From a DSLR owner's view, What compact?

Hi guys and gals,

I am considering investing in a compact camera in order to try to always have a camera with me. Sometimes, lugging around the 60D s not practicle, like at work. I bought my daughter a SD1200is and I bought my sister a SD1400is. So I am considering a SD series cam for myself.

But first, I figured I would pick all of your brains to see what you would recomend. Now I know that there is a compact forum, but I am trying to get opinions from the view of DSLR guys and gals. Mods, if you must move this I understand.

Anyways, what do you guys recomend? I am thinking of spending no more than $300. So the G12 is out, plus I would really like to have something smaller. I am thinking of a Canon (Duh) but I will consider something else if it will be better.

So let me know what you all think. Thanks Juan.

It may be slightly out of your price range but I would love to get an Olympus E-P1...I see them used for $300+

3/4 sensor rangefinder like camera with exchangeable lens system.. and if you can find an old Zuikos or Zeiss... you're golden. I would use it for street photography or on trips..and not lug around my 30 pound worth of DSLR system..

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^^^ hah, you got the viewfinder for the E-P1, which is basically only supposed to be for one specific prime. Is it close enough with other lenses?

MOkoFOko wrote in post #12293077
^^^ hah, you got the viewfinder for the E-P1, which is basically only supposed to be for one specific prime. Is it close enough with other lenses?

No, that's not my camera. I don't own an E-P1, yet.

Juan A wrote in post #12293007
Hi guys and gals,

I am considering investing in a compact camera in order to try to always have a camera with me. ... I bought my daughter a SD1200is and I bought my sister a SD1400is. So I am considering a SD series cam for myself.
...

For me it was the SD1200IS .. because it's the last of that series with a true optical viewfinder. It's small and fits any pocket perfectly.

Anything else is just too big

Lumix DSC-TS3. Leica lens. Works underwater. Dust proof. GPS. Pocket size. Drop proof.

I'm really fond of the Olympus XZ1 but maybe a bit out of your price range.

Other than that, I would probably get the S95

What about a used S90? Probably be had for $300

I think all the fine compact cameras with bigger sensors are a bit over your budget:

- Canon G11/G12
- Canon S90/S95
- Panasonic LX-3/LX-5
- Samsung EX1
- Olympus XZ1

If i had the money, i would buy a Fuji X100. But this one is 1k.

Cheers
flop

Thanks guys. I may have to consider upping my budget if it will make that big of a difference. If my budget is uo to say $450 what would you recomend then?

Thanks again,
Juan

S95 is a great compact if you want something that can fit in your pocket.

sloanbj wrote in post #12293991
Lumix DSC-TS3. Leica lens. Works underwater. Dust proof. GPS. Pocket size. Drop proof.

You mean DMC-TS3.

Man that really annoys me, I have the TS2 and they went with a lower megapixel sensor on the TS3...the one on the TS2 is pretty much terrible at anything but outside light, horribly soft and noisy since the sensor is just too dense. Looks like they backpedaled on that and went with a lower megapixel sensor that should be a lot better.

S95 takes amazing photo's from what I have seen and taken with my sisters camera. Just wish the movie mode did auto-focusing. I am hoping the next generation will have that. Movie modes without focusing these days should not happen. The technology is there, companies should utilize it. I usually take a point and shoot on trips and probably use it the most, just because its so much easier then lugging a DSLR around with lenses. And when scuba diving I love a point and shoot with a under water case, and a good HD movie mode with auto-focus is what I really want for that.

Although not really pocketable and no viewfinder.. I sort of like, and am thinking, the Sony NEX5 for it's crop sensor.

+1 on the S95