Korean Job Discussion Forums

[RufusW]

So I was looking into getting a DSLR. I like taking good photos.

However, I'm planning on extensive travelling and hiking once I've finished here and I've realised DSLRs are just too big, heavy and require too much care. I'll also eventually be going to poorer places and don't want to make myself look like an obviously rich foreigner.

So I'm thinking of a 'compact' instead. How much quality am I going to miss out on? I'm looking at spending about 2-300K, are these photos gonna be noticably worse, should they be good enough to enlarge?

Also, any thoughts on those mid-size, fixed lens DSLRs, like half way between the two...?

Anyway, thoughts and recommendations appreciated :)

[chevro1et]

Look at the higher-end Canon IXUS line with IS (Image Stability). They take NICE pics. Lots of presets and enough maunual controls to satisfy more advanced users.

[Sapa]

I have been looking at getting a Canon G10. I have a DSLR and really enjoy using it but could do with something smaller occasionally. I'm going travelling in a few weeks and definitely wont be taking my DSLR with me.
The G10 is supposed to take great pictures. It also has the option for you to toy around with aperture and shutter settings, which is why it appeals to me.
They are pretty expensive though. Around 540,000 won.

A similar camera to the G10 and also another consideration of mine is the Panasonic Lumix LX3. This has the manual features of the G10 but also has HD video recording. edit...After doing more research I'm seriously considering this one.

I think perhaps those two are out of your budget though?

For slightly cheaper cameras, the Panasonic Lumix TZ..(not sure what no. there on now) ones get very good reviews. I have an old TZ3 which has a 10x optical zoom, which is pretty handy.

Also the Canon Powershot cameras get rave reviews and normally fill out a good percentage of top 10 point and shoot camera lists.

[greasypeanut]

i honestly recommend getting just a smaller point and shoot camera. i personally have a slr but i have yet to take it out of its bag since ive arrived here. just way too hot and humid to be carrying all that extra weight. sure the dslr will have better picture quality, but as long as you can take pictures in daylight or with flash, the pictures wont be overwhelmingly better than a point and shoot. and its much much much more difficult taking self pictures with a dslr (holding the camera out at arms length facing you)

[swigs]

check out www.cameralabs.com for general consumer type reviews. They have most of all the main cameras reviewed along with a rather helpful video review.

[Golem]

The Canon Rebel's are small, lightweight, and not too costly (especially if you pick one up used). Consider one before you completely rule out buying a DSLR. The difference between a DSLR and a Canon G10 or even an IXUS with IS is huge because of simple physics. If you carry around a prime lense DSLR's become even lighter.
Also consider an older Nikon like a D40 which is just a bit heavier than a Rebel. That with a 30mm prime lens would take awesome shots.
Again these are DSLR's but I have have hiked in Alaska, Washington, travelled to Japan, Mexico and China with SLR and DSLR cameras. Its not as bad as you think.
A cheap SLR might not be a bad option as well.

[Demophobe]

A friend bought a new Ixus....not impressed. Too many megapixels (11.1) on too small a sensor. Lots of distortion on the edges...kind of bowing. The video quality has a cartoony look to it.

Nice and small though. I still like my aging S70.

[Golem]

Demophobe has a point that is connected to why I recommend a DSLR. I personally wouldn't recommend getting a compact with more than 6-7 megapixels as that is already good enough quality to make huge prints at a decent quality, and more pixels on a sensor that small simply creates more noise.
To prove my point I bought my wife an IXUS 70 and use it myself. Image Stablization is a useful feature but its not exactly what some people seem to think it is (a magical cure all for blur in photographs).
When buying a compact taking into consideration the maximum aperture of the camera's lens can also be helpful. A lens with a larger maximum aperture will allow you to take better pictures in available light.

[Greekfreak]

I'm a Sony devotee from way back, and upgraded from my DSC-W55 to the DSC-H50, and if I was travelling to Cambodia or any other third-world country, I'd still take the midget.

Big camera=big target, and we're already big enough targets.

Besides, all the excellent photos I've ever taken in my life were 4 and 5 megapixel shots from inferior cameras totally by chance. The DSLRs are just too much camera for some destinations.

[zappadelta]

[RufusW]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I don't mind spending a fair bit more if it was something like the Canon G10, or 9. It seems you're going to be very close in picture quality but reduce size and weight from a DSLR a fair bit.

Now all I want is one that'll give a decent wide-angle :)

[blackjack]

http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

This is an excellent site for reviews

[Robot_Teacher]

Steve forgot about the Sony HX1 would should be reviewed, but there's already lots of posts on it. That Sony HX1 looks like the best thing under DSLR and also has great quality HD video with stereo sound. It's producing the best amatuer travel vids and pics I've ever seen as I've been surfing Youtube and Google to sample different cameras. I've decided I'm getting an HX1, but holding off to see if I can get a discount instead of paying $600 while it's only $480 in America that also includes more extras than Korean sellers are offering. Duo memory cards and extra battery are also still 2X more in Korea.

[RufusW]

Surely you could get it shipped from America for the price difference?

I've realised I've got to be careful to make sure I'm not spending more than I'd get a camera for in the UK. anybody got any ideas about what brands are significantly cheaper?

[crazy_arcade]

Panasonic Lumix FTW.