Narsuitus
Digital Compacts
I currently use the following digital compact cameras:
Olympus E-p1 (front left)
Olympus E-p3 (front right)
Canon G11 (back left)
Canon G15 (back right)
These four compacts have many of the features I desire. However, some have only some of the features; none have all of the features; and some features are completely missing from all four.
My ideal compact digital camera would meet the following specifications:
1.Built to withstand daily usage.
2.Manufacturing quality of the Leica MP or M6 film camera
3.Body and controls are ergonomically designed.
4.Has a simple user interface like the Nikon SP, Leica MP, or Leica M6 film cameras rather than relying on menus, toggle switches, and fly-wheels
5.About the size, weight, and style as the Leica MP or M6 film cameras
6.High quality, fast, interchangeable lenses
7.Live-view LCD screen
8.Ability to hide the LCD screen so that it is not visible.
9.LCD screen swings and rotates
10.Fast and accurate auto focus control
11.Fast and accurate manual focus control
12.Manual and auto exposure control
13.Choice of built-in spot, zone, and center-weighted light metering patterns
14.Offers shutter priority, aperture priority, manual, and program exposure modes but no scenic modes like portrait, landscape, children, sunsets, etc.
15.Provides “B” (bulb) and “T” (timed) exposure options
16.Resolution equal to or greater than 35mm film
17.Minimum of 12 megapixel resolution
18.Creates RAW and standard jpeg image files
19.Dynamic range similar to the Fuji S5 dSLR
20.Uses CompactFlash and/or SD memory cards
21.Uses standard-sized generic batteries rather than proprietary batteries
22.Uses rechargeable batteries that can be recharged outside of camera body
23.No built-in flash
24.Has both hot shoe and PC flash connections for external flash units.
25.Uses a digital sensor that allows the user to select a horizontal rectangular format, a vertical rectangular format, or a square format.
26.Digital sensor is user upgradeable.
27.Camera software is user upgradeable.
28.Body cost $600 or less
29.Digital sensor is protected from dust and/or is self-cleaning.
30.Provides custom color, contrast, saturation, dynamic range, white balance, and noise reduction controls.
31.Has totally silent mode (no clicking, beeping, or whirling sounds during picture taking).
32.Minimal warm-up time when unit is turned on.
33.Minimal delay when shutter is pressed
34.Ability to shoot at least 2.5 images per second
35.Ability to shoot at least 24 consecutive images
36.ISO light meter range from 50 to 3200 or greater.
37.Produces high quality video images
38.Has microphone jack
39.Camera does not have stupid sounding name like “CoolPix” or "FinePix.”
Until my perfect digital compact comes around, I will continue to use the four digital compacts I have.
Thus far, I have been very pleased using the Canon G15 compact and the Olympus micro 4/3 as monochrome cameras.
I use the G15 as a black & white test camera when shooting with a 4x5 view camera because the G15 can give me a 4x5 aspect ratio for composition.
The Olympus micro 4/3 camera with Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 normal lens, Olympus 45mm f/1.8 telephoto lens, and Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 wide-angle lens produces excellent monochrome images.
Digital Compacts
I currently use the following digital compact cameras:
Olympus E-p1 (front left)
Olympus E-p3 (front right)
Canon G11 (back left)
Canon G15 (back right)
These four compacts have many of the features I desire. However, some have only some of the features; none have all of the features; and some features are completely missing from all four.
My ideal compact digital camera would meet the following specifications:
1.Built to withstand daily usage.
2.Manufacturing quality of the Leica MP or M6 film camera
3.Body and controls are ergonomically designed.
4.Has a simple user interface like the Nikon SP, Leica MP, or Leica M6 film cameras rather than relying on menus, toggle switches, and fly-wheels
5.About the size, weight, and style as the Leica MP or M6 film cameras
6.High quality, fast, interchangeable lenses
7.Live-view LCD screen
8.Ability to hide the LCD screen so that it is not visible.
9.LCD screen swings and rotates
10.Fast and accurate auto focus control
11.Fast and accurate manual focus control
12.Manual and auto exposure control
13.Choice of built-in spot, zone, and center-weighted light metering patterns
14.Offers shutter priority, aperture priority, manual, and program exposure modes but no scenic modes like portrait, landscape, children, sunsets, etc.
15.Provides “B” (bulb) and “T” (timed) exposure options
16.Resolution equal to or greater than 35mm film
17.Minimum of 12 megapixel resolution
18.Creates RAW and standard jpeg image files
19.Dynamic range similar to the Fuji S5 dSLR
20.Uses CompactFlash and/or SD memory cards
21.Uses standard-sized generic batteries rather than proprietary batteries
22.Uses rechargeable batteries that can be recharged outside of camera body
23.No built-in flash
24.Has both hot shoe and PC flash connections for external flash units.
25.Uses a digital sensor that allows the user to select a horizontal rectangular format, a vertical rectangular format, or a square format.
26.Digital sensor is user upgradeable.
27.Camera software is user upgradeable.
28.Body cost $600 or less
29.Digital sensor is protected from dust and/or is self-cleaning.
30.Provides custom color, contrast, saturation, dynamic range, white balance, and noise reduction controls.
31.Has totally silent mode (no clicking, beeping, or whirling sounds during picture taking).
32.Minimal warm-up time when unit is turned on.
33.Minimal delay when shutter is pressed
34.Ability to shoot at least 2.5 images per second
35.Ability to shoot at least 24 consecutive images
36.ISO light meter range from 50 to 3200 or greater.
37.Produces high quality video images
38.Has microphone jack
39.Camera does not have stupid sounding name like “CoolPix” or "FinePix.”
Until my perfect digital compact comes around, I will continue to use the four digital compacts I have.
Thus far, I have been very pleased using the Canon G15 compact and the Olympus micro 4/3 as monochrome cameras.
I use the G15 as a black & white test camera when shooting with a 4x5 view camera because the G15 can give me a 4x5 aspect ratio for composition.
The Olympus micro 4/3 camera with Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 normal lens, Olympus 45mm f/1.8 telephoto lens, and Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 wide-angle lens produces excellent monochrome images.