Tuesday
Apr282009
New camera required...
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 7:13PM So with the upcoming LA trip (and others) in mind, I thinks it's time I invested in a decent camera rather than the cheap and cheerful ones I've always ended up buying in the past.
My needs are simple:
Mandatory
- Shoot in RAW format: I think this is now a given for most serious cameras
- Small and Compact: I don't think I want to go down the full SLR route.
- Point and Shoot: Really, really good automatic settings
- Aperture Support: Going to give Apples Aperture application a spin so the RAW format needs to be compatible.
Optional
- Video support: Would be nice to shoot in 720p
- GPS: Auto geotagging would be great but I'm prepared to use a data logger for GPS tagging
Reader Comments (23)
Canon G9 (or now it's the G10). Great cam. Got everything except GPS (at least my G9 doesn't).
All the best, Stefan
Could always just get an Eye Fi card (http://www.eye.fi/) if you can't find a camera with GPS built in.
Second Stefan's advice. Have the G9 but the G10 if you have the budget sounds good. Same innards (I am told) as the SLR.
Panasonic Lumix LX3. Leica lens, incredible pictures, most pros rate it way better than the G10. Only built in GPS is missing. But the pictures are truly impressive. One problem, the Panasonic RAW format is as of yet unsupported in Aperture and iPhoto, so you'd have to use Lightroom or Panasonic's own software.
Had an email from my brother also recommending the G10. The fact that the LX3 is not supported by Aperture and iPhoto is a deal breaker for me I'm afraid.
Stay away from the Eye Fi cards. I bought the 4GB wireless anniversary edition and had to take it back after only 10 photos or so. They don't write fast enough for big MP cameras (over 5 MP). I took a photo with a 9MP camera and it took 10-15 seconds to save the picture. I tried the rapid shot (3 pics in a row) it froze the camera. Bought a San disk ultra II and have never had a problem since.
You seem to have described the Nikon CoolPix 6000 exactly. Check it out
Pat
Hey Pat, Good to see you here! I was considering the CoolPix 6000 as it's one of the few with GPS but it looks like there is no Aperture support? Unless I'm mistaken?
Hi Don, I have the P6000. I understan Aperture support is in the offing. The camera is as simple or complex as you want it to be with many modes covering macro, shutter/aperture priority, full manual etc. Pictures look great. GPS works well but is a drain on battery life if you leave it on all the time. The Nikon website has a forum where Aperture is discussed.
HTH,
James
Don,
I just checked the Aperture support docs over at Apple. The Nikon P6000 is now on the list:
http://www.apple.com/aperture/specs/raw.html
Have fun in LA!
Pat
I think the best camera for raw point and shot with manual override is the Panasonic Lumix. Leica lens and large raw file capture. Also shots HD video.
Specs:
The DMC-LX3 puts the joy of creating beautiful, richly expressive images into every photographer's hands. Leading the list of features is a large, developed, ultra-sensitive CCD. And rather than simply maximizing the pixel count as other cameras do, the DMC-LX3 makes generous use of its 10.1 megapixels in this 1/1.63-inch CCD. Each pixel is around 45% larger than those in ordinary 10-megapixel cameras. This boosts both sensitivity and saturation by around 40% each compared to standard models. Its predecessor, the DMC-LX2, also featured a large, 1/1.65-inch CCD, but in comparison, the DMC-LX3 offers around 20% greater sensitivity and… more »
I have the Canon G9 for the same purpose, and it worked in Aperture 1 and 2. Plus, Apple seems to update RAW support at least once a quarter and the G10 has been out for awhile now, so I would be surprised if Aperture doesn't support it.
I've taken lots of decent videos as well, and the built-in mic picked up everything. Just be careful with wind. :)
Understand your deal-breaker comments re DMC-LX3 but I bought one recently and it is a thing of beauty, amazing pictures - Panasonic seem to lean towards the blue side of things but it does make skies look crisp and clear. Won't there be future support in Aperture and iPhoto?
Just to add I was swayed by the comments on MacBreak Weekly, or should that be MacBreak Weekly (but we're going to talk about cameras all the time anyway!)
OK, so thanks for all the feedback and suggestions. Looks like the LX3, P6000 and G10 are all supported by Aperture.
I finally discounted the P6000 as although it has built in GPS, it would appear to be a bit flakey and have an adverse effect on battery life. As well as having to be switched on and off.
That left the LX3 or the G10 with which I'll use a dedicated GPS data logger.
I liked the smaller size of the LX3 but I think the final decision is to go with the G10. This is based purely on the sample images I've been looking at one Flickr and other resources plus the fact the the G10 seems to have a better optical zoom and wider lens.
Again, thanks so much for all the feedback, the decision was not as easy as I thought.
Now I need to take a crash course in taking decent photos!
Crash course in decent photos
Step 1 - Remove the lens cover
;-)
I can recommend the Canon G10 Don. I bought one recently after having a G2 and a G6. It's an amazing very nice to use camera. I prefer it to the Panasonic I bought. I use it with Aperture 2 and get very good results. Some of the features that drew me to it apart from the fact all my other photographic gear is Canon. Is th speed it's ready to shoot from turning on. The good wide angle lens but still a good telephoto. It can be either a point and shoot at one end of the scale and fully manual at the other.
And I can confirm that Aperture 2 Supports the G10's raw format.
I think after listening to all the photo podcasts that I do, that I'd go with the Lx3 for sure ... the G10 is apparently not what the G9 was, especially since G9 prices are holding pretty well, I hear. Anyway, that's my 2c.
They all have some decent field guides, and videos...
Don,
It sounds like you have made a decision. As a professional photographer I have to put my vote in for the DLUX 3 - the leica version of the Panasonic you have been viewing. OK I an a pro so had to have the real thing !. The files are VERY good. To has a great panoramic format 16:9 , which you will be familiar with in terms of video. I have also seen the Canon and have a G5 and 1DSmark3 - they are all good BUT for a small point / shoot I just love the Leica. If anyone is interested in dissecting a file - certainly happy to supply one.
@DonMc : You will surely find some good screencasts on the web ...
;-)
>Now I need to take a crash course in taking decent photos!
I'm late to the party on this post so you may have already bought something. (If so, it'd be nice to hear what you got and how you like it.)
I echo the recommendation for the Panasonic LX3 – sadly, availability has been very spotty over the last 6mos. I have a hard time recommending the Canon G9/10/11 as pocket cameras. They aren't. They're large, range finder type travel cameras LOADED with features. Too many IMO. They're great cameras for a quality-minded, one-camera owner who prefers a compact, fixed lens, all-in-one. For serious photographers who already have capable DLSRs (like me) the desire for a true POCKET camera may often trump the dizzying feature list of the G-series.
Canon's new S90 looks to have captured the essence of what makes the Panasonic LX3 so desirable. It's tiny. Has a brilliantly fast and WIDE lens. It shoots RAW. Better still, it appears to have outdone the LX3 in terms of ergonomics & ease of use. I'm looking forward to getting one when they start shipping later this month. As a commercial photographer, I've had my fill of heavy camera bags & too much gear while traveling. I'm excited about a pocket camera that will actually fit in my pocket for family outings, travel and times when I don't want to feel like I'm "working."