I'm looking for a pocket camera I can pick up today or tomorrow for a trip late next week (bhphoto usually sends stuff in 24 hours so there is plenty of time <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='  ' /> ).
Cameras I've seen recommended include lx5, olympus xz-1, canon s95 and sony hx9v.
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I've seen the s95 and xz-1 and will check out the hx9v later today (lx5 is not in a local store).
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The xz-1 was too large for a pocket camera and I was underwhelmed by the handling. I was also underwhelmed by the s95 but it is very pocketable. I realize the hx9v does not have very good high iso performance (relative to the s95) but it does have a very long lens (28-300) and rumour is very good handling and stabilization.
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Has anyone used any of these cameras and can offer advice or perhaps a different model. Btw given the size of the xz-1 I would go with the nex-5 or gh2 first. I mean it was very light and small but the lens is very exposed on the xz-1 and so the level of care would be similar to a larger camera. I found the nex-5 extremely responsive but it is too large for this application (basically I want to carry it on a raft; and would like it to fit in my jacket pocket).
[quote name='you2' timestamp='1310041127' post='9795']
I'm looking for a pocket camera I can pick up today or tomorrow for a trip late next week (bhphoto usually sends stuff in 24 hours so there is plenty of time <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=' ' /> ).
Cameras I've seen recommended include lx5, olympus xz-1, canon s95 and sony hx9v.
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I've seen the s95 and xz-1 and will check out the hx9v later today (lx5 is not in a local store).
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The xz-1 was too large for a pocket camera and I was underwhelmed by the handling. I was also underwhelmed by the s95 but it is very pocketable. I realize the hx9v does not have very good high iso performance (relative to the s95) but it does have a very long lens (28-300) and rumour is very good handling and stabilization.
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Has anyone used any of these cameras and can offer advice or perhaps a different model. Btw given the size of the xz-1 I would go with the nex-5 or gh2 first. I mean it was very light and small but the lens is very exposed on the xz-1 and so the level of care would be similar to a larger camera. I found the nex-5 extremely responsive but it is too large for this application (basically I want to carry it on a raft; and would like it to fit in my jacket pocket).
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Fuji FinePix 550exr...
To take on a rafting trip I would look at the Pentax Optio WG-1; it is waterproof, shock proof and fits in any pocket. Pentax Optio cameras make excellent pictures, I have one, and are very reliable. On a raft you cannot avoid water and I would never take my regular camera on such a trip. Panasonic also has an excellent model like this one, the FT2 or FT3..
Well I said raft but it is more of a boat than a raft so I will not be wet; and I would keep it in a plastic bag in case of capsize.
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How does the Fuji FinePix 550exr compare to the sony hx9v ?
image quality, performance (auto focus accuracy and such) and size (esp size).
I have the HX9V. It is actually equivalent to 24-384mm in range so it pretty much covers everything. As long as you're not a pixel peeper, the image output exceeded my expectations. They have shoved in far more MP than the lens can feed so you will never get pixel sharp output from it but you are unlikely to complain at typical output sizes. I'd even say it gives more instantly usable images than a DSLR in low light, but that's probably more in part due to the buckets of processing they throw at it than inherent performance. Pixel level output can often look like a Photoshop "artistic effect" filter.
The focus is pretty nippy, I guess in part due to the relatively large DoF it has. Like most other compacts, it continuously focuses while it is on so it is rarely far off when you push the button, and the remaining fine adjustment time is minimal.
While it feels well built, I wouldn't want to expose it to harsh conditions. I'd want to treat it more carefully than an entry level DSLR for example.
My second choice camera would have been the Panasonic TZ20 but for the overall package I think the Sony is just better.
I did look at the older Fuji F300EXR in the past. The self hyped fast AF was universally criticised in reviews as only working in absolutely ideal conditions. Plus the pointless quirk of popping up the flash whether you want it or not was a deal breaker for me. It put me off so much I didn't even bother to look at the 550 this time around.
<a class="bbc_url" href="http://snowporing.deviantart.com/">dA</a> Canon 7D2, 7D, 5D2, 600D, 450D, 300D IR modified, 1D, EF-S 10-18, 15-85, EF 35/2, 85/1.8, 135/2, 70-300L, 100-400L, MP-E65, Zeiss 2/50, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300/2.8, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Olympus E-P1, Panasonic 20/1.7, Sony HX9V, Fuji X100.
Ok thanks. I think the choice is the sony hx9v, canon sd95 or olympus zx-1. I think leaning towards the sony for the longer zoom range. The canon sx230 seems reasonable also. I realize that the sx230 and sony hx9v are super zoom with super small sensor and the olympus zx-1 and sd95 have larger sensors but shorter lenses. The olympus seems esp interesting with the super fast lens (2 stop faster than the sd95) but it is not really pocket-able and didn't feel right in my hands. The sd95 just didn't do it for me when I played with it at the store (very slow response). Unfortunately neither the canon sx230 or sony hx9v had power at the store but after a dozen reviews it seems like trade off aplenty between the two. The fuji 550exr (from reviews) had more issues that would bother myself than the sony or sz230.
Popo are you happy with the output from the sony? The biggest negative towards the sony is the output is overprocessed but after looking at a lot of images from the sx230 and sony for the most part it seemed an issue but not a deal breaker.
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This is one of the better reviews I found with lots of comparative pictures:
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/sony-vs-canon-vs-panasonic-vs-fujifilm-gps-zoom-cameras-16660
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There is also this review that is fairly good:
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/comparisons/2011-compact-gps-ultra-zoom-cameras
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I think the problem is that I want the sony performance/video with the canon image quality.
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What was not clear to me from the review is if you could reduce the over processing of the sony to give images closer to the canon. It does look pretty clear that canon has better images at the pixel level (and either higher resolution or better pixel processing). The sony has better performance. Hum. decision decision.
Some early test samples I did with the HX9V you can also download at full size are at the following:
http://fav.me/d3jc0op
http://fav.me/d3jbzvl
http://fav.me/d3jbyxb
http://fav.me/d3jbyej
As mentioned before, you probably wont ever be satisfied with pixel peeping the output, but do look at it at typical output sizes and there I have no complaint.
The photos were taken in the various auto modes, which do a pretty good job. There are more image output settings available in P/M modes but I haven't really played with them. No RAW output.
<a class="bbc_url" href="http://snowporing.deviantart.com/">dA</a> Canon 7D2, 7D, 5D2, 600D, 450D, 300D IR modified, 1D, EF-S 10-18, 15-85, EF 35/2, 85/1.8, 135/2, 70-300L, 100-400L, MP-E65, Zeiss 2/50, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300/2.8, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Olympus E-P1, Panasonic 20/1.7, Sony HX9V, Fuji X100.
Do you have any larger images (not 100% but say 50% or so?). Do you find the fact that the camera picks the compression on the jpeg and there are no controls for such?
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Still debating between this and the sx230. On most of the reviews they rate the hx9v higher but at the same time they show images form the canon with obviously better detail (though I tend towards the sony colours which are a bit warmer).
[quote name='popo' timestamp='1310125027' post='9812']
Some early test samples I did with the HX9V you can also download at full size are at the following:
http://fav.me/d3jc0op
http://fav.me/d3jbzvl
http://fav.me/d3jbyxb
http://fav.me/d3jbyej
As mentioned before, you probably wont ever be satisfied with pixel peeping the output, but do look at it at typical output sizes and there I have no complaint.
The photos were taken in the various auto modes, which do a pretty good job. There are more image output settings available in P/M modes but I haven't really played with them. No RAW output.
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Not sure what you mean by larger. If you click those links, on the top right corner of each page there is a download button where you can get the original file as opposed to the smaller one displayed.
I do kinda wonder if I could get more detail if I could control (reduce) the noise reduction strength, which would be a step before the jpeg compression comes into play. But as it stands, it is good enough.
<a class="bbc_url" href="http://snowporing.deviantart.com/">dA</a> Canon 7D2, 7D, 5D2, 600D, 450D, 300D IR modified, 1D, EF-S 10-18, 15-85, EF 35/2, 85/1.8, 135/2, 70-300L, 100-400L, MP-E65, Zeiss 2/50, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300/2.8, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Olympus E-P1, Panasonic 20/1.7, Sony HX9V, Fuji X100.
Sorry about that missed the link in the bottom right corner.
I don't know; the canon definitely has better images but the sony wins everywhere else; sometimes it is better to have a camera that is 'fun' to use than one that produce the absolute best image.
It might be possible to get better images with the controls on the sony not sure; guess that is what I was sort of asking. Hum. I think i'll ask best buy to put some batteries in the h9vx so i can play a bit with it. Maybe I'm spending too much time over the decision.
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