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I’m looking at replacing my old digital camera and initially wanted to buy a DSLR, but now I think I’d rather go with something more compact and lightweight. What’s a really nice point-and-shoot camera but with DSLR results?
What’s The Best Type Of Camera That’s Point-and-shoot But Takes Photos That’s Close To A Dslr?
12 Responses to “What’s The Best Type Of Camera That’s Point-and-shoot But Takes Photos That’s Close To A Dslr?”
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If you’re looking for a camera with interchangeable lenses but is compact check out these:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Olympus EP-1 and EP-2
They both are part of the Micro Four Thirds system (source #1) which is a smaller sensor than a DSLR (usually APS-C, more expensive cameras are full frame) but larger than a point and shoot. Check out a chart from Wikipedia (source #2). You can change lenses with these cameras which is a huge plus over your basic point and shoot. I would recommend the Panasonic over the Olympus.
Amazing portable point and shoot camera:
Canon Powershot S90 – This camera is the best P&S out there. It offer’s great low light capabilities. Gizmodo (#3) says “A Powershot dressed up in an ELPH suit, Canon is aiming the point-and-shoot at the “advanced amateur.”"
specs:
10-megapixel
super 28mm wide-angle f/2.0 lens
RAW and JPEG.
My choice would be the S90 but I’ll leave that up to you. Thanks for reading my answer – you can see me on Twitter @niccapo and my blog at http://www.ireddit.net – my flickr is at http://www.flickr.com/photos/13ideas
There are basically two types of digital cameras. The point-and-shoot and the dSLR. The dSLR is technically better because it offers all the controls needed to adjust the properties of the resulting picture.
Consistently obtaining fabulous photographs require the knowledge of the basic principles of photography. With this in mind, a dSLR in the hands of someone who knows no better than to use it solely in automatic mode will not take good pictures most of the time. The other way around, a simple point-and-shoot camera devoid of controls will perform beyond par and can produce exciting photographs when handled by a knowledgeable user. It is the user that creates the picture. The camera is just a tool.
For most picture-takers that insist on quality, the most recommended point-and-shoot camera brands are Canon, Sony and Lumix due to their ease of use and tough building standards.
Unfortunately, this is one of those times when you can’t have it both ways. You either get the convenience of a digital that is small and portable, or the quality of a dslr that is a pain to carry around for every day occasions. With a point and shoot, you don’t have the flexibility of different lenses to get the results you can with a dslr. The image sensors are also smaller on point and shoots, which means less light is getting through. This will result in inferior low light performance, which means if it is not bright, you will often end up with blurry or grainy images. Your best bet is to get one of each if you can afford it. They both have their place. I bought a camera that was somewhere in between, and it is neither easily portable nor dslr quality.
If you are serious about photography but don’t want to be lumping a DSLR around all the time, then consider buying both a P&S and a DSLR.
You will never get the results from the P&S that you can from a DSLR, but then you can’t pop the DSLR in your pocket.
If you told me I could only have one or the other, I’d have a breakdown – I love both too much!
*Currently using a Sony A700 with about 6 different lenses and
A Sony DSC-WX1 compact P&S, one tiny but superb camera!
I am surprised that no one even bothered to point out that it’s the ‘photographer’ and not the camera who makes the photos.
Almost any present day point & shoot can provide picture results comparable to a DSLR in the right hands.
Go to a shop and try out various camera models. Look at the buttons and feel them. Feel the camera as a whole. The one that is most comfortable for YOU is the camera that’ll be closest to a DSLR for you.
I recommend Canon PowerShot SX20IS 12.1MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch Articulating LCD.http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002LIT…
There are only three compact-ish cameras that have dSLR-like quality but they are dSLR money.
That would be the Panasonic GF1, The Olympus EP 1 and Sigma’s DP2.
If you are thinking low cost compacts, like anything under 400 bucks, that camera does not exist. You’ll pay for dSLR quality. If you want great pics, look for a rock bottom, entry level dSLR that’s used.
A used DSLR. Seriously, you should consider buy used on eBay if you really want a DSLR. DSLRs are just as easy to use as point-and-soot, take better photos, and leave more room for creativity and expansion. If you are serious about photography you should research buy a used SLR. SLRs are a much better starting place.
I bought my Nikon D40x body for $340 on eBay over a year ago as a factory referb. The lens was another $100 on KEH.com. I recommend it.
Hope that helps.
TheGanjaGuru,http://theganjaguru.blogspot.com
just buy a dslr for image-quality.
GF1 or E-P1/P2 still has smaller sensor than entry-level dslr (APS-C).
so entry-level dslr has better ISO performance at dim light condition.
if u want small dslr, buy pentax K-x/K-m with pancake lens, the Pentax DA 40mm.
that’s perfect for daily use.
If you want a point and shoot that takes photos like a DSLR, look for a Leica D Lux or Sigma DP1/DP2
You are sort of asking what kind of high-end mountain bike can perform closely to a Harley.
They are two different animals
Here is what a DSLR has that any P&S does not.
Large sensor (15x larger)
Interchangeable lenses (from fisheye to extreme telephoto)
Totally adjustable shutter speeds, aperture and extensive electronics that far exceed that found on an P&S camera
So, you can see that you will not find much similar between a P&S and DSLR.
There are some DSLR’s that are lightweight and rather small, actually about the same size as the most advance P&S cameras.
Look for one that has at least a 20x zoom, with aperture and shutter speed priority modes as well as manual focus .. that will be the closest you may get to a real DSLR
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot Image Stabilizationhttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B001SEQPGK?tag=…
Nikon Coolpix S630 12MP Digital Camera with 7x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7 inch LCDhttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PKAG0I?tag=…
Canon PowerShot SX20IS 12.1MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch Articulating LCDhttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B002LITT3I?tag=…