Low Light Level Point n Shoot

[Paratus]

Is there such a thing as point and shoot that can take good low light level shots? My wife is not happy with our Canon Power Shot SD1100 IS Digital Elph at things like graduations or recitals. Pics are to dark or blurred.

We also have an older Power Shot G6 which seems to do better but is abit more bulky.

 

[Herr Kutz]

Canon s90 might be what you are looking for.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=19210


A few reviews:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons90/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/PS90/PS90A.HTM
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source...j2Msnl6b0HAAAAqgQFT9CjC9E&fp=30210d5cbc29ef72

It seems to get great reviews and take great pictures, but you pay for it. Check out flickr and dpreview.com forums in the canon section to view pictures people have taken with it.


EDIT:

The Canon SD4000IS should do pretty well with low light as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerSh...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1275612202&sr=8-1

 

[slashbinslashbash]

You should also take a look at the Panasonic DMC-LX3. The S90 is probably a better all-around camera, but the LX3 is better for low light (the LX3's lens is wider-angle and lets in >= light throughout the zoom range, but it does not zoom as far).

 

[randomlinh]

The LX3 isn't going to help with bulk (tho, it is smaller than the G6, much more limited in zoom if I recall). But to be honest, you're asking quite a bit for a P&S to perform w/o flash at a graduation or recitals. If you ARE using flash, then you're just too far away. Nothing will help you there except a telezoom and a steady hand.

Could you provide samples maybe of what poor expectations are to you? And what was good from the G6?

 

[ElFenix]

how much bulk is too much? is the G6 at least carryable? if so, the sony nex-5 may be for you. without the lens it's the same size as the body part of a panasonic lx-3. yes, you'd have to carry the lens in a separate pocket.

problem with it is it isn't on store shelves yet and it'll probably be more than you want to spend.

 

[Jinny]

my camera takes pretty decent pics at iso1600 (for a p&s)

Fujifilm F20

I bought it for $80 refurbished.

 

[996GT2]

Is there such a thing as point and shoot that can take good low light level shots? My wife is not happy with our Canon Power Shot SD1100 IS Digital Elph at things like graduations or recitals. Pics are to dark or blurred.

We also have an older Power Shot G6 which seems to do better but is abit more bulky.

Sony NEX-3 or NEX-5 are what you want to get. DSLR sized sensor in a compact body that's not much bigger than a P&S. Only downside is the $550-650 price tag with the 16mm kit lens.

 

[FeuerFrei]

Hmm... now I want a S90. Looks pretty capable The 3rd-party grip sealed it, despite the hard-to-handle form factor and lack of AA batteries. If only the S90 had the body of the Finepix S1800, it would be perfect.

 

[randomlinh]

Sony NEX-3 or NEX-5 are what you want to get. DSLR sized sensor in a compact body that's not much bigger than a P&S. Only downside is the $550-650 price tag with the 16mm kit lens.

heh, you might want to re-specify that... stick a NEX+18-55 next to a S90 and tell me it's "not much bigger"

 

[slashbinslashbash]

Hmm... now I want a S90. Looks pretty capable The 3rd-party grip sealed it, despite the hard-to-handle form factor and lack of AA batteries. If only the S90 had the body of the Finepix S1800, it would be perfect.

You know about the G11? Pretty much an S90 in a bigger body.

 

[corkyg]

I believe any decent camera can take low light pics provided you can stabilize the camera. This shot was very low light, taken with an old Canon Powershot S3 IS. Set the camera on the desk and took this in macro mode.

The ISO setting was 100.

 

[FeuerFrei]

You know about the G11? Pretty much an S90 in a bigger body.

Yeah well my price range maxes out in the $300s.

 

[ElFenix]

heh, you might want to re-specify that... stick a NEX+18-55 next to a S90 and tell me it's "not much bigger"

well, the body is LX3 sized. with the 'pancake' it's not much bigger. though the LX3 is already pushing the limit of pocketability. but the nex can take the lens off. the GF1 is a bit chunkier than either nex.

i wonder when a GF2 will come around? the G2 seems to have a different sensor/amplifier setup than the GF1.

 

[Pneumothorax]

Another vote S90. Hands down the best P&S I've ever used. I may be a Nikon Zealot, but Canon knows how to make top notch P&S. The 2.0 aperture lens + optical image stabilizer + low res sensor make a sweet low light camera. I use it more than my D700 lol.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

Another vote S90. Hands down the best P&S I've ever used. I may be a Nikon Zealot, but Canon knows how to make top notch P&S. The 2.0 aperture lens + optical image stabilizer + low res sensor make a sweet low light camera. I use it more than my D700 lol.

Yeah, it is unfortunate that Nikon seems to have all but abandoned the P&S market. The first digicam that I used extensively was a Coolpix 995 -- man that thing was awesome! And I still own a Coolpix 3500. That swivel-lens thing just has so many benefits, I can't imagine why nobody makes a camera like that any more. It's more versatile than a swivel screen, and more robust to boot.

 

[shortylickens]

Obvious choice is the Panasonic LX3, but am getting tired of recommending that as the solution to all photography problems.

You could go with one of those high end Leicas, but those are damn expensive for something like a point n shoot.
For that kind of money its better to move into SLR territory and have a much bigger sensor. And sensor size is not the only factor. Right off the top of my head I cant think of any P&S thats especially good at high ISO.

Aside from the LX3.
:sneaky:

Yup, I was right. You'd have to buy a Leica.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/LeicaX1/page27.asp

 

[996GT2]

Obvious choice is the Panasonic LX3, but am getting tired of recommending that as the solution to all photography problems.

You could go with one of those high end Leicas, but those are damn expensive for something like a point n shoot.
For that kind of money its better to move into SLR territory and have a much bigger sensor. And sensor size is not the only factor. Right off the top of my head I cant think of any P&S thats especially good at high ISO.

Aside from the LX3.
:sneaky:

Yup, I was right. You'd have to buy a Leica.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/LeicaX1/page27.asp

The Leica X3 is larger than a Sony NEX-5 with the 16mm pancake lens...and the Sony gives you the ability to change lenses when you need the versatility.

I agree though, if the OP absolutely needs something that has a zoom lens and decent low-light ability, then the LX3 or S90 are the only 2 options.

However...if only Sony would just make a 35mm f/2 Pancake, 50mm f/2 Pancake, and 85mm f/2.8 Pancake...