Exciting new camera options for Disney Trips

[webshark3]

The age-old debate. I want great photos, but don't want to carry around a bulky DSLR. The good news is that the answers are coming. Here's just a few models to look out for. All feature large "DSLR sensors". Note that the Olympus is just a mockup.

Panasonic micro4/3 G1. Mirrorless "DSLR" that is slightly smaller than the tiny Olympus E-420. Interchangeable lenses.

Olympus m4/3. Now that is small. Anyone else bothered by the lack of flash in a compact? Hopefully the final product will have it. Uses Interchangeable lenses.

If you prefer a "thinking system" like me (btw, I probably would not recommend these for most Disney folk. But man do I LOVE my DP1!):

Sigma DP1 (fixed lens, 28mm FOV, F4)
Sigma DP2 (fixed lens, 41mm FOV, F2.8)

(They look the same)

I'm only looking at large sensor "compacts" here, but obviously the Canon G series and Panasonic and the others have some nice prosumer options with small sensors. But if you're like me, you won't want to give up that large sensor.... just the size and weight.

BTW, photos are from PMA coverage by dpreview.com. Head over there for up to date info on these cameras.

 

[boBQuincy]

This *is* exciting! The idea of a small but more capable camera (than the current crop of P&S) could create a new market segment.
I just ordered a Canon Xsi in order to reduce the size and weight of what I carry. The new micro 4/3 system might be the next step but so far the "SLR" is only about 100g lighter than the Canon.
Also, I will wait to see if good (faster, as in f/4) lenses appear along with the cameras.

The DPx series, as nice as they seem, just won't work for me without a zoom, variable, or at least interchangeable prime lenses.

 

[Experiment_626]

I have come to the conclusion that what I really need when I'm shooting photos in WDW is not a smaller camera, better tripod, or different lenses -- it is an assistant to carry all my gear and get it all ready for me!

That would be bliss! I mean, my wife does help carry some of my stuff for me, but not without complaints ...

SSB

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I'm very excited by the micro 4/3 system. Not enough to buy anything currently out, but enough that I'm watching to see how the market develops. I'd love to replace my G9 with something not too much larger with a much larger sensor.

The lack of a built-in flash doesn't bother me at all. Built in flashes are extremely close to useless. They don't have much power. The light from the is very hard and flat. They cause red eye and reflection problems. There only use is for fill-in flash and they usually aren't strong enough to be very useful for that. The only built-in flash that I consider more of an asset than a liability is the Nikon one's that can be used to control other flashes.

 

[Anewman]

I have come to the conclusion that what I really need when I'm shooting photos in WDW is not a smaller camera, better tripod, or different lenses -- it is an assistant to carry all my gear and get it all ready for me!

That would be bliss! I mean, my wife does help carry some of my stuff for me, but not without complaints ...

SSB

Hey fly me out from Disneyland, I can help

 

[webshark3]

The lack of a built-in flash doesn't bother me at all. Built in flashes are extremely close to useless. They don't have much power.

Well, I do use mine for fill quite a bit. Don't need a lot of power, just a bit. I would have lost this one without the fill. I don't like carrying around a external flash, so it's (another) trade-off.