I need help from owners of both DSLR and P+S cameras

[ijohnson]

I have a big DSLR but obviously it can be pretty inconvenient to carry it with me EVERYWHERE I go.

I had a G2 but I unloaded it because it is, in fact, too big to serve as a complementary camera.

I am looking for a small to super-small camera to put in my briefcase or whatever I am carrying so that I have a camera all the time. Do any of you work with such small cameras? I will definitely buy a Canon but I am concerned that the in-camera sharpening and contrast and saturation will anger me. Megapixels do not concern me and I don't need anything horribly expensive, though I am sure that I will buy it if I feel like it is necessary.

Does anyone have a good recommendation? I would greatly appreciate some feedback.

-Isaac

[Jim_T]

I bought a 2 megapixel Digital Elph (S-100) when they first came out.. I still have it and use it when I don't want to lug around the 10D and lenses.

It's credit card sized and fits in my shirt pocket. It's nowhere near my 10D in terms of versatility and image quality.... But it's better than not having a camera at all..

They don't make the S-100 any more, but the S-xxx line still exists.. Check them out..

[CyberDyneSystems]

I went through this same excercise a little over a year ago.

I looked very closely at the A80..

But eventually I settled on the S400.... (another "elph")

I mean the whole idea wa to have the most portable camera possible (I still wanted to reteian the CF as the memory card though)

So the S400 won over the A80 as it was more portable.

However,. the S400 can be with me all the time,. but it is pretty limited. On the other thand, if I need more,. I carry a DSLR ;)

[Tom W]

I have to confess that I haven't touched my S400 in months. Its a great, handy little camera. It can be carried anywhere you go. But I just don't use it any more.

[EoSD30fReAk]

i still carry my S200 everywhere i go.

like said above, it's very limited but if i need more i take a DSLR with me.

Those little elph camera's are very nice pocket size camera's.

[In Hoc Up2 Eyeballs]

sd200 or sd300 have digic2 excellent P+S.

[bballboy30]

if you need a lot of zoom the S1 IS has ten times optical. it is a little slow to autofocus but is a lot smaller than my rebel.

[robertwgross]

I will definitely buy a Canon but I am concerned that the in-camera sharpening and contrast and saturation will anger me.

That's simple enough. Turn off the in-camera sharpening, contrast, and saturation.

Life is too short to be angry at a camera.

---Bob Gross---

[Jesper]

I think the best, really small PowerShot cameras are the S60 and the S70. They have all the advanced features that the G-series have (such as RAW mode - this is lacking on the A-series and SD- and Sxxx-series).

When you shoot RAW, the camera does not apply any in-camera sharpening, contrast and saturation to the RAW data, so you can't be angered by it..... :)

One more nice feature of the S60 and S70 is that the lens goes wider (to 28mm equivalent) than most other compact digital cameras (most go to 35mm equivalent).

You can find info about all Canon's compact digital cameras on http://www.powershot.com

[CyberDyneSystems]

That's simple enough. Turn off the in-camera sharpening, contrast, and saturation.

Life is too short to be angry at a camera.

---Bob Gross---

With the little Point and shoot jpeg only digitals,. you can't turn it off ;) (with some anyway)

[Persian-Rice]

The first digial camera I owned was a powershot a75. I LOVED that thing. I think I will be also buying a small digicam soon. I will be looking at the a85 or a80, which is as good as the a 75 but has some better features.

For me, having SLR features like RAW is good but not worth the money, I can use my SLR for that.
IMO, a P&S should be cheap but verstaile.

[Belmondo]

I'm with Jesper on this one. I'm seriously thinking about the S70. I'm spoiled by RAW, 8 megapixel images, & CF cards. This seems the only alternative for me.
And, it's relatively cheap.
FWIW, already have a G5, but find it just a hair too big for carrying around....too big for the shirt pocket.

[KevC]

I've got an S230. I bring it to parties and stuff. I wouldn't dare bring my drebel, lol. Anyway, I think you should take a look at the new SD200. It's beautifully small. But then again, it uses SD... so you might have to buy some new media.

[mbze430]

We have a SD110. But I never use it, it is for my wife. She hardly uses it either. I take my gear everywhere I go. Unless the place specifically say no photography.

[Mark Kemp]

I have a digital ixus V3 - its an old model but there are newer digital ixus models about. Very small and light and easy to carry. Made of stainless steel so tough as old boots and easy to use, some similar controls to the DSLR.

[Jetmech1]

I have a Oly C750 that I use when I need a smaller camera to carry around. Takes excellent pics and has a 10X optical zoom. It is a little to big for a pocket camera, but it takes better than a lot of the compact P&S camera's. I have been real happy with it.

[Andy_T]

Another vote for the S series ... but you don't have to go for the S70.

If you can get a used S40/S45 you basically have a G2 in a compact packaging ... slightly slower lens (2.8 ), no flash shoe & lens adapter, but truly compact.

Add to that the creative modes (not available on the Ixus/Elph) and RAW ... and you're set.

Best regards,
Andy

[ijohnson]

Thank you.

Has anyone tried to shoot with anything as small as the sd10 or sd110 while otherwise shooting with a big-assed camera set-up like a DSLR and big white L lens. Is it too awkward to tolerate?

Also, would the A510 be a good camera. It looks great though I'm not entirely sure it meets my size requirements.

[robertwgross]

With the little Point and shoot jpeg only digitals,. you can't turn it off ;) (with some anyway)

I have an old point and shoot camera that does no sharpening or image alteration. I think it uses film.

---Bob Gross---

[Jon]

I have an old point and shoot camera that does no sharpening or image alteration. I think it uses film.

---Bob Gross---

. . . but isn't all that post-processing a bear?
:{)#

[nat869]

I have the Canon A95 to use when I can't lug my 10D around with me.

[Jon]

I have the A80 for a spare/anywhere.