edcforums

Looking for REAL point and shoot

Forums Forums Gear – The Stuff We Carry Electronic Devices Looking for REAL point and shoot

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 20 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #1462
    admin
    Keymaster

    I have an Olympus small camera , plus a Samsung smart phone
    Both serve me well in NORMAL situations when I have the time to look and plan the photo

    Howerver, there are times when I am in a HURRY and want to take a photo of something IN A SECOND. It is usually sunny and that could be a problem. Trying to start the camera app on the smart phone when it is sunny , the screen is not very visible and by the time I get things right, someone has already started shouting or things happened so fast I couldn’t catch them.

    Do you know a REAL point and shoot type of gadget (phone, camera ..etc. ??

    #27740
    admin
    Keymaster

    What kind of quality pics are you looking to get? Theres all kinds of devices floating around that run from proper camera with good sensors to tiny little blocks/keyfobs that take something that you can sort of make out when you squint….

    #27742
    admin
    Keymaster

    Well, I need pictures you can make out WITHOUT squinting . LOL
    I don’t need professional grade stuff, but something “average”, whatever that maybe.

    I am leaning towards a camera , not a smartphone, cuz a camera is dedicated and has a REAL button to press , versus something on a screen which you may not be able to see , even when squinting.

    #27746
    admin
    Keymaster

    There aren’t as many pocket cameras as there once we’re but the Fujifilm XQ is nice. Look at anything by Canon or Nikon. Just about anything that they have from the last two years will out shoot any cell phone.

    #27747
    admin
    Keymaster

    I own and use the Canon S120 when I want more control over the image that I wish to capture. When I don’t wish to use my iPhone 6+, I simply place the S120 in Program mode.

    #27751
    admin
    Keymaster

    +1 for the S120, that one is my go-to example of a good quality camera that still has an actual pocketable size but depending on how much you are willing to spend it might be a bit pricey (300-400 dollars depending on where you buy one). Getting its elder sisters will be a bit cheaper, especially if buying used is an option for you (s100/s110). If that’s still a bit on the pricey side you might want to look into the canon sx240/sx260 which can be found used for 40-50 bucks if you look around a bit (bought mine for 25 euros). Those have similar form factor to the s120 only they lack the quality lens and sensor but compared to a smartphone they are still quite a step up, especially since they have huge optical zoom.

    #27754
    admin
    Keymaster

    Thanks
    I will look into thes

    #27756
    admin
    Keymaster

    Thanks
    I will look into these
    Click to expand…

    Oh and im a total canon guy but that doesn’t mean that that is the brand for you too! Many brands sell similar camera’s but they all operate slightly different, make sure you end up buying one that you sort of intuitively understand so try before you buy. Many camera stores will allow you to play around with the goods before you commit. No use in buying a camera that you have to fiddle with for 2 minutes before you can take a shot. Nikon has some very nice compacts too ie the p340, so do panasonic (ie TZ70) and sony (rx100).

    #27759
    admin
    Keymaster

    They are on the higher end, but the Sony RX100 MK IV is great camera. Sony is really pushing the boundaries of size and quality with their recent releases. It has a built in retractable EVF so you don’t have to worry about squinting in bright environments. The MK III version also has the EVF, but MK I and II do not.

    #27764
    admin
    Keymaster

    In addition to the Sony RX, here are a few other compact rangefinder cameras.
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1
    Leica C Typ112
    Canon PowerShot A1300/A1400

    #27767
    admin
    Keymaster

    Well, this might sound a little out of left field but I personally use a Ricoh GR (2013). Properly set up, I can turn it on and take a photo in ~ 2 seconds.
    This is due to the fact that it starts up incredibly fast (~1 sec), and you can also set it to prefocus at a certain distance when you hit the shutter, which means that you don’t even engage the camera’s autofocus system. With prefocus set up and at a smaller aperture (resulting in a large depth of field) almost everything will be in acceptable focus. All essential camera functions can be operated one-handed. A good pouch can help tremendously in being quick on the draw.

    Edit: I forgot, you can also just get a GoPro, turn it on when you anticipate action and grab the stills from the video later.

    #27770
    admin
    Keymaster

    Depending on budget, my vote would always be the Fuji X100 line, be it the 100, 100S or 100T. Now, this is not an amateur camera, however, it is a point and shoot for all intents and purposes. Requires a bit of general photography knowledge but I assume you have that. The new X100T will run you about 1300, but the previous generations can be had for 600-900. Fixed 23mm lens, great sensor, and full controls.

    They also released the Fuji X70 this past season which is a slightly paired down version, or civilian version that are about half the price with the same appeal.

    ….and they’re sexy!

    #27773
    admin
    Keymaster

    They sure are sexy and great camera’s, but i would never recommend them as a compact camera because in my mind a compact needs to be pocketable and versatile. Those fuji camera’s are not really either of those. If you want more performance just south of a thousand bucks id get the rx100iv before id buy one of those myself, you get a more friendly size with a nice zoomie lens. Granted it doesn’t have the sensor size working for it but the results it gets are not bad! But honestly, id keep most of that cash in my pocket if you just want snapshots and get a canon s100 and spend the rest of the money on a nice little holiday so you have something to shoot 😉

    In my mind those fuji camera’s are enthousiast gear, not quick and dirty point and shoots.

    #27776
    admin
    Keymaster

    They sure are sexy and great camera’s, but i would never recommend them as a compact camera because in my mind a compact needs to be pocketable and versatile. Those fuji camera’s are not really either of those. If you want more performance just south of a thousand bucks id get the rx100iv before id buy one of those myself, you get a more friendly size with a nice zoomie lens. Granted it doesn’t have the sensor size working for it but the results it gets are not bad! But honestly, id keep most of that cash in my pocket if you just want snapshots and get a canon s100 and spend the rest of the money on a nice little holiday so you have something to shoot 😉

    In my mind those fuji camera’s are enthousiast gear, not quick and dirty point and shoots.
    Click to expand…
    Fair assessments. I guess I’m of the school of thought these days that the options are either enthusiast/pro gear OR smart phone. Of course, I’ve had zero experience with PAS cameras of the past 10 years. I also rarely pocket items bigger than a knife and my phone. I just “throw it in the bag,” to use a terrible song lyric.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

    #27778
    admin
    Keymaster

    It’s for this reason that the point and shoot still has a valid place in a world full of smart phones…speed, and easy, long zoom capability. I think the point and shoot also has an advantage in low light. I use a little Sony Cybershot WX220. It’s just about completely automatic. 18 megapixel CMOS sensor, with a Sony G lens, and a decent 10x optical zoom and is the size of a credit card. It’s also wifi compatible. Incredibly easy to carry and much faster to get into action and focused in on a target than my phone. Smart phone is okay in a pinch, bit when I know I am going to want pictures, I’ll carry the Sony. Picture quality superior to my phone, with a price well under $200.

    Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 20 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.