Looking to spend around $400 on a P&S Camera

[dougp]

I'm more or less leaning towards a Canon S90 right now - I want something that will take great pictures, but maintaining the pocketability of a P&S. I've largely considered going towards a DSLR, but I'm not heavily into photography enough to spend the money on a body and lenses.

I've largely seen the Canon S90 recommended as a great alternative, along with the Lumix LX3 and Canon G11. The LX3 is a consideration, though something I was leaning towards was a remote to attempt some nice HDR on a tripod - so unless I went the hacked route, which would be on the LX3 and S90 - but at least I could make the S90 remote myself.

Does anyone have other suggestions?

 

[angry hampster]

Sigma DP1.

 

[dougp]

Sigma DP1.

Looks nice, but if I'm spending that much, I should essentially lean towards the G11 or LX3 - the sensor is only 1/8" bigger than the S90 or G11, but seems to be a LOT slower. One of my complaints with my Kodak Z712IS is the slow speed when processing images and turning on.

 

[dougp]

Won't let me edit, but thanks for the suggestion!

 

[jpeyton]

The S90 and G11 own this market right now.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Looks nice, but if I'm spending that much, I should essentially lean towards the G11 or LX3 - the sensor is only 1/8" bigger than the S90 or G11, but seems to be a LOT slower. One of my complaints with my Kodak Z712IS is the slow speed when processing images and turning on.

The DP1's sensor is over 6x the size of the S90/G11/LX3's.

If by "pocketability" you mean "pants pocket", then the G11 is too big, unless you got some extra room in dem trousers... :twisted:

 

[Ns1]

I got an Lx3 for sale. Respond to your PM's =P

 

[dougp]

The DP1's sensor is over 6x the size of the S90/G11/LX3's.

If by "pocketability" you mean "pants pocket", then the G11 is too big, unless you got some extra room in dem trousers... :twisted:

Huh? I thought I was looking in some reviews and there was only 1/8 of a difference.

 

[twistedlogic]

From dpreview:

Canon G11 - 1/1.7" Type CCD
Sigma DP1 - 20.7 x 13.8 mm Foveon CMOS sensor

 

[dougp]

From dpreview:

Canon G11 - 1/1.7" Type CCD
Sigma DP1 - 20.7 x 13.8 mm Foveon CMOS sensor

20mm is less than an inch. Still, the DP1 is out of the price range I was really looking for, but it is a nice camera.

 

[Kelvrick]

From dpreview:

Canon G11 - 1/1.7" Type CCD
Sigma DP1 - 20.7 x 13.8 mm Foveon CMOS sensor

If you're going to copy from another site, why not copy text right next to it that shows numbers in the same kind of measurement?

G11 - 0.43 cm²
Sigma - 2.85 cm²

EDIT: The sigma has no zoom though, which is kind of sucks in my opinion. Personally, I'd still go with the panasonic LX3.

 

[dougp]

If you're going to copy from another site, why not copy text right next to it that shows numbers in the same kind of measurement?

G11 - 0.43 cm²
Sigma - 2.85 cm²

EDIT: The sigma has no zoom though, which is kind of sucks in my opinion. Personally, I'd still go with the panasonic LX3.

There we go.

Ok, so why the LX3 over the S90 then? I've read complaints about the joystick on the back of the LX3, but read complaints about the zoom toggle on the S90. Each one has their own set of neat control features, the S90 having the lens control ring, while the LX3 has the switches for AF/AFM/MF along with the aspect ratio. I guess the big consideration is the S90 is much more pocketable, and I'm not sure I like a lens cap cover like the LX3 has.

 

[ElFenix]

yeah, 1/8 difference. the S90's sensor is 1/8 of the DP1's (well, 1/6, but that's still a huge difference)


the 1/x" format size scheme actually overstates the sensor area.


i'd agree that the S90 is much more pocketable. the smooth shape will make it much easier to carry all the time. the LX3's big barrel of a lens on the front requires a jacket pocket or a cargo pants pocket.

 

[twistedlogic]

If you're going to copy from another site, why not copy text right next to it that shows numbers in the same kind of measurement?

G11 - 0.43 cm²
Sigma - 2.85 cm²

Because the Canon G10 Specifications page from dpreview's review only shows 1/1.7" and is not in mm. So its not listed on the site.

And the Sigma is 2.86 cm².

For comparison sake, here is the relative difference.

In marketing numbers, the Sigma is 6.594182825 times larger than the Canon, but who knows how much of each sensor is actually used.

 

[dougp]

I think if I was going to spend the money on the Sigma, I'd rather go towards getting a Micro Four Thirds camera, which I was considering but I don't want to spend that much money.

 

[MJinZ]

Panasonic LX3 or GF1.

The Sigmas are not P&S friendly.

 

[Kelvrick]

Because the Canon G10 Specifications page from dpreview's review only shows 1/1.7" and is not in mm. So its not listed on the site.

And the Sigma is 2.86 cm².

For comparison sake, here is the relative difference.

In marketing numbers, the Sigma is 6.594182825 times larger than the Canon, but who knows how much of each sensor is actually used.

We were probably looking at different pages of the same thing. When I go to dpreview and click on camera database on the left side, then go to each of the cameras, the first page for each model has the xxcm² in grey next to the sensor size.

I would choose the LX3 because of the wider angle and 2.8 available throughout. Size isn't that big of a deal for me personally between the two since my other camera is a canon 20d that is lugged around with a tamron 17-50 or a sigma 100-300. That, and my front pockets are all large enough to carry my kahr pm9 so either camera is no problem.

 

[twistedlogic]

We were probably looking at different pages of the same thing. When I go to dpreview and click on camera database on the left side, then go to each of the cameras, the first page for each model has the xxcm² in grey next to the sensor size.

Yup, that's it. I use the search function which takes me to the 20-page full review. The Side-by-Side comparison also shows cm², neat.

 

[HeXploiT]

The camera of cameras for amateurs.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-278-_-Product

I shall say no more...

 

[dougp]

The camera of cameras for amateurs.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-278-_-Product

I shall say no more...

And you didn't read no more. There's no way that will fit in a pocket! And as for a DSLR, I'll take the Nikon hand downs from my cousin when she decides to upgrade. But honestly, I'm not looking for a DSLR. Heck, several of the cameras people have recommended are a bit out of the price range I was looking for, and I'd probably lean towards a Micro instead of a DSLR.

 

[angry hampster]

The camera of cameras for amateurs.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-278-_-Product

I shall say no more...

How about the fact that paying $500 for a camera that should be worth $250 is utterly pointless?

 

[dougp]

How about the fact that paying $500 for a camera that should be worth $250 is utterly pointless?

Are you talking about the cameras we're discussing, or the Rebel he linked?

There's a lot of things that cheaper P&S cameras lack that some people want to have the options on, or even good low-light exposures when going out with family or friends.

 

[MJinZ]

I like my Canon 790IS well enough, but it really completely a P&S. I can't control even basic things like exposure settings, so it really sucks for trying to get anything except a regular shot in a day light.

What I really want is an ultra wide angle, ultra fast, huge sensor camera with excellent usability and a gamut of manual controls that I can stick in my Jeans. Zoom be damned, but I really don't care about zooming if it's 24mm equiv and clean as a hell on high ISOs.

In the mean time, there isn't much better than an LX3 or GF1

 

[davestar]

how pocketable do you need? jeans pocket? if so, the S90 is your only choice (assuming you want a decent-sized sensor)

if you're ok with jacket or cargo pants pocketability, the LX3 and G11 come into the picture. i'd go with the G11 for its zoom capability. 85mm at the long end (LX3) is too limiting for me.

 

[angry hampster]

Are you talking about the cameras we're discussing, or the Rebel he linked?

There's a lot of things that cheaper P&S cameras lack that some people want to have the options on, or even good low-light exposures when going out with family or friends.

The Rebel. The XS is basically an XT/XTi with a bigger screen. Old technology with a new badge.