Compact digital camera with bokeh!

[Thardy]

I'm looking for a travel camera that is small. I am intrigued by the micro four third cameras but with a zoom lens even they can be large.

Are there any small digicams that can render the background out of focus on non macro shots. I figure there may be some new ones out that I have not heard about.

Thanks.

 

[antiquark]

The Fuji Finepix F80 has a "pro focus" mode that uses image processing to blur out the background after you've taken a picture.

Other than that, small-sensor cameras are doomed not to have much bokeh.

 

[Nigel Meaby]

Sigma DP2 gives good out of focus areas with focus down to 0.28 m. I bought one recently and am enjoying the results.

 

[hipsterdufus]

I'm looking for a travel camera that is small. I am intrigued by the micro four third cameras but with a zoom lens even they can be large.

Why not just get a micro 4/3rds with the Panasonic 20mm f1.7 pancake? This should give you some decent out of focus areas and small size.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

A micro four thirds camera with the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 is a good bet. If you don't mind adapting a longer lens, like the CV 35/1.4 or 40/1.4, you can get excellent background blurring, but of course you lose autofocus.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Why not just get a micro 4/3rds with the Panasonic 20mm f1.7 pancake? This should give you some decent out of focus areas and small size.

cross-posted!

 

[ampguy]

yes

yes

The older F70/F72 EXR models also have this.

I think it's quite good, better than CV lenses, not as good as Leica lenses.

The Fuji Finepix F80 has a "pro focus" mode that uses image processing to blur out the background after you've taken a picture.

Other than that, small-sensor cameras are doomed not to have much bokeh.

 

[hipsterdufus]

cross-posted!

Ha! "Great minds..." and all that. 😀

 

[ktran]

Sensor size has less of an effect on background blur than the actual lens focal length. You can isolate the background by having your subject far away from it, and then zoom in as far as you can. A "super-zoom" camera's "real" focal length probably tops out at about 60-70 mm. The difference is that with a small sensor, you have to stand farther back to get the same angle of view (which also affects your background blur).

This was done with my Nikon P6000 with a teleconverter, bringing the real focal length and aperture to 48mm, but the 135-format full-frame equivalent focal length with the sensor size is 224mm:

 

[hteasley]

I was pleased with what I got out of my X1 on a recent trip. Pleasantly surprised at the bokeh of the f/2.8 lens:

It can be a frustrating camera: you can't use it like a typical point & shoot. It's a slow, deliberate camera. But the quality is there, if that's what's most important.

 

[robertro]

Bokeh with Fujifilm F70 / F80

Bokeh with Fujifilm F70 / F80

Hmmm...I think that the Fujifilm F70/80 cameras are excellent compact superzooms, with larger than average sensors for P&S's (though still <1/4 the size of 4/3 or APS). I own and use one because their relatively good low-light performance (similar to Canon S90 & G9/G11 & Panasonic LX3) large zoom range and small (like a bar of soap) package make them great travel companions when I don't want to carry micro-4/3. The lens is not really fast enough to get any very out-of-focus background areas.

There is a "portrait mode" that uses image processing to simulate out of focus areas, but it's best used carefully - for example, it works well on a clearly defined subject (bottle, simple flower, head with smooth hair) on a simple background (wall, shrubs, etc..), but fails badly if the subject has free flowing hair or the subject/background contrast is low. Think of it like the "magic Lasso" tool in Photoshop - when it works - amazing - but when it fails...

Hope this helps.

The older F70/F72 EXR models also have this.

I think it's quite good, better than CV lenses, not as good as Leica lenses.

 

[charjohncarter]

M9 with an early Serenar Canon 35mm lenses

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

Look into the Sony NEX3/NEX5 or Samsung NX10. All have APS-C sensors, so you're essentially getting the same DOF as a Leica M8, Nikon D300, Canon 7D, etc.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/didmyself/4602178856/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/samsungzone/4437070389/in/set-72157623160266529/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/toma01/4789822341/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/toma01/4907154887/

The NEX are tiny. The NX10 is a big larger, but has a very nice feel. Check dpreview.com for user comments.

 

[kanzlr]

Ricoh GXR + A12 Module (50mm equiv f2.5)
Superb bokeh, beautiful colors, low noise (D300s Sensor, or a close cousin), VERY sharp, great skin tones...wonderful camera. Also, superb ergonomics, great screen and high end materials.

If there was a 35/2.5 module and a 100/2.8 macro module, it could very well be the only camera I'd need.

 

[gavinlg]

Samsung nx10 - I played with one the other day and was REALLY surprised at how well it built it is, how intuitive it is, and how great the EVF + 30mm f2 lens is.