Any suggestions for a really good P&S for a 5D user?

[echo]

I'm looking for a travel camera, a light and compact machine that can be with me all of the time for those emergency situations. I've tried out several and even though a few offer good SLR style controls none seem to get close to the 5D with a decent lens attached. My most recent one gave worse 100 ISO performance noise wise than the 5D at about 1,600.

What are the best choices for people like me who have been used to good bodies and lenses, ideally able to crack it at 400 ISO. Price isn't an issue, within reason!

Cheers!

:)

Mike

[Az2Africa]

I picked up a Canon PowerShot Pro1 used for my girlfriend. The little thing is 8mp and has a 28-200 f2.8-3.5 L ( that's right "L") red stripe and all lens. I have been amazed by the quality of the shots and I shoot a 5D!

[echo]

Thanks for that. I think that's too large. However your idea led me to find the PowerShot G9 which is just out. That may still be too big...

[Tee Why]

Fuji f20, f31fd (if you can find one), f40fd has noise levels comparable to a dslr till about ISO 400 or so. Check out dpreview and a few other review sites on the fuji f30/31fd and you'll see.

I think Tristate still had a few f31fd's left and newegg is selling refurb'd f20's for $115.

[suecassidy]

I love my Digital Elph (sd 700 IS) and no longer travel to foreign countries without it. I leave the big gear at home. I think the latest one that Canon released is 10 megapixels, don't remember if it has image stablization or not. Mine does, and it was the first one they put out in the Elph line that had it. I don't think the IS works that great, but I get really really great shots out of it. I can't remember how high the ISO goes, 1600, I think. Easy to understand, great quality, and I can wear it on a lanyard around my neck. Anything in the Canon Elph line would get my vote.

[chris clements]

I'm not aware of any compact that doesn't fall away rapidly above ISO100 (after all, most, including Canon, are built round the same noisy Sony chips).

Personally, I love my Ricoh GX100 - w/a zoom with good IQ. Only downside is lack of optical v/f.

[New Hobby]

Fuji f20, f31fd (if you can find one), f40fd has noise levels comparable to a dslr till about ISO 400 or so. Check out dpreview and a few other review sites on the fuji f30/31fd and you'll see.

I think Tristate still had a few f31fd's left and newegg is selling refurb'd f20's for $115.


I agree with the Fuji f31fd. You will need to do a little looking but I think it is worth it. Great low light capability for a P&S.

[Croasdail]

I picked up a Fuji f31 d while traveling in the UK a few weeks ago, and dang if it doesn't do a pretty good job of it, if ISO performance is what your looking for. It is far better then the 10D dslr, not as good as the 20/30d, but close. I have used it at ISO 1600 many times and was very much surprised. The exception was a very neutral night sky shot I took in London - for what ever reason the performance there was much more like what you would get from a Canon. Don't know why it tripped up on that shot. Other then that, no issues with it. It just stomps on the high ISO performance of the higher end canons p/s cameras. They have a new model shipping shortly though that is 12 mpx rather then 6 mpx. I think it is the f50 d. Hopefully they didn't mess it up in a rush to have higher mpx. One thing they are adding is image stabilization. If the pulled of the high ISO with the f50 that they did with the f31/30 models, I will upgrade for sure and give my f31 to my son. For what it is worth... cheers.

[Tee Why]

Here is a comparison by dpreview of the fuji against the Nikon D50, a dslr with a 50mm prime at ISO 800.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/FujifilmF31fd/page15.asp

I can't bring myself to buy a p/s but the fuji's are very impressive. Unfortunately, the upgraded version of the f31fd, which is the f50fd has 12 MP and lots of noise compared to the 6MP f31fd. The f40fd has 8.3MP and maybe less noisy than the f50fd.

It's too bad fuji is joining the MP race like everyone else, as the f30/31 has a loyal following. Why can't they offer both, I don't know. But I have a feeling it's b/c the p/s market isn't driven by IQ, but by styling, price, MP's, and how many times zoom.

Sad. :(

Tristatecamera.com seems to have a few left but the prices have gone up by about $50 since last week.

[andrewc]

Canon G7 / G9

I would imagine learning a G7/G9 would be much a lot more intuitive than learning how someone else does things.

[Croasdail]

Check out the comparison against the Canon 850.... it's not even funny how bad the Canon PS does.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/FujifilmF31fd/page13.asp

I haven't seen a review of the f50 d yet.... looking forward to them.

I have posted this shot before... and it is really reduced as well.... but this was done at ISO 1600. If I think of it, I will post a tighter crop.

[deadpass]

My wife keeps an Olympus Stylus 770 SW in her purse and it's pretty awesome, not to mention nearly impossible to destroy.

[Rudy M.]

If I don't take my 20D, I take my trusty Olympus C5050. It's only a 5mp and only goes up to ISO 400, but the f/1.8 lens rocks. Last Friday I went to an opening at an art institute and ran into a former teacher I had in a photoshop class with his 20D. He was using on camera flash for some dancers, I used no flash, P mode, ISO 400, got close and got a good rest. My shots blew his away when we compared, especially histograms. I wish it was a smaller camera and if and when it breaks, I lose it or it gets stolen--Canon G7 or G9, or maybe a clam shell type. I like the CF card feature of my C5050--and the files can be veiwed on my 20D as well as copied from a 20D card in the C5050 to an Xd card in the C5050 (it takes both) in the event I need more room on a CF card--and the C5050 has RAW--something lacking in the G7. What ever you get in a P&S, I'd take RAW over high MP count, plus make sure it has P, Tv, Av, M and some programable "My Modes", and a hot shoe. I think IS is becoming the norm these days as well as a bit of wx proofing. Technology is wonderful these days, eh?