Serious compact cameras
Sunday, September 9th, 2012
I have three camera systems: Canon EOS 5D with some nice lenses, Canon PowerShot S100, and an iPhone 4S. The Canon 5D is the most capable camera but also the biggest, heaviest, and most difficult to have with me all the time. The iPhone is the smallest, easiest to have with me all the time but it’s the least capable camera.
As many reading this know, the iPhone has been eating into the point and shoot camera market enough so that people like my wife don’t carry and use a “real” camera anymore, they simply take pictures with their iPhones or other smartphones. While I think this is great and I use my iPhone’s camera often, as a photographer I want more control than a smartphone can offer so I still have a need for a small, point and shoot camera to live between my iPhone and my DSLR.
For the past few years I’ve been using the Canon PowerShot S90, S95, and now S100 more than my other cameras because these cameras can make excellent images and are small enough to have with me all the time. That said, there are many other cameras in the growing “smaller than a DSLR” category these days and in addition to considering upgrading my 5D to a 5D Mark III, I’m also considering other cameras in the small, “serious compact” category. There is no perfect camera that will please everyone but I’m getting a better idea of what I want in a camera in this category. I like Canon’s ergonomics, both hardware and software and while I’m not absolutely stuck on Canon brand equipment, to me it’s like sticking with Apple even as other makers come out with better stuff.
In earlier versions of this post, I listed numerous cameras in the micro 4/3 category and some of Fujifilm’s new X series cameras as well as Canon’s new EOS M but decided that all of these cameras are in a different category than the one I’m interested in: they’re more expensive, more complex, and more capable and are really a middle ground between point and shoot and DSLR and they’re closer to DSLR; many people are now choosing these cameras instead of DSLRs.
I think the solution for me, at least for now, is to continue with a DSLR and lenses for studio and higher end photo shoots and continue experimenting with higher end point and shoot cameras with fixed lenses (lenses that are permanently attached to the camera, either zoom or prime).
What I have now is the Canon PowerShot S100. It’s very small (maybe too small), sports a 24-120mm f/2.0-5.9 lens, has a modern and decent (although small) sensor and image processing system and has excellent hardware and software ergonomics. Yes, it has had some production problems with stuck zoom lenses on some copies (fixed in a recall by Canon) but it’s an extremely capable little camera and I continue to learn new uses for it. Still, it lacks some things that I find appealing on other cameras.
The Canon PowerShot G12 is a great camera and I don’t mind its size relative to the S100 but its lens only opens up to 28mm which is common in smaller cameras, it’s largest aperture at 28mm is f/2.8, and it’s got an older sensor and processor in it than the S100. There will be a next generation camera in this series and I’m hoping it inherits some of the S100′s capabilities: newer image processor and sensor, 24mm f/2 lens on the wide side. I like the ergonomics of this camera although it’s viewfinder is so bad Canon should just eliminate it, it’s useless.
The Canon PowerShot G1 X camera is a slightly larger G12 with a large, APC-C sized sensor. It too lacks the fast, wide angle lens of the S100 and somehow they forgot to give it decent macro capabilities. Put its sensor in a G12/S100 hybrid and I’m in.
The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 is probably the hottest point and shoot camera on the market right now. David Pogue gave it an incredible review and for good reason: it packs a very large 20MP sensor into a pocket camera and has a very good Zeiss lens. The lens only opens wide to 29mm which is a bummer for me. If it opened up to 24mm I think I’d be tempted to buy one. It’s also twice as expensive as the Canon S100 although the image quality from the big sensor might make the price go down easier.
The Ricoh GR Digital IV is actually the closest I’ve come to my ideal camera that’s not made by Canon. If it had a 24mm lens instead of a 28 I’d have one. I bought one from B&H and returned it after two weeks because I found I really missed the drama created by the extra 4mm of wide on the S100′s 24mm lens.
This Ricoh has a very nice, simple user interface, it’s lens is a 28mm prime (no zoom) and that’s fine with me and while it’s not quite as small as the S100 it’s small enough to fit in a pocket. I think if my friend Gary Sharp got his hands on this camera it would be his favorite of all time. I may have to try one again some day.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 came out recently and I haven’t had a chance to try it yet. It may very well be the best of the lot and it does sport a 24-90mm f/1.4 to f/2.3 lens. I’m not crazy about Panasonic’s ergonomics and I don’t like the fact that this camera’s lens must be capped (it has a lens cap) but it looks great otherwise. If it sported a bigger sensor…
The Fujifilm X10 is a camera I’ve not tried but it does belong in this category: fixed lens compact camera. I did try the Fujifilm X100 and wasn’t crazy about its software ergonomics although I was swayed by its loyal users who continue to make exceptional images with it. It’s considerably more expensive than typical smaller cameras and it’s bigger…. But, the X10 is small and capable and I rejected it by association. Best to get some hands-on experience with it at B&H before concluding a thing. 28mm on the wide end but still, worth a look.
I’ve no doubt left out a lot of cameras here but you get the picture, there is still a market for high end point and shoot cameras, maybe more than ever. As more casual photographers use their smartphones it will eliminate the lower end of the point and shoot market leaving the more serious photographers and hopefully companies will continue to push these “serious compacts” into new territory.
Richard, X10 has a zoom lens, X100 is a fixed lens camera. I really love my X100 even after purchasing X-Pro1. X100 has a phenomenal image quality in serious compacts’ class.
Jonne: Sorry, I was using “fixed” in this piece as “lens attached to camera permanently, not as “prime” like the X100. The X10 and X100 have fixed lenses, X-Pro 1 has interchangeable lenses. Sorry about the confusion.
If the X100 had even a 28mm lens I’d probably go for it, but 35mm is a bit too long for what I’d be using it for. I would love a fast, prime lens, just a bit wider.
Have you tried the X10? Curious what you think. And, even though I know you’re still using your 5D2, if you had to use the X-Pro 1 as your only camera, would that be okay? Or, put another way, if you could only have one, which would you choose, X-Pro 1 or 5D2/3?
Richard, I have 5D2 no more. I sold all my Canon stuff to buy X-Pro1 system and I have been very happy about that decision. Fantastic image quality in a much smaller package. So, I already chose X-Pro1.
I have tried X10 but I didn’t like it so much. Hard to say why but I think there are better cameras in your list. Especially those newer ones, like RX100.
I am full Fuji now and I think I will stay so. There are many interesting lenses coming up for X-system (and they also introduced a new body, X-E1) so I think the X-system is really here to stay.
Jonne: Thanks for letting me know that, what you shoot with has great meaning to me as we’ve been “connected for a while now in many ways.
I have no idea what I’ll do, if anything but it’s fun to speculate and try new things. I do have to make a move on the 5D which is now an “old man” and only good for some things.
Tell me more about the lenses you have for the X-Pro 1 and what you see coming in the future in that space.
At the moment I have only XF 35mm and 60mm lenses. Both are very nice IQ-wise but 60mm is not the fastest in focusing. There will be a new firm ware at 18th of this month and that will cure most of the focusing problems. I have seen a video of the new E-X1 focusing with that lens and it is really fast (E-X1 has that coming FW already).
Fuji’s X-lens roadmap is there:
http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/xf_lens/roadmap/index.html
There are actually many very interesting primes. That 14/2.8 (21mm equiv.) is nice but I am not sure if I would use so wide lens much. I am very much tempted to purchase 23/1.4 (35mm) after it will be introduced early next year. I really love X100′s lens (23/2) but then there will be a question if I would need X100 anymore.
Also that 27/2.8 (41mm) pancake type lens would be nice for a general use. I had Voigtländer 40mm lens for 5D2 and really loved that focal length. X-Pro1 with that pancake lens will be quite pocketable too.
That 56/1.4 will be very close to my 60mm lens’ focal length (without the 1:2 macro capability) and if 60mm lens is going to focus faster after the new FW, I am not sure to get the 56mm. Well, it is faster, so…
I would like to see something like 90mm (135mm) fast prime in the future. And it would be nice if it would have OIS too. That would be a dream lens for me.
They have some decent zooms in the roadmap too but I am not into zooms now. It is nice to know, however, that there will be many good options.
Jonnne: This all sounds great and I’m delighted that you’re delighted with the move. Are you missing that long 200mm f/2.8 lens? You made some nice shallow depth of field images with it. I realize your current lenses are fast enough to do the same but at closer range. Is there a plan to have longer lenses on these cameras? I don’t see any long lenses in the Fuji or the general micro 4/3 lines and that would concern me in making a complete sea change (dropping Canon completely).
Any problems with the Fuji RAW files in Aperture or Lightroom or whatever image editor you’re using?
It’s a very interesting time to be into all of this stuff. Glad you’re happy with your big move. The X-Pro 1 is a very nice looking camera, a bit big for my hiking needs but perfect for everyday use like you’re using it.
Richard, it is always so cool to discuss with you about these camera questions! Actually 200/2.8L is the lens I am missing most. That’s why I would like to see some longer primes in XF lens category. I do not know, however, if they are planning that kind of lenses.
RAW vs. JPEG is one big question too. As you know I was pure RAW shooter with 5D2 and now I shoot only JPEGs with X100 and X-Pro1. JPEG quality of Fuji files is very good and actually you can tweak also JPEGs quite much in LR or Aperture. There is RAW conversion possibility in LR4 but I do not like the results. It produces smear-kind of results especially in some color ranges. Not good at all. That new sensor type seems to be a tricky one for the developers. I am not totally sure if I would go back to RAW even if there would be a decent converter. JPEGs are that good.
Jonne, I too am shooting more jpg with my S100 and the files are fine. White balance issues in artificial light are more easily taken care of with raw files but it’s easy enough to do it manually with jpegs.
It looks like Fuji has a big zoom coming out but it won’t be as fast as your 200mm f/2.8.
We both know you only need a few good lenses to make a useable camera kit so the various systems that people are moving to now like Fuji or micro 4/3 are no doubt fine and safe for all but nature (think bird) photographers or sports photographers who need longer lenses.
Of course, one could maintain multiple kits for different scenarios but that could get expensive.
I’d love a smaller and lighter kit and I’ve considered the canon 7D or it’s smaller cousins the T3i or newer T4i so I can continue to use my current lenses. A cropped sensor hurts me on the wide end and a bit with shallow depth of field but these are small issues.
The most interesting question is, is the camera kit small enough to have with you when you need/want it, and is the image quality good enough.
I can see you’ve solved both of those which is great. No doubt I’ll make some kind of move by the end of this year…. The thought of NOT carrying around a big camera really appeals to me, I get a lot of pleasure out of my S100 and I’m hoping Canon comes out with a G12 replacement that includes a wider angle lens and a bigger sensor.
That ideal camera wouldn’t necessarily replace a DSLR but it would eat into the need for one.
those Sony shots on Soelin’s stream remind me of the old Agfa film images from the 60′s and 70′s.
I agree Julie Soelin is both an excellent photographer but also an excellent image processor. I’ve enjoyed following him for a while now.