Photography Forum - RE: Compact Digital Camera with SLR-like quality? - Page 3

I have the Sony A55. The Sony NEX C3 is below that. I tested the Sony A55 against the Panasonic G3. The G3 was a better camer with a very sharp lens. But....I bought the Sony because it did 10fps that I needed for aircraft & bird shots, Sony also made a very nice 70-400 mm lens around the £1000-00 mark that I bought to go with it. If it wasn't for those two things I would have the Panasonic G3 here now. I still think it is the best for what you want. Did you try it? It is quite a small camera, with a viewfinder.

Before the Sony I had a Canon & Nikon & both were excelent cameras & I would not hesitate to buy either again if they had what I want. In spite of what I say, & any salesman, it is your girlfriend that must buy the camera that she thinks is best for her. 

PS I Like the Sony but only with better lenses than are supplied with the camera.

But aren't the cameras that you're referencing in your previous post DSLR's? I'd be happy to have a DSLR, but as in my OP, I feel that it would be left behind on outings much more than a smaller, lighter camera with SLR-like features (which I've since been informed is classed as a 'mirrorless SLR'). Fundamentally it's this 'middle ground' compromise that is appealing to me - a higher quality camera, with some manual control, but with a smaller frame and weight than a DSLR.

We're still torn as to which to go with. The Sony seems to be a slightly higher quality camera, but the Nikon seems to have more hi-tech features (and possibly more out-of-the-box user friendliness). Maybe I should just flip a coin!

Quote:
JamieM says...
But aren't the cameras that you're referencing in your previous post DSLR's?
No. The Panasonic G3 is the same kind of camera you are after but with a viewfinder. DSLR cameras have a mirror to send the light to the viewfinder, the G3 does not, it has an electric viewfinder. Take a look at one they are quite small, but as I said before go for what you feel is best for you. The new Sony coming out is also very small with a viewfinder, but it is going to be above your price range. Sigma have just announced some third party lenses for these smaller cameras but will not make them for the Nikon, at the moment only for Panasonic & Sony. Don't forget Panasonic lenses are made by Leica. If you can, take an SD card to a shop & take a couple of photos with the Panasonic G3 then the Sony. I bet the Panasonic is a clearer photo, this also goes for the Panasonic GF3. Lastly remember Panasonic are generally more reliable than Sony.

Here are a couple of photos I did several months ago to try out the Sony A55 & The Panasonic G3. Remember the Sony A55 is a better camera than the NEX C3, however, without checking, they probably share a similar sensor & lens. The photos were taken a few days apart of the same plants outside Jessops under similar conditions. The first picture is The Sony A55 & The second picture is the Panasonic G3.






The next two photos are cropped photos of the 2 above.  Again first is the Sony A55 then the Panasonic G3.





I won't pretend this is a perfect comparison but it does give an idea of how the cameras perform. I liked the Panasonic much more & my reasons for buying the Sony was, as I said before, because of the FFS & the 70-400 lens. As a normal camera the Panasonic won hands down in my opinion. I will probably buy the Panasonic as well, then use the Sony for Telephoto & the Panasonic for normal & wide angle photos. (Save having to change over lenses all the time).


RJS I left the 2 first photos full size so a true comparason could be done. I hope that is OK.

This item was edited on Monday, 23rd January 2012, 13:47

there is a £600 Panasonic Lumix GF2 on offer at Amazon for £279.95
The second hand one there costs £50 more!
I know nothing about this kind of thing, but saw this thread & thought it might be the sort of thing you were looking at.
More info at this thread over at hotukdeals

This item was edited on Monday, 23rd January 2012, 17:24

Impressive quality pictures Paull. But here you're referring to the Panasonic G3, whereas I was referring to the Panasonic GF3 - they're two very different creatures (size and price-wise). And thanks for the link to the GF2 Pat-W. It's a tempting price, though I feel that as we're going to take the plunge into this area of slightly more expensive SLR-like camera, we might as well get the latest versions.

So we made a decision and have gone for the Nikon J1. Everywhere we went people bleated on about how good it was, and I couldn't ignore it in the end. I'll let you know if we've made a mistake or if it's the best thing since sliced bread once it arrives!

Incidentally, for anyone that could make use of it, the J1 is on offer at the moment in PC World for £355. It's been reduced to £405, and currently has a special £50 off code, making it £355:  Nikon J1 at PC World.

www.jamiemartindesign.co.uk

This item was edited on Thursday, 26th January 2012, 11:49

Congratulations, I'm sure you will enjoy it. Now we look forward to seeing some photo's.


Quote:
But here you're referring to the Panasonic G3, whereas I was referring to the Panasonic GF3 - they're two very different creatures (size and price-wise).


Not really. They are much the same camera but the one is a little bigger because of the viewfinder.  Did you actually look at the G3. I get the impression you think it's a DSLR?


The Nikon cameras upset a lot of people, they thought they were not good enough because of the small sensor & high price. Guess where the criticism came from? Nikon forums & owners. However they have addressed the price. I don't know whether it was because it wasn't selling.  The main thing is you have a camera that will take much better photo's than a compact at a not much bigger size, well that is until you put a zoom lens on it'

depth of field you say.....took this with my Fuji HS10 yesterday, any good??

[img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/427621_10150499792022826_711072825_8678057_146445568_n.jpg[/img]


RIP Julie & Maisie

This item was edited on Sunday, 29th January 2012, 18:27

Not bad.


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