Need an all rounder - Novice needs some advide.

Saulyboy · Post by **Saulyboy** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 10:26 am

Hi guys,

Been toying with the idea of a new fishing camera for a while now. I've an Olympus Mju for throwing about the place and of course getting wet but I want something for the non fishy landscape photos. I'm not looking to spend a fortune or buy a brick, somewhere in the region of £400 for a smallish camera.
There seems to be a few entry level DSLR's that could fit the bill but I suspect one of these all singing all dancing compacts might be a better choice.
I'm ideally looking for something that is not all that bulky, will take decent photos with depth of field when I'm in the countryside and a half decent video facility i.e. an all rounder if there is such a thing!

It's a bloody mine field out there with cameras so any advice would be most welcome.

Cheers

petevicar · Post by **petevicar** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 10:59 am

Have a look at the Canon S100.

For me it's the best compact camera on the market.

Jeroen · Post by **Jeroen** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 11:09 am

Canon G12 will be well within your budget, as the newer G1X gets all the attention. The G12 is a great little camera with all the benefits of a DSLR (a good one, not some entry level toy) and it is built like a little tank. Not waterproof, but a perfectly good underwater housing is available, if that is your thing.
I use one of the predecessors (G9) and I wouldn't want to be without it.
Here's a picture taken with a G12.

petevicar · Post by **petevicar** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:29 pm

I also have a G9, it is a good camera.

The S100 however has the same sensor as the G12 has a 2.0 lens and is very much lighter in weight.
The only slight drawback that I see is that the G12 has a viewfinder albeit an inaccurate one and the S100 does not.

Saulyboy · Post by **Saulyboy** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 1:10 am

Thanks for the replies gents, I shall further investigate both your suggestions.
Whilst trawling through Amazon I came across the Nikon 1 J1 with two lenses, that I can get for around the £400 mark. I know they advertise this camera a fair amount but wonder how much is hype? Nice looking camera and the additional lens is a potential bonus.

Jeroen · Post by **Jeroen** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 6:38 am

Fixed lens means less chance of a dirty sensor. I used a mate's Olympus Penn for a while which took me right off these type of cameras. I had a digital viewfinder on mine but found the whole deal too fiddly for my taste. With one of these pancakes on it they are quite compact. But put a big zoom on it and the whole idea of a compact camera is gone. The photos with the Penn weren't bad, but certainly not better than with the G12.

Marc LaMouche · Post by **Marc LaMouche** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 7:34 am

Another vote for the G12

skeg · Post by **skeg** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 8:16 am

I'm after a second "quasi compact" cam myself, too...
the G1x is tempting, but there are some specs of this model what aren't so...and Canon will come up with an MK2 in a year, or so...in what I hope the correct the few handicaps...as they do always...

Jeroen · Post by **Jeroen** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 8:50 am

Peter, did you see the G15's release. The most important feature it gains on the G1X is the lens, 1.8 aperture an more reach (140 mm)

Peter V. cheers for the head's up on the S100. Must give that one a try.

Viking Lars · Post by **Viking Lars** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 1:06 pm

The Canon G-series are awesome, I have a G11 myself that I'm very satisfied with. The S-series are also awesome, you you lose some of the "semi-DSLR" controls that are on the G-series and also,mwhat's quite important for me, a flash shoe. My G11 with a 270ex flash is an awesome, little, powerful combo! Apart from that, image wise, the S-series and the G- series are the same.

The G1X is also an amazing camera, but with poor macro-capabilities, beware of that if it's important to you.

For compact sand semi-compact, I'd stay off Nikon, Canon are market-leaders in that segment.

And a compact camera with interchangeable lenses are a bit off the mark, I think. That second you bring a second lens, the compact idea is gone.

Lars

Jeroen · Post by **Jeroen** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 3:06 pm

Lars, check the G1X - G15 comparison in my earlier posting. The G15 has a 1cm closest focal point.

Cheers,
Jeroen

Viking Lars · Post by **Viking Lars** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 3:32 pm

Jeroen - I'm aware of the macro-capabilities of the G15 - I was referring to the G1X when I said poor macro.

The large sensor of the G1X and it's limited lens-size makes macro impossible, and as far as I can read, even "normal" close up photography is not easy with the G1X.

As I said, I have the G11 myself, and I often enjoy it's really good macro!

Lars

skeg · Post by **skeg** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 9:20 pm

Thanks Jeroen, I'll check it out...

a 7D is more COMPACT than a 5D...if I think 'bout... :p

LaMouche · Post by **LaMouche** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:31 pm

Sony HX20V, and use the rest of your money on tackle :p

Saulyboy · Post by **Saulyboy** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 6:27 am

G12 is now reduced to £350 on Amazon.........

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Need an all rounder - Novice needs some advide.

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