Camera recommendation please?
July 30, 2010 12:28 PM Subscribe
Camera recommendation, please? The primary use will be for capturing pics to be used in scrap books. List of needed features inside.
I do a lot of scrapbooking and am looking for a new camera after my last one was stolen.
My big needs, in order, are:
Image Stabilization. Must have this 'cause I'm not always stationary when taking the shot.
Good night time capabilities. There's a lot of night time and indoor events I go to, so this is sorely needed.
Large and accurate screen for viewing the shots.
Somewhat compact. I'm a lady, so something that could easily fit in a purse or casually carry would be nice.
Takes great shots. (I don't mean just 12megapixels or some such, but actually takes great shots)
Easy to use. I would like to be able to just start shooting without having to study the manual
A SLR is not needed, a hybrid is fine.
Thank you for any suggestions!
I do a lot of scrapbooking and am looking for a new camera after my last one was stolen.
My big needs, in order, are:
Image Stabilization. Must have this 'cause I'm not always stationary when taking the shot.
Good night time capabilities. There's a lot of night time and indoor events I go to, so this is sorely needed.
Large and accurate screen for viewing the shots.
Somewhat compact. I'm a lady, so something that could easily fit in a purse or casually carry would be nice.
Takes great shots. (I don't mean just 12megapixels or some such, but actually takes great shots)
Easy to use. I would like to be able to just start shooting without having to study the manual
A SLR is not needed, a hybrid is fine.
Thank you for any suggestions!
I'd disagree that it's the best in it's class and counter with the Canon S90. I don't think that there is another compact that can touch it right now.
posted by WinnipegDragon at 12:47 PM on July 30, 2010
posted by WinnipegDragon at 12:47 PM on July 30, 2010
Canon G10 - best thing (in my opinion) that you can buy without moving to a DSLR.
posted by komara at 12:50 PM on July 30, 2010
posted by komara at 12:50 PM on July 30, 2010
I would second the Lumix DMC-LX3, but if you can hold out for a few months the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 will be out. It looks like it will hold up to it's promises of performance increases.The guys at DPReview got to get their hands on a pre-release unit for demo.
This is what I am currently waiting for. It improves the zoom which was one thing holding me back from the LX3, also this should have better low light performance, tho the LX3 already has excellent low light performance.
posted by MrBobaFett at 12:53 PM on July 30, 2010
This is what I am currently waiting for. It improves the zoom which was one thing holding me back from the LX3, also this should have better low light performance, tho the LX3 already has excellent low light performance.
posted by MrBobaFett at 12:53 PM on July 30, 2010
I should have used the preview button...
As for the S90 if you want a high-end point and shoot, I would agree that it's pretty great. But the LX3/LX5 and G10/G11 are in another class. If I couldn't get the Panasonic I would probably go with the G11, it's also a great camera but it does not capture as much detail in low light as the LX3. But the G11 has better zoom, an optical view finder and an articulating LCD panel.
Also I have other Panasonic Cameras and accessories that will work with the LX3/LX5. If you have Canon Speedlights and the such go with the G11.
posted by MrBobaFett at 1:01 PM on July 30, 2010
As for the S90 if you want a high-end point and shoot, I would agree that it's pretty great. But the LX3/LX5 and G10/G11 are in another class. If I couldn't get the Panasonic I would probably go with the G11, it's also a great camera but it does not capture as much detail in low light as the LX3. But the G11 has better zoom, an optical view finder and an articulating LCD panel.
Also I have other Panasonic Cameras and accessories that will work with the LX3/LX5. If you have Canon Speedlights and the such go with the G11.
posted by MrBobaFett at 1:01 PM on July 30, 2010
I know SLRs are clunky, but they're easy to use and you can't beat them for low light performance. They're a solid order of magnitude better in low light than anything else. If I had to choose between a high-end point+shoot and an SLR with a prime (ie, non-zoom) lens, I'd go with an SLR every time. No question at all.
Something like a lightly used Canon 40D and Sigma 30mm f1.4 can have you taking darn good shots by candlelight w/o image stabilization. Even my several year old Canon 20D is better than any point and shoot.
posted by pjaust at 1:05 PM on July 30, 2010
Something like a lightly used Canon 40D and Sigma 30mm f1.4 can have you taking darn good shots by candlelight w/o image stabilization. Even my several year old Canon 20D is better than any point and shoot.
posted by pjaust at 1:05 PM on July 30, 2010
How much ability do you have to get close to your intended subject at these events you frequent? I'm guessing that you'll be happier with a "super zoom" category than you will be with any of the cameras mentioned so far. The possible exception would be the Canon G10/11, which has a 5x zoom, but I think it still may be too short.
posted by Good Brain at 1:06 PM on July 30, 2010
posted by Good Brain at 1:06 PM on July 30, 2010
WinnipegDragon: I think I knew that, but I apparently forgot. It's hard to keep track. I don't buy new cameras very often, so the "best thing" sticks in my mind for far longer than it takes me to actually do something with the information.
posted by komara at 1:07 PM on July 30, 2010
posted by komara at 1:07 PM on July 30, 2010
How much ability do you have to get close to your intended subject at these events you frequent? I'm guessing that you'll be happier with a "super zoom" category than you will be with any of the cameras mentioned so far.
From the OP: "Good night time capabilities. There's a lot of night time and indoor events I go to, so this is sorely needed."
These events are at night. Which means a zoom is next to useless in low-light situations, not to mention that indoors you will want to go wide, not zoom in to get groups of people. You need a fast lens, a wide lens, and a good chip - which the LX3/LX5 will excel at with the best wide fast lens out there.
posted by VikingSword at 1:14 PM on July 30, 2010
From the OP: "Good night time capabilities. There's a lot of night time and indoor events I go to, so this is sorely needed."
These events are at night. Which means a zoom is next to useless in low-light situations, not to mention that indoors you will want to go wide, not zoom in to get groups of people. You need a fast lens, a wide lens, and a good chip - which the LX3/LX5 will excel at with the best wide fast lens out there.
posted by VikingSword at 1:14 PM on July 30, 2010
USB, a handy tool is the dpreview "Side By Side" feature, where you can throw in any two cameras and it'll compare all the usual specs side to side. For example, you'll notice that the Canon G11 is considerably larger and heavier (G11: 375 g (13.2 oz); 112 x 76 x 48 mm (4.4 x 3 x 1.9 in)) than the LX5 (LX5: 271 g (9.6 oz); 110 x 65 x 25 mm (4.3 x 2.6 x 1 in)), so if that's a factor that's good to know.
posted by VikingSword at 1:31 PM on July 30, 2010
posted by VikingSword at 1:31 PM on July 30, 2010
After many months of research and deliberation I went for a Canon G11. It's a large compact but perfectly hangbag-able, and the results match up really well to those produced by an SLR. On Auto or on the preset settings it turns out great shots, and if you do decide to get fancy and start doing manual settings it's very un-intimidating to do so. It's especially good at macro shots.
In short, I LOVE it. And my dad who has a very, very expensive SLR was pretty darn impressed with it too. My flickr account is here if you want examples (and remember I'm a beginner who's only had it a few months): http://www.flickr.com/photos/actspassedbeyond/
I haven't uploaded them yet but I also had great success taking shots at a gig lately from the back row - it was better lit than some gigs but still, good shots from the back row for a handbag sized camera ain't bad....
posted by cmarie at 1:36 PM on July 30, 2010
In short, I LOVE it. And my dad who has a very, very expensive SLR was pretty darn impressed with it too. My flickr account is here if you want examples (and remember I'm a beginner who's only had it a few months): http://www.flickr.com/photos/actspassedbeyond/
I haven't uploaded them yet but I also had great success taking shots at a gig lately from the back row - it was better lit than some gigs but still, good shots from the back row for a handbag sized camera ain't bad....
posted by cmarie at 1:36 PM on July 30, 2010
VikingSword, I should have said that I'm guessing that the OP *may* be happier with a super-zoom.
Point is, we don't know what these indoor and nighttime events are. If they are parties/social gatherings then yes, a fast, wide lens and a good sensor are where it is at. If they are plays, performances, public speaking, fashion shows, sporting events, etc then pretty much any of the cameras people are advocating above are likely to come up short before low-light image quality is ever an issue. I'd rather have my subject fill the frame and put up with 4x the noise than vice versa.
And I'll add, that while the LX3/LX5 are compelling cameras, the images they produce still suffers from Panasonic's hideous noise reduction (actually, everyones is hideous, I just find Canon's lest hideous) in lower-light shooting. I'd recommend comparing high-resolution versions of low-light sample shots (available on a lot of review sites) from the LX3/LX5 and the S90/G11, or whatever models are in the running, and deciding which look best to you before purchasing.
posted by Good Brain at 1:37 PM on July 30, 2010
Point is, we don't know what these indoor and nighttime events are. If they are parties/social gatherings then yes, a fast, wide lens and a good sensor are where it is at. If they are plays, performances, public speaking, fashion shows, sporting events, etc then pretty much any of the cameras people are advocating above are likely to come up short before low-light image quality is ever an issue. I'd rather have my subject fill the frame and put up with 4x the noise than vice versa.
And I'll add, that while the LX3/LX5 are compelling cameras, the images they produce still suffers from Panasonic's hideous noise reduction (actually, everyones is hideous, I just find Canon's lest hideous) in lower-light shooting. I'd recommend comparing high-resolution versions of low-light sample shots (available on a lot of review sites) from the LX3/LX5 and the S90/G11, or whatever models are in the running, and deciding which look best to you before purchasing.
posted by Good Brain at 1:37 PM on July 30, 2010
Good Brain, I'm just responding to what the OP wrote. She specified two things about these events - indoor (favoring wide), low light (favoring wide). The G11 is widest at 28mm - the LX3/5 is at 24mm... as you know, every millimeter on the wide side translates to more than on the long side (i.e. 24mm-28mm is going to be more noticeable than for example 104mm-108mm), so if wide is important, then the LX3/5 is clearly preferable. As to indoor low light sports and the like - you are not going to be happy working with any compact regardless of zoom - you are not zooming in on a fast action in low light and capturing it with any compact on the market; it's really a game for full size gear and full size chips (and yes, I worked a photographer), so I've kind of disregarded that as an option for the OP. Of course, if the OP wants to do that kind of sports photography, then I'd say: the compact camera (any compact camera) is not going to be satisfactory.
Anyhow, I'm don't want to argue here because it's easy to derail the thread, so this will be my last post on this topic.
posted by VikingSword at 1:55 PM on July 30, 2010
Anyhow, I'm don't want to argue here because it's easy to derail the thread, so this will be my last post on this topic.
posted by VikingSword at 1:55 PM on July 30, 2010
My favorite point and shoot cameras live in the Olympus SW line. They are shock and waterproof, which is awesome, because you never need to worry about taking it out in the rain or having it get bumped around in a bag or purse.
They also have an excellent macro mode which provides for some really fun shots. and both an LED and a normal flash for different low light conditions. Combine that with the very small size, and you have a fantastic overall camera.
The only downside is that the waterproofing does tend to make it a little more expensive than similarly featured cameras, but it's so worth it to never have to worry about that.
posted by quin at 2:10 PM on July 30, 2010
They also have an excellent macro mode which provides for some really fun shots. and both an LED and a normal flash for different low light conditions. Combine that with the very small size, and you have a fantastic overall camera.
The only downside is that the waterproofing does tend to make it a little more expensive than similarly featured cameras, but it's so worth it to never have to worry about that.
posted by quin at 2:10 PM on July 30, 2010
I have the S90, and I think it's does surprisingly well in low-light scenes (indoor, night, no flash). I also have a 5D with a couple of fast prime lenses and of course there's no comparison, but for a point-and-shoot the S90 is great.
You should go to flickr.com and take a look at some pictures shot by the cameras you're considering.
posted by phliar at 2:15 PM on July 30, 2010
You should go to flickr.com and take a look at some pictures shot by the cameras you're considering.
posted by phliar at 2:15 PM on July 30, 2010
I also have the S90, and I love it. It takes pretty good low-light photos, and although it's certainly not the tiniest camera available, it's definitely small enough that I can carry it around with me pretty much all the time (so I take more pictures).
posted by Vibrissa at 2:30 PM on July 30, 2010
posted by Vibrissa at 2:30 PM on July 30, 2010
Looked at the Canon's & the Pana's & went with the Pana LX-3, which has been great, especially with poorly lit situations, which is essential. As for your other points: stabilization is adequate for handheld use, it has a reasonably large screen, it's very compact, really like the pictures it takes, the auto mode & scene modes are very simple (and will keep track of the name & age of 2 kids & 1 pet - more useful that I originally though it would be). Mainly the difference between the cameras I was looking, came down to the lens, and the one in the Pana is really nice, and the camera looks pretty good as well. The upcoming lx5 may be worth the wait, although it may also push down the price of the lx3 - making it very attractive.
Aside: there is no lx4 because the Japanese don't think that 4 is an auspicious number.
posted by zenon at 2:57 PM on July 30, 2010
Aside: there is no lx4 because the Japanese don't think that 4 is an auspicious number.
posted by zenon at 2:57 PM on July 30, 2010
I love my GF1 and the 20mm f/1.7 lens makes it excellent for night shots and very small. Clicky. Clicky.
If you want to trade the prime for a zoom, it does get a bit bigger, but still something you can easily fit in a purse.
GF1 group pool.
posted by Brian Puccio at 5:30 AM on July 31, 2010
If you want to trade the prime for a zoom, it does get a bit bigger, but still something you can easily fit in a purse.
GF1 group pool.
posted by Brian Puccio at 5:30 AM on July 31, 2010
I should add the 20mm doesn't have IS, but some zooms do, IS is lens specific in the Panasonic section of the micro four thirds standard.
posted by Brian Puccio at 5:30 AM on July 31, 2010
posted by Brian Puccio at 5:30 AM on July 31, 2010
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posted by VikingSword at 12:39 PM on July 30, 2010