suggestions for a compact point and shoot

[fall]

i'm shooting a with a 7d, its a great camera but sometimes dslrs are a hassle to lug around. i'm looking for a decent compact camera, good high iso permorfance, shoots RAW, good build and with manual controls. i'd like it to be small, if i'll be using something that cant fit in my pocket, i might as well use my dslr.:D

i used to own an lx3, i find the built in flash a little too weak, and the pictures are a little noisy for my taste. i ended up trading it away. any other suggestions? thanks!:D

[denncald]

i'm shooting a with a 7d, its a great camera but sometimes dslrs are a hassle to lug around. i'm looking for a decent compact camera, good high iso permorfance, shoots RAW, good build and with manual controls. i'd like it to be small, if i'll be using something that cant fit in my pocket, i might as well use my dslr.:D

i used to own an lx3, i find the built in flash a little too weak, and the pictures are a little noisy for my taste. i ended up trading it away. any other suggestions? thanks!:D

The S90, or soon? the release of the new S95 come to mind. Also, the LX5 is supposed to be an "improved" LX3, so probably both would fit your criteria.

I assume you want something with a zoom range of X amount, otherwise you might look into an m43 camera with a pancake lens, like the EPL1 or GF1 with the 20/1.7 lens. Or, even the NEX5 with their 16mm. These are still kind of large for a pants pocket, as is the LX5 above, but they will have better low light performance than the S90/S95.

Dennis

[Tommydigi]

All point and shoots will have a pretty weak flash and all will have more noise then a 7D but the big 3 for compact high end point and shoots are LX5, S95 and G12. All seem very equal but the 24mm 2.0 LX5 looks most appealing to me. The S90 or 95 is nice too since its a bit more pocketable, the G11/12 is just to big for a p/s, you may as well go 4/3.

[fall]

thanks for the replies, the s90 does look good, its a little slow, but then again its not a dslr:), maybe i'll wait a little while and see how the s95 does.

i've been tempted to go m4/3 before, the gf1 + 20mm is very attractive, then the sony nex came and they were able to put an apsc sensor in such a tiny body, i'm a little worried that panasonic will start putting apsc sensors on their compacts and just drop the m4/3 system....would this likely happen? it'll be nice if canon came up with one that uses ef/efs lenses.

[splinx]

If you want your camera to fit in your pocket, forget interchangeable lenses.

As of this date, any camera that is truly pocketable comes with compromises or shortcomings of one kind or another, sometimes several.

There are however, any number of true pocket cameras capable of taking excellent photographs, despite their shortcomings. Many of these pocket cameras have a feature set that is mindboggling when judged by the standards of just a few years ago.

At the end of the day, photography is more about the light and the photographer's artistry, than it is about the cameras.

But it's a lot easier to talk about the cameras, I know.

[d0GGii]

I've been looking at Canon S95, Panasonic Lumix LX5, and the Sony Nex-5. I know the Nex-5 is not quite pocketable, but it's such a beauty that I'm considering selling my 3-month old T2i for its smaller size/weight, sexier look and comparable image quality.

[MikeFairbanks]

Pocketability counts for a lot, especially when out with the family, wife, etc.

My wife doesn't mind me taking photos, but when we're out as a family the dslr annoys her, and I have a very light kit (see signature) that fits in a very small, tight bag. But it's still a bag, and when I sling it over my shoulder I'm basically a guy with a purse (although a rather rectangular purse) that's slightly smaller than a shoebox.

When we're out as a couple the dslr is out of the question. I could bring a point and shoot and she's good with that, but not a dslr. Besides, with a dslr I have to worry everytime I set it down somewhere (like on the chair next to me, etc.) when at a restaurant.

The S95 is pretty darn cool.

[tmwag]

My G9 benefited greatly from a external flash. I had the 270Ex but any external flash will be a drastic improvement from what's on-board

[Tommydigi]

I would not sell a t2i for the NEX. I had the NEX for a few days and returned it. The T2i is a great camera and you will certainly regret the trade. Also when you put a zoom on the NEX its really not that small. Keep your T2i and get an S90 when you want a pocketable camera.

[splinx]

Slightly smaller than a shoebox? In my book, that's a millstone. My DSLR w/18-55 and 55-300 would fit in a shoebox with room left over for a small prime.

It all depends on your philosophy of photography, I suppose, or of art, but there's a lot to be said for doing more with less. I don't expect a camera that fits in my pocket to have technical specifications matching my DSLR, nor - for that matter - do I feel I need to have the best DSLR.

I only expect that it will give me enough control that I can capture light and have a fair chance of recording a good image.

That's it: Fits in pocket, no burden, takes pictures.

Unfortunately, I've broken my SD780, and until I get it back, I'm really going to miss having a good camera available at all times. Droppage is a constant danger with a small camera - another argument for not buying the most expensive one.

[a lamp post]

Samsung EX1/TL500 is a nifty camera also and I'd consider it too. It's bigger than S90/S95, but smaller than G11 and similar to LX5. Takes great photos, has RAW, f1.8...

Based on your needs, I'd go for S90 or S95 for it's the only one truly pocketable.