A590 shots I wouldn't have taken with a DSLR

[Prairie Pal]

I can't stop praising these old A series P&S cameras. Tough little cameras with the typical Canon quick and simple menues. I toss this camera in my fanny pack or pocket when I go hiking, biking, and jogging (as the case of the below pictures). If it were not for P&S cameras there are tons of pictures that I would never had taken because a DSLR (or even 4/3) are too much to carry.

Very heavy cropping on this first shot so excuse the soft image.

 

[vincent filomena]

Strange colors: Like the second !

Vjim

 

[Prairie Pal]

Strange colors: Like the second !

Yeah funny story about that. I accidently had the white balance set to "custom", which was balanced for flourecent. So I had quite a time balancing them back to daylight. That's the pitfall of being limited to JPG when you goof up like that.

 

[Shorthand]

For landscape work, its often easier to get great results out of a compact than a DSLR, and the shots above are a great example.

\#2 is my favorite by far as well.

 

[Andew]

Prairie Pal, are you that weak that you couldn't carry a Dslr? I know this sounds harsh but really, those pictures don't show anything you mentioned, hiking, etc., that a Dslr couldn't have taken on the same trip. If you had a Dslr that weighed 10 pounds then yes you might have a point. On the other hand if you are a photographer then what would it matter if your camera is 'heavy.'

But hold on the day may be coming where you can buy a half an inch square camera. The only problem with this of course is it may be in your pocket and get lost amongst your car keys and other things and poof the picture-taking moment is gone forever.

 

[Prairie Pal]

Prairie Pal, are you that weak that you couldn't carry a Dslr?

Andrew, the point was that I would not have been carrying my DSLR's while I was exposed to those images. I was out for my morning run with nothing more than a fanny pack small enough for keys and a camera. Also, I carry P&S with me everywhere I go 24/7. I only carry my dslrs when it's convenient ie..with the intentions of specific photo sessions. One still has the right to enjoy life without giving up the freedom of not having to worry about protecting expensive equipment.

 

[fishwich]

Prairie Pal, are you that weak that you couldn't carry a Dslr?

Sometimes size and weight are an issue.

I went hiking/mt biking this past weekend and only carried what I could fit into my hydration pack. In this instance I would rather carry a couple more lbs of water than camera. And then there was the issue of rainstorms.
Its more a matter of convenience than strength.

 

[Andew]

Praire Pal[ b] I see where you're coming from. Again my apologies if I was too agressive. Great pictures by the way.

Fishwich[ b] your comment is duly noted. Thanks.

By the way guys I don't even own a digital camera as of yet but I will in the coming months (it seems as if something always stands in the way of buying though; over the years). I guess this means I'm not a real photographer.

A final comment on 'heavy' cameras. I have a very old 35mm Canon F1N with motordrive and when I used to carry it all over the place about 25 years ago I did notice the weight but I was so accustomed to it it wasn't even an issue. So you see my attitude about weight influenced my thoughts on this issue. I'm sure it would make a big difference today however.

 

[zzzzzzzzzzz]

I have 3 compact Canon cameras (A570, SD1200, SX120) and two Nikon D-SLRs (D50, D90) and I can't say that I agree with this at all. All of those pics would have been simple to take with any SLR.

For landscape work, its often easier to get great results out of a compact than a DSLR, and the shots above are a great example.

\#2 is my favorite by far as well.

 

[rbull44]

You make a valid point about P&S cameras. Given the current output of this type of camera, I often leave my D90 equipment at home while my G11 is always with me.
--
Bob

 

[PaulRivers]

You know if you're on the forum, I'm sure you have. But have you heard of the Canon s90? Even smaller than your A590, but shoots RAW, F2.0 lens, manuals controls, bla bla bla.

 

[Prairie Pal]

You know if you're on the forum, I'm sure you have. But have you heard of the Canon s90? Even smaller than your A590, but shoots RAW, F2.0 lens, manuals controls, bla bla bla.

You bet, I've been looking at the S90. The pictures I've seen posted are amazing. Before my next round of trips and hiking I want to upgrade my P&S gear and the S90 looks like it will be the one...I'm only holding off to see if Canon offers a warranty fix for the loosey goosey control wheel.

I have to admit though that I expect to feel a little silly holding onto such a tiny camera with a "sissy grip". I'm used to grasping something molded for the hand.

 

[PaulRivers]

You know if you're on the forum, I'm sure you have. But have you heard of the Canon s90? Even smaller than your A590, but shoots RAW, F2.0 lens, manuals controls, bla bla bla.

You bet, I've been looking at the S90. The pictures I've seen posted are amazing. Before my next round of trips and hiking I want to upgrade my P&S gear and the S90 looks like it will be the one...I'm only holding off to see if Canon offers a warranty fix for the loosey goosey control wheel.

I have to admit though that I expect to feel a little silly holding onto such a tiny camera with a "sissy grip". I'm used to grasping something molded for the hand.

Have you heard about the Richard Franiec grip? And the lensmate ring-fix (it's like a $3 plastic part that you paste on around the ring).

Lol, that being said though, if you have something you're happy with, might just want to wait until fall and see if they release an s95 or something to replace it. Canon doesn't always fix camera issues in the next generation, but they're very marketing oriented and the fact that the control ring was complained about in every single review on the camera I read suggests to me that they'll probably fix the issue in the next release of the camera.

Wouldn't hold my breath on an official warranty fix for the existing ring, though.

 

[MWPetty]

I have an A590IS plus a couple of superzooms and a DSLR and I agree with you a compact P&S is great to have around. I have taken some beautiful shots with the A590 which I would not have got with my DSLR. One thing about the A590 is that you do have a lot of setting options that you cannot find on most current P&S cameras.
--
Michael Petty - Omaha, Nebraska