jonasv
has no mustache
Dear all,
A friend of mine is an aspiring playwright/director. She would like to be able to take pictures in the theater, or shoot a short movie every now and then. Because of the lighting conditions, I figure the camera's low-light capabilities will be crucial.
And since I said 'aspiring', she has a budget of maximum 300 EUR.
What would her best option be? I know cheap compacts = small sensors = lots of noise at high ISO.
A Fuji X10 with a slightly larger sensor is currently € 450, but might drop because of the X20 announcement?
Better (cheaper) options?
Thanks!
A friend of mine is an aspiring playwright/director. She would like to be able to take pictures in the theater, or shoot a short movie every now and then. Because of the lighting conditions, I figure the camera's low-light capabilities will be crucial.
And since I said 'aspiring', she has a budget of maximum 300 EUR.
What would her best option be? I know cheap compacts = small sensors = lots of noise at high ISO.
A Fuji X10 with a slightly larger sensor is currently € 450, but might drop because of the X20 announcement?
Better (cheaper) options?
Thanks!
Kiev Ilegalac
Established
something from the panasonic lx line - lx3, lx5, lx7... I don't know how much they cost at the moment (and which are actually available), but that was the first thing come to mind after reading your question.
Cheers
Alex
Cheers
Alex
OlliL
Well-known
Does it have to be new?
A used X10 would be in the budget, but also a new
Olympus XZ-1 might be within.
Both have the advantage of a relativly fast aperture on the tele end, what the LXs miss.
The X10 also offers better than average noise levels, on higher ISOs.
A used X10 would be in the budget, but also a new
Olympus XZ-1 might be within.
Both have the advantage of a relativly fast aperture on the tele end, what the LXs miss.
The X10 also offers better than average noise levels, on higher ISOs.
umcelinho
Marcelo
used canon s100
used panasonic lx7 (might be hard to find), but my lx3 delivered, and it's under $300
used rx100 (might be hard to find for about $300, maybe by the end of the year)
used panasonic lx7 (might be hard to find), but my lx3 delivered, and it's under $300
used rx100 (might be hard to find for about $300, maybe by the end of the year)
cosmonaut
Well-known
From my experience with the XZ-1 I wouldn't go that route. It is really bad at high ISOs. I wasn't happy with the Fuji line of P&S cameras either. For just a bit more maybe a used Sony RX-100. I don't think I have read a bad review on it.
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
Large sensor compacts are luxury class and not old enough yet to meet your price point. Few had a predecessor, and even where there was one, the market is swiped clean of the it, superseded luxury class gadgets generally going to a landfill rather than getting discounted, to avoid cutting into the successors' sales. If any, the (upper end of tiny sensor) Panasonic DMC-LX5 might qualify, but it is slightly above your price limit, and in terms of low light capability its small sensor takes its toll.
If it can be a bit less compact, many of the first generation EVIL cameras still are on sale, heavily discounted - remaining samples of the Sony Nex-3, Samsung NX-100, Nikon 1 V1 and a variety of earlier MFT cameras have dropped below €300 with kit lens at many dealers. And these are vastly superior in low light.
If it can be a bit less compact, many of the first generation EVIL cameras still are on sale, heavily discounted - remaining samples of the Sony Nex-3, Samsung NX-100, Nikon 1 V1 and a variety of earlier MFT cameras have dropped below €300 with kit lens at many dealers. And these are vastly superior in low light.
matt_mcg2
Established
Yeah, the XZ-1 is a good camera, and I've had excellent low light shots. But I've got them by shooting at ISO 250 or so and relying on the very fast (for a compact) lens and stabilisation. It's not good over 400. Very noisy. Also, not great for movies in my experience. It hunts a lot for focus and would be poor in a theatre type environment.
On the other hand, in decent light or with a tripod and a lower ISO (below 400), the image quality is really excellent.
On the other hand, in decent light or with a tripod and a lower ISO (below 400), the image quality is really excellent.
Pentax Q
Nikon V1
However to do it right, she might want to step up to an older Micro 4/3 like the Panasonic G1.
Nikon V1
However to do it right, she might want to step up to an older Micro 4/3 like the Panasonic G1.
Addy101
Well-known
Is there a specific reason why it has to be a compact? What 'bout a m4/3's camera from a few years back? harrisoncameras in England has a Olympus EP-1 with kit that is within your pricerange (easy), they do ship to the continent and I dealt with them before to my joy.
Else, what the others said, a Panny LX-3 or LX-5, a Canon G11 or S100 or whatever. A lot of people are quite happy with the low light results of these cameras.
Else, what the others said, a Panny LX-3 or LX-5, a Canon G11 or S100 or whatever. A lot of people are quite happy with the low light results of these cameras.
jonasv
has no mustache
Thanks everyone!
I saw a second-hand 'as new' Fuji X10 that would be within budget, that might be an option, I think it would outdo the S100, G11 and similar cameras?
I didn't know anything about the Panasonic LX-line, but I will look into it!
Not necessarily a compact. Just thought that'd be the only options within that budget. The EP-1 looks fine, but the f/3.5-5.6 lens would seem to negate any high ISO advantages that the sensor might offer.
I saw a second-hand 'as new' Fuji X10 that would be within budget, that might be an option, I think it would outdo the S100, G11 and similar cameras?
I didn't know anything about the Panasonic LX-line, but I will look into it!
Not necessarily a compact. Just thought that'd be the only options within that budget. The EP-1 looks fine, but the f/3.5-5.6 lens would seem to negate any high ISO advantages that the sensor might offer.