Comments on: Photo Project: Digital Compact v. Digital SLR

By: Ian

Ian — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:13:04 +0000

To Mark:
IMHO what you do not get with a compact, apart from the creative control, is a real wide angle lens, and in the mountains, I really miss that. The lens is followed around by the camera! Optics trumps digital processing every time – remember you are painting with light!

By: backpackbrewer

backpackbrewer — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:42:28 +0000

Well I have just got a Panasonic Lumix LX3 so I shall be trying it out in the coming months. It seems to have everything I need (apart from a long optical zoom but it gives quality over quantity)
The camera is very intuitive and easy to use and is packed with features. The picture clarity is great although I need to test it in a variety of conditions to get a better feel for it
anyway I’ll let you know how I get on

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:56:45 +0000

What about the super-zoom cameras – do they have any advantages over either compacts or DSLRS? They’re certainly cheaper than a DSLR.

By: Roger

Roger — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:24:25 +0000

There is a whole new topic here waterproof bags versus a waterproof camera. I am still looking for the lightest weight bag for my GX100 that will fit in my hipbelt pockets.

By: andy

andy — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 10:56:08 +0000

Robin, I’ve never found that I needed a waterproof camera. Occasionally the bag I use gets soaked but so long as you don’t immerse your SLR in water you should be OK.

I have and occasions problems with condensation though. I missed some wonderful pictures in Spain this year because it took a day to clear!

By: Robin Evans

Robin Evans — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 07:19:58 +0000

I’m finding this all very interesting. I’m a point and shoot man and have been using an Olympus mju 770SW, which is a good, idiot proof and weatherproof camera. However, the results are a bit disappointing overall, which, I guess, is not surprising given what the camera is meant for. You can see the results on my Picasa page: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/robinmevans . All the photos this year were taken using this camera. I should also point out that I have reduced the picture sizes to upload.

I’m not sure that I want to go a DLSR, but the Ricoh GX100 looks an interesting step up and not outrageously expensive.

I would be interested in some comments on protecting cameras from the elements as the major reason for getting the Olympus was to have a totally weatherproof camera.

By: Chris Townsend

Chris Townsend — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:01:29 +0000

I should perhaps point that I am usually taking photos for publication. If I was taking photos for personal use and the web the Ricoh GX100 would be fine.

By: Chris Townsend

Chris Townsend — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 23:59:36 +0000

I don’t need to cut the exhaust in half. The rough track to my house does that for me!

I get the impression from images I’ve seen that the DP1 is okay at ISO400 and usable at 800. But I could be wrong.

I use a Canon 450D (upgraded from a 350D a couple of months ago) and, mostly, the Canon 18-55mm IS lens. I always carry a light tripod too. Although 400 is okay with the 450D I prefer 200 and 100 ISO.

My ideal camera would be something like the Ricoh GX100 with an APS-C sized sensor.

I don’t even think about Leica – just too expensive!

By: James Lomax

James Lomax — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 23:06:08 +0000

OK but did you cut the exhaust pipe in half to lose a few grams Chris?

Just kidding, joining in with the craic. Nice review on the Hitec Vlites 2/3 years ago incidentally…I bought 3 pairs in a bargain sale.

My impression from DPreview is the image quality of the Sigma compares very well with modest DSLRs but – and its a big but – only in good light, ie. before you increase the ISO above 200 or possibly even 100. That’s far too restricting for average hiking, I reckon. Think winter sunset over Torridon, moody dark skies over Scafell…you need some good ISO performance up to about 400, unless you have a tripod in which case a decent DSLR and no tripod might be a better option.

I currently use a Canon 5D and an L series zoom which is very heavy and quite bulky, but I’m happy with that for the quality it gets.

Hopefully its just a matter of time before we get a compact style camera matching both the quality and versatility of DSLRs. The Canon G9 for example is very nice but – and DPreview said this – it uses the same small sensor as its predecessors and what we really need is something like the G9 translated into something like the large sensor terms of the Sigma.

There was a rumour about Leica producing a full frame successor to the M8 but a Leica dealer told me no such thing was planned, and in any case it would be serious money.

By: Chris Townsend

Chris Townsend — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 20:19:08 +0000

James, I have a Ford Fiesta and find it fine for driving all over the Highlands!

Some reviewers have criticised the ergonomics and speed of the DP1 but none I’ve read has criticised the image quality and it now seems generally accepted that this is the only compact camera that can produce results comparable with a DSLR. As I said, I haven’t used this camera so I can’t say if I’d like it or not. The handling of the GR-D is superb but the results are not DSLR standard (and by DSLR I mean Canon 350D and 450D cameras with kit lenses as that is what I use).