Any P&S Cameras that are "almost" as good as a DSLR?

Kim&Chris

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Mar 23, 2000
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I have a Canon DSLR that I love, but hate to lug around.

Looking for a P&S that is easy to use and takes beautiful pics. Doesn't have to be super high-end. Just looking for something I can put in my handbag, and that has decent shot-to-shot speed (which is actually the reason I bought the DSLR in the first place).

I figure if my iPhone can take fast pics, there's GOT to be a point and shoot that's relatively quick these days. Thanks!
 
Also look into mirrorless cameras. Mirrorless cameras use larger sensors like DSLR's.
 

I have a Canon DSLR that I love, but hate to lug around.

Looking for a P&S that is easy to use and takes beautiful pics. Doesn't have to be super high-end. Just looking for something I can put in my handbag, and that has decent shot-to-shot speed (which is actually the reason I bought the DSLR in the first place).
I figure if my iPhone can take fast pics, there's GOT to be a point and shoot that's relatively quick these days. Thanks!

I agree, look at mirrorless cameras - smaller and lighter and they can use DSLR lens with appropriate adapter
www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless
 
Some mirrorless are quite slow, some are amazingly fast.
But when one says camera "speed," that has so many factors:
-- speed in which focus locks on to the subject.
-- speed of the shutter lag.
-- ability to lock focus in low light (difficulty will cause the camera to refuse to take the shot, giving the perception of slowness)
-- the frame rate. Whether the camera can take 2 shots per second or as many as 20 (or even much higher on some mirrorless cameras).
--the speed with which the buffer clears, ready for the next burst.

So are you simply looking for a camera with a low shutter lag? fast focus acquisition?
 
best (and possibly cheapest) if you shoot with a canon DSLR is to look at using a pancake lens, makes my 60d almost pocket friendly, gives you the bets of both.
 
Some mirrorless are quite slow, some are amazingly fast.
But when one says camera "speed," that has so many factors:
-- speed in which focus locks on to the subject.
-- speed of the shutter lag.
-- ability to lock focus in low light (difficulty will cause the camera to refuse to take the shot, giving the perception of slowness)
-- the frame rate. Whether the camera can take 2 shots per second or as many as 20 (or even much higher on some mirrorless cameras).
--the speed with which the buffer clears, ready for the next burst.

So are you simply looking for a camera with a low shutter lag? fast focus acquisition?
Also flash recharge times (which are often painfully slow in PnS cameras)
 
90% of getting the shot is the photographer. If you love what you get with your DSLR, chances are if you get a halfway decent point and shoot and learn to leverage it's capabilities you will be happy with that as well.

You may also consider something like the Canon SL1 which is on par with some super zoom point and shoots size wise. Put a pancake on it or a 50mm f/1.8 and you've got a tiny little light weight camera.
 
best (and possibly cheapest) if you shoot with a canon DSLR is to look at using a pancake lens, makes my 60d almost pocket friendly, gives you the bets of both.

Just wanted to thank you for this advice. I just ordered a pancake lens. I think it's the best option for me!
 
Just to throw it out there since it wasn't mentioned but is widely acclaimed as one of the better pocket-sized compacts made to date, would be the Sony RX100 series (!, II, III, and IV being the most recent). They have larger 1" sensors, bigger than P&S camera sensors but smaller than DSLR, they have fast lenses (Zeiss F1.8 max aperture), can shoot in RAW, have 20MP, and overall get very high ratings from DSLR/mirrorless shooters who like to have a small pocket option.
(I do not own one, so I'm not promoting it out of personal experience).
 
Just to throw it out there since it wasn't mentioned but is widely acclaimed as one of the better pocket-sized compacts made to date, would be the Sony RX100 series (!, II, III, and IV being the most recent). They have larger 1" sensors, bigger than P&S camera sensors but smaller than DSLR, they have fast lenses (Zeiss F1.8 max aperture), can shoot in RAW, have 20MP, and overall get very high ratings from DSLR/mirrorless shooters who like to have a small pocket option.
(I do not own one, so I'm not promoting it out of personal experience).


Agreed 100%, and my DS does own one. Rapid fire, it has. There's always the new Iphone7 :duck:getchu some shallow depth of field in trade of the speed.
 
I second [or is it thrid?] the choice of a Sony RX100...I own the mark 3, and it is fantastic!! Especially when i am on vacation and dont want to carry my A7ii or A600.

Kungaloosh!

B-
 
If you are still in the market, I suggest the Sony A6300. It is an incredible camera, and with some of its smaller lenses, it is quite small. Also, if you have invested heavily into Cannon glass, you can by lens adapters that will allow you to use your Cannon glass on it. So when doing other types of shooting, outside of theme parks and vacations, you can actually carry around two bodies.

If you have any questions about it, ask away. I got mine the day it came out this year, and have taken thousands of photos with it already.
 
I gotta tell you, I LOVE this new lens! So grateful for your recommendation :-) Got a great deal on it, too - I bought it refurbished, directly from Canon, on sale. :thanks:

Your lucky in the U.K. We don't have a canon refurb store....that I'm aware off
 












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