Best SLR-companion point-and-shoot?

[adam]

The unfortunate incident involving USAir flight 1594 yesterday has made me realize I should never leave home without a camera. But, my SLR kit is a bit unweildy, so I am looking into a compact point-and-shoot. The Canon G10 is a bit out of my price range, but I've seen some G9s that I can afford. For the kind of things I need a point-and-shoot for, wide zoom is probably more important than telephoto zoom. And of course, I'd like somewhat reasonable image quality, but I don't use high ISO even on my 40D.


Are there any other options you guys have been happy with besides the Canon G9/G10? I've heard good things about the Panasonic DMC-LX3, but it's the same price as the G10. Is it worth waiting to save more money for a G10?

[cian3307]

I can't comment on the G10 but I use the G9 in work quite a bit and the IQ is more than adequate although not DSLR standards. But you should try to stick to as low an ISO as possible. Plus you can take video with it - very useful in situations like the US Air flight! The G9 is built like a tank too. Looking at the G10 spec, I would miss the wider angle offered by the G9.

[cian3307]

Correction to my last post: the G10 offers 28mm wide, the G9 only 35mm.

[Brian Kreitman]

Look into the Canon SX10 IS.


It has a lot of useful features, is compact, and is about $100 less expensive than the G10

[Tony Printezis]

I also have a P+S to take when I go on holiday, go to the beach, etc. and I don't want to carry my full DSLR kit. So far I've had an old Sony W5 which has served me well. But, it's time to replace it and I've been looking at the Canon Powershot SD880 IS. It's been getting very good reviews, it does have a wide angle lens (one of the reasons why I'm looking at it in the first place), it is more compact than the G10, and it's reasonably priced at around $250 right now.


Here it is compared to some other similar ones:


http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408premiumgroup/ ("http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408premiumgroup/)


and here's another review of it:


http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/SD880IS/SD880ISA.HTM ("http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/SD880IS/SD880ISA.HTM)


Tony

[Tony Printezis]

I also have a P+S to take when I go on holiday, go to the beach, etc. and I don't want to carry my full DSLR kit. So far I've had an old Sony W5 which has served me well. But, it's time to replace it and I've been looking at the Canon Powershot SD880 IS. It's been getting very good reviews, it does have a wide angle lens (one of the reasons why I'm looking at it in the first place), it is more compact than the G10, and it's reasonably priced at around $250 right now.


Here it is compared to some other similar ones:


http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408premiumgroup/ ("http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408premiumgroup/)


and here's another review of it:


http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/SD880IS/SD880ISA.HTM ("http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/SD880IS/SD880ISA.HTM)


Tony

[HiFiGuy1]

DP Review did a P&Scomparo over the Holidays, and one of the cameras they liked pretty well wasabout $150. None of them are going to be great with those sensors, but that isn't news to you Iknow. I keep an old 3 MP Kodak EasyShare in my truck for emergencies or in case of an accident, and it has taken some reasonable pictures. Here are two examples:


http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll72/HiFiGuy1/100_1301.jpg


http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll72/HiFiGuy1/100_1313.jpg


I am sure a newer version with more resolution may do even better, though with the small sensor area, maybe more a lot more MP isn't as much of an improvement as it might otherwise be.

[TheRoff]

I have a little Canon SD 870 with me most all the time, and I am very impressed with the quality of pictures it takes.


http://i.pbase.com/g1/62/861962/2/105558611.KRQsvM2l.jpg

[Ifmracing]

I have a Canon SD1100 IS that I pocket.


Nicely compact, decent shots.....what's to be expected of a decent P&S. And I've been surprised by the quality of the video, better than I expected.

[Bill M.]

Hey Adam,


I just picked up a Panasonic TZ-5 over the holidays for a relatively compact P&S that takes really decent pics. It has a nice zoom range of 28-280mm, IS, a beautiful 3" LCD, and does shoot movies at 720p. It's received some really good reviews universally. The best thing about it is that it was pretty cheap at $239 (at Costco) and came with a leather case and 1 GB SD card (that I promptly replaced with an Extreme III 4GB card!). And the beauty of Costco is that if your not happy for any reason, you can return it before 90 days, no questions asked. That should be an adequate time frame for you to test it out. I also picked up a spare battery from Adorama (their own) for a good price as well.


The only drawbacks (which to some, are deal breakers) are no viewfinder and no manual settings, but that isn't uncommon with most compact P&S's anyway. IQ for anything under 400 ISO is pretty good. I was using an old Canon G5 before this, which gave me some nice pics but the Panasonic is definately more compact and a better camera overall.


Good luck!

[portej05]

I used a Fuji S5700 before getting my Canon DSLR.


Not a huge number of complaints, although the batteries go flat very quickly (compared to the DSLR) and the high iso/long exposure noise gets pretty bad fairly fast.


Also not the most compact, but it served well!

[unjx]

I would recommend a point-and-shoot as well. I love the fact I can have it in a pocket.
I have had my trusty Canon SD450 for years. I love the durability of the metal body, the digital macro works great.


I really like the Canon S5, well, and now the SX10, but that can't go in a pocket as easy.

[ultima16888]

got G10, although it's almost costs as much as XSi (body) it's great and maybe the only P&S i'd use for anything serious. you can attach flash, pocketwizard, and for these small camera, when lighting is good the image comes out quite nice. some people use it for macro(for sheer pleasure of course). instead of bringing a dedicated macro lens. also acts as video recorder, voice recorder etc.

[adam]

Lots of good feedback! But...I'm still leaning towards the G9. It has much extensive manual mode than the other point-and-shoots I've looked at (including the SD880, which is otherwise a great camera). It shoots RAW. And it will take my 580EX, for those rare occasions when I shoot in low light and might otherwise be tempted to raise the ISO.


In other words, I think I like it because it behaves sorta like my 40D. I don't do big prints, so I'm sure I'll be fine with the image quality,
and I doubt I'm going to feel terribly limited by the 35mm wide-angle
when my widest lens on on my 40D is 28mm.


Am I missing anything vital? :)

[chrispy43]

I am personally leaning towards the Olympus Stylus Tough 8000. However, my criteria is probably different than most. If I want IQ, the SLR is always with me. However, I am planning several vacations this summer with family that involve water, beaches, probable inclement weather and four kids. This camera is waterproof to 33 feet, dustproof, can be dropped six feet, can operate at -10c and can be walked on by someone weighing up to 220 lbs. That sounds like a camera built for vacations. Plus I will have no concerns with my kids operating it.


I've test driven it's predecessor and the IQ wasn't great. Hopefully this newer model will have improved on that. But, like I said, my criteria is probably different than most.

[Tokidoki]

I'm using a Ricoh GRD II, it makes me a happy camper [H]


was going for a canon G10, but it is wayyyy to bulky.

[lightning_chaser]

I vote for the Canon G9 as it works with the external flashes, and the Panasonic Lumix FZ-**. The current FZ-28 or the next model up are great point and shoots. I don't remember the exact model but the one above the FZ-28 will allow you to manually zoom and focus which to me is invaluable. Plus at the $300 range for these cameras, they are a great deal with excellent IQ. I want to get my hands on the G10 and see what it has to offer. That purchase is reserved for the end of the year for me. Hopefully I can make up my mind before that time comes. Good luck!!

[Benjamin]

I just picked up a Panasonic TZ-5 over the holidays for a relatively compact P&S that takes really decent pics.






Yes, the Panasonic TZ-5 is a great choice! I would say it has everything you will ever need in a point&shoot, even though I know it's crazy to say this but it's sort of true[:)]. Panasonic makes great P&S cameras but not so great on DSLR, that what I understand.


Do check this out, the TZ-5 is being replaced by the TZ-6 and ZS-3. Both great cameras from the spec sheet. I will certainly get the ZS-3 when it's available in the near future.


http://www.dpreview.com/news/0901/09012706panasonictz7.asp ("http://www.dpreview.com/news/0901/09012706panasonictz7.asp)


Ben

[jfinke]

I just picked up a panny fx-150. It is very pocketable, which is why I picked it up. The lens is not the LX3's, which I also considered, but I think it gives pretty decent results. It also records HD, which is something the Canons do not do from my knowledge.





It is certainly no DSLR, but I was surprised in the low light abilities even when recording movies.