Does it exist?

[giellaleafapmu]

Not sure whether this is OT or not...
What would you consider to be the best digital equivalent of a Rollei 35, a Minolta TC-1 or a Ricoh GR1? By this I mean a camera so small you can bring with you any time, with enough resolution and low noise to allow you to produce prints of the same quality as a last generation digital SRL, a glass au-pair with the best and enough controls together with an ergonomics so that you can shot all manual if you need to without becoming crazy with hidden commands or small puttons.

Just asking because all the compact digital I saw seem to be aimed more to people who will look at their photogrpas only on a computer screen (or perhaps even just on the camera screen) rather then to people who want to bring a small digital camera together with a small film camera in their pocket to get great pictures (if they manage...) even when they were not out taking pictures...

GLF

PS
I forgot to mention, as with the Minolta and the Ricoh price is not part of my question, just small+good sensor+great lens+decent ergonomics.

 

[mfogiel]

The Sigma DP 1 was supposed to be the one, but alas it seems the release date has been postponed.

I am afraid, the only camera that currently gets close to what you want is the Leica M8...

 

[giellaleafapmu]

The Sigma DP 1 was supposed to be the one, but alas it seems the release date has been postponed.

I am afraid, the only camera that currently gets close to what you want is the Leica M8...

Mmmmh, if that's really true (no reason not to believe you, I am just hoping we all forgot some camera) it is a sad truth. An M8 is a relatively big camera which would not go always with me, it is pricey and from what I have seen is not exactly what I would like to use for my shots (I am speaking of sensor now).

Thanks.

GLF

 

[gavinlg]

I think the best at the moment is the canon g7, and the ricoh gr-d

I myself like the gr-d, but I'm waiting for that dp-1 to come out, I think that will be very good. (i'm sick of bustling my clunky 30d+ 17-40L around when go out)

 

[sweathog]

The G7 would be a great piece of kit, if it allowed you to shoot in RAW. However, Canon have removed that option from this model, so it seems to be a camera aimed at the more advanced shooter, but not giving all the options they desire. The 710is is essentially the same camera, but runs on AA batteries.

The GR-D sounded like it was going to be the digital answer to many street photographers' dreams, but it didn't quite deliver on that (particularily it had serious noise issues).

The DP1, although I haven't read any reviews yet, looks like it could be what the GR-D was supposed to be. It uses Sigma's new processor, and a similar sensor setup to the SD14 DSLR. I hope it delivers, I think it will.

 

[Pablito]

The Canon G7 has a quirky interface and I wish it were smaller. The ISO dial on top is nice, but the camera does not live up its promise. I borrowed one from a friend, to try it out, thinking I might buy one, but decided not to after handling it. Another criteria I'd like is a fast, wide lens. There is simply nothing out there that really fits the bill

 

[migtex]

Fuji Finepix F11 or F30, the only negative point.. it's only 35 at lower end of the zoom.
Lower noise of all Non SLR, fast reaction for street photo (0.1 s) and goes up to 1600 or 3200 via one button only.

 

[RayPA]

The Canon G7 has a quirky interface and I wish it were smaller. The ISO dial on top is nice, but the camera does not live up its promise. I borrowed one from a friend, to try it out, thinking I might buy one, but decided not to after handling it. Another criteria I'd like is a fast, wide lens. There is simply nothing out there that really fits the bill

the G6 is better I think. I got one for my daughter. gotta love the fast wide-side f2.0 lens. Fast lenses on digital are disappearing under the rationale "why do you need a fast lens if you can adjust the ISO?"

🙂

 

[giellaleafapmu]

the G6 is better I think. I got one for my daughter. gotta love the fast wide-side f2.0 lens. Fast lenses on digital are disappearing under the rationale "why do you need a fast lens if you can adjust the ISO?"

🙂

Uh? Dept of field without playing with the Gimp (or whatever program you use)? Noise?

Anyway, thank you to everybody for the suggestions. It seems that it was not me who missed some model but rather than what I would like really does not exist. Perhaps the G6 is the one which come closer (not so compact but still much better than any proSLR). I shall see wheter I can find one to try somewhere.

GLF

 

[40oz]

there really isn't anyting I've found that meets the bill. I thought my Fuji E510 would do it, but the lens is horrible - color fringing, distorting, everything is either blown out or straight black, a real disappointment. But it's got full manual control, so if you can find a way to work within the limits, it is barely adequate. Now I'm just looking for a good compact 35mm P&S to replace it.

 

[JCdeR]

F30 is pretty good I have it myself at 800 in B&W mode, photoshopped of course, the images look very nice.

 

[dnemoc]

My choice would be a Leica Digilux 2; this camera never quite grabbed the fancies of the market, but it is lovely, unless you're put off by the digital viewfinder (in case of the Rollei 35S we'ld scale focus anyway). I loved the totally silent shutter. The lens is simply awesome, small enough to carry anywhere, and impressive ergonomics. However, it has to be used at ISO 100, and at best ISO 200; beyond that it's not so good.

 

[sweathog]

My choice would be a Leica Digilux 2; this camera never quite grabbed the fancies of the market, but it is lovely, unless you're put off by the digital viewfinder (in case of the Rollei 35S we'ld scale focus anyway). I loved the <i>totally silent</i> shutter. The lens is simply awesome, small enough to carry anywhere, and impressive ergonomics. However, it has to be used at ISO 100, and at best ISO 200; beyond that it's not so good.

Isn't the Digilux series just rebranded Panasonic Lumix's?

 

[Pablito]

Isn't the Digilux series just rebranded Panasonic Lumix's?

mainly but there are firmware differences.

 

[Eryximachos]

I second dnemoc's positive comments about the Leica [aka Panasonic] Digilux 2. The size, build quality & speed of operation are assets. The 16:9 aspect ratio is great. An unexpected peeve with it is that there's no way to handle the Digilux 2 like other briefcase/pocket cameras. You have to treat it sort of delicately because there is no lens protection other than the lightweight lens cap that doesnt stay on. The retracting lens design doesn't permit a UV filter (nor are there threads). The Oly 5050, which has the same kind of retracting zoom lens design, allows use of an auxiliary adapter that protects the lens and allows the use of a protective filter.

 

[RayPA]

I second dnemoc's positive comments about the Leica [aka Panasonic] Digilux 2. The size, build quality & speed of operation are assets. The 16:9 aspect ratio is great. An unexpected peeve with it is that there's no way to handle the Digilux 2 like other briefcase/pocket cameras. You have to treat it sort of delicately because there is no lens protection other than the lightweight lens cap that doesnt stay on. The retracting lens design doesn't permit a UV filter (nor are there threads). The Oly 5050, which has the same kind of retracting zoom lens design, allows use of an auxiliary adapter that protects the lens and allows the use of a protective filter.

I think you guys are referring to the D-Lux 2, no? I've got the Digilux 2, and it is NOT a briefcase/pocket camera, nor does the lens retract. It does have a EVF and a GREAT lens (Asph Vario D Summicron). It's a beautiful camera for portraiture.

🙂

 

[Eryximachos]

yes; the D-Lux 2. thanks.

 

[dnemoc]

I was talking about the Digilux 2; there are firmware differences between the Panasonic Lumix (I think LC1 or something like that) and the Digilux 2. It's not a pocketable thing (unless you have very large pockets indeed), no doubt, unlike the Rollei 35s, mainly because of the size of the lens, but it's worth it. It's a 5 MP camera, but the optics is stunning 🙂 All the controls are just as in a Leica M (as far as I remember). I regret that I had to sell it.

In retrospect, I think Leica made a mess with naming their cameras... D-Lux and Digilux, then V-Lux...