Which compact?

[gherkins]

As the title says. Budget up to 300 quid. Want reasonable manual control and fast enough to take pics of our young children in low light/indoors, when the DSLR's not handy. Am considering either the Olympus XZ-1 or the Canon S100, but open to suggestions.... Oh, and no bigger than the XZ-1. Thanks in advance....

[gherkins]

Nobody? I've read the reviews, but would like to hear from someone who's experienced using these cameras, or can recommend any other.

[DavidY]

I'd add the Fuji X10 to your potential shopping list, slightly larger than the XZ-1, but very sharp images, good in low light, and capable of generating RAW images (allowing better post processing manipulation). Slightly over budget but not by much, and it looks so cool.

Review here:- http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilm-x10

Mega Owners thread here:- http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread...

I have an X100 and am very pleased with it, but am also considering an X10 just to give me zoom capability!

[browno]

I'd second a vote for the X10 - it's a great little camera - works really well in the auto modes for quick snaps, but also has plenty of control to get creative.

I bought mine for the same purpose - as a compliment to my D300s for portability and grabbing those quick shots, and it has been great so far, also does really crisp video and panoramas, which are handy.

Edited by browno on Wednesday 5th December 11:18

[XKjimmy]

Another vote for the X10, Lovely little camera, great fun to use with the twist to turn on and twisting zoom, produces some fantastic photographs. Its very well built and has a lovely design too.

Mine was bought to compliment my 5D II to grab and get quick shots. I had an S95 for the same purpose before which was a great camera but didn't feel as good as the X10.

[marcosgt]

A vote for Fuji in general.

Back in the 35mm days they used to make fairly decent SLRs, but have abandoned this market.

I used to have a small 2MP Fuji bridge camera and people were forever asking what camera I had that took such good photos. I only sold it when I got an underwater camera as a gift (it's actually a compact in a housing, so rendered the Fuji redundant as a second camera), but the new owner reported themselves very happy with it.

I think the lens was pretty good and I suspect the sensor (even if low res), but the picture quality and exposure control always seemed to punch well above its 'weight' (technically speaking).

My daughter has a Fuji compact now and it's taken some great shots.

My wife, however, has a Lumix, which is very good when the light's good (a challenger to my SLR in image quality, I'd say), but tends to get a bit confused when the light's low or contrast is high (as does my Sealife UW camera, actually).

M