Compact good for professional photojournalism?

[Daniele_Federico]

Hi there!

I want you to know if you think there are compact cameras now sophosticated enough for pros to use on a regular basis?

In a month I'm going to have a trip in Togo, so I'll bring with me a Canon 40D, but I was thinking about a compact camera good enough for publishing and good for bringing with me every time.

[Rense]

I haven an old and trusty powershot S50 nearly always in my bag.
Not for pro work on a regular basis, but more a kind of Polaroid use.

[keepright]

I don't think that the lack is sophistication -- I think it's image quality that's holding compact cameras back.

Since you already have a Canon, I'd suggest the G9 because it will have familiar controls and can accept your existing hotshoe flashes. If you're looking for a compact long zoom, the Panasonic TZ5 is a good choice, and if you want image quality from a simple camera (that doesn't have photographic controls, but does have useful jpeg settings) the Sony W300 is worth looking at.

But ultimately there's only so much a tiny sensor can do.

[Daniele_Federico]

I don't know: I'd like to buy a few hundred dollars compact camera to bring with me every time. But my worry is about too many pix in too small sensor (noise, iso, ...).

However I am interested in finding a camera that gives me some new way to approach the subject, less intrusive...

A common DSLR is like: "hi everybody! I'm a photographer! Are you ready?"
Don't you think so?

[keepright]

I agree; I'm often hesitant to even use my SLR in public, even though they're quite common around here. It's something about the foot-long lens that I prefer, I suppose.

I'll use my compact camera to 'play' occasionally, and I do find that I'm able to take photos with it that I simply wouldn't even point a camera at with my SLR. Unfortunately I'm almost always disappointed when I do get a good picture that I didn't use my SLR for its far superior image quality.

I agree with both the initial and second reactions of Michael Reichmann at Luminous Landscapes, who got me looking at the Sony W300. He writes in a recent overview:

"My first thought when I read about the W300 was – Good grief – 13.6 Megapixels from a 1/1.7" sensor on a body the size of a tin of Altoids. Will the madness never end?

But then, after just a few hours of shooting with the W300 my thoughts were – How come nobody is talking about how astonishingly good this little camera is? Image quality is really fine up to ISO 400 on Super A3 sized prints, or even larger. Quite remarkable."

If it's an unobtrusive and easy camera that I wanted, it's one that I would seriously consider. It still has the 'take pictures my way or else' attitude of a P&S, but the quality does seem pretty good.

[richardpcrowe]

Rob Galbraith DPI: Alex Majoli points and shoots

At least one photojpoiurnalist uses a P&S. By the way, I have an Olym 5050Z and you can easily make 8x10 prints with excellent quality. I have gone up to 16x20 from selected images.

IMO the drawback of that camera is the small zoom ratio and the lag between shutter release button and image acquisition. Another drawback is the parallax problems when shooting up close.

Other than the above problems, it is a nice camera with RAW capability.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by richardpcrowe

Rob Galbraith DPI: Alex Majoli points and shoots

At least one photojpoiurnalist uses a P&S. By the way, I have an Olym 5050Z and you can easily make 8x10 prints with excellent quality. I have gone up to 16x20 from selected images.

IMO the drawback of that camera is the small zoom ratio and the lag between shutter release button and image acquisition. Another drawback is the parallax problems when shooting up close.

Other than the above problems, it is a nice camera with RAW capability.

I bought my wife a Fuji F50SE for Valentine's Day this year. 12MP, face recognition, very small, blah, blah. Nice little camera but the lag kills it for me. Great for snapshots or the odd landscape but not a good action or PJ camera, imo, for the same reasons Richard listed.

For what she wants to do while working toward the San Diego 3-Day Walk, it's great. For the level of performance I need for my style, it won't cut it.

[Jacco]

Originally Posted by Daniele_Federico

Hi there!

I want you to know if you think there are compact cameras now sophosticated enough for pros to use on a regular basis?

Sure. Photography – especially journalistic photography – is about catching the right moment first, and about image quality second.
And P&S cameras are quite good these days. Take a 'superzoom' cam.

In a month I'm going to have a trip in Togo

Please be very aware that your photo equipment is worth a couple years income to the average Togonian...! So keep it out of sight amap!

Keep your full memory cards well separated from your photo gear. I.o.w. NOT in the same (camera) bag. Because stolen gear can easily be replaced. Your photos, however, canNOT. They are totally unique!

[UnivModels]

To answer the question, Yes. Editors want quality image that can be reproduced, the source of the image isn't important is can you deliver the quality?

[Daniele_Federico]

Originally Posted by Jacco

Please be very aware that your photo equipment is worth a couple years income to the average Togonian...! So keep it out of sight amap!

Keep your full memory cards well separated from your photo gear. I.o.w. NOT in the same (camera) bag. Because stolen gear can easily be replaced. Your photos, however, canNOT. They are totally unique!

Thx for your advice!

But my problem is: how can I carry my equipment:
-2 camera
-2 or 3 lens
-power book

if I can't in my hand luggage (5 kg maximum)? sorry for the OT

[Jacco]

Originally Posted by Daniele_Federico

my problem is: how can I carry my equipment:
-2 camera
-2 or 3 lens
-power book

if I can't in my hand luggage (5 kg maximum)?

If it exceeds 5kg, you obviously can't take it in your hand luggage. Packing it in your checked bags would be plain stupid. So you'll have to take less...

[Daniele_Federico]

Originally Posted by Jacco

If it exceeds 5kg, you obviously can't take it in your hand luggage. Packing it in your checked bags would be plain stupid. So you'll have to take less...

Unfortunately, I was thinking the same...