CAnon P&S that shoots Raw - choices???

Not sure which forum to post this in, because it sort of cuts across two of them. I will put it here and hope that I get some insight from folks on both forums.

I am looking to buy a Canon P&S that takes raw images. So far, all I can find in their line of P&S cameras are the S110, the SX50, the G15 and the G1X. If you have experience with using any of these, I would hope you might be willing to share your experience with me. My plan is to find one that I can use and if I like it, then I will consider buying another one and having it converted to shoot infra-red imagery. I want the P&S to have as a 'walk about' camera so that I do not always have to carry the big one (DSLR) around wherever I go.

Any insight, or experience that anyone would care to share will be greatly appreciated. Also, if you know of a Canon P&S that shoots raw that I haven't found yet, I would also appreciate knowing about it.

WesternGuy

I just got an SX50 and I love the size. Much easier to carry than my DSLR and the 50x zoom is amazing.

ebusinesstutor wrote in post #16022271
I just got an SX50 and I love the size. Much easier to carry than my DSLR and the 50x zoom is amazing.

Thanks. I appreciate your sharing your thoughts on this one. It is one of the models on my list.

WesternGuy

I have read good things about the Panasonic DMC-FZ200. It has a 600mm (eq.) constant aperture f/2.8 lens. That has to help. I keep up with Panny P&S cams because I loved my DMC-FZ8. Never should have sold it.

If all you need is raw, check out CHDK firmware. Lots of people swear by it. I tried it on my A1100IS and hated it. Clumsy, clunky and completely text menu driven, with way too many options. One advantage is you can load it from the SD card. Want to use CHDK, pop in the card it is on. Want to use OEM firmware, replace card turn camera off and on. Really simple in that regard.

WesternGuy wrote in post #16022205
Not sure which forum to post this in, because it sort of cuts across two of them. I will put it here and hope that I get some insight from folks on both forums.

I am looking to buy a Canon P&S that takes raw images. So far, all I can find in their line of P&S cameras are the S110, the SX50, the G15 and the G1X. If you have experience with using any of these, I would hope you might be willing to share your experience with me. My plan is to find one that I can use and if I like it, then I will consider buying another one and having it converted to shoot infra-red imagery. I want the P&S to have as a 'walk about' camera so that I do not always have to carry the big one (DSLR) around wherever I go.

Any insight, or experience that anyone would care to share will be greatly appreciated. Also, if you know of a Canon P&S that shoots raw that I haven't found yet, I would also appreciate knowing about it.

WesternGuy

The current line up you list are the only P&S models that provide native RAW images. However, for the adventurous types, there is also CHDK that can provide a RAW image, but not in the Canon native RAW format. There are multiple Canon Powershots that can use this added capability;

http://chdk.wikia.com/​wiki/CHDK

I do not use it, since I have a G9, G11, NX100, and now NX20, which all provide a native RAW file. There are other capabilities provided by CHDK, but I'm not into using the software hack.

Dennis

Tommy1957 wrote in post #16029714
I have read good things about the Panasonic DMC-FZ200. It has a 600mm (eq.) constant aperture f/2.8 lens. That has to help. I keep up with Panny P&S cams because I loved my DMC-FZ8. Never should have sold it.

If all you need is raw, check out CHDK firmware. Lots of people swear by it. I tried it on my A1100IS and hated it. Clumsy, clunky and completely text menu driven, with way too many options. One advantage is you can load it from the SD card. Want to use CHDK, pop in the card it is on. Want to use OEM firmware, replace card turn camera off and on. Really simple in that regard.

Thanks for the info on the CHDK firmware. I had not heard of it, but then I have just started looking at the P&S cameras. I think I would rather stick to the on-board firmware, then I do not have to worry about what is going on in the camera.

WesternGuy

denncald wrote in post #16031406
The current line up you list are the only P&S models that provide native RAW images. However, for the adventurous types, there is also CHDK that can provide a RAW image, but not in the Canon native RAW format. There are multiple Canon Powershots that can use this added capability;

http://chdk.wikia.com/​wiki/CHDK

I do not use it, since I have a G9, G11, NX100, and now NX20, which all provide a native RAW file. There are other capabilities provided by CHDK, but I'm not into using the software hack.

Dennis

I am aware that the ones I listed are the only current P&S that provide native RAW images. I was hoping to get input from folks who had used one or more of these cameras to see what their experience was. What did they like, what did they not like, etc? Tommy1857 has already mentioned the CHDK firmware, but I am not that adventurous when it comes to technology.
'
WesternGuy

WesternGuy wrote in post #16032759
Thanks for the info on the CHDK firmware. I had not heard of it, but then I have just started looking at the P&S cameras. I think I would rather stick to the on-board firmware, then I do not have to worry about what is going on in the camera.

WesternGuy

CHDK wont harm your camera. it even wont voiding your warranty.
And especially if you just want to use it for RAW files, its super easy and fast.
in some cases even better than "in camera Raws", because CHDK uses DNG raw files.
they are supported in almost all RAW editing programs, without waiting for updates
for your camera model

WesternGuy wrote in post #16022205
... I want the P&S to have as a 'walk about' camera so that I do not always have to carry the big one (DSLR) around wherever I go ...

I bought the S90 shortly after it was introduced because I wanted/needed an easy to carry camera with RAW capabilities. The camera has not disappointed and has been my only camera on some trips/travel where taking a larger kit was impractical. I either carry it in my shirt or jacket pocket or in a belt case similar in size to a large cell phone case. I've been tempted to upgrade to the 95, 100, 110 but it's still working and I'm happy with the results. Hope this helps.

JRET wrote in post #16033002
I bought the S90 shortly after it was introduced because I wanted/needed an easy to carry camera with RAW capabilities. The camera has not disappointed and has been my only camera on some trips/travel where taking a larger kit was impractical. I either carry it in my shirt or jacket pocket or in a belt case similar in size to a large cell phone case. I've been tempted to upgrade to the 95, 100, 110 but it's still working and I'm happy with the results. Hope this helps.

Thanks. I appreciate your sharing your experience with me.

WesternGuy

The SX50 (HS) is not a P&S. It is a superzoom - the same form factor as a DLSR although a bit smaller but not by much and certainly not pocket-size.

Well, I finally decided on the G15. The G1X was a bit too big for what I wanted, and the S100 was just a bit too small to fit into my big hands. Thanks to all who contributed thoughts and experience.

WesternGuy

I see I'm 1 hour late

But I'll give my views anyway since there is always the possibility you will decide you don't like the G15 and return it or might need these opinions again in the future.
I have the s95, I had originally gone with the Olympus EP-1 as a smaller camera kit, but decided it was still too big for every day use.

RAW shooting was also a must for me.

The s95 caught my eye due to the good number of dials available (I hate going into the menu to set stuff), its compact size, IQ, and zoom range.

What I don't like about it is the relatively slow telephoto end, the slow AF (normal I suppose, for this type of camera), and the ISO performance (though this is going to be a problem on any P&S with a small sensor).

I've found the s95 to be as near perfect as it gets for when you're just out and about, and happen to see something worth taking a photo of.

In fact, my image that gets the most sales on microstock was taken with the s95 on a foggy night as I was walking back home from a dinner party.

WesternGuy wrote in post #16035260
Well, I finally decided on the G15. The G1X was a bit too big for what I wanted, and the S100 was just a bit too small to fit into my big hands. Thanks to all who contributed thoughts and experience.

WesternGuy

Congratulations! Excellent choice.
Out of the options you mentioned,
that would have my choice as well.
The S110 is nice and compact, but
not so much fun, the G1X is huge,
and the SX50 is great fun, but not
strong in terms of image quality.
The G15 is the best of the bunch.

-eyalg

I've been carrying my [Richard Franiec gripped] S95 in a little waterproof Peli case whenever I go out - even if I have my SLR - for some years. I shoot almost exclusively RAW except when I occasionally use RAW+JPG (for wifi-ing the JPGs across to my phone). I've seen no reason to change it.

[If I was looking now, I'd be looking at the Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 maybe. But I'm not looking since I have yet to see a RAW-capable pocket camera with wired release facility. How dumb is it to exclude that as it can be wired through the USB port?]