Best Point and Shoot?

[darkchicken101]

I would like a new camera. Requirements:

- Doesn't have to be rediculously small, but still not big and chunky.
- Doesn't have to be cheap, but no stupid prices.
- Image quality is more important than amount of megapixels.
- Needs full manual settings.
- RAW files so I can mess around with them :P

Basically, I'm looking for something with the features of a DSLR but the form factor of a point and shoot.

I looked at the Canon Powershot G9 but it apparently has problems with dust inside the actual camera, which obviously isn't good. Other than that it would be a prime candidate.

Also, no talk about being a snapper or any of this **.

Thanks in advance.

[DarrenToogood]

'Full Manual Settings'

If you are speaking about Shutter Speed, f/stops etc, you will need a D-SLR.

I reccomend the Fujifilm Finepix S5700 for everything else.

[darkchicken101]

Here is what I ask for:


not big and chunky.

Here is what Darren recommends:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/images/article/inline/5000-FujiS57003QUART.jpg

Good job.

Also, you mean to tell me there isn't a point and shoot form factor camera that doesn't have full manual controls?

Here's one:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong9/

Here's another:

http://nikon.com/about/news/2008/0807_coolpixp6000_01.htm

Is there anyone out there that has a clue?

[Recursion]

I got my mum's 8mp Canon PowerShot A720 and installed a custom firmware which boots off the memory card and you get all features, sometimes more, of any D-SLR.

CHDK is what its called, you find the right one, put it onto the memory card, lock the card, turn your camera on and it boots the firmware, but it still saves your images to the locked card. To boot back into the normal Canon firmware you just unlock the card or delete the files and reboot.

That is if you get a nice little Canon camera.

[darkchicken101]

I got my mum's 8mp Canon PowerShot A720 and installed a custom firmware which boots off the memory card and you get all features, sometimes more, of any D-SLR.

CHDK is what its called, you find the right one, put it onto the memory card, lock the card, turn your camera on and it boots the firmware, but it still saves your images to the locked card. To boot back into the normal Canon firmware you just unlock the card or delete the files and reboot.

That is if you get a nice little Canon camera.

But I still need a good camera to put the firmware on :P

[Recursion]

Canon Powershot A720 recommended :P

[Tomm]

Just to point out most point and shoot cameras have a fixed aperture thus you'll never get the features of "full manual" as you want.

[benno123]

The Olympus FE-310.
http://www.olympus.com.au/component/option,com_product/id,291/task,detail/Itemid,69/

Pretty good camera and at a pretty good price too.
...I suppose you can get it in other countries. You can get it in America and Australia I know that.

[348GTS]

Here is what I ask for:



Here is what Darren recommends:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/images/article/inline/5000-FujiS57003QUART.jpg

Good job.

Also, you mean to tell me there isn't a point and shoot form factor camera that doesn't have full manual controls?

Here's one:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong9/

Here's another:

http://nikon.com/about/news/2008/0807_coolpixp6000_01.htm

Is there anyone out there that has a clue?

I hate that Fuji. It doesn't even have Image Stabilizer.


I got my mum's 8mp Canon PowerShot A720 and installed a custom firmware which boots off the memory card and you get all features, sometimes more, of any D-SLR.

CHDK is what its called, you find the right one, put it onto the memory card, lock the card, turn your camera on and it boots the firmware, but it still saves your images to the locked card. To boot back into the normal Canon firmware you just unlock the card or delete the files and reboot.

That is if you get a nice little Canon camera.

I've got this camera sitting right infront of me. I got it for $218.

My little review.

I used this for only car pics. Its got an optical image stabilizer, but it isn't one of those that you can shake your hand extremely violently (like basically throwing it) and still come out with a good picture. The zoom is good, and even at full zoom the pictures come out clear. The double A batteries are great, but you need rechargeables. They last long though, so it isn't much of a problem. Manual settings, you can use. Its got a viewfinder too, so its nice. I know you can change the shutter speed too. It all works out, the perfect P&S for cheap.

If you want to go one above the A720, try the IS300 I believe. Its a bit chunkier and more expensive, but its the ultimate "pre-SLR".

If you have any more questions about the A720 just ask.

[Hayd93]

Donno if this is any use to you. I was looking on this guys blog and found this

http://www.taylorwilsdon.com/industry-news/sigma-dp1-point-and-shoot-slr-previewed

If it is not what you want then sorry.

[N!ck]

TZ5 is apparantly a decent camera for the money. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/145326