Best small P+S camera

[usayit]

Just my opinion....

Most P&S do horribly indoors because of their tiny sensor.

The high end point&shoots that were suggested (LX5, S95, G12, ZX-1) are all equipped with a larger sensor and in some cases (LX5 and S95) come with fast aperture lenses. Both of which are a big advantage for indoor non-flash use. Not anywhere as good as a DSLR but much better non-the-less. Don't get me wrong, I shoot with P&S cameras as well (Panasonic TZ5 currently) and have produced wonderful images with them. But they do so in ideal (good light) conditions... which is awfully limiting at times. I can definitely see a difference between my tiny sensor TZ5 and my high end P&S LX3. Both of which are used with flashes once the lighting conditions degrade.

If you budget $120 for a low end point n' shoot, you might as well as invest the money in a newer iPhone 4/4S which will be available for pictures ready to go all the time.

 

[TenaciousTins]

Yeah...you'd think...but U.S. Cellular doesn't have iPhones available...although they do have other types that are really good...I'd rather be using a phone, trust me!

It sounds (and looks) like the A1200 is pretty good in low light/indoors...it's one of the things that reviewers consistently said.

Unfortunately with U.S. Cellular (maybe everywhere) they force you to buy a data plan with your phone which is something I'm not interested in as it costs so much more every month and we have a great family plan right now. Boo.

 

[enzodm]

It sounds (and looks) like the A1200 is pretty good in low light/indoors...it's one of the things that reviewers consistently said.

well, low light is not the specialty of the A1200, of course (tiny sensor and lens so-so). And flash cycling is very slow: expect to wait before shooting. However, I'm not sure how an iPhone could be better than it (here a somewhat nontechnical comparison of different kinds: Can the iPhone 4S replace a "real" digital camera? Ars investigates )

 

[Holydeath]

What about lego camera?

 

[rgribbons]

Canon s95 is the best small point and shoot on the market right now. Period.

As far as itouch photos, they must have slacked on that camera. I have an iPhone 4 and It has totally eliminated my need for a point and shoot.

Curious if you have printed any of the images from your iPhone? I have the 4s and use it for what it is, great for webshots and when I need to send a quick email of something for work. I dont however have any illusions of printing these images for any sort of print work.

I use a G12 for a point and shoot but its not really small, but great images.

Here are a few I have taken with my iPhone 4, printed and hung on my wall. People find it hard to accept they are from a phone.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/richieg2007/5848162400/in/photostream


http://www.flickr.com/photos/richieg2007/5847624371/in/photostream

 

[Groupcaptainbonzo]

The way to produce a good image (after you have done the brain eye coordination bit) is by using a good quality lens and a good quality sensor, even more important as the light levels decrease. The short answer is that to achieve great images you need good kit , and it comes with a price tag.
You will be hard pushed to best the results of a top range DSLR with a fast top quality marque lens
However... FujiX -1000 is excellent (although at £1000.00 you would expect that) and Leica do a whole range of superb compacts ( wehich can be used as P& S. although that is not the main idea and come in between £800.00 and about £4000.00). I myself have a Leica D-Lux 5 and have great results. But frankly I can't help but think you are looking for something a little cheaper. So it is the same advice I give everyone who asks me about buying a camera. Buy the newest top quality model
you can afford (new technology , good build quality, reliability ). Stick to a name you know and trust ( choose Canon or Nikon over Happy pic or plastic snap). And get to know how to use it. Where poss AVOID P&S . Use the other settings.

 

[TenaciousTins]

Thanks Group...I have a DSLR, the Canon Rebel T1i and a couple of lenses and some other equipment. However, it would be rather obvious if I was using them in the airport so I just want something small and compact like the A1200 that takes pictures that are better than my poor little iTouch's 0.7 megapixel. I would likely carry it with me other places where I didn't want to carry my DSLR but it'd mainly be used as a travel camera for the places where a big camera is too obvious.

And wow, those iPhone pictures are amazing...that's crazy!! I looked at all of the phones my carrier has and none of them that are any good with a camera allow me to have the phone without a data plan. I discussed it with hubby but he said it's a no go, just can't afford to tack it on at the moment. I wonder if the newer iTouches have better pics. Even if they do, a new iTouch is more than a cheaper P+S lol. I'm not too worried about low light situations as airports are pretty well lit and there are flashes going off everywhere. I also have plenty of time to chill out in each of the terminals so time isn't an issue.

Thanks for all your input!

 

[Marc32]

I had the same issue...looking for a compact everyday camera for short money. If it breaks or I lose it, oh well. The s95 is a very good camera, but I ended up with the Panasonic DMC-FZ9. Canon has their low light stuff figured out, but also a lot of issues with the 'lens error' message. This renders the camera virtually useless. It seems to be hit or miss with Canon point and shoots. I liked the long zoom the Panasonic has at 16x. Leica lens, and easy to use. Not a DSLR, but still a good pocket camera that fit my needs. Amazon has it for $129 right now. Gets good reviews there at 4 1/2 stars. Might be what you are looking for.

 

[TenaciousTins]

Thanks for recommending that...I will look into it as well!

I just realized that my sister has a Canon Powershot A3100 that we bought her a couple years ago...she doesn't like it much and never uses it but I'm wondering if it would cover the bases of what I am looking for. Maybe I will do some test shooting. It's just sitting on my TV stand and has been there for quite a while lol

 

[TenaciousTins]

So the A3100 is a no go. Just as grainy as my iTouch when it comes to indoors. Even the photos aren't that good. Eek.

What about the canon ELPH 100? I'm hearing good things about that. What about that versus the A1200?

 

[photo guy]

For small cameras that I have seen I would say Canon, Nikon, Sony

 

[Destin]

For small cameras that I have seen I would say Canon, Nikon, Sony

way to be specific. You just narrowed the OP's options down from thousands, to hundreds!

 

[enzodm]

So the A3100 is a no go. Just as grainy as my iTouch when it comes to indoors. Even the photos aren't that good. Eek.

What about the canon ELPH 100? I'm hearing good things about that. What about that versus the A1200?

Consider that most likely all three share exactly the same sensor, plus the A3100 and ELPH are also stabilized, and ELPH and A1200 have the same lens. 120$ is not much, and it is unlikely you will find something really better indoors, because sensor size is very similar in most of those cheap cameras, regardless of the brand. If some is apparently better, is just software noise reduction.
There are other variables to reason on when using these cameras: how wide is the zoom end (typically 28 vs 35 mm), speed of operation, size, stabilization, video capabilities, manual controls (if any). For shutter lag, I was tempted to buy a Panasonic DMC-S3 - but my decided budget was lower than yours. In case, consider it because is stabilized, 0.2 seconds shutter lag (Canons are around 0.5, full AF), 28mm like A1200 and ELPH. However, do not expect miracles on noise. If you want something better, you have to spend more, or try to find an used Fuji with SuperCCD sensor, that behave well at low light (e.g., F70EXR among the cheapest recent ones).
A review for A1200, with at the end a link to DMC-S3: Canon Powershot A1200 Review
You may compare some camera features here: Compare Digital Cameras - Camera Prices and Reviews

 

[TenaciousTins]

I do agree, 120 isn't much. But I don't need much...basically anything will be better than my iTouch. My sister's camera would work, but I wouldn't mind owning my own and it seems the A1200 is probably better. In that compare link, the A3100 doesn't even show up so it must be a relatively older model or something along those lines.

I will also consider the Panasonic as well. I have seen several good things about their Lumix line especially in regards to lighting. For instance, a few years ago, DPReviews put the Lumix LZ8 at the top of the list above two Canons, a Nikon, a Kodak, a Fujifilm, a Sony, an Olympus, and a Samsung. That particular camera is also relatively inexpensive...but the article is fairly old so definitely not up to date on info.

Airports are usually pretty well lit so I'm not worried about low lighting conditions, since most of what I will take is videos. I just want something relatively small and light to bring with me. The ELPH 100 seems smaller and lighter and has about the same ratings as an A1200 with a higher price tag. But it also has 1080 movie as opposed to the A1200 which has 780. So that all plays in. So confusing! I wish I could afford the S95...or even borrow one...that would be so very ideal!

 

[TenaciousTins]

And another camera comes into view...I am raising my price limit to 150 as I should be able to afford that no problem in about a month. So this camera seems pretty well rated...I'd like to know how it is with video...but I imagine it is good. I can't find much video taken from it, however.

Amazon.com: Panasonic DMC-ZS9 14.1MP Digital Camera with 16x Optical Zoom and 21x Intelligent Zoom Function (Black): Camera & Photo