So I would really like to get a digital camera, but i don't know what i'm doing. I would really like a compact one just because i travel quite a bit and would like to have it on me as often as possible (In the breast-pocket of my over coat kinda thing.) I've seen people spend tons of money on a camera that is barely comparable to a disposable film camera, therefore i am obviously trying to avoid that. So i was looking at this Sigma DP1. It looks beautiful (reminds me of the first film camera i ever had) and apparently has picture quality as good if not better than the full size equivalent. But i can't find a price or a good review of it. It seems as if it hasn't been realeased yet but i also can't find even a ball-park release date. Can anyone help? Thanks in advance.
Compact digital cameras
- Thread starter MatthewAlbasi
- Start date
The Sigma DP1 is more like an experimental camera, IMO, like a concept camera. It has a fixed lens. If that's OK with you, then go for it, but I guess you'd want some sort of zoom lens. It also doesn't have a viewfinder, but that is something some people don't miss. There is indeed not much info, other than Sigma had to delay the release of the DP1 because of image-quality issues. If you are looking for a solid camera that has a nice, traditional look, then the Canon Powershot G9 would be a good choice. However, this camera is expensive, but I doubt it's more expensive than the DP1.
Good luck in your search. Best - MM
Good luck in your search. Best - MM
You don't have to get an exotic camera in order to get good photos.
I travel a fair amount for business. I carry a predecessor to the current Canon SD950 IS.
The SD950 is small enough to slip into jeans pocket, but turns out some really nice photos. The small size allows me to carry it at times when i would leave a bigger camera behind.
However, one limitation of tiny cameras is that it is very hard to eliminate redeye from flash photos. That comes with the territory.
As suggested above, the Canon G9 as is a lot of camera for ~$450. It is big enough to use comfortably and packs a lot of features into a reasonable package. The G9 also has the option of using a real flash in the hotshoe. However, if you carry the flash, you're giving up some of the portability aspect. This is a good option to have, even if you don't use an external flash all the time.
I've always liked the canon point&shoots and currently have sd700 which i'm very happy with (i picked it over the next model because i didn't care for the softness at the corners of the wider lense).
If you insist on highest possible quality fixed focal length is certainly a must. Personally I can live without zoom, although it's convenient.
As far as red eye goes, my understanding is that the current models have built in software (in the camera) that takes care of it remarkably well. You just can't avoid the red eye if you want a compact size as the flash just can't be away away from the lenses.
I wish I had more manual controls, but i wouldn't go for a larger size to get them.
To me the biggest weakness of digital vs film is the resolution of soft pastel colors and secondly the contrast range (of course nothing can compare to slides, but a decent negative is still much better than digital).
The way I see these are compromises I'm willing to make for the convenience of digital and small size.
If you insist on highest possible quality fixed focal length is certainly a must. Personally I can live without zoom, although it's convenient.
As far as red eye goes, my understanding is that the current models have built in software (in the camera) that takes care of it remarkably well. You just can't avoid the red eye if you want a compact size as the flash just can't be away away from the lenses.
I wish I had more manual controls, but i wouldn't go for a larger size to get them.
To me the biggest weakness of digital vs film is the resolution of soft pastel colors and secondly the contrast range (of course nothing can compare to slides, but a decent negative is still much better than digital).
The way I see these are compromises I'm willing to make for the convenience of digital and small size.
- Thread starter
- #5
I'm sorry. I'm being a newbie here. What is a "fixed focal length"?? and why is that bad?
A fixed focal length lens is one that does not zoom.
With a fixed focal length lens, you cannot increase the magnification (zoom in) to make your subject appear closer. The only way you can change what is in the frame is by by moving closer or farther away from your subject.
For general point and shoot use, most people prefer a zoom lens. The quality of the results are perfectly acceptable unless you want to make poster size prints that are very sharp. (In that case, shooting an an ultra compact camera handheld is really not the right choice anyway.)
- Thread starter
- #7
So having a fixed focal length will decrease the picture quality, but it's generally only noticable in very large size prints? So I shouldn't feel bad if i get one with a zoom if i don't plan on making massive prints of them?
the short answer is you don't need nor want fixed focus (because you don't even know what it is 
)
the longer version is:
what buzz said
the focal length determines the size of the image that is captured in the sensor. small focal length, aka wide angle lenses make an image of large things such as sceneries. large focal length or tele lenses are better for portraits or spying.
zoom lenses have variable focal length and you can zoom in and zoom out, i.e. capture large or small part without getting closer/farther.
Of course to make great images over a whole range of zoom lengths isn't very easy and the quality of the image is not going to be as good as if all you had to worry is a single focal length.
In practice, however, as long as your zoom lenses are made by a decent maker unless you want to look at the smallest details of your images, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference except in the cheaper price and the convenience of zoom lenses.
You should get a fixed focal lenses p&s camera only if you know what you're doing and absolutely need the sharpest possible pictures. (plus on that end there isn't that much choice at all, but there are out there more like a niche market).
I brought that up only because you mentioned experimental camera and sigma, which led me to believe you want something exotic. I personally love canon's point&shoot line, but there may be few slightly better options these days. You can read some good reviews at dcresource.com or dpreview.com. iirc they also have galleries with pictures taken with the various reviewed cameras that you can examine and see the quality for yourself.
Being a non specialist visiting these sites will probably be a great option for you, since they specifically point out the strengths and weaknesses of each camera in the actual images, things you probably wouldn't know to look for.
let us know when you narrow it a bit more
)the longer version is:
what buzz said
the focal length determines the size of the image that is captured in the sensor. small focal length, aka wide angle lenses make an image of large things such as sceneries. large focal length or tele lenses are better for portraits or spying.
zoom lenses have variable focal length and you can zoom in and zoom out, i.e. capture large or small part without getting closer/farther.
Of course to make great images over a whole range of zoom lengths isn't very easy and the quality of the image is not going to be as good as if all you had to worry is a single focal length.
In practice, however, as long as your zoom lenses are made by a decent maker unless you want to look at the smallest details of your images, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference except in the cheaper price and the convenience of zoom lenses.
You should get a fixed focal lenses p&s camera only if you know what you're doing and absolutely need the sharpest possible pictures. (plus on that end there isn't that much choice at all, but there are out there more like a niche market).
I brought that up only because you mentioned experimental camera and sigma, which led me to believe you want something exotic. I personally love canon's point&shoot line, but there may be few slightly better options these days. You can read some good reviews at dcresource.com or dpreview.com. iirc they also have galleries with pictures taken with the various reviewed cameras that you can examine and see the quality for yourself.
Being a non specialist visiting these sites will probably be a great option for you, since they specifically point out the strengths and weaknesses of each camera in the actual images, things you probably wouldn't know to look for.
let us know when you narrow it a bit more
- Thread starter
- #9
Thanks everyone. I'll be picking through those websites gugi put up and let you all know.
You have it backwards.
Fixed focal length = Best image quality, least flexibility
Zoom lens = Almost as good image quality, much more flexibility
Get the zoom. You won't regret it.
Last January I got a Casio EX-S770. I picked this because it has 16:9 aspect ratio to show pictures on widescreens. My brother in law had the previous version, which my dad bought after he saw it, then my brother in law upgraded to this one, which I got when I saw it. Then a friend from Germany visiting this summer saw mine and bought one too. It has all the features you would want in a point and shoot. Terrific camera IMHO. I would highly suggest looking into it. Small profile makes it easy to carry. This is where everyone I know has gotten theirs:
http://www.techtoysforless.com/casio-exilim-exs770-72mp-digital-camera-graphite-blue-p-237.html
Good Luck!
http://www.techtoysforless.com/casio-exilim-exs770-72mp-digital-camera-graphite-blue-p-237.html
Good Luck!
- Thread starter
- #13
Hero, that camera looks amazing. Seems like exactly what I need. Do you have any pictures you've taken with it you would mind posting?
i second the sd850IS. it's a great little camera, and with image stabilization, wide aperture, and a decent "auto-hi iso" setting it's great in low light.
Another vote for the Canon SD850IS. I picked one up a few weeks ago, and it's a great little everyday snapshot camera.
As much as I love canons I must say that I think in the last year or two the quality of most p&s cameras have improved dramatically. When I first looked at those may be 5 years ago canon was the undisputed leader as far as image quality is concerned (nikon was equally good or just a tad better in a significantly bulkier camera with weird menus), sony really sucked.
My impression though is that nowadays a lot of the lesser companies (say casio, olympus, prntax,...) have managed to make very good cameras. I'd still go with a brand that has always been on the top, model after model, but I think it's not as important as it used to be.
My impression though is that nowadays a lot of the lesser companies (say casio, olympus, prntax,...) have managed to make very good cameras. I'd still go with a brand that has always been on the top, model after model, but I think it's not as important as it used to be.
- Thread starter
- #17
As an update, I was given a Kodak M753 for christmas. I haven't yet decided if I should keep it or not. It is very much slim enough and it has a very fun feature called "Panaoramic mode" or something of the sort, which stiches three shots together into one long shot; it's loads of fun. I cannot however figure out how to charge it. I have it plugged into the PC but it will not charge. Any suggestions? and does anyone have this camera? Does it wear well?
Regarding charging, not all USB ports are created equal. You need to plug the camera into one that is powered. Try different ports. If that doesn't work, the camera may be defective.
I don't have that camera, so I can't comment on its performance.
Regarding stitching, this is something that all cameras allow, but some may make it easier. You should be able to stitch as many images as you want, not just three.
Have fun! Best - MM
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/serv...5toc.jhtml?chapsec=urg00745c1s3&pq-path=11289
well as it says .. first make sure it is plugged directly into a USB port ... that it is not going through some sort of hub first (not plugged into the side of monitor, keyboard or other accessory ports on the front of computers .. but instead into one of the ones in the rear of the computer) ...
also prob needs to be usb 2.0 for it to charge ...
says it will fully charge in 3 hours ... and the charge light stays off when it is charged ..
all in all doesn't seem like to bad of a camera ...
but the one thing i always try to find when looking for a camera for someone .. is ease of use when it comes to batteries ... i shop for ones that use normal AA or AAA batteries ... a lot less of a headache .. esp if you are using it on a trip .. and it is dead ... but there is a convience store up the road ... a lot easier then having to go back to hotel, hook up laptop ... plug in .. and charge ... same thing for ones with special sized batteries cant always find them where you are.
well as it says .. first make sure it is plugged directly into a USB port ... that it is not going through some sort of hub first (not plugged into the side of monitor, keyboard or other accessory ports on the front of computers .. but instead into one of the ones in the rear of the computer) ...
also prob needs to be usb 2.0 for it to charge ...
says it will fully charge in 3 hours ... and the charge light stays off when it is charged ..
all in all doesn't seem like to bad of a camera ...
but the one thing i always try to find when looking for a camera for someone .. is ease of use when it comes to batteries ... i shop for ones that use normal AA or AAA batteries ... a lot less of a headache .. esp if you are using it on a trip .. and it is dead ... but there is a convience store up the road ... a lot easier then having to go back to hotel, hook up laptop ... plug in .. and charge ... same thing for ones with special sized batteries cant always find them where you are.
I am using the Fuji F30 and it's simply great. Small enough to be carried around, great at high ISOs for low light and when you don't want to use flash. Down side's that it looks pretty plain and that it's a tad bit old now but I love it all the same.
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