Compact Camera (that is actually more compact than DSLR)

[Miliux]

I'll be off to Europe in not so distant future.

I'm in a dilemma atm. Whether to purchase a compact camera (averaged priced) or get a new lens for my dslr.

My agenda is to take some snaps at parties while in Europe and since i doubt i can take my big camera to any parties, i may as well purchase a compact one.

We all know that there's a vast difference in picture quality and capability between the two cameras. But i can't see myself trodding a black dslr camera in Sensation White and my camera is the only thing that is black in Amsterdam Arena (there's the scenario)

Do you know any compact camera that does well in low light situation and is actually semi-slim? I did a brief research and came up with Fuji F31. Any others?

[the_pezman]

def. get a compact. im so glad ive kept my ol faithful pentax optio s. i found i could whip out the optio just abuot anywhere and snap a couple shots but as soon as i took out my "full sized" camera i had security talking into their shoulders and "advancing"

the smaller camera will def be handy specially for clubs/festivals, where youll wanna dance, itll be crowded and youll prolly be off your pickle :p

[phunkdust]

Fuji F31 is a great camera, fantastic sensor and noise-reduction technology, very capable in low light.

(F30 is the same just without the fancy face-detection auto focus)

[sneaky hands]

im after something similar, anybody got any suggestions for a small average priced camera that takes compact flash cards? Does it even exist? i already have a couple of CF cards from my DSLR and id rather not have to get different ones.

[Miliux]

Well, the SD card these days are really cheap. So it wouldn't really factor into your compact price purchase anyhow. It's like 89 bucks for 2 or 4GB?

[phunkdust]

I don't think any compact cameras use CF these days? I think the last ones to use it were the Canon A series just gone. I think the new ones use SD.

[Cosmica]

Sony H9 is about to be released. Check it out.

[phunkdust]

the dude already has a DSLR why would he want an H9?

[Miliux]

Yeah, i already have a Canon 30D. I don't need a semi-DSLR.

[nettsu]

I think the new ones use SD.

yeah

its annoying every format uses a different sized card :|

the price of memory cards is that cheap at the moment anyway its a bit nuts

Miliux - I can send you a 256mb SD card that I don't use anymore (provided I can remember where I put it...)

[phunkdust]

Well it's getting better. We're now down to CF, SD, and the odd xD card. (Oh and of course Sony with their blasted MS, but some of their cameras also support SD and CF)

CF might eventually be replaced now that SDHC allows for high capacity cards.

[Ben Vapid]

Fuji F31 is a great camera, fantastic sensor and noise-reduction technology, very capable in low light.

(F30 is the same just without the fancy face-detection auto focus)

Have you used the F31 PD? I'm about to go on holidays and am about to buy a new compact, always been a fan of the Ixus but i'm open to ideas. What's the deal with the xD mem, becoming more prevalent now? I thought it was known for being slow. The f31 looks awesomely small.

[phunkdust]

I've had a play with one, no extensive use. As with any camera you have to get used to the UI. I think there are a few pearls in the IXUS range - the ones with IS especially but IS doesn't help when you have subject movement.

The F31's higher workable ISOs puts it on par with the IXUS IS for usability in low light, but also has the benefit of working at higher shutter speeds.

The xD memory is the only let down. It's slow. Horribly slow. But you can probably deal with it just fine.

[Ben Vapid]

Coolies, will go hunt one down tomorrow and check it out :)

Cheers!

[tangcla]

I'd say bring an SLR. Sure it's bulkier, but you can really capture the essence of the holiday.

I took my SLR (and three lenses and Speedlite) to Japan, didn't regret it at all...

[DJ_Ange]

i'm going to jump on this bandwagon as I'm heading off overseas shortly too and am hoping to find a good quality camera that can slide into my back-pocket or small bag if possible.

I'm in no way a photographer but am looking to be able to capture short video (just snippets of me DJ'ing really) and still photos at high quality.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Had a brief look at the IXUS range online but someone mentioned above it's not great for subject movement?

[Scootie]

the IXUS cameras are great, what Phunkdust was talking about was that the IS (Image Stabilisation) can help taking photos in lower light, because it adjusts for the 'hand-shake' that shows up when you have to shoot with really low shutter speeds

that means it's a good camera for a shot inside a museum without flash, or a pic of friends at a bar when you tell them all to hold still while you take the shot.

but when you're taking photos of people djing or dancing, any fast movements, in low light, then IS isn't going to help you, you'll either need to use the flash or have a camera that can do a good job at High ISO (Sensitivity), which lets you make the camera more sensitive to light, so you can shoot at higher shutter speeds, and 'capture' the movement without a flash

a lot of compact camera talk about doing high ISO, but almost all of them suck at it greatly. the images are either too noisy, too smoothed out as a result of high noise reduction, or a bad combination of both.

the only compact cameras that have been able to successfully do a good job at High ISO are the Fuji F10/F11 and F30/F31 and despite the fact that I love Canon and have always shot Canon, my next compact will most likely be a Fuji, because nobody else comes close in low light

there's a good article on High ISO in compact cameras here: http://www.dpreview.com/articles/compactcamerahighiso/

[mikewebster]

the only compact cameras that have been able to successfully do a good job at High ISO are the Fuji F10/F11 and F30/F31 and despite the fact that I love Canon and have always shot Canon, my next compact will most likely be a Fuji, because nobody else comes close in low light

there's a good article on High ISO in compact cameras here: http://www.dpreview.com/articles/compactcamerahighiso/


My IXUS 850IS is absolutely awesome, except for low light situations when I don't want the flash.

As Scootie said, they photos don't come out very well and although you can manually set the ISO to a higher level, I haven't found it helps much in regards to image quality.

[Miliux]

I'd say bring an SLR. Sure it's bulkier, but you can really capture the essence of the holiday.

I took my SLR (and three lenses and Speedlite) to Japan, didn't regret it at all...

Of coarse i'll take my DSLR with me to Amsterdam. Gonna be there for a year.

I decided not to go for the compact camera route and buy another lens instead. Already bought a Speedlite and new CF cards.

[BoNITa__]

Canon Ixus850 indeed has a great Image Stabilization.

Another reason to buy it: http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/sd800.htm

& Casio EX V7
is worth the look too.

[phunkdust]

You have to watch out at the moment...

A LOT of cameras are being advertised as having "anti-shake" or "shake reduction" when simply all they do is boost the ISO to try and increase shutter speeds.

A real anti shake system moves the lens or sensor to counter shake mechanically.

These bullshit ISO-boosting anti shake systems just leave you with a noisy, and probably still blurry picture.

[aitsu]

yeah just picked up a lovely canon IXY 90 at the local yamada denki today, absolutely gorgeous camera. will be great for the moments when a bigger camera just gets in the way :|