Small Camera for Photography Enthusiast

[hotwire132002]

My sister just asked me to help her pick a camera, and I'm hoping someone here might be able to help (I have much more experience on the video side of things, rather than still photography)

My sister is a photography enthusiast; I know she's looking at going into it for a career. That being the case, the first thing I suggested was a DSLR, but I guess she wants to wait on that... both because of cost, and the fact that she's going on a trip overseas and wants a compact camera that she can keep with her without a camera bag or anything...

I personally use a Nikon D40, which obviously falls on the DSLR side of things... and as I mentioned, most of my work is in video, so I really don't know much about still cameras, especially on the "consumer" level.

I'm guessing her budget is going to be $200-$400. Hopefully I've provided enough info for someone to point me in the right direction... but if you need any more info from me, just let me know... Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Qwest905]

i'd recommend a canon g9....one of the best point and shoot cameras

 

[hotwire132002]

i'd recommend a canon g9....one of the best point and shoot cameras

Thanks... looking around these boards, it looks like that camera is suggested a lot... that's got to say something good for it! =)

It appears that the camera has been discontinued, though? Any thoughts on the G10, which appears to be its successor?

 

[Qwest905]

g10 is just as great...but it is a little more expensive..that's why i didn't recommend it

the difference between g9-g10 is the focal length...it doesn't have as long asa reach as the g9 but it has a wider focal length

also higher MP on the g10...

 

[cube]

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmclx3/

 

[dubhe]

I love my Panasonic Lumix LX3 which I bought to replace my DSLR due to size, but it might be a little over budget. The cheaper Lumixs are good too but don't have so many manual options.

You might still find an Lumix LX2 which it replaced...

 

[Qwest905]

yes the lx3 is also a great camera that is probably even better than the g10 ...and much more compact...

just much higher priced

 

[cube]

I love my Panasonic Lumix LX3 which I bought to replace my DSLR due to size, but it might be a little over budget. The cheaper Lumixs are good too but don't have so many manual options.

You might still find an Lumix LX2 which it replaced...

For low budget there is this one:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408budgetgroup/page8.asp

I wouldn't buy a previous generation Panasonic. I am gladly surprised by the improvement the current ones seem to be.

 

[dubhe]

yes the lx3 is also a great camera that is probably even better than the g10 ...and much more compact...

just much higher priced

But it was cheaper than my DSLR it replaced, it is all relative!

 

[Qwest905]

lol very much lower....but not in the price range that the OP was looking for

 

[ChrisA]

I love my Panasonic Lumix LX3 which I bought to replace my DSLR due to size, but it might be a little over budget. The cheaper Lumixs are good too but don't have so many manual options.

You might still find an Lumix LX2 which it replaced...

The Leica and Panasonic versions of the camera are nearly identical. I think Leica just came out with a newer model in this line the really is much beter. But I don't think there is yet a Panasonic version.

I think the only compact cameras that can shoot in RAW format are the Canon G9/G10 and the Leica/Panasonic d-lux/lx series.

You say she is an "enthusiast, looking at going into it for a career" and she does not want to cary a camera bag with her? That seems really odd. Most serious photographers would see the trip in terms of it's photographic opportunities and be planning what gear to take. Maybe she should re-think her planned career.

 

[hotwire132002]

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions... I think I'll do some research into the Canon G10 and Lumix LX3 -- those sound like a couple good options. Hopefully one of them will be a good fit!

 

[Qwest905]

there's quite a few that shoot in raw..but those are the most popular

the fuji high end P&S are pretty good cameras as well and can shoot in raw

 

[147798]

G10 is a good choice. Also look at Panasonic FZ28, which is a very flexible camera (TONS of zoom, RAW, manual controls). It's light and small (for it's size) -- smaller than a DSLR, but bigger than a G10. Also, the TZ5 is a good travel camera -- lots of zoom for a tiny camera. Smaller than the G10.

For vacation travel, always get an extra battery.

 

[cube]

You say she is an "enthusiast, looking at going into it for a career" and she does not want to cary a camera bag with her? That seems really odd. Most serious photographers would see the trip in terms of it's photographic opportunities and be planning what gear to take. Maybe she should re-think her planned career.

Reading the OP's post, I pictured her as a Leica person.

 

[Digital Skunk]

If you are an enthusiast, and looking for a P&S camera there is no better choice IMHO than the Canon G9 or G10.

They are simply the easiest cameras to use in manual mode and give fair image quality.

 

[hotwire132002]

You say she is an "enthusiast, looking at going into it for a career" and she does not want to cary a camera bag with her? That seems really odd. Most serious photographers would see the trip in terms of it's photographic opportunities and be planning what gear to take. Maybe she should re-think her planned career.

That is a good point -- I do find it interesting that she has such a great opportunity for photography and doesn't want to carry a higher-end camera.

Again, I work with video, but whenever I'm on a trip I bring my FX1 (not exactly a compact camera), along with a bag of lighting, mics, extra batteries and other gear... and that all tends to stay with me in case a good shot pops up. I'm not sure what the big deal with carrying a DSLR is for her...

 

[atlanticza]

Just purchased a Canon G10 to complement my D1 kit - great little camera with an optical viewfinder... a better way to go if your sister wants to hit the DSLR range later.