Best Point & Shoot Cam 2013

[Scott Douglas]

The thing that is most important is which one feels good in your hands...if it isn't a nice feel/fit you won't use it. If it fits, you won't want to put it down.

[Cajundaddy]

All cameras are a tradeoff of one sort or another. The RX100 looks like a very hi-res pocket camera and would work well. Honestly we use iphone 4s for most point and shoot now and carry a little more lens for longer or more creative shots. I do like the Canon S series and still have an old S1is that is probably 10 yrs old. It has been through the mill and still takes worthy shots for a 3.2mp.

[vash]

I have a lumix. I am still learning about it. I don't use it's full potential. Still plenty of pros shooting leicas.

[onewhippedpuppy]

All cameras are a tradeoff of one sort or another. The RX100 looks like a very hi-res pocket camera and would work well. Honestly we use iphone 4s for most point and shoot now and carry a little more lens for longer or more creative shots. I do like the Canon S series and still have an old S1is that is probably 10 yrs old. It has been through the mill and still takes worthy shots for a 3.2mp.

I find that my iPhone 5 takes really good pictures if there isn't zoom required. It's nice to always have that option in your pocket.

[intakexhaust]

Replaced the upper end Olympus. Pocket sized point and shoot el-cheapo bargain is now my Canon SX230HS. 14-X optical zoom, 12 mp, shoots HD vid. The reviews are obscure and found this camera excellent. The reviewers either don't read the owners guide or understand the hidden features. Forget the Auto settings and Manual controlling is where this camera comes alive. Fantastic battery life but only if you leave the GPS feature off. $129.00 from Target INCLUDING extended 2 yr warranty (accidental coverage), taxes. Another one is on order from the Target store counter (not online). My wish list is higher but for the money, low light quality and fast enough this Canon is an outstanding value.

Only quirks is where the have the flash (although the flash operation is very good), slippery and chincy housing, menu is more cumbesome than the Olympus or Sony.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

All cameras are a tradeoff of one sort or another. The RX100 looks like a very hi-res pocket camera and would work well. Honestly we use iphone 4s for most point and shoot now and carry a little more lens for longer or more creative shots...

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I find that my iPhone 5 takes really good pictures if there isn't zoom required. It's nice to always have that option in your pocket.

yes, they keep getting better & better

a pocket camera needs to be a significant step up from a smartphone to be worthwhile

the Sony 100 is about as good as many DSLRs (except in handling and ruggedness) - it costs about as much too

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by RWebb

a pocket camera needs to be a significant step up from a smartphone to be worthwhile

While phone cams are surprisingly good, they need ideal light. A tiny sensor, a tiny lens & a tiny aperture can only accomplish so much. Great for restaurant food pictures (as long as you use the flash ) but not for your once in a lifetime holiday pictures.

Ian

[imcarthur]

A very unscientific test. Sony RX100 (Supreme Auto), Panasonic LX2 (Auto), Apple iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy IIs. All shot within 5 minutes. Same distance, same interior incandescent lighting, no flash, same perspective. All screenshot in PS, no zoom employed. RAWs were Auto white balanced with Adobe Convertor 7.2.



Note: I just got the Sony today & these are all default settings.

Ian

Edit: These are also severe crops from much larger pictures.

[azasadny]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

I have to admit, this is probably one of the handiest cameras I have in my arsenal.


I would think the latest version of this model would be great too.

We have this phone and we love it, too. Unfortunately we lost it somewhere in the house and we cannot find it...
I love my Nokia Lumia 920 smartphone's camera, I've been using it exclusively since November!

[motion]

Originally Posted by intakexhaust

Replaced the upper end Olympus. Pocket sized point and shoot el-cheapo bargain is now my Canon SX230HS. 14-X optical zoom, 12 mp, shoots HD vid. The reviews are obscure and found this camera excellent. The reviewers either don't read the owners guide or understand the hidden features. Forget the Auto settings and Manual controlling is where this camera comes alive. Fantastic battery life but only if you leave the GPS feature off. $129.00 from Target INCLUDING extended 2 yr warranty (accidental coverage), taxes. Another one is on order from the Target store counter (not online). My wish list is higher but for the money, low light quality and fast enough this Canon is an outstanding value.

Only quirks is where the have the flash (although the flash operation is very good), slippery and chincy housing, menu is more cumbesome than the Olympus or Sony.

I've been looking for one of these. Cheapest I can find online is $220+

[Scott Douglas]

Art
If it was a phone I'd suggest you just give it a call to find it, but it's a camera!

[Cajundaddy]

Yes phone cameras do have limitations as all cameras have. Low light macro or night shot might be a worst case. They also take rather stunning travel snapshots. I laughed at my wife until I saw the results she was getting:

[kiwiokie]

How does the Sony compare on speed? Meaning the delay between pressing the button and an image being taken? I would like to replace my old Olympus and that is the one thing I would really like to improve upon. Too many photos of empty race track or sky.

[recycled sixtie]

I took this pic with a camera I won in a lottery 3 years ago. It is a Samsung s860. I have been buying several Samsung products lately - a Samsung electric oven, a Samsung laptop for the daughter.
Cathedral Mountain Sedona, AZ.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by kiwiokie

How does the Sony compare on speed?

It seems very fast. ~1 sec to turn on. Writing to card is 1 or 2 sec - longer if you use Superior Auto which uses the 3 shot sum.

Here are some more controlled comparisons using a tripod. Artificial + natural light. Distance about a meter. All cams in Auto. iPhone HDR on.

First the uncropped full shot.



Then . . .


iPhone 5


Samsung Galaxy IIs


Panasonic LX2 (6 yrs old?)


Sony RX100


Canon Rebel XSi

As you can see, the iPhone 5 does good job but has noise. The Samsung is washed & WB is reddish. The LX2 washes a bit & WB is bluish. The Sony is slightly darker WB compared to the Canon DSLR.

Ian

[imcarthur]

And just a few more . . .

Outdoors 17 F & sunny . . . Tripod shots. Cropped to 800 x 600. Distance 14' approx.


Uncropped Sony.


Canon Rebel XSi


Sony RX100

Full zoom & cropped. Our snow indicator.


Canon Rebel XSi


Sony RX100

I think I will keep it.

Ian

[intakexhaust]

Originally Posted by motion

I've been looking for one of these. Cheapest I can find online is $220+

Motion- I found them at a Target store. The replacement SX260HS model was coming in so the big retailers blow out the shelves of old models. Far better deals than online. Another place to look is Office Max.

The wide screen 16:9 format that reviewer's claim to it not having are incorrect. It's just a simple setting change for the screen on the camera and another for the format. A few pics with the SX230HS with the 4:3 ratio.

[Cajundaddy]

Nice comparisons Ian. The RX100 looks like a keeper for sure.

[72doug2,2S]

I couldn't find an SX230, but I did order an SX260 over the weekend. On sale for $199, reg $299. Should be coming in the mail any day.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by RWebb

why do you hate it?

Ergonomics? I also use Nikon DSLRs (and SLRs) but did not like their compact cameras, so I use Canon S- series compacts.

Follow up, I just got my new Nikon D3000 DSLR in the mail yesterday. Night and day quality difference between the Nikon Coolpix, the D3000 feels very solid, high quality, and well made. So my comments aren't to be taken as blanket to all Nikons, just the one particular Coolpix model I have.