Wanted: P&S Version of DSLR

So I'm looking for something that'll give me as many features as possible similar to a DSLR (at least have manual controls such as focus and exposure, preferably also shutter/aperture priority, etc.) and so on - but in a P&S format... Not a G9 type of format, but even slimmer. Something like an ELPH, or EXILM, etc. You can't take a picture with a camera you don't have - and dragging my normal kit around with me everywhere isn't feasible. I want a camera that I can ALWAYS have on me.

Right now I'm entertaining the Samsung NV-* range. I like the NV7 OPS, but it's too thick with that lens sticking out (bummer). The newer versions or the line-up give up some features (like a 3x zoom instead of 5x) over say, the NV11. This is my current "favorite" as I research more.

Basically I want a slim little camera that doesn't suck and offers a photographer some modicum of control!

Anyone pursue a similar camera? Any thoughts?

If the G's too big, look at the PowerShot A series from the A570 on up.

I'd prefer even thinner, if possible. Though at 1.9" it's not too bad.

The samsung NV range have a weird range of apertures (ie 2 options)...

I have an A570IS and in terms of manual control it has most of what my 20D has (just have to digg), and with the hacked powershot firmware, it can also bracket exposures and shoot raw.

I'm digging into the Samsung NV-series more, and indeed, "manual mode" seems lame with two aperture options buried in the fast-touch menus. The IQ is also fairly questionable. The battery life is also weak at ~200 shots. So it's seeming that this series is a bust.

I would love a Canon solution - but so far, nothing has really caught my eye. Canon ELPH and Nikon Coolpix are the right format though (small!).

Some Leica/Panasonic series looks promising too, form factor wise. Such as the Leica D-LUX 3/Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2.

Hmm, so far the Leica/Panny doesn't look too bad. Expensive, yes. But I'm not worried about price - I want the ideal camera.

find yourself a Canon S70 (or S80)

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Graystar wrote in post #4632086
This is a Canon forum. If you want a Canon P&S then ask about them. If you want something else then there are many other forums out there.

other cameras do exist you know...and people on this forum do know about some of them...back to the topic though...i thought all the canon P&S had a manual mode as well?...i know i've got a small one on my a430(use it when snowboarding/biking)..​.i did buy a pentax p&s just because it was waterproof...but when its out of the water that thing sucks

C'mon D-N. Be serious!




I went down this same road just a few weeks ago. I wanted something sorta pocketable but still giving me control over the camera instead of the other way around. I looked really closely at the A570IS due to price and familiarity with the A series.

I ended up getting a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 for my 10D instead.

Samsung's higher series camera's controls suck using that touch sensitive button system. You best bet is Panasonic, but low light IQ is horrible compared to Canon's. And if anything, if you're used to Canon lay out on a P&S, Panasonic's will annoy you. I'm shopping for a cheap P&S and I've decided just to stick with Canon. The FX30 was giving the SD1000 a run for the money, but not all Panasonic's turn out great. Their mod dial is kinda annoying as well.

i got my wife a Canon P&S simply for the sake of not having to load one more company's software on my computer! at least Zoombrowser doesn't try to take over your computer like some other P&S softwares i had the unfortunate experience of experiencing a while back (pre-DSLR)

Graystar wrote in post #4632086
This is a Canon forum. If you want a Canon P&S then ask about them. If you want something else then there are many other forums out there.

Pekka makes the rules here. The moderators enforce them. If we think a post is inappropriate, we will take appropriate action. If you have a problem with a post, that's what the "Report Post" button is for. And BTW there is no rule prohibiting discussion of non-Canon gear. Take a look at the EOS forum with a number of threads on the Nikon D3 and D300 currently running.

DreDaze wrote in post #4632426
other cameras do exist you know...and people on this forum do know about some of them...back to the topic though...i thought all the canon P&S had a manual mode as well?...i know i've got a small one on my a430(use it when snowboarding/biking)..​.i did buy a pentax p&s just because it was waterproof...but when its out of the water that thing sucks

The lower-end A-series (like your A430) and the SD models have something misleadingly called "Camera M", which lets you change ISO and dial in exposure compensation, but doesn't let you directly control aperture or shutter speed.

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone!

Like I said, I'd love a Canon solution. So I think I'll spend some time going over the A-series details and see where I really want to draw the line on dimensions. IQ and control are top priority, but in this case, so is portability. The whole reason I'm looking at the P&Ss is for that reason. Trust me, I'd love to have a G-series for this, but it's not gonna happen.

LOL, cdifoto! I know, I know...