Compact camera with SLR picture quality and responsiveness

[JDArt]

Is there such a thing (yet) as a compact digital camera with SLR-level picture quality and responsiveness?

Love to find one, but I haven't kept up with what's out now.

Any names, models? Thanks.

[ba-b4]

^No not really. You might want to wait for Panasonic and Olympus to release some of their new micro 4/3rd models. Until then your two mainstream choices are Canon's G10 and the Panasonic LX3.

[brian.austin]

I was hoping Sigma's DP1 might do it but the Shutterbug review shot down its performance pretty hard. The DP2 might improve upon it, though.

[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?!?

[brian.austin]

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?!?

Then why would you spend $1500+ on a dSLR? I bet a lot of Rebel and D40x buyers out there wouldn't have gone the dSLR route if they could have gotten SLR performance and quality from a P&S camera.

[Songman45]

Oh yeah that's what the market needs a P&S with DSLR capability. LIke the event photographers don't have enough to worry about as it is.

[Matix]

Take a look at the Panasonic LX3, I researched a long time too and finally picked up the new Panasoic LX3 as a backup for my Nikon D300 DSLR and 7 lenses. While the LX3 is not a dslr with all the lenses, for a handy walk around and carry in my pocket or in the dash of the motor bike or car it is amazing me with it's quality. With an exemplary Leica lens and full manual or auto capability, the quality of the shots at less than 800 iso are excellent. I have not had any regrets since this purchase.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

Phil

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by Matix

Take a look at the Panasonic LX3, I researched a long time too and finally picked up the new Panasoic LX3 as a backup for my Nikon D300 DSLR and 7 lenses. While the LX3 is not a dslr with all the lenses, for a handy walk around and carry in my pocket or in the dash of the motor bike or car it is amazing me with it's quality. With an exemplary Leica lens and full manual or auto capability, the quality of the shots at less than 800 iso are excellent. I have not had any regrets since this purchase.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

Phil

Great to hear, Phil. I will look into this.

[Nikonfreak]

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?!?

I believe sensor size is the big limitation.

You just can't get quality pixels capturing respectable amounts of light and detail, coupled with a quality lens in that small of a package... at least not yet.

That and folks aren't past the megapixel war just yet so manufacturers are concentrating on new ways to pack more pixels onto smaller sensors and limit the noise that creeps in. This is why most digicams aren't going past ISO 400 to 640 with any level of quality at this time as well.

I'll tell you, the G10 looks pretty darn good though from what I've seen.. and the Panasonic mentioned above is supposed to be really good as well.

Julio

[Narsuitus]

ba-b4 and Phil,

Thanks for the information on the Panasonic LX3.

It looks very promising.

[jfrancho]

Just get a Rebel and a kit lens. Not much bigger than a G series. Very good image quality.

[badpickev]

Originally Posted by JDArt

Is there such a thing (yet) as a compact digital camera with SLR-level picture quality and responsiveness?

Love to find one, but I haven't kept up with what's out now.

Any names, models? Thanks.

yes its called the fuji f31fd. you can find them used for over $350. which is way more than they sold for originally.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/FujifilmF31fd/

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by jfrancho

Just get a Rebel and a kit lens. Not much bigger than a G series. Very good image quality.

I've held and used a Rebel, and it doesn't feel like a compact camera to me. In fact I really dislike the ergonomics of that thing. The lumix looks more like what I'm hoping to find.

[djKianoosh]

Originally Posted by Songman45

Oh yeah that's what the market needs a P&S with DSLR capability. LIke the event photographers don't have enough to worry about as it is.

just the fact you said this probably means in a few years we'll see exactly that. a nice compact with the optics and maybe some mechanics of an slr. could happen.

[jfrancho]

Originally Posted by JDArt

I've held and used a Rebel, and it doesn't feel like a compact camera to me. In fact I really dislike the ergonomics of that thing. The lumix looks more like what I'm hoping to find.

The Lumix are a nice camera JD. I considered one a while back. Until I discovered that I really needed a waterproof camera, they were the front runner.

[robertro]

I`d second the vote for the Fujifilm F-series. Starting with the F10 and F11, and continuing with the F20, F30, and F31, Fujifilm used a SuperCCD 6.3Mp sensor with the best low-light performance of a compact P&S. The LX3 is bigger and has a shorter zoom range; the Canon is bigger. Fuji discontinued these cameras, and now they are fetching high prices on eBay. Only recently has the 200EXR even approached the quality of these cameras, while producng acceptable ISO 800 and 1600 images. Beyond the units discussed, it is embarrasing that 10 years ago, one could shoot decent 400ASA with film, and today, most other P&S`s can`t.

I would be cautious about a direct comparison with a DSLR. Though they can be used to create publication-quality images, as an everyday snapshot camera, or as an emergency backup, there are great differences in image quality, noise, and dynamic range.

The micro 4thirds cameras are the exception, but they can hardly be called P&S, rather I woud consider them DSLR substitutes.

Originally Posted by badpickev

yes its called the fuji f31fd. you can find them used for over $350. which is way more than they sold for originally.

Fujifilm FinePix F31fd Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

[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?

[SyCo]

How do the G10 adn Panasonic LX3 compare? Do they both sync with flash at high shutter speeds?

[Matix]

Originally Posted by SyCo

How do the G10 adn Panasonic LX3 compare? Do they both sync with flash at high shutter speeds?

I cannot speak for the G10, but the LX3 synch worked at 1000/th sec in this image, I use it for closeup macros regularly, full manual of course.

Phil

[SyCo]

I can see plenty of uses for a sync speed like that. Thanks for the info. Nice image