Moving away from DSLR

Snapper · #1 June 6th, 2012, 03:54 PM

My mother currently owns a Canon Rebel XSI with the default 18-55 lens. It has served her extremely well while shooting typical mom material. I typically leave the camera in P mode with a few good "auto" options and she goes to town with it.

The reason she opted for a DSLR several years ago because it was superior to P&S near the price range in all of her test shots. She enjoyed its low light performance and quick focus while shooting moving objects. Most of all - she loved the tactile feel of the camera and its ability to zoom in quickly with a twist of the lens.

Recently she has underwent several surgeries and is unable to carry or even hold the DSLR for an extended period of time. She lost some of her mobility and strength in the process.

I researched "modern" P&S that have larger sensors and great auto-modes. We ended up purchasing a Canon S95, then switched to a Canon S100 to record HD video.

The Canon S100 performed great! We really loved the quality of the photos compared to her Canon. We also enjoyed the HD video recording feature.

However - we had a major road block:

The S100 was too small for her to handle comfortably. She didn't have the "soft touch" needed to handle the camera. The camera was very light and it would sometimes slip out of her hands during an abrupt motion.

We will return the S100 for a camera that's a bit larger and ergonomic, yet smaller and lighter than her Rebel XTI. We have a budget of up to $500 and we're OK with used.

Want list:

10mp
HD 1080p Video Recording with auto focus
5x equivalent zoom (or at least 15-55mm lens)
Great Image Stabilization (for when she shoots without flash) or shakes.
Excellent "Auto" performance, capable of adapting to low light situations and fast moving objects.
Body style with emphasis on comfort/grip that is slightly larger than the Canon S100 yet lighter than her Canon XSI.
Swing out LCD if possible to help her get angles in situations where she cant physically squat.
No need for macro mode, optical view finder, or hot-slots for addons.
3.5+ LCD

That said - What would you recommend?

Ned · #2 June 6th, 2012, 05:26 PM

Olympus E-PM1 with m.Zuiko 14-42mm kit zoom. It's compact, has the same focal range as your 18-55mm, and has excellent sharp image quality (much better than the old Rebel XSI with its soft kit lens). Just remember to turn Noise Filter to OFF or LOW. Olympus cameras have always had the best JPG quality out-of-camera with no post-processing, and have always had the most accurate color balance. The new generation Olys however, have made a huge leap in the new Auto White Balance system, which is the most accurate of any other seen in a digital camera, capable of dealing with all kinds of indoor lighting like incandescent and tungsten. Just make sure you turn Keep Warm Colors to OFF.

In other words, a new Olympus PEN or OM-D will be the easiest to produce high-quality images straight out of the camera with no need for tweaking and processing. It sounds like that's the sort of thing you're after. The cheapest you'll find though, is the Mini. You won't get much else for under $500.

Something like the E-PL2 would be in the same price range with a thicker body and better grip, but will be slower to Autofocus and won't have the excellent new AWB system. It also shoots in 720p straight to AVI (which limits time based on filesize, meaning you have a 15 minute recording limit for HD footage because of the FAT system used on SD cards), whereas the Mini shoots 1080i in AVCHD which has no recording limits as footage is separated into different files in folders.

Uwharrie · #3 June 6th, 2012, 05:30 PM

I picked up a used Panasonic G3 with 14-42 kit lens for around $450. Coming from DSLR I am really enjoying it

Ned · #4 June 6th, 2012, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uwharrie

I picked up a used Panasonic G3 with 14-42 kit lens for around $450. Coming from DSLR I am really enjoying it

I didn't know those were going for so cheap... I'd go with that suggestion too at that price.

WT21 · #5 June 6th, 2012, 05:35 PM

I LOVE the EPM1 so much that I have two! But it sounds like she could really benefit from a grip!

EPL2, as mentioned, might be a back-up choice. EP3 with large grip maybe? Though that's more money, and won't fit under $500 even used (they are $579 refurb at cameta camera with kit lens).

G3 would be nice.

What about a Nikon 1 series? Maybe with an added flipback grip? Too much money, though likely.

NEX 5 used? Basic camera, nice grip, still small and light. If you were happy with S100 output, and just need a basic kit lens, the NEX system might be perfectly OK.

Those would be my pointers -- spend up to EP3, G3 or used NEX 5, with the latter having the best grip of the 3.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ned

Olympus E-PM1 with m.Zuiko 14-42mm kit zoom. It's compact, has the same focal range as your 18-55mm, and has excellent sharp image quality (much better than the old Rebel XSI with its soft kit lens). Just remember to turn Noise Filter to OFF or LOW. Olympus cameras have always had the best JPG quality out-of-camera with no post-processing, and have always had the most accurate color balance. The new generation Olys however, have made a huge leap in the new Auto White Balance system, which is the most accurate of any other seen in a digital camera, capable of dealing with all kinds of indoor lighting like incandescent and tungsten. Just make sure you turn Keep Warm Colors to OFF.

In other words, a new Olympus PEN or OM-D will be the easiest to produce high-quality images straight out of the camera with no need for tweaking and processing. It sounds like that's the sort of thing you're after. The cheapest you'll find though, is the Mini. You won't get much else for under $500.

Something like the E-PL2 would be in the same price range with a thicker body and better grip, but will be slower to Autofocus and won't have the excellent new AWB system. It also shoots in 720p straight to AVI (which limits time based on filesize, meaning you have a 15 minute recording limit for HD footage because of the FAT system used on SD cards), whereas the Mini shoots 1080i in AVCHD which has no recording limits as footage is separated into different files in folders.

Ned · #6 June 6th, 2012, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT21

I LOVE the EPM1 so much that I have two!

Same here, lol!

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT21

But it sounds like she could really benefit from a grip!

Agreed. That was the one thing that worries me about the E-PM1 for this purpose. I will point out though that there are all kinds of options, including the aftermarket Richard Franiec and Flipbac grips, or my personal favorite... stairway/ladder safety tape...

Because these interchangeable lens system cameras are used with two hands instead of one like a point-and-shoot, I don't know just how much a problem the lack of grip will be... With the right aftermarket solutions though, the Minis can be easier to grip than even some DSLRs. I know that not everybody is inclined to modding their cameras though.

Promit · #7 June 6th, 2012, 06:03 PM

Don't get the PM1. Wonderful camera but an inappropriate choice. The G3 seems like the ideal option to me.

The NEX also does auto mode shooting well and delivers better overall quality with the kit lens. Focus performance is mediocre though.

Uwharrie · #8 June 6th, 2012, 06:23 PM

Found it on eBay. Honestly don't think the camera had been used much if any. Strap was still sealed in its little bag.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ned

I didn't know those were going for so cheap... I'd go with that suggestion too at that price.

RevBob · #9 June 6th, 2012, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Promit

Don't get the PM1. Wonderful camera but an inappropriate choice. The G3 seems like the ideal option to me..

The OP mentioned stabilization - which you won't get with the G3 except with certain lenses. I think the E-PL3 would be a better choice - it has ibis and a tilting screen. It shares the processor with the E-P3. Kits can be had pretty reasonably as refurbs.

WT21 · #10 June 6th, 2012, 07:29 PM

True, but they are only using the kit lens, which is stabilized.

edit -- didn't catch the swing out/tilt screen requirement, though I think that just reinforces the G3 as a solution. Or even a GH1 or G2.