Is there such a thing as a DSLR-like compact?

[Alapeno]

Just wondered does anyone have any experience of compact cameras that tend to be close to DSLR quality with some of the features? I love my DSLR but find it a bit cumbersome and the OH also moans about the size and weight of it when out and about.

It would just be to chuck in a bag when we go out somewhere but I'd still like to be able to stick it on a gorilla pod etc and take a decent photo if the opportunity arose. All we have at the mo is a crap little fujifilm compact so I wouldn't mind upgrading before we go on holidays and things next year.

If things like this even exist, I'd like it to come in below £250 of possible.

Cheers. Over to the PH font of knowledge.

[037]

I've got a Cannon G10 and we love it! Probably had it for about 4 years now. Before that we bought a camera every year!

[Spanglepants]

I've got a Panasonic LX7 that I was going to suggest but I don't think you'll get it for £260. Good in low light though

[Spanglepants]

Edited by Spanglepants on Monday 2nd September 23:28

[Simpo Two]

What features of a DSLR are you looking for in a compact?

[CommanderJameson]

Alapeno said:

Just wondered does anyone have any experience of compact cameras that tend to be close to DSLR quality with some of the features? I love my DSLR but find it a bit cumbersome and the OH also moans about the size and weight of it when out and about.

Fuji X100S.
http://www.flickr.com/cameras/fujifilm/finepix_x10...

Leica M9.
http://www.flickr.com/cameras/leica/m9/

Alapeno said:

I'd like it to come in below £250 of possible.

Yeah, about that...

[krunchkin]

Yes. There is a whole range of cameras by Sony and Panasonic known as "micro 4/3" that feature a large chip and interchangeable lenses that are designed to be exactly that - almost as good as DSLR but fit in the pocket.

[MysteryLemon]

You will be able to pick up an lx3 or lx5 within budget. Both still very very good enthusiast compacts.

The new prices on some of these things are, quite frankly, laughable considering you can pick up an aps-c dslr for £300 with a lens but an aps-c compact will set you back £1k is madness.

[Lawbags]

I think that even some of the budget compacts can take just as good pictures as slr's now.
The only drawback being lack of lens options, and the manual focus not being as good.

[rottie102]

Lawbags said:

I think that even some of the budget compacts can take just as good pictures as slr's now.
The only drawback being lack of lens options, and the manual focus not being as good.

I think you're wrong

[Janesy B]

Compacts in auto mode will take as good pics as DSLRs in full auto mode, maybe...

[Alapeno]

Simpo Two said:

What features of a DSLR are you looking for in a compact?

Cheers for above responses. To clarify, I just want decent image quality really and minimal noise say in low light conditions. I'd also like at least some control over shutter speed and f. Oh and a decent optical zoom.

I'll have a look at some of the suggestions you've all mentioned.

[MysteryLemon]

Alapeno said:

Cheers for above responses. To clarify, I just want decent image quality really and minimal noise say in low light conditions. I'd also like at least some control over shutter speed and f. Oh and a decent optical zoom.

I'll have a look at some of the suggestions you've all mentioned.

What is a decent optical zoom?

Most of the enthusiast compacts have a limited zoom range (usually the equivalent of a DSLR kit lens) due to having a slightly bigger compact sensor and the wider apertures. They physically wouldn't be able to fit a longer zoom onto the body with the same specifications.

IF you can up your budget a touch, something like the Olympus xz-2 or Lumix LX-7 would float your boat.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Panasonic-LUMIX-DMC-LX7-...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-New-Olympus-STYLUS...

If not, then I can't recommend the Lumix LX-3 or LX-5 enough. Great cameras with everything you want, although being a small sensor (as all compacts are) you wont get anywhere near the same performance at low light levels as a DSLR with an APS-C sensor. They won't be terrible though, just dont expect to be able to shoot at 3200iso and get usable pictures.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Panasonic-LUMIX-DMC-LX5-...

There are newer APS-C compacts but they are stupid money, and lacking in sensible, usable (in the real world) lenses so far.

eg : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-COOLPIX-A-Compact-...


ETA:

A handful of pics I have access too that I took with my LX-3 a few years back..

Edited by MysteryLemon on Tuesday 3rd September 11:17

[NewNameNeeded]

Just bought two Canon S110's and am astounded by the quality and flexibility from such a small camera that slips in to your pocket. I love my DSLR, I really do, but the S110 seems a great compromise in a tiny body.

[Alapeno]

MysteryLemon said:

What is a decent optical zoom?

Most of the enthusiast compacts have a limited zoom range (usually the equivalent of a DSLR kit lens) due to having a slightly bigger compact sensor and the wider apertures. They physically wouldn't be able to fit a longer zoom onto the body with the same specifications.

IF you can up your budget a touch, something like the Olympus xz-2 or Lumix LX-7 would float your boat.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Panasonic-LUMIX-DMC-LX7-...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-New-Olympus-STYLUS...

If not, then I can't recommend the Lumix LX-3 or LX-5 enough. Great cameras with everything you want, although being a small sensor (as all compacts are) you wont get anywhere near the same performance at low light levels as a DSLR with an APS-C sensor. They won't be terrible though, just dont expect to be able to shoot at 3200iso and get usable pictures.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Panasonic-LUMIX-DMC-LX5-...

There are newer APS-C compacts but they are stupid money, and lacking in sensible, usable (in the real world) lenses so far.

eg : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-COOLPIX-A-Compact-...

It needs to be no longer than standard DSLR kit. To be honest this is least important. I'd say low light was my most important factor.

Cheers for the above, it's looking like I'll need to up the budget to ~ £300. So far, the ones on the shortlist are:

Fujifilm X10
Panasonic LX-7
Olympus XZ-2

Opinions welcome on these above. Erring on the side of the Olympus at a quick glance. They are all the same price.

[MysteryLemon]

Of the 3 above, I would opt for the Olympus personally.

I've looked into this a lot recently myself after falling out of love with the DSLR and the Olympus XZ-2 stood out as having the best image quality of the lot, although this was just based on reviews I could find online. I've not used either cameras.

I owned an LX-3 a few years ago and it was a lovely bit of kit. Easy to use and the image quality was very nice. I wouldn't hesitate to buy an LX-7 but the Olyumpus does indeed look very, very good.

If you haven't already, check out http://www.dpreview.com and do a bit of research on the cameras. It's addictive, see you in a few days!

ETA :

I'll throw the Pentax MX-1 into the mix, just to confuse you some more

[markmullen]

Alapeno said:

To clarify, I just want decent image quality really and minimal noise say in low light conditions.

The issue there is that both of those things require a big sensor, on the whole compacts have tiny sensors which don't suit those requirements as well as dSLRs.

[Mr Will]

NewNameNeeded said:

Just bought two Canon S110's and am astounded by the quality and flexibility from such a small camera that slips in to your pocket. I love my DSLR, I really do, but the S110 seems a great compromise in a tiny body.

^This

I've had an S95 and recently upgraded to an S110. Not quite SLR quality but astounding for a pocket compact. Very good ergonomically too, with two proper control wheels, customisable buttons and a DSLR-style PASM dial. Selling for just over £200 at the moment as well, so firmly in budget.

Panasonic LX7 is another good option if you don't mind a touch more size, adds a hot shoe and the option of an EVF which is important to some.

Finally the RX100/RX100 II are the image quality kings. Much bigger sensor which makes them better in low light and gives the option of short DoF at anything further than macro distances. Out of budget by a fair chunk though...

[PJ S]

CommanderJameson said:

Alapeno said:

I'd like it to come in below £250 of possible.

Yeah, about that...

[PJ S]

MysteryLemon said:

Of the 3 above, I would opt for the Olympus personally.

I've looked into this a lot recently myself after falling out of love with the DSLR and the Olympus XZ-2 stood out as having the best image quality of the lot, although this was just based on reviews I could find online. I've not used either cameras.

ETA :
I'll throw the Pentax MX-1 into the mix, just to confuse you some more

Nah, as much as I love Pentax, the MX-1 is a poor attempt to jump on the Fujifilm X10/X100 retro bandwagon.
Forget reviews, read real life usage results – http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread...