I'm looking for a high end compact for my travels. I can't be doing with carrying my 40D with lenses/laptop where ever i go, so it'll be nice to have a compact with me. I was looking at the new Sigma DP1 but from reviews, it seems like it's failed at what it was supposed to do. The Canon G9 (sort of compact ) looks like my best bet, am i right?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
High End Compact Wanted
- Thread starter saxondale.
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I just got an Olympus SP570UZ last week. I'm a photography n00b and learning to use it so I can't tell you much about it. I was also considering a Canon G9 but liked the way the Oly felt in my hand better. Here's a review of it and the Olympus camera site. Good luck.
http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3455&review=olympus+sp+570
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1367
http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3455&review=olympus+sp+570
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1367
The Canon G9 is a very nice camera.
My other recommendation would be anything from the Sony DSC line - they have excellent lenses as well as awesome sensors. (Although they're more of a bridge camera)
My other recommendation would be anything from the Sony DSC line - they have excellent lenses as well as awesome sensors. (Although they're more of a bridge camera)
Canon G9 gets my vote, great camera to use and carry. Lovely size and feel, and the build quality is great. Shooting RAW you can get fab results. It is rubbish when used at any ISO above 400 however - the noise really kicks in. It only goes to 35mm fully zoomed out too, I wish it went to 28mm...
Panasonic sells a version of the Leica D-lux 3 for only $350. It's identical except for how some default menu options are set and a rubber grip.
The G9 is nice because it can use a Canon speed light that you may already own.
It would be fun to shoot an M8. It's a step up in terms of image quality from the Canon DSLR while all the other compacts are a few steps down. To bad the price puts it out of reach.
you can't go far wrong with a Canon G9 - it is fantastic and the best compact digital in my opinion - personally I'm waiting to see what happens in August when the rumors are that Canon will be annoncing the G10 with a DSLR sized sensor (not full frame but larger than all compact sensors)
I have the Canon G9 and can highly recommend it. It goes places my 1Ds will not. With 12.1 megapixels, RAW capability, face detection and anti-shake technology it is the compact camera to buy.
Need High End Compact for Travel
I recently went to China and took along my Ricoh Caolio GX100. It is one of the best cameras I have ever used, the best for travel. The lens is sharp and ultra wide angle, built like a tank and can really take abuse. Check out the results, go to http://www.chevalierphotographyllc.com and look at the China pictures. I have blown some of these up to 16x20 with just amazing results.
Mark
I recently went to China and took along my Ricoh Caolio GX100. It is one of the best cameras I have ever used, the best for travel. The lens is sharp and ultra wide angle, built like a tank and can really take abuse. Check out the results, go to http://www.chevalierphotographyllc.com and look at the China pictures. I have blown some of these up to 16x20 with just amazing results.
Mark
I have the Sigma DP-1, and I mostly agree with DPReview's review (as you've probably read). It does take some getting used to, much slower, not as versatile as the G9.
It however does have marvelous image quality. I don't wear tight pants, so it also fits in my pocket just fine. If you have any questions about it, please let me know, I'm one of the rare DP-1 users on MR (I think).
John
It however does have marvelous image quality. I don't wear tight pants, so it also fits in my pocket just fine. If you have any questions about it, please let me know, I'm one of the rare DP-1 users on MR (I think).
John
The D9 (and if you shoot 9:16 the D-lux3) are both different then many other compacts in that both have a slightly larger sensor. The larger senors make for lower noise and better low light ability and higher cost. The other thing that makes the G9 (and dlux3) "special" is that they can save images to RAW format.
It's the sensor that drives both image quality and the price tag Notice the M8 has a sensor larger than the Canon APS-C or Nikon DX DSLRs do and has a price also higher then the DSLR. Price go to five digits once you go to medium format.
While true that the sensor drives up the price tag, the reason the M8 is so expensive is not just the sensor (1.3x crop factor), but the rangefinder form-factor.
The Dp1 doesn't fail, it's just slower than what it should be.
i.e. It's aimed at a special market like street photographers but the time between buffers isn't enough to shoot fast enough.
i.e. It's aimed at a special market like street photographers but the time between buffers isn't enough to shoot fast enough.
Well, the GX100 has a sensor of the same size, less megapixels (but not as few as I'd like), shoots RAW, and goes down to 24mm (19mm with wide angle converter). I fail to be impressed by the G9.
As already mentioned, the Leica D-Lux3 is worth considering .. 
Great build quality, awesome images but unfortunately doesn't have a viewfinder.
Great build quality, awesome images but unfortunately doesn't have a viewfinder.
What I've read is that if you shoot RAW format the Panasonic is identical to the Lieca where they differ is the in-camer raw to jpg conversion. The menu defaults in the Panasonic to a selections that reflect typical consummer preference for more color saturation and sharpening while the Leica is set to be more accurate. But in either case you can change the defaults or if you shoot raw the issue is moot.
About the sensors. If you shoot wide, either 2:3 or 9:16 the sensor is "large" (relative to other P&S cameras) becasue you are not cropping the sensor. Almost all other P&S camera have a native 3:4 sensor so if shoot 2:3 format you have to crop and make the sensor in effect smaler. But if you like 4:3 the leica/panasonic sensor is a waste
To really know what's best you are going to have to look at sample images. dpreview likey has some.
Very well put ChrisA .. Also the Leica has an alloy body not polycarbonate.
I always shoot .JPG in 16:9 format as my main interest (now I have retired) is to make DVD slide shows for my wide screen TV
The D-Lux is an awesome little camera and produces great images.
FJ
Also the Leica has an alloy body not polycarbonate. I always shoot .JPG in 16:9 format as my main interest (now I have retired) is to make DVD slide shows for my wide screen TV
The D-Lux is an awesome little camera and produces great images.
FJ
