Digital P&S user out of the closet

[migtex]

The Fuji F series!
I got two F11! You can chose A or S priority (or auto). Amazing ISO at 800 (or even 1600).
If possible get a F30/F31.
You can't go wrong with it!
Small (on your hand only the lens go out between fingers ;-) ), no noise, no sound, extremely fast on shooting (no usual lag of P&S) no need of AF iluminator (but has it too).
Just 35 (@2.8) to 105.
Don't lose much!

Example: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=F11&w=71596938%40N00

 

[saxshooter]

Another nod to the Fuji F30/F31fd... both discontinued, but you may be able to find one refurbished. The image quality is amazing -- in a class of its own. ASA 800/1600 are almost on the level of a dSLR. Do a web search on it... it has a major cult following.

 

[Pherdinand]

And how's the ricoh caplio r6? I just bought it for someone as a group present...i kinda like the ricoh digitals' speed aka lack of shutter lag...and their design is okay. But dunno the image quality.

 

[saxshooter]

The Fuji F30/F31fd are not the prettiest cameras (I've got 'em), but when you compare image quality at iso 400 and higher with the sexier Leica/Panasonic point and shoot offerings, there is no comparison... Fuji had something good going with their 6 MP Super CCD... the imager itself was larger than most point and shoots. But unfortunately, Fuji is chasing the megapixel race, and more megapixel means more noise in your image...

It all depends. If you think you will do most of your shooting outdoors and can live at asa 100 with these point and shoots, you'll be OK. A lot of the current cameras start looking pretty rough at asa 400...

 

[Jim Watts]

Another nod to the Fuji F30/F31fd... both discontinued, but you may be able to find one refurbished. The image quality is amazing -- in a class of its own. ASA 800/1600 are almost on the level of a dSLR. Do a web search on it... it has a major cult following.

I have both the GRD (with CV 28/35 minifinder) and the Fuji F30. As a camera I much, much prefer the GRD, but for higher iso's the Fuji has more than a slight edge for me. I know the GRD has its supporters for the 'film grain' like noise and there are work rounds to improve the noise levels. In B & W its not too bad, but if I want colour I shoot with the Fuji. Its just a pity about the 'crap' handling experience of the Fuji compared to the GRD.

Attached 3 shots from an opening at White Cube Gallery last Tuesday night. All on the Fuji F30 at 1600 iso with low shutter speeds as the light was very poor.

 

[kuvvy]

I have to agree the handling of the Fuji F30 isn't great but it's probably the same as most tiny digicams. The images it produces are very good though. However the camera I prefer to pick up is my Canon G7, shown here with it's new grip. It's near rangefinder feel makes it my first option most of the time and despite it's knockers it produces nice pix.

 

[ywenz]

GRD shooter here:

 

[Richard Black]

I like the Olympus SP350. Shoots RAW and all jpg. Put it on auto and it is a great P&S then use the other settings for just about anything else. F2.8 is moderate. Great images and large files!

 

[DougK]

I still use my Olympus C-7070WZ a fair amount. It's produced some beautiful 11" x 14" prints for me. Here's a couple of shots from mine (downsized for the web):

 

[dazedgonebye]

I recently bought my wife a Nikon Coolpix L12. Nothing stellar really, but takes a better than decent shot with no thought required. Very portable and not so expensive that you will cry when it gets beat up in your pocket.

As an aside...
Some years ago, I had a trip to Italy with an old Nikon 2mp 2x zoom. Incredibly limiting by today's standards, but I've got a load of 5x7s and 8x10s from it that non-photo people rave over.
My point...having the camera with you is mostly what matters. Today's technology is all good.

 

[biomed]

I ended up buying the Lumix DMC TZ-3. I got a great deal on a new one. The 10X optical zoom (28 - 280 35mm equivalent) was a big selling point. At the wide and tele extremes there is no visible distortion. It isn't as compact as some of the other cameras I looked at, but the slightly larger size makes it easier to hold. The main drawback is the nearly complete lack of manual control. As soon as I figure out this Pana-Leica, I will post some shots.

 

[jolefler]

I have to say I've been pleased with the two Lumix models I've owned: a DMC-LC80 and currently a DMC-FZ8.

The LC80 was a true P&S, fitting in a shirt pocket with room to spare. To me the drawback was the lack of manual control of the camera. Nice pics/easy carry.

The FZ-8 has everything I want...manual ex, manual focus, long zoom. It's drawback is slightly larger size. Nowhere near a DSLR, but won't fit in a shirt pocket. The REALLY DESIRABLE features of the FZ, to me are a RAW mode, higher ISO's (but kinda noisy), I only have one digicam, and am happy with this.

 

[retow]

Sold my D-lux 3 and replaced it with the Ricoh GX 100 two weeks ago.
EVF, full manual controls, DNG raw, 24 (!)-72mm lens, understated look and competent feel with a rubber handgrip fitting perfectly into the palm make the Ricoh the better choice, at least for me.

😀

 

[kevin m]

The Fuji F-series have wonderful high ISO image quality, but with a very unpleasant interface. Just awful to use, IMO. Fiddly buttons and bad menus. And the XD cards are a PITA. I was always fighting to get my card reader to read the things, then I often had to reformat the card again to get the camera to accept it. Blech.

I'm using a PanaLeica LX1 now and loving it. Takes SD cards. ISO 200 is good, but it falls apart above that. But the interface is just lovely. Intuitive and quick to use, and even though it doesn't have manual exposure control, the dedicated +/- exposure compensation knob allows up to two full stops control in 1/3 stop increments.

The best thing, though, is the 16:9 sensor with the 28mm lens. If you like to shoot wide, you have to check out the pana-leicas. 🙂

 

[biomed]

Here are are some of the first shots with the Lumix DMC TZ-3. All in all, it is a pretty nice camera.

http://tinyurl.com/2vxjef

 

[Chemophilic]

This is my first time posting on this forum so I guess this is an informal hello. I would second kevin m's post re: Panasonic LX1. I had one 2 years ago and the panoramic pictures from it were really sweet. I really regretted selling it so to remedy that, I just picked one up last week. Can't wait to take it out for some shooting!

 

[ywenz]

Mississippi river in the afternoon sun:

 

[Avotius]

Hello, my name is Colin, its been 7 years since I bought a digital point and shoot, but today I couldn't control myself and shot up with a GRD.

 

[Epimetheus]

I use Fuji F30 when I don't want to carry anything heavier.

Here is couple sets with it:

http://markuspuustinen.com/galleriat/07/05/san_francisco_part_1/
http://markuspuustinen.com/galleriat/07/05/san_francisco_part_2/

 

[rbiemer]

Tiger Direct has Samsung NV7 cameras on sale--I get their emails from buying some computer stuff--$149 after $50 rebate.
Rob