Advice for a small, macro-capable camera.

Okay here's the situation. I have a Canon 40D, 400 mm f/5.6 lens, 180 Tamron macro, etc. I'm looking for a compact camera that is fairly good for taking closeups of flowers/salamanders/in​sects, etc. I know the compact job probably won't do as good with macros as the Tamron 180mm, but I need something that will fit in my pocket to carry around. Often, while I'm doing bird photography, I'll come across an interesting plant or amphibian, insect, etc. I'm looking to travel a bit lighter, as I'm tired of switching lenses in the field from the 400 to the macro or the 17-55. Things I'm looking for are: small size, lots of megapixels, good macro capability, video capability (?), low ISO capability, fairly quick shutter. I mention the latter because I had an older Canon P&S and there was a delay from tripping the shutter to when it actually captured the shot. Any help would be most appreciated. I'm open to other brands for a P&S, but since I prefer Canon (at least for SLRs) I figured I'd start here. Thanks.

Oh yeah, since I do a lot of shooting in the woods, I'd like something that can handle low light well and have a good flash. Yikes, I'm asking too much. Reading some reviews now and getting more confused....

I would think the S95 is your best candidate. It's got the f/2.0 lens at wide end, where most folks do close macros, but your flash won't really help there...too close. Here's a link on Flickr of (hopefully) macros taken with the S95. Sometimes the search algorithm grabs shots from other cameras too.

S95 Macro Shots

Lensmate also has a small filter adapter system that will let you add various filters (obviously), to include appropriately sized close-up lenses to expand your macro options.

http://www.lensmateonl​ine.com/store/s90v2.ph​p

You may also want to check out the various options they sell for the S95 too.

http://www.lensmateonl​ine.com/store/s90.html

New P&S models are still not fast in shutter response, and this is true of the S95.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/PS9​5/PS95A6.HTM

The Pany LX-5 is more responsive, but larger than the S95, and not Canon.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/LX5​/LX5A6.HTM

The new Oly XZ-1 has a fast lens, but I haven't seen shutter response timings yet.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/XZ1​/XZ1A.HTM

Dennis

the S90/95 have terrible close focusing ability compared to most other compacts, so I disagree, and the filter attachment is not native so using macro filters would not be ideal. (the lensmate filter adapter just sticks on the front of the lens with tape!)

I would actually look at the Olympus XZ1. It can focus as close as 1cm and has a cool macro lighting system (MAL-1) that is inexpensive.

Edit: rereading your post, you are kind of asking a lot! Have you considered a system like the NEX or a olympus m4/3 with a dedicated macro lens?

Yes, the XZ1 sounds somewhat better, given the specs/options. I was not aware of the minimum macro/focus distance of 2 inches for the S95 vs 0.4 inches for the XZ1. I incorrectly assumed the S95 was the same as my G11 and G9 at 0.4 inches. However, in the real world, I hardly ever focus at 0.4 inches. I'm usually somewhere between 1 or 2 inches, out to the max of 12 inches in macro. Getting too close cuts off the light to the subject. Having something like the macro light for the XZ1 could be useful. I generally use an external flash (430EX II) with a wireless or corded control. It can get cumbersome.

Dennis

Wow, thanks for all the great info! You really did some legwork for me, I really appreciate it! Had no idea there were so many accessories for compact cameras. Some of those macros in the link are pretty impressive for a little P&S! Those tree ant shots and the grasshopper were great. The quality of the images is more like what I'd expect from a DSLR.

denncald wrote in post #12570133
I would think the S95 is your best candidate. It's got the f/2.0 lens at wide end, where most folks do close macros, but your flash won't really help there...too close. Here's a link on Flickr of (hopefully) macros taken with the S95. Sometimes the search algorithm grabs shots from other cameras too.

S95 Macro Shots

Lensmate also has a small filter adapter system that will let you add various filters (obviously), to include appropriately sized close-up lenses to expand your macro options.

http://www.lensmateonl​ine.com/store/s90v2.ph​p

You may also want to check out the various options they sell for the S95 too.

http://www.lensmateonl​ine.com/store/s90.html

New P&S models are still not fast in shutter response, and this is true of the S95.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/PS9​5/PS95A6.HTM

The Pany LX-5 is more responsive, but larger than the S95, and not Canon.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/LX5​/LX5A6.HTM

The new Oly XZ-1 has a fast lens, but I haven't seen shutter response timings yet.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/XZ1​/XZ1A.HTM

Dennis

tkbslc wrote in post #12570248
the S90/95 have terrible close focusing ability compared to most other compacts, so I disagree, and the filter attachment is not native so using macro filters would not be ideal. (the lensmate filter adapter just sticks on the front of the lens with tape!)

I would actually look at the Olympus XZ1. It can focus as close as 1cm and has a cool macro lighting system (MAL-1) that is inexpensive.

Edit: rereading your post, you are kind of asking a lot! Have you considered a system like the NEX or a olympus m4/3 with a dedicated macro lens?

I did check out some images from the Olympus and they do look pretty nice. Focus as close as 1 cm is nice as well. I sounded like I was asking a lot, and I guess I was. I do realize the quality won't be as good as a dedicated macro lens and that's fine. When I'm setting out to do true macros I'll still have the Tamron. But for a pocket camera, the above suggestions seem pretty decent.

I too carry a 400 5.6 for shooting birds and carry a point and shoot on my belt for the occasional wide shot, record sounds, closeups etc. Mine is an old model so I won't offer
info there but why I posted is to mention that many of us use a 500D (magnifier that
goes on the end of the lens like a filter) on a 400 5.6 for the occasional closeup and it
does an amazing job. Easy to put on, take off in between bird shots. Just carry it in your
pocket in the holder it comes in. Worth checking into in my opinion.

Have a look at the Canon SX 220HS. Nice size, good low light performance( not as good as S95 tho), video with zoom n autofocus, reasonable macro.....

riverdog1 wrote in post #12595827
I too carry a 400 5.6 for shooting birds and carry a point and shoot on my belt for the occasional wide shot, record sounds, closeups etc. Mine is an old model so I won't offer
info there but why I posted is to mention that many of us use a 500D (magnifier that
goes on the end of the lens like a filter) on a 400 5.6 for the occasional closeup and it
does an amazing job. Easy to put on, take off in between bird shots. Just carry it in your
pocket in the holder it comes in. Worth checking into in my opinion.

Wow, glad I checked back. Thanks for chiming in. Never heard of the magnifier! Any links of where I can see one?

ngannet wrote in post #12642232
Wow, glad I checked back. Thanks for chiming in. Never heard of the magnifier! Any links of where I can see one?

It's called a close-up lens;

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …m_500D_Close_up​_Lens.html

Canon also makes a 250D. The 500D is rated +2, while the 250D is rated +4. Here's a list of other close-up lenses you could look for on eBay.

http://www.angelfire.c​om/ca/erker/closeups.h​tml

Several folks are using them on the Canon G series compact cameras, but they also will work on DSLR zoom lenses.

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1054233

Dennis

AFAIR when I was looking into this, the Panny LX5 focussed down to 1cm from the front of the lens,

Any of the Canon Powershot G series should also fit the bill there (aside from only working if you have large pockets)

Powershot G7, in Macro mode. Beetle was approx 4mm in length, for some reference to DoF there...

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/snydremark/6907​25881/

Here's a link to some sample photos of a 400 5.6 with the 500D close-up lens:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=247204