Canon S95/S100 - still the daddy of compacts?
Discussion
Sorry to create yet another 'what camera' thread...
Bottom line is I love my D7000, but it's just not practical to take places in my pocket!
I have 2 old Sony compacts from the last 5+ years, a T10 and a W215, both of which are absolutely toilet.
They were half decent 5 years ago compared to other cheaper compacts, but these days the images just look substandard compared to even an iPhone 4S. The noise and the white balance are terrible once the light drops.
I had a Fuji X100 for a week or so that a friend lent me to try, and it was absolutely jaw dropping in every respect. The retro upmarket looks of it, the features, the hybrid optical digital viewfinder, the F2 lens, really nice bokeh, and the sensor produced amazing images in the evenings at ISO 3200. I was blown away by it, but I just can't bring myself to buy one because it's £700 and I know for a fact it's too big to be slipped in a pocket or a handbag... Therefore it just isn't suitable.
So I want to buy a new compact, and preferably one that really will slip into a jeans/jacket pocket or the girlfriends handbag, which is why I have been looking at the S100, being the rather compact size that it is, but I'm wondering if there is anything else out there that I might be overlooking?
If I buy a proper pocketable compact, I WILL happily take it more places and take more photos, which is the main thing isn't it?
Over to you!
Bottom line is I love my D7000, but it's just not practical to take places in my pocket!
I have 2 old Sony compacts from the last 5+ years, a T10 and a W215, both of which are absolutely toilet.
They were half decent 5 years ago compared to other cheaper compacts, but these days the images just look substandard compared to even an iPhone 4S. The noise and the white balance are terrible once the light drops.
I had a Fuji X100 for a week or so that a friend lent me to try, and it was absolutely jaw dropping in every respect. The retro upmarket looks of it, the features, the hybrid optical digital viewfinder, the F2 lens, really nice bokeh, and the sensor produced amazing images in the evenings at ISO 3200. I was blown away by it, but I just can't bring myself to buy one because it's £700 and I know for a fact it's too big to be slipped in a pocket or a handbag... Therefore it just isn't suitable.
So I want to buy a new compact, and preferably one that really will slip into a jeans/jacket pocket or the girlfriends handbag, which is why I have been looking at the S100, being the rather compact size that it is, but I'm wondering if there is anything else out there that I might be overlooking?
If I buy a proper pocketable compact, I WILL happily take it more places and take more photos, which is the main thing isn't it?
Over to you!
NinjaPower said:
Sorry to create yet another 'what camera' thread...
Bottom line is I love my D7000, but it's just not practical to take places in my pocket!
I have 2 old Sony compacts from the last 5+ years, a T10 and a W215, both of which are absolutely toilet.
They were half decent 5 years ago compared to other cheaper compacts, but these days the images just look substandard compared to even an iPhone 4S. The noise and the white balance are terrible once the light drops.
I had a Fuji X100 for a week or so that a friend lent me to try, and it was absolutely jaw dropping in every respect. The retro upmarket looks of it, the features, the hybrid optical digital viewfinder, the F2 lens, really nice bokeh, and the sensor produced amazing images in the evenings at ISO 3200. I was blown away by it, but I just can't bring myself to buy one because it's £700 and I know for a fact it's too big to be slipped in a pocket or a handbag... Therefore it just isn't suitable.
So I want to buy a new compact, and preferably one that really will slip into a jeans/jacket pocket or the girlfriends handbag, which is why I have been looking at the S100, being the rather compact size that it is, but I'm wondering if there is anything else out there that I might be overlooking?
If I buy a proper pocketable compact, I WILL happily take it more places and take more photos, which is the main thing isn't it?
Over to you!
Yes, the S100 (and new S110) have now been overtaken by the Sony RX100.Bottom line is I love my D7000, but it's just not practical to take places in my pocket!
I have 2 old Sony compacts from the last 5+ years, a T10 and a W215, both of which are absolutely toilet.
They were half decent 5 years ago compared to other cheaper compacts, but these days the images just look substandard compared to even an iPhone 4S. The noise and the white balance are terrible once the light drops.
I had a Fuji X100 for a week or so that a friend lent me to try, and it was absolutely jaw dropping in every respect. The retro upmarket looks of it, the features, the hybrid optical digital viewfinder, the F2 lens, really nice bokeh, and the sensor produced amazing images in the evenings at ISO 3200. I was blown away by it, but I just can't bring myself to buy one because it's £700 and I know for a fact it's too big to be slipped in a pocket or a handbag... Therefore it just isn't suitable.
So I want to buy a new compact, and preferably one that really will slip into a jeans/jacket pocket or the girlfriends handbag, which is why I have been looking at the S100, being the rather compact size that it is, but I'm wondering if there is anything else out there that I might be overlooking?
If I buy a proper pocketable compact, I WILL happily take it more places and take more photos, which is the main thing isn't it?
Over to you!
It's the nuts!
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_cybers...
I swapped my S100 for an RX100 and it is a big improvement in image quality. The Canon is still a great little camera - it is £150 cheaper and has the advantage of of 24mm wide angle compared to 28mm on the Sony.
The only slight problem for me is the size of the RX100. I went from an ultra compact camera that was 15mm deep to the S100 which was 10mm deeper to the RX100 which adds another 10mm. It is amazingly small for what it does, but it is not as easy to put into a jeans pocket as a truly small camera. I still take it with my virtually everywhere.
The only slight problem for me is the size of the RX100. I went from an ultra compact camera that was 15mm deep to the S100 which was 10mm deeper to the RX100 which adds another 10mm. It is amazingly small for what it does, but it is not as easy to put into a jeans pocket as a truly small camera. I still take it with my virtually everywhere.
kingston12 said:
I swapped my S100 for an RX100 and it is a big improvement in image quality. The Canon is still a great little camera - it is £150 cheaper and has the advantage of of 24mm wide angle compared to 28mm on the Sony.
The only slight problem for me is the size of the RX100. I went from an ultra compact camera that was 15mm deep to the S100 which was 10mm deeper to the RX100 which adds another 10mm. It is amazingly small for what it does, but it is not as easy to put into a jeans pocket as a truly small camera. I still take it with my virtually everywhere.
Certainly agree with the advantage of 24mm over 28mm, but I can't say I can really notice the difference in size compared to my S95.The only slight problem for me is the size of the RX100. I went from an ultra compact camera that was 15mm deep to the S100 which was 10mm deeper to the RX100 which adds another 10mm. It is amazingly small for what it does, but it is not as easy to put into a jeans pocket as a truly small camera. I still take it with my virtually everywhere.
For those that mentioned the Sony RX100, thanks!
I've just had a read of some glowing reviews and it seems to be very impressive, yet I hadn't even heard of it.
Zeiss lens with F1.8 lens at the wide end and a whopping 1" sensor in a very compact body is definitely appealing
I will have to have a look at one now I think.
I've just had a read of some glowing reviews and it seems to be very impressive, yet I hadn't even heard of it.
Zeiss lens with F1.8 lens at the wide end and a whopping 1" sensor in a very compact body is definitely appealing
I will have to have a look at one now I think.
I was champing at the bit to buy this camera, the reviews are all fantastic and it's the best thing since sliced bread.
However since it's release there have been quite a few complaints and disappointed users. It's been hyped up and has it's faults. Plus I've not really seen any photos that blow me away. and for that reason, I'm out.
However since it's release there have been quite a few complaints and disappointed users. It's been hyped up and has it's faults. Plus I've not really seen any photos that blow me away. and for that reason, I'm out.
thehawk said:
I was champing at the bit to buy this camera, the reviews are all fantastic and it's the best thing since sliced bread.
However since it's release there have been quite a few complaints and disappointed users. It's been hyped up and has it's faults. Plus I've not really seen any photos that blow me away. and for that reason, I'm out.
No camera's perfect of course, it would be nice to have a slightly greater zoom range, 24mm as opposed to 28m at the wide end, and a touch screen to allow easy pull-focus during videos but in terms of image quality the RX100 blows my S100 away, and the first proper compact where I don't feel like I'm missing out on having my DSLR with me for 90% of situations. Aside from cost I really can't see why anyone would choose another compact.However since it's release there have been quite a few complaints and disappointed users. It's been hyped up and has it's faults. Plus I've not really seen any photos that blow me away. and for that reason, I'm out.
Edited by StuH on Sunday 21st October 16:19
I strongly recommend this thread below for a proper look at photos out of a Sony RX100.
Some guy went on holiday with an RX100 and a Leica M9 (plus various lenses) and shot similar scenes with both.
The results are quite amazing, yes, the Leica looks a tiny bit better here and there, but by god the Sony isn't far behind! And we are talking about a £429 camera Vs a £5500 plus lenses camera...
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1143342/0
The pictures just keep getting better as the thread progresses.
Some guy went on holiday with an RX100 and a Leica M9 (plus various lenses) and shot similar scenes with both.
The results are quite amazing, yes, the Leica looks a tiny bit better here and there, but by god the Sony isn't far behind! And we are talking about a £429 camera Vs a £5500 plus lenses camera...
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1143342/0
The pictures just keep getting better as the thread progresses.
Some nice pics there - although I find the nd grad shots to get the "dreamy" waterfall shots a bit cliched for my taste.
I can only go by my own experience but i find the shots I get from the RX100 very comparable to my old 7D in quality. Good news is that the latest LR update to 4.2 also means that RX100 RAW's are supported.
I can only go by my own experience but i find the shots I get from the RX100 very comparable to my old 7D in quality. Good news is that the latest LR update to 4.2 also means that RX100 RAW's are supported.
I'm kind of swinging towards the Lumix LX7 now, seems to be getting very good reviews and the photos I've seen are very nice. Certainly better ergonomically designed than the RX100 which felt fiddly to hold. (downside is the LX7 is a bit heavier and larger)
And $200 cheaper, wider lens and larger aperture of 1.4 (full zoon at 2.3), better bokeh and background defocussing, as well as a better macro mode
e.g. http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/small-sensor-cameras...
Yes , the RX100 has finer detail if you blow up the photos by a large amount, but I'm not convinced it's a better camera if you only use it for the web, and up to A4 photos.
The images just seem much more 'pleasant' than the Sony.
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camco...
And $200 cheaper, wider lens and larger aperture of 1.4 (full zoon at 2.3), better bokeh and background defocussing, as well as a better macro mode
e.g. http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/small-sensor-cameras...
Yes , the RX100 has finer detail if you blow up the photos by a large amount, but I'm not convinced it's a better camera if you only use it for the web, and up to A4 photos.
The images just seem much more 'pleasant' than the Sony.
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camco...
thehawk said:
I'm kind of swinging towards the Lumix LX7 now, seems to be getting very good reviews and the photos I've seen are very nice. Certainly better ergonomically designed than the RX100 which felt fiddly to hold. (downside is the LX7 is a bit heavier and larger)
And $200 cheaper, wider lens and larger aperture of 1.4 (full zoon at 2.3), better bokeh and background defocussing, as well as a better macro mode
e.g. http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/small-sensor-cameras...
Yes , the RX100 has finer detail if you blow up the photos by a large amount, but I'm not convinced it's a better camera if you only use it for the web, and up to A4 photos.
The images just seem much more 'pleasant' than the Sony.
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camco...
No doubt an excellent camera but I'm not sure it's really targeting the same market. To me the RX100 has created it's own niche as its image quality due its is far larger sensor is superior to all the other premium compacts such as, LX5/7, s100/110 - it's just simple physics. So yes the LX7 has some features that are better than the RX100 and for web pics is already probably overkill, but someone who's looking at the RX100 is most likely (as in my case) going to be bought by someone who's looking for a discreet pocket-size companion to their DSLR, and where IQ is THE determining factor. - in which case it's really no contest. Plus the LX7 just looks too bulky to me.And $200 cheaper, wider lens and larger aperture of 1.4 (full zoon at 2.3), better bokeh and background defocussing, as well as a better macro mode
e.g. http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/small-sensor-cameras...
Yes , the RX100 has finer detail if you blow up the photos by a large amount, but I'm not convinced it's a better camera if you only use it for the web, and up to A4 photos.
The images just seem much more 'pleasant' than the Sony.
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camco...
fwiw I though the images in that techradar piece were mostly dreadful - which is surprising as I'm normally a big fan of the site.
thehawk said:
Still not sure I'd say a RX100 is pocketable, I get annoyed carrying anything other than something the size of the TX series if it's just to have a camera
I had a play with one in the Sony Centre on saturday, and I think it's probably the best compromise out there for smaller size and outright image quality.It is small enough to slip into a gentleman's jeans pocket provided that you aren't wearing some ridiculous skinny jeans!
Based on my 'mans jeans test' you can also assume it will slip into an inner suit jacket pocket, or a coat pocket, or your girlfriends clutch bag... and for holidays, it will be a perfect size to just drop into the pockets on my board shorts or whatever you want to call them.
Dave Stew hits the nail on the head... I want one because it is small. There is simply no point in buying a compact camera if it won't fit into jeans or jacket pocket. End of. If it slips into a pocket, I will be taking it a lot more places, which is the whole point.
If it won't fit into a jeans/shorts pocket then I might as well take my DSLR.
Having handled one, I think the RX100 is the maximum size you can still class as a pocketable compact. Anything bigger is straying out of the 'pocket' territory.
I'm happy paying a premium for a big sensor (relatively) that will fit in my pocket.
NinjaPower said:
I'm happy paying a premium for a big sensor (relatively) that will fit in my pocket.
That was my reason for getting one as well. Definitely the best compromise for me. I do find it more jacket pocket than jeans pocket size, though. It will fit into my jeans at a push, though, so I was happy to pay the premium over my Sony TX10, which fits nicely in any pocket.Everyone will compromise in different ways. I'd not have a compact any bigger than the RX100 because I have got a Sony NEX as well and it is just as easy to take that and a small lens in a bag as to take an LX7 or Canon GX1.
Well I've bought one... A Sony RX100 that is
I'll let you know how I get on once I have used it a bit, but first impressions are excellent. Smaller than you think it's going to be and beautifully made, feels worth the asking price just holding it in your hand. It also uses the DSLR software and menus from the top end Sony cameras rather than the normal Sony 'Compact camera' menus which gives you an awful lot of well received controls and settings.
As for the price, Sony Centres want £549 but I got it via someone who orders them direct from Sony UK using some dodgy staff discount code... So it was delivered to me direct from Sony UK complete with Sony invoice/warranty for £405... I'm very happy at that
Now lets see if it really is "the worlds best pocket camera that money can buy" as some reviews are claiming...
Thanks to all in the thread who alerted me to the Sony, I had no idea it existed until I posted.
I'll let you know how I get on once I have used it a bit, but first impressions are excellent. Smaller than you think it's going to be and beautifully made, feels worth the asking price just holding it in your hand. It also uses the DSLR software and menus from the top end Sony cameras rather than the normal Sony 'Compact camera' menus which gives you an awful lot of well received controls and settings.
As for the price, Sony Centres want £549 but I got it via someone who orders them direct from Sony UK using some dodgy staff discount code... So it was delivered to me direct from Sony UK complete with Sony invoice/warranty for £405... I'm very happy at that
Now lets see if it really is "the worlds best pocket camera that money can buy" as some reviews are claiming...
Thanks to all in the thread who alerted me to the Sony, I had no idea it existed until I posted.
NinjaPower said:
As for the price, Sony Centres want £549 but I got it via someone who orders them direct from Sony UK using some dodgy staff discount code... So it was delivered to me direct from Sony UK complete with Sony invoice/warranty for £405... I'm very happy at that
Jammy git 
Hope you enjoy it.
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