Is there a digital camera that comes close-Not M8 or RD1?

[jano]

I'm really curious about how it will turn out in reality. The prototype shown doesn't have a viewfinder, and neither does it have an accessory shoe where you could put one.. The fixed lens big sensor concept is very appealing though..

Notice how there's a macro button, too? I wonder how they expect to macro with a 28mm equiv fov.. distorted like heck! Slow lens, too.

 

[ywenz]

Notice how there's a macro button, too? I wonder how they expect to macro with a 28mm equiv fov.. distorted like heck! Slow lens, too.

Here is a macro at 28mm equiv on my GRD..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ywen/265624873/in/set-72157594318358238/

 

[sf]

The Ricoh GR-D gets a lot comment, but there curiously is not a peep around about the 2 or 3 other 28mm Ricoh digitals. Why? Are they dogs?

If the Fuji F30 was 28mm I'd buy it.

Newest Canon SD800is or SD900is (one of them or both) does go to 28mm equivalent. I love my SD700is.

 

[visiondr]

George,
It seems you like your SD700IS. I have been looking at this model as a replacement for a broken down 35mm Olympus Stylus zoom. My wife needs a nice little digicam (of course, I'll use it too). My big question is regarding the dreaded shutter lag of the small digis. What's the lag like on the SD700IS? Are there any other features and/or attributes you could mention?

Ron

 

[nightfly]

Do any of these have the black and white film look that people like so much in the Ricoh GR-D?

It would be great to have a nice wide angle with film like black and white images without having to spend $600 for a point and shoot.

 

[pvdhaar]

Notice how there's a macro button, too? I wonder how they expect to macro with a 28mm equiv fov.. distorted like heck! Slow lens, too.

I don't think there's something wrong with 28mm equiv. macro. After all, it was also one of the focal length that the Olympus OM macros came in. Granted, it's not ideal for insects where you need all the working distance you can get, but it's suberb for flowers in the landscape, where you need to maintain the impression of depth and perspective..

 

[Abbazz]

The Ricoh GR-D gets a lot comment, but there curiously is not a peep around about the 2 or 3 other 28mm Ricoh digitals. Why? Are they dogs?

Many Ricoh digicams got very good reviews in most parts of the world, but they did not retail in the US, for some obscure marketing reason. Thanks to the good sales of the GR-D, this situation seems to be slowly evolving now. The Caplio R5 has been made available in the US in November 2006, while it's been distributed worldwide since March 2006.

Cheers,

Abbazz

 

[JohnL]

The Canon Powershot G7 has the looks, but the absense of RAW and some issues as reported on dpreview drive me away from it.

My dream compact would be the G7 with RAW and a faster 3x zoom. But as it is, the Contax TVS will see some more film.

I had exactly the same opinion after first reading the specs of the G7, lacking RAW, but I decided to make a test with my G5, shooting JPGs for a while instead of RAW. I found that IF I get exposure and WB pretty close, which I usually can, and if I convert the JPG to 16-bit TIF before I start any PP, then so far I have been able to avoid any posterization issues or other problems. Of course if there are any blown highlights, they stay blown, but if you get the exposure as you want it in the first place, the only BHs will be ones that one can expect to be blown anyway.

So I just ordered a G7. It should arrive by the end of this week.

 

[photogdave]

Shutter lag is pretty much a thing of the past with today's digicams. However, many people misinterpret FOCUS lag for shutter lag, because they don't know how to prefocus!

 

[stephen_lumsden]

G7 info

G7 info

Hi

I also got a G7 but have not fully tested it yet. What made the decision for me is that I got it in a deal which included the Canon soft case which is effectively like an ERC, which should complete the RF feel without spending thousands. Until the I for good bokeh I will just have to get by with my tlrs, rollei and Kiev.

regards

Stephen

 

[erichard44]

As a current Sigma SD10 user, as well as having a Contax G2 and Voigt R2 with the Ultron 35, I visit the various Sigma forums as well. It appears that the specs for the DP1 are not entirely final. It probably will have the 28mm equiv. lens, but it could go to 35 and, after a lot of complaints, it looks like it may have an accessory shoe for a viewfinder, if not an OVF. Sigma got a lot of input on the camera from Sigma users after the prototype was shown. Based on the performance of the SD14, as noted in the Sigma forums by some testers of the SD14, the DP1 ought to be a match for the M8, image quality-wise, because it uses the SD14 chip. The SD14 sensor appears to perform better than most (all? No one knows, yet) 8-10MP Bayer sensors. The slow 28mm lens equiv was chosen to keep the lens from getting too big on the camera. In addition, the Sigma/Foveon sensor produces excellent BW images. The camera is eagerly awaited, to say the least.

 

[Bill58]

What a novel idea--listening to potential users/ customers. Fantastic!

 

[sf]

George,
It seems you like your SD700IS. I have been looking at this model as a replacement for a broken down 35mm Olympus Stylus zoom. My wife needs a nice little digicam (of course, I'll use it too). My big question is regarding the dreaded shutter lag of the small digis. What's the lag like on the SD700IS? Are there any other features and/or attributes you could mention?

Ron

a bit late on this reply, but:

There isn't much for lag on the Canon. If any at all. It is tough - has survived a number of really harsh tumbles onto pavement (twice while running), and only the little clickwheel stopped clicking. I fixed that now, though.

The image quality is great, even in low light, the B+W mode is perfect, the movies are gorgeous, and the battery never dies. Hasn't died once since I've owned it - even after hours of shooting pics and vids on my recent vacation.

I am considering replacing it with the SD900is or the new Sigma DP1 when it comes out. I'd love the SD series to offer RAW. The RAW on my D200 is a great thing.

 

[kevin m]

All the digicams I've owned - including the Canon G5 and Fuji F10 - can't hold a candle to DSLR image quality.

Pentax has a new line of compact prime lenses for the DSLR's which would make them smaller and less intimidating, even if not as quiet as a P&S. Perhaps one could use their new 21mm lens, set the camera to manual and put a 28mm optical finder in the hot shoe to duplicate the rangefinder experience on a budget. From and image-quality standpoint, it would blow the P&S's out of the water.

 

[rvaubel]

No, there is not a digicam that comes even close to the RD1 or the M8. I wish it were true but the pathetic size of the sensors make it impossible.

But if Canon would build a G7 with a 4/3rds sensor, that would do the trick. Granted, it would have to be a bit bigger, but not bigger than the M8/RD1. Scale the megapixel thing back to the original 6mp to get better ISO and you would have a winner. Of course the marketing gurus would bit a hex on that one

Rex

 

[tpsfoto]

Try the Olympus E-330 great camera ...sort of a rangefinder look....but is an unusual slr....great optics....raw & all of the toys.....noise level very low.
Also a small Slr cheap & great quality ....Canon Rebel XTi

Larry
tpsfoto@aol.com

 

[kevin m]

Welcome, Larry!

Would you indulge my curiousity and tell me what that lens is on your back? As someone who owns nothing longer than a 100mm in an EF mount, I'm dying to know. 😀

 

[Gray Fox]

I just went to Best Buy and tried one of the Nikon D40s. The kit lens is 18-55 (28-80), the body is very compact, and I put it on manual exposure and got perfect exposures inside w/o flash on auto WB. The camera is much quieter than my G2 both to focus and shutter, and it has raw---all for $600. I may have to give it a try. If not it'll be the G7.

 

[tpsfoto]

To Kevin M
That is a 400mm F2.8 Canon.....I am one of the NY Jets on field photographers.

Larry

 

[Nick R.]

Try the Olympus E-330 great camera ...sort of a rangefinder look....but is an unusual slr....great optics....raw & all of the toys.....noise level very low.
Also a small Slr cheap & great quality ....Canon Rebel XTi

Larry
tpsfoto@aol.com

I also recommend the E-330. Very RF like in use but has all the advantages of a dslr. After having it a month, I sold my pocket digicam. I found the oly convenient enough to carry most anywhere.