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eric_k
Jan 2, 2012, 11:21 PM
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I am sorry I did not search the threads deeply since new cameras come out every week. My canon G9 just gave up on me so instead of getting a one big expensive point and shoot to try and do it all I think I want to get two cameras. One small camera for muilti-pitch alpine events, and one DSLR.
First is the little one. What would you recommend or what have you tried for small cameras that can easily fit in your pocket. I know I will not get the best picture quality with this one, just good enough to capture the moment. Video might be cool but not necessary. Thanks for your info.
Eric
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TarheelJD
Jan 3, 2012, 5:21 AM
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Nikon AW100. Stack the odds in your favor and get something "rugged".
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maldaly
Jan 3, 2012, 5:53 AM
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The Canon S 95 is your best bet. It will do everything the G9 did for you but is a much smaller package with better color. Here's a good review from the alwys-crusty Ken Rockwell: http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/s95.htm. The S95 has been replaced by the S100 so you might either be able to get the S95 at a deal or be forced to buy the S100, which is just a larded up S95.
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sp115
Jan 3, 2012, 12:25 PM
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maldaly wrote: The Canon S 95 is your best bet. It will do everything the G9 did for you but is a much smaller package with better color. Here's a good review from the alwys-crusty Ken Rockwell: http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/s95.htm. The S95 has been replaced by the S100 so you might either be able to get the S95 at a deal or be forced to buy the S100, which is just a larded up S95.
Yup, S95 (or S100). Compared it to everything available last year and was a clear winner based on size and features. Image quality will be excellent with decent light, especially compared to the small sensor "ruggedized" compacts, but will degrade quickly when compared to any full-frame DSLR in low light so don't ask it to do what it can't.
The only other option I considered was the Lumix Lx5 and once you hold them both in your hand you should be able to decide pretty quickly. I opted for shirt-pocket small as the Lx5 was just a bit to big - you may decide the opposite.
Check out DP Review for excellent info: http://www.dpreview.com/...highendcompactgroup/
(This post was edited by sp115 on Jan 3, 2012, 12:27 PM)
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ebag17
Jan 4, 2012, 5:25 PM
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Sigma DP2!
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rgbscan
Jan 9, 2012, 7:43 PM
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I chose the Lumix ZS7 (now replaced by the ZS10) for the geotagging feature. It will record the GPS Coords of the camera into the image's EXIF header. It lets me place the images on a map. When I spend a whole day at a site with many routes, it's easier to match the photos to routes this way.
Really happy with the image quality too. It's bigger than the Canons mentioned, but still pocket size. Unless you're a hipster in skinny jeans - then maybe not 
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JasonsDrivingForce
Jan 18, 2012, 6:48 PM
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The S95/S100 are both great options. However, the Olympus XZ-1 or its soon to be replacement offer slightly better lenses. If it is bright sunlight then the S95/S100 small size is just too hard to pass up.
However, if you have to zoom in at all in lower light situations I would go with the Olympus XZ series.
http://www.dpreview.com/...pus/compacts/oly_xz1
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SylviaSmile
Jan 18, 2012, 7:32 PM
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maldaly wrote: The Canon S 95 is your best bet. It will do everything the G9 did for you but is a much smaller package with better color. Here's a good review from the alwys-crusty Ken Rockwell: http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/s95.htm. The S95 has been replaced by the S100 so you might either be able to get the S95 at a deal or be forced to buy the S100, which is just a larded up S95.
One of my friends has this, and it's a great quality little camera! I may need to invest in one, as well, because my Canon Rebel Xsi, while great, is too big to lug along everywhere.
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eric_k
Jan 19, 2012, 11:56 AM
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Any thoughts on the Canon sx230? It is a little cheaper, a little bigger but seems to have decent writes online. I personally won't use the fancy settings on the cameras since I know nothing about photography so that is why I wonder if the sx230 would be better than the s95 which seems to be more specialised. But again I don't know much.
Eric
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JasonsDrivingForce
Jan 19, 2012, 9:29 PM
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eric_k wrote: Any thoughts on the Canon sx230? It is a little cheaper, a little bigger but seems to have decent writes online. I personally won't use the fancy settings on the cameras since I know nothing about photography so that is why I wonder if the sx230 would be better than the s95 which seems to be more specialised. But again I don't know much. Eric
No the aperture of the lens is terribly small on the SX230. The S95 has a bigger sensor. Everyone seems to want a big zoom in a small package. That just leads to disastrous photos.
Like everyone has said already. The S95/S100 are the best ultra compact cameras available today. That may change tomorrow but that is accurate for today.
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ryanpfleger
Feb 2, 2012, 1:09 AM
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Might be slightly bigger than you want but would still fit in a jacket pocket with a pancake lens. The upcoming Sony NEX 7. Image quality would be better than any of the cameras mentioned so far, especially at high ISO. I have been contemplating it or the NEX 5 as a go everywhere camera to complement a DSLR.
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surfstar
Feb 2, 2012, 6:20 AM
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The Panasonic TZ now ZS series have awesome zoom ranges in a small camera. If you don't plan on needing to print every photo at 11x14 or larger, you'd be well served with one of these set on iA mode. That zoom opens up a range of possibilities that you can't get from a LX5 or S95. If you just want to point and shoot, go with something simple and cheap.
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sp115
Feb 2, 2012, 12:44 PM
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surfstar wrote: The Panasonic TZ now ZS series have awesome zoom ranges in a small camera. If you don't plan on needing to print every photo at 11x14 or larger, you'd be well served with one of these set on iA mode. That zoom opens up a range of possibilities that you can't get from a LX5 or S95. If you just want to point and shoot, go with something simple and cheap.
http://www.dpreview.com/...p;products=canon_s95
Personally, anything is fine for low-res snaps in daylight. But if you want to do any editing at all you should be shooting in RAW. Just my opinion.
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theextremist04
Feb 3, 2012, 6:17 PM
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Another vote for the S95. All the serious guys I know (and being one myself, I know quite a few) have an S95 for when they don't wanna haul the big gear around.
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maldaly
Feb 3, 2012, 10:19 PM
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New review just our on the Canon S100. Looks pretty good.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/s100.htm
maldaly
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Colinhoglund
Feb 4, 2012, 2:30 AM
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I'm really impressed with the Olympus stylus tough! It took good pictures (that coming from a dslr snob) and is tough as nails. I like that I can freeze it, drop it, get is wet and dirty; and it will be none the worse.
(Before I had the old Stylus 600 and it took me 5+ years to kill it lol)
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eric_k
Feb 7, 2012, 12:41 PM
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I just got my s95 and I am very happy with it so far.
Eric
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Maxx640
Feb 10, 2012, 4:32 PM
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Hi there,
I hesitated a lot a few months ago when I had to change my camera. I was replacing an old Optio E75 that I had been given for my birthday: no settings apart from scenes and a 3x zoom! But you know what? It did the job for onscreen viewing (the most of my photos) and printing in the classic 10x15 cm. Never felt the need to blow up my photos.
I was looking for something with a lot of control, because I am into photography - but small unlike my Nikon F3. I ended up by hesitating between the Canon S95 and the Lumix LX5. I ended up choosing the Lumix but it was just because it felt better in my hands. I carry it in a small protective cover with a mini biner on the loop of the backpack shoulder strap. Allways handy.
On the other hand, you said you aren't into all the settings on a camera (like manual mode etc) and need something small to "capture the moment". In that case I would take one of the "indestructible cameras", like the Olympus TG 610 (middle range). A friend of mine has one and the picture quality is good, there is a zoom that doesn't protrude, and you won't worry about it if the conditions get nasty. I know that on internet you will find comments saying that the picture quality isn't good etc... but reviews tend to consider anything else than the most bestest expensive camera as poor. I find that for mountaineering, skiing or climbing photos, the quality is more than decent (better than my last camera) for computer viewing and printing up to medium sizes. Will you really be printing 1m long pictures?
My 2 cents, but I will probably be flamed for that...
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Normanras
Feb 19, 2012, 1:04 AM
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This might be a big faux pas among photographers but....
Honestly, my iPhone has come through for me in clutch moments on rock or in vertical places. The quality has been great, resolution is HD quality and running it through photoshop has given me some real good shots. Of course nothing compares to a camera whose sole purpose is to take pictures but when I don't have one available, my iPhone works great.
And they say that the best camera is the one you carry with you all the time....
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Marylandclimber
Feb 28, 2012, 8:40 PM
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Cannot beat the GoPro HD Hero 2
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