuna
Thanks for the replies folks...That comparison site was indeed helpful GT, thanks.

Doesn't have to be a Canon digicam either folks.

thanks.

IT DOESN'T??? :p
 

Phokus

Lifer
Nov 20, 1999
22,994
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Originally posted by: NutBucket
I'm trying to remember if my Elph has full manual controls......

I have a canon s410, it doesn't have full manual controls. I'm pretty sure none of them do.
 

MoobyTheGoldenCalf

Golden Member
Jul 26, 2001
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I just ordered an S70 from zipzoomfly. Should be here tomorrow.

Hopefully iit'll be better than the 5 year old, 1 mexapixel Olympus I'm using now ;)
 

Excelsior

Lifer
May 30, 2002
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Originally posted by: MoobyTheGoldenCalf
I just ordered an S70 from zipzoomfly. Should be here tomorrow.

Hopefully iit'll be better than the 5 year old, 1 mexapixel Olympus I'm using now ;)

I moved up from my 1.3MP Olympus just last january. Wow what a difference.
 

skim milk

Diamond Member
Apr 8, 2003
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i think S70 and S60 are pretty compact for their full range of controls
I have the S70... but I like the outside appearance of the S60 better. S60 is also $50 cheaper than a S70.

 

kami333

Diamond Member
Dec 12, 2001
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Originally posted by: SSP
Originally posted by: Phokus
Originally posted by: NutBucket
I'm trying to remember if my Elph has full manual controls......

I have a canon s410, it doesn't have full manual controls. I'm pretty sure none of them do.

Yes it does (scroll down).

Some one didnt read the user manual. ;)

Not really what you would call manual control. Just white balance, ISO setting, spot metering, set long exposures, exposure comp, etc.
 

SSP

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
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Originally posted by: luvya
Originally posted by: SSP
Originally posted by: Phokus
Originally posted by: NutBucket
I'm trying to remember if my Elph has full manual controls......

I have a canon s410, it doesn't have full manual controls. I'm pretty sure none of them do.

Yes it does (scroll down).

Some one didnt read the user manual. ;)

No, it doesn't. Read it again.

It says Shooting Modes: Auto / Manual / Stitch Assist / Movie.

Not sure if it allows aperture control... cause its not mentioned.
 

luvya

Banned
Nov 19, 2001
3,161
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Originally posted by: SSP
Originally posted by: luvya
Originally posted by: SSP
Originally posted by: Phokus
Originally posted by: NutBucket
I'm trying to remember if my Elph has full manual controls......

I have a canon s410, it doesn't have full manual controls. I'm pretty sure none of them do.

Yes it does (scroll down).

Some one didnt read the user manual. ;)

No, it doesn't. Read it again.

It says Shooting Modes: Auto / Manual / Stitch Assist / Movie.

Not sure if it allows aperture control... cause its not mentioned.

It doesn't have aperture/shutter control. S60/70 and Sony P150 are probably the closest ones to OP's needs.
 

SSP

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
17,727
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Originally posted by: kami333
Originally posted by: SSP
Originally posted by: Phokus
Originally posted by: NutBucket
I'm trying to remember if my Elph has full manual controls......

I have a canon s410, it doesn't have full manual controls. I'm pretty sure none of them do.

Yes it does (scroll down).

Some one didnt read the user manual. ;)

Not really what you would call manual control. Just white balance, ISO setting, spot metering, set long exposures, exposure comp, etc.

Yep, you're right. The specifications says manual mode but on the third page the options arent that great. Plus it looks like a hassel to set long shutter speeds.
 

Kanalua

Diamond Member
Jun 14, 2001
4,860
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I would recomend the Panasonic DMC-FZ* series...I've got FZ1 (upgraded to FZ2)...shutter control and arperature control, etc...
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
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you need to go here (dpreview side-by-side comparison).

I have a feeling that the s70 is going to be the smallest with full manual.....but I haven't really checked into this myself either.
 

Namuna

Platinum Member
Jun 20, 2000
2,435
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Thanks for all the replies. I've gone through Steves-Digicams and the Features Search at DPReview as well.

I was hoping to get Manual controls, in something the size of a Canon ELPH (ultra-compact) but it looks like the closest thing to 'pocketable' I can find is the Canon S60 or S70 and that's still a little too bulky.

I guess I'll stick with my little Pentax afterall.