Compact camera with SLR picture quality and responsiveness

[Matix]

Thanks Simon, this is the best camera I have had for a long time, love the ability to control all the settings. Phil

[Dirk]

The fischerprice D5000 or fuij has a model too and that for a compact (it looks more like a dslr too)

FUJI FinePix S2000HD could be a option..

Fujifilm S2000HD

[SyCo]

No hot shoe on the S2000HD. What is up with camera companies not putting hot shoes on their mid level cameras. I understand not putting them on lower level point and shoots but when you give a whole bunch of features that would be great with a manual flash, but no hot shoe it's totally busts the deal for me. They used to be on all sorts of models but you only see them on high end compacts now.

[robertro]

You can compare them at dpreview. If I remember, for the 5050, the tests talked about noise at ASA 64, jaggies, and chromatic abberation, but a cool very fast lens. Probably not in the same class, either, considering the size, which is more comparable to the Panasonic LX3 or Canon G-series.

Micro 4/3 was released by Panasonic last year, and Olympus just announced a camera today.

At this point, I'd bypass the LX3 or Canon G-models and go with a micro-4/3 if you are willing to carry a bigger-small camera, and a Fujifilm F-20/F-30/F-31fd when you want a pocketable but high quality, high-ISO camera.

Originally Posted by pandora

roberto, I can't speak for the Fujifilm F series but it would be interesting to compare their performance against the 5mpx Olympus C-5050UZ with its super bright, 1:1.8-2.6 ~ 7.1-21.3mm lens. It was released in 2002 as a pro level P&S at a RRP 1,700.00usd, with features way ahead of its time. It shoots excellent macros down to an inch with extraordinary dof, even at full aperture. I'm taking it with me to the grave! Aside from shutter lag it beats the pants of a Nikon D70s (dslr) with 18-70mm ED 3.5-4.0.

As for M4/3, I am not aware that the format has been released as yet; are you saying that it has, as I am very interested?

[Bamamike]

I can underline the fuji F-series impressive sensitivity with low noise, I got an F11 (a Japan only release) and later the F30 (had more direkt manual adjustment capabilities than the F11). And the 6.3 MP sensor had enough details to print out by 13*19 inches. With a screen protector (i.e. invisible shield) you put this cam into your pocket and just keep it in there until you want to take some shots. It was in my right pocket, while walking through white sands monument, my cell phone in my left pocket still contains some fine white sand but the cam was and is working fine.
If I want to travel light, I take my tiny fuji with me, otherwise I use my SLR (E-3 or E-620), I see no need for me to go to micro 4/3.

[loodle]

I'm very new to photography (and to this forum - hi all) but when I was going about getting a new camera, I was told that the Lumix point and shoot range by Panasonic are pretty great. It was actually what I was originally going to get but decided instead on the Lumix G1 - which is fab as I'm trying to teach myself how to take good shots.

Hope that helps you a little

[C.C.Jordan]

I have to say that my Cannon SX10is has proven to be outstanding. 10 megapixel, lens equal to 560mm (20X)... I would not call it a true compact camera as it is larger and weighs more than some SLRs.

If you're traveling light and have room for only one camera and lens, this camera is hard to beat.

It uses four AA batteries, so bring two sets and a compact charger. I have an 8 gig card, with a 4 gig spare.

[Raist3d]

Panasonic GF1 - out next month I believe, with the pancake kit lens it has.

- Raist

[400duser]

Originally Posted by JDArt

Thanks to both of you. I've been posing this question every six months or so for the last five years.

Why can't these camera companies make a point and shoot that works like a camera should?!?

It is better to learn your tricks of the trade on a small compact cameras, with one that has the creative mode. most compacts don't have those features, that is why I avoided them when I got my Powershot S50, yup, still using it, though only the video part of it

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by loodle

I'm very new to photography (and to this forum - hi all) but when I was going about getting a new camera, I was told that the Lumix point and shoot range by Panasonic are pretty great. It was actually what I was originally going to get but decided instead on the Lumix G1 - which is fab as I'm trying to teach myself how to take good shots.

Hope that helps you a little

The Lumix seems to be in transition. I looked for one the other day and was confused about what was current/available.