Compacts, arghhhh. Help ma boab.

[5hero]

I have been reading back through lots of the compact threads and am even more confused now. Been on dpreview and this has confused things even further. Too many options!

I'm looking for something that will shoot raw and produces good quality photos, of course, and shoot video (they all do, I think?). Already have a bunch of dslrs and lenses, just need something small to throw in my pocket.

Budget is flexible.

Please advise promptly as I need it before the end of tomorrow.

Thank you kindly.

[baz7175]

I may be biased but my Sony RX100 hasn't let me down yet, my Shanghai skyline in the mist was shot handheld with it...


Shanghai Skyline In The Mist (Explored) by www.bazpics.com, on Flickr

Also good for the auto-pano feature in 2 different sizes (this is on normal width, it does a wide version which adds about another 1/4 on top of this)...


Panorama from top of Dun I, Isle of Iona by www.bazpics.com, on Flickr

My only grump is that the RAW files are .arw, and to play with them in lightroom/ps you need the latest adobe camera raw (v4.2 I think or above), which only works with the latest adobe products, and I'm quite happy with my older versions of LR and PS. There are ways around, basically format converters, they do me well enough for what I need while on the road with work...

[Mr Will]

RX100 gets rave reviews but is pricey. Next level down you have the Canon S110 and Lumix LX7, both of which produce great images. LX7 has the slight edge on image quality, S110 fits in a pocket better. The Fuji X-series are also supposed to be excellent if you want a camera that is just portable, rather than pocketable.

[5hero]

Thanks, that was one on my shortlist, Baz. Now I'm in two minds about getting a gopro hero 3 black edition. Ideal for the kids to play with (3 and 1.5), great for video, seems decent for pics too. Raw was a nice to have, but not essential, my dlsr can do that.

It's more just something good and more portable I'm looking for. Should I go for the gopro?

Edited by 5hero on Thursday 6th June 11:53

[Craikeybaby]

If you can live with the fisheye/wide angle on the GoPro they are great little cameras. If you wanted to make it more like a compact camera you could always get the LCD touch panel (I'd go for the Silver + LCD rather than Black). On my recent trip to Paris I had GoPro, Canon S90 and DSLR with me, I actually took more pictures on the GoPro, as I don't have the LCD there was also the excitement of not knowing what the pictures would look like until I got home - like the old days!

[Spanglepants]

I've got a Panasonic LX7 and I find the HD recording very good. Also has a F1.4 lens so its pretty decent in low light as well.
Couple of photos of my boys -


P1010124 by Waterloo65, on Flickr

P1010151 by Waterloo65, on Flickr

And a local canal


P1010286 by Waterloo65, on Flickr

[gingerpaul]

Sony RX100 here and very happy. Formerly a Canon S100 user and was happy with that but the quality of the Sony is far superior.

The Sony only goes to 28mm equivalent where as the Canon goes to 24mm equivalent so if that's important to you then the decision is made for you. That and it being slightly smaller and significantly cheaper are the only reasons to choose the S1x0 range over the RX100.

Of particular note in my opinion is the flash on the RX100. It is surprisingly versatile for a compact.

[paul911]

I use the Canon S110. Shoots raw and jpg and video (and a decent in camera HDR). I’m happy with the quality it produces, and it’s absolutely tiny!


Glencoe Lochan by paulsflicker, on Flickr


Carnedd Dafydd by paulsflicker, on Flickr

Edited by paul911 on Thursday 6th June 13:05

[5hero]

These photos are extremely nice for a compact Paul! Thanks for the tips, the Sony did look the best of the ones I was looking at, good to have that confirmed.

I went for the go-pro black, just picked it up. Mainly because the kids can play with it wherever they like and I don't have to worry about it breaking. My 3yo does have a dslr but he's still at that tripping-over-a-lot stage

Fingers crossed they are as strong as they say!

[K12beano]

Given the current line ups, if I were buying a compact today I would short list:

Canon S95/100/110 range - based almost solely on other PHers results!
The Fuji X20 or 100s thingy (depending on budget) purely because I have handled them and the seem like a dream!

I would definitely NOT recommend anything Nikon. Despite being a bit of a long term Nikon/Nikkor Fanboy, I feel I made a bit of a faux pas two years ago in succumbing to a P7000. I find it annoyingly slow, the CA is disappointing and time consuming to fix; although, overall, some results aren't too bad......

[ian in lancs]

K12beano said:

Despite being a bit of a long term Nikon/Nikkor Fanboy, I feel I made a bit of a faux pas two years ago in succumbing to a P7000. I find it annoyingly slow, the CA is disappointing and time consuming to fix; although, overall, some results aren't too bad......

me too! I keep thinking of getting a Fuji 100s to replace it.