Point and shoot in low light

[LeslieG]

Is it possible to find a point and shoot camera that does well in low light? That has been my biggest complaint with my current camera. I'm hesitant for a larger camera, because I really want something to fit in a purse, but maybe such a thing doesn't exist. I know the experts here can guide me.

 

[xlxo]

Some thoughts...

• what is your current camera make and model as a comparison?
• how big is the purse? Will it fit a DSLR with no vertical grip? Can you drop in a mirrorless camera like a Sony NEX?
• there are some compact cameras that allow you to bolt on a DSLR flash to help day light your subject.
• there are cameras with larger sensors that work better in low light.
• How important is optical zoom to you. Compact cameras with large sensors have very limited optical zoom.

 

[havoc315]

In the last couple years, we are finally seeing some compact p&s cameras with larger sensors AND fast lenses, so they are capable in low light.

The 3 versions of the Sony rx100.
The new Panasonic lx100.
The new Canon G7x all come to mind.

 

[Frantasmic]

Is it possible to find a point and shoot camera that does well in low light?

I suspect there are other parameters you really want that you need to specify.

For example:

Is it possible to find a point and shoot camera that does well in low light...and on AUTO.

Is it possible to find a point and shoot camera that does well in low light...and zoom a lot.

Is it possible to find a point and shoot camera that does well in low light...and JPEGS or some other format I don't have to mess with.


As indicated by other posters, there are several good point and shoot cameras that have come a long way recently; however, when you consider the other unstated expectations, even they fall short.

 

[LeslieG]

Some thoughts...

• what is your current camera make and model as a comparison?
• how big is the purse? Will it fit a DSLR with no vertical grip? Can you drop in a mirrorless camera like a Sony NEX?
• there are some compact cameras that allow you to bolt on a DSLR flash to help day light your subject.
• there are cameras with larger sensors that work better in low light.
• How important is optical zoom to you. Compact cameras with large sensors have very limited optical zoom.

I have a Panasonic DMC-TZ3. It has a 10X optical zoom. I'd like something to fit in a pretty small purse.

 

[fractal]

I have a Panasonic DMC-TZ3. It has a 10X optical zoom. I'd like something to fit in a pretty small purse.

See Havoc's post above. He has achieved very nice low light shots with his RX100.

 

[LeslieG]

In the last couple years, we are finally seeing some compact p&s cameras with larger sensors AND fast lenses, so they are capable in low light.

The 3 versions of the Sony rx100.
The new Panasonic lx100.
The new Canon G7x all come to mind.[/QUOT


Looking at these, it appears I would need to make a trade-off for low light, losing the longer zoom?

 

[havoc315]

In the last couple years, we are finally seeing some compact p&s cameras with larger sensors AND fast lenses, so they are capable in low light.

The 3 versions of the Sony rx100.
The new Panasonic lx100.
The new Canon G7x all come to mind.[/QUOT


Looking at these, it appears I would need to make a trade-off for low light, losing the longer zoom?

Low light is tied to large sensors and fast lenses.
Fast lenses tend to be a bit bigger.
And larger sensors require larger lenses for zoom.

So there are economy point and shoot cameras -- small sensor and slow lens-- that can zoom to 500mm or longer.

On the opposite side -- most dSLR lenses (large sensor) don't really zoom beyond 300mm (and those lenses are very large). 500, 600mm lenses exist for dslrs, but they cost thousands of dollars and are the size of a suitcase.

So yes, to keep the package compact and affordable, you give up huge optical zoom.

 

[hakepb]

This is the result of putting a longer (200mm equivilent) fast zoom lens on a Sony RX100:
You get the much larger RX10:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sony-cybershot-dsc-rx10/

For a slight compromise, the Olympus Stylus 1 has a 1/1.7" sensor larger than your camera but still smaller than the RX100, but does have a fast f/2.8 zoom out to 300mm:

http://www.dpreview.com/products/olympus/compacts/oly_stylus1

 

[havoc315]

There is also the Panasonic fz1000. 400mm of telephoto. Sensor is the same size as the RX models. Lens is a bit slower, but still faster than most compact cameras.
But as you see, the camera isn't very small.

 

[havoc315]

This is the result of putting a longer (200mm equivilent) fast zoom lens on a Sony RX100:
You get the much larger RX10:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sony-cybershot-dsc-rx10/

For a slight compromise, the Olympus Stylus 1 has a 1/1.7" sensor larger than your camera but still smaller than the RX100, but does have a fast f/2.8 zoom out to 300mm:

http://www.dpreview.com/products/olympus/compacts/oly_stylus1

Here are some low light samples from the original RX100:

Pirates of the Caribbean by Havoc315, on Flickr

Camera Roll-434 by Havoc315, on Flickr

Pleasantville Train Station at night by Havoc315, on Flickr

untitled-63.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr

museumnightrx-49.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr

 

[My2Girls66]

I have a Nikon P310 that does well in low light on the auto setting.