DSLR user wants pocketable compact

I'm looking for something I can slip into a pocket for kid's field trips. I need ISO 1600, prefer at least 6x optical zoom, and a big max aperture. Is $300 enough to get what I want? Is the shutter lag bad on these new compacts?

ISO1600 won't be very good on any point and shoot save for the Sigma DP1.

The DP1 is a fixed focal length though with a somewhat small aperture.

I realize the small sensor and 1600 are a compromise. Prints would be 4x6 max.

Might look at the a650 IS but I think you have some high expectations.

Check out the Fujis. F31fd. F50fd.

The new Olympus E420.
Very very compact and full of features.
Also it is a true DSLR not a PS.

Ah I just saw the $300 price.
The E420 is around $500.

HaroldC3 wrote in post #5159339
I think you have some high expectations.

Very high indeed. I wish I could help, but it seems you want SLR features in a $300 compact. Ain't gonin' to happen.

Gary

Tim, I just purchased the Canon Powershot A590IS for use similar to what you state. It has 1600 ISO, Image Stabilization, lens to f 2.6, and uses AA batteries, and can accomodate a 4 gb card. I am quite impressed with it. It has, however, only a 4x optical zoom, but for $179 tops, it is quite a camera. Perhaps you can try one out - they seem to be availabe pretty much everywhere. For a good review check out Steve's Digicam review on it. Good luck on your quest. Joe Tiemann - Reinheim

I'd say the Powershot A650 IS but my powershot A640 is very noisy above ISO400

JustShootin wrote in post #5160530
=JustShootin';5160530]​Very high indeed. I wish I could help, but it seems you want SLR features in a $300 compact. Ain't gonin' to happen.

Gary

Agreed. I just moved up from a Sony H5 superzoom 7.2mp camera with maximum ISO1000 (I think a 2006 model, so not very old). Simply put, ISO1600 on my XTi looks way better than ISO400 on the P&S. I don't know about newer/better P&S sensors, might be OK at ISO400 or slightly higher.

Tim Sheridan wrote in post #5159172
I'm looking for something I can slip into a pocket for kid's field trips. I need ISO 1600, prefer at least 6x optical zoom, and a big max aperature. Is $300 enough to get what I want? Is the shutter lag bad on these new compacts?

Be realistic. You can get most of that, but it won't be pocketable and it won't be cheap.

Compromise a bit if you're hell bent on pocketing it. I'm still in the honeymoon phase since I only received the camera 3 days ago, but I'm enjoying the Fuji F40fd very much. If you go to BeachCamera.com and grab it before the 31st of this month, you can get a $50 rebate on it...that brings the price down to a bargain $129.

It does ISO1600 (but it's not as clean as a dSLR, obviously), but has 3x zoom instead of 6x like you want. Max aperture is f/2.8 at the wide but the long end is mediocre at f/5.1. Shutter lag isn't bad at all, but you won't be using it, or any other compact, for sports.

No manual modes, but a great Program mode. Manual is a pain in the but on 99% of compacts due to ergonomics anyway. Has Exposure Compensation (through a menu though, :mad but a dedicated button can get you there right away if it's the last menu selection you made. Not fast, but not tedious.

It doesn't say it supports SDHC on websites, but Fuji put out a firmware 1.1 update that gives it SDHC capability. I updated it the day I got it and put an 8GB card in it without issue.

Two huge pluses over the A series are that it's not as fat (easily slips into a front pocket) and the screen is a pleasure to use. Downside is it uses battery packs instead of AAs, but they're cheap on eBay and get about 300 shots each.

I took this pic with it yesterday: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=472880

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

what you expect from ISO 1600 ? execptatble or good quality ?

ISO above 400 on my A570IS is terrible. It does 1600, but it makes the photo look like it was taken in a snow storm.

You could also look at the A720. It's got a great price tag ($170), 6x optical zoom, ISO 1600, f2.8, small size. It's got great IQ too - for a P&S. I agree about not being able to truly use the 1600 though. It's really noisy.