p.1 #1 · High-end P&S... my feelings, then your feelings
I currently do all my shooting with a Canon 60D and an assortment of nice glass. But I am finding myself leaving my DSLR at home during day-trips, mountain bike rides, or events with the girlfriend, etc. primarily due to the size and/or difficulty in carrying it along.
I thought I could find a quality point n shoot in the $500 range that had manual controls and RAW capability so as not to alter my normal thought process when shooting. I think 4/3 is getting too large for what I have in mind.
I am currently testing the Canon G15, and Nikon P7700. They both have equivalent sensor sizes, they both take a "great" photo, and I can manipulate the controls/dials as per a typical DSLR.
After finding strengths and weaknesses in both (but leaning towards the Nikon), I am still left with the ultimate question:
Am I getting bang for my buck? Put another way, how much picking apart of sensor size, f-stop range, low-light performance, etc. should I do before I say, "Yes, THIS camera is what I need!"
I guess for my purposes, "what I need" is to produce photos that I can post on my "serious amateur hoping to one day sell some shots" website, even when I don't have the luxury of using my DSLR.
I know in many respects it's pointless to compare to my DSLR, but how else do you compare it?
How important is sensor size when speaking of image quality anyway?
There are quite a few P&S out there that have larger sensors, but I feel that minus a few (i.e. Canon's G1X, etc.), they are mostly meant for "auto" mode and allow for much less creativity. Please correct me if I am wrong about this .
I will stop rambling now. I just thought I'd pose some general observations / questions to hear some intelligent feedback. Alternate gear suggestions always welcomed.
p.1 #2 · High-end P&S... my feelings, then your feelings
You can also try a Sony RX-100. It's probably at this point one of the smallest P&S camera that get relatively decent IQ. I don't own one myself but from samples I've seen from other people it seems to outperform my old Nikon D80 with its 18-55 kit lens. Please take a look at the excellent RX-100 thread.
p.1 #4 · High-end P&S... my feelings, then your feelings
zx-1 is a steal at $199. RX100 is a better camera in some aspects, but certainly can't touch it in value. That is where I'd go, in fact that is what I did. Not at all regretting my decision.
p.1 #5 · High-end P&S... my feelings, then your feelings
malohnes wrote:
zx-1 is a steal at $199. RX100 is a better camera in some aspects, but certainly can't touch it in value. That is where I'd go, in fact that is what I did. Not at all regretting my decision.
Might you be referring to the Olympus XZ-1?
I have become very fond of the articulating screen on my 60D, and actually missed it quite a bit on the G15. The P7700s swivel screen is one of my favorite features.
I guess I am hoping to find a camera that lets me shoot the types of subjects and the way I'd normally shoot, with my DSLR, and still produce results I'd be happy with.
I was excited that the P7700 boasts an intervalometer, however Nikon chose to give it a slowest interval setting of 30s, which, curiously, is not short enough for most timelapse subjects. Maybe a simple firmware upgrade could remedy this?
I was similarly excited that the G15 had the ability to take long exposure shots of up to 60s, however, beyond only few seconds, the ISO switches to 80, and it isn't able to be set any higher... Another disappointment when it comes to taking long night shots.
Bottom line is that no spec sheet will ever suffice when compared to getting out and using multiple models, and you absolutely must get out and shoot with them!
I looked at the RX100, but I feel I can get the images I want without the benefit of the larger sensor. I think I am keeping the P7700. I will be sure to post some shots in another post as I formulate my final impressions!
Nov 07, 2012 at 03:25 PM
DavidWEGS Offline [X]
p.1 #6 · High-end P&S... my feelings, then your feelings
RX100 if you want pure IQ.
If you want the functionality, the P7700 seems a great camera.
