No affordable large CCD P&S Cameras?

[reallyscrued]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a camera that has a larger CCD than 1/2.3 but doesn't cost half a grand new. I'd really love a Canon G11/G10 or an S90 for it's point and shoot capabilities, or an LX3, A Sigma DP1, you get the idea; but all of these cameras cost upwards of 400 dollars.

It's seems like there is a large gap between the $100 dollar POS point and shoots and the high end, where are the midrange models?

 

[jpeyton]

They don't exist yet. Kind of like the mythical "affordable" full-frame DSLR (the least expensive new full-frame DSLR is a Sony A850, which is roughly $1999).

Ask again in a year or two. Or try to find a good deal on a used one.

 

[ElFenix]

the canon SD900, 950, and 990 had the larger 1/1.8" sensor but it looks like the current 960 has a smaller sensor. the A650 had the larger sensor as well, but the A series has really gone downhill (and canon would rather you buy a G series than an A series, the G9 was an A650 with raw mode enabled and a better screen).

the mid range seems to be the same electronics as the low end with slightly longer/wider lenses, bigger/more pixel LCDs, and HD movie mode. which kinda makes sense as people at best buy typically don't buy cameras based on image quality, but rather based on checkbox features.

 

[reallyscrued]

the mid range seems to be the same electronics as the low end with slightly longer/wider lenses, bigger/more pixel LCDs,

The midrange is exactly what you describe but they put more pixels on the same small size CCD, which I don't understand. Damn this sucks.

 

[extra]

Hmmmm...

1. Fuji f200exr ?
2. Used G10

Other than that, they are too old to be worthwhile.

You know, the Canon A650 is pretty nice too, but only if you can get it for really cheap. It's basically a G9.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Ithought the Canon A series uses a 1/2.3 or so sensor. IF you want larger, you have to go with G-series. Just wait for a slick deal.

 

[ElFenix]

The midrange is exactly what you describe but they put more pixels on the same small size CCD, which I don't understand. Damn this sucks.

read the G11 review on dpreview for why. the G10 spanks it at low ISO. and neither is particularly good at 800 or above. yeah, the G11 is better, but both suck. pixels matter.


edit: reviewing the raw postage stamp crops i'd say the G10 is pulling in more detail than the G11 at 800, though there is little color information in that crop so i don't know if the colors have gone off like in the jpeg comparisons later in the review

 

[shortylickens]

In a quality camera the most expensive single component is the sensor. If you want a good one the whole camera is pretty expensive.

BUT, some folks do make a decent P&S thats not too expensive.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/
Towards the top half of the list there are plenty of hi-end P&S's.

 

[extra]

read the G11 review on dpreview for why. the G10 spanks it at low ISO. and neither is particularly good at 800 or above. yeah, the G11 is better, but both suck. pixels matter.


edit: reviewing the raw postage stamp crops i'd say the G10 is pulling in more detail than the G11 at 800, though there is little color information in that crop so i don't know if the colors have gone off like in the jpeg comparisons later in the review

Trust me the G11 makes better lookin' files than the G10 in most cases (I'd say all except for good light outdoor iso 80 and 100 shots, in which case the G10 can definitely capture more detail)...I think that both the G11 and the G10 need to be shot in raw to really do well though. I think that if you are doing landscapes the G10 is a better choice, if you are using it as general P&S the 11 is better bet. Trust me the difference in real life situations, say an indoor general purpose iso 1600 shot printed at 8x10 the G11 looks way better (I tried this at pro photo supply here in portland).

But it doesn't have anything to do with the number of megapixels for sure. The G11 would be a better cam if it had the same sensor technology and 15mp instead.

Canon only went down to 10mp because they are buying the sensor from Sony and sony doesn't have a 15mp (or whatever) backlit sensor at the moment, 10mp is the best they've got.

The G10's pixel density+backlit sensor technology from the G11 would be teh win. Sigh, we can't have it all. One thing is for sure though, the G10 is a fantastic used buy if you can find one for around $350.