Small Compact Digital

[agent006]

I'm on the lookout for a small digital camera that I can carry around to the places I can't take the D30 to. Resolution not hugely important but needs to be a small as posible and have decent lens and manual mode.

Any recommendations before I go and buy an Ixus on instict?

[Bee_Jay]

Do you have tohave Manual mode?

I have the Ixus 40 as a backup to my 20D in the bag and for parties and it is outstanding!!!

[docevi1]

tha canon A70 and presumably it's younger siblings take fantastic photos, it is slightly on the large side in that it takes 4xAA batteries, but for me thats a bonus

[AJLintern]

Depends how much you want to spend really. I'm very pleased with my Sony DSC-W12, it's quite small (takes 2 AA batteries) and takes great (5MP) pictures, has a Carl Zeiss 3x lens, also does very good movies. Costs less than £200 from Pixmania for the silver W1 version.

>> Edited by AJLintern on Sunday 13th March 10:04

[agent006]

Bee_Jay said:

Do you have tohave Manual mode?

Not FULL manual mode, but manual exposure and white balance would be nice, but i've not seen a Canon without this yet.

The A series canons are just too big, my dad's got an A20 and it's huge and weighs nearly as much as my D30 so definitely not pocketable.

Doesn't have to be new either.

>> Edited by agent006 on Sunday 13th March 12:46

[Bee_Jay]

Well on the 40 you can't play with exposure (though there is a 'long exposure' setting), but you can play with WB.

[LongQ]

agent006 said:

I'm on the lookout for a small digital camera that I can carry around to the places I can't take the D30 to. Resolution not hugely important but needs to be a small as posible and have decent lens and manual mode. Any recommendations before I go and buy an Ixus on instict?

At the risk of appearing repetitive ...

Have a look at the Pentax Optio S5i (or S5n for the latest model just launched. 5i was released on late Oct 2004 so it's old hat now ...)

Small and light - shirt pocket - I always carry mine.

Adaptable.

Some manual controls including ISO setting but not speed or aperture. Most of the others available including a User Program mode.

Cracking quality - you have to try very hard or be unlucky to catch it out. (Unless you push into taking action pan shots on a dark grey day in which case think 'art' mode rather than pin sharp. But that can be true of almost any camera I suspect.)

[agent006]

CompactFlash compatable cameras preferred, so i don't need to buy a whole new set of media.

That pentax does look rather nice though.

[rico]

agent006 said:

CompactFlash compatable cameras preferred, so i don't need to buy a whole new set of media.

CF small cameras are quite rare. I remember having problems getting a CF camera that was small. Ended up with a Canon something or other.

yes... i own BOTH Canon and Nikon!

[GetCarter]

Mmmmmm Ixus - always in the car/pocket. (Compact Flash as well - so my old Nikon media gets shunted across).

No idea if it does clever things, I turn it on and click. (OK - I usually turn off the flash - then click) - seems to do the biz almost every time....
for those moments you don't want to miss:

[LongQ]

GetCarter said:

.... for those moments you don't want to miss:

Is that a back-door second entry for the SPEED thread?

[GetCarter]

LongQ said:

GetCarter said: .... for those moments you don't want to miss: Is that a back-door second entry for the SPEED thread?

Damn... sussed me.

The sad thing is I only just managed to lap him in my M3 - that bed handled really well.

[agent006]

GetCarter said:

Mmmmmm Ixus - always in the car/pocket. (Compact Flash as well - so my old Nikon media gets shunted across).

Steve, any idea what model your ixus is? there seem to be loads around with mot much difference between them.

[GetCarter]

agent006 said:

GetCarter said: Mmmmmm Ixus - always in the car/pocket. (Compact Flash as well - so my old Nikon media gets shunted across). Steve, any idea what model your ixus is? there seem to be loads around with mot much difference between them.

I have the (old by Ixus std) Digital V3

..I'm sure they are much better now.

Steve

[rico]

My bro and sis-in-law have an oldish Ixus. I've used it quite a lot. It's fantastic. Manual zoom, lots of control and takes fab photos.

They're not toooo expensive these days either. I think £200 gets you a very good one and you'll be able to get the older ones much cheaper now

[pmanson]

LongQ said:

agent006 said: I'm on the lookout for a small digital camera that I can carry around to the places I can't take the D30 to. Resolution not hugely important but needs to be a small as posible and have decent lens and manual mode. Any recommendations before I go and buy an Ixus on instict? At the risk of appearing repetitive ... Have a look at the Pentax Optio S5i (or S5n for the latest model just launched. 5i was released on late Oct 2004 so it's old hat now ...) Small and light - shirt pocket - I always carry mine. Adaptable. Some manual controls including ISO setting but not speed or aperture. Most of the others available including a User Program mode. Cracking quality - you have to try very hard or be unlucky to catch it out. (Unless you push into taking action pan shots on a dark grey day in which case think 'art' mode rather than pin sharp. But that can be true of almost any camera I suspect.)

Thats what i've just got. Love it!