Faster (quicker) compact than S95?

[matuka]

I am looking for a quick compact to capture quickly moments, mainly kids. I have a sony A55 with proper lens and flash (great for this job) and a S95 for those days when I can't carry the monster (for me small is beautiful). The S95 is a great camera, but I feel the operation very slow, from the moment I switch it on and the first and the second shot is taken my kids have been out of the room and back twice... Either the kids are fast or the camera is slow. Also in auto mode it doesnt work great and when my wife uses it I always need to play with the settings at the end or switch it to one of the scene modes for her to take good photos.

I am happy to give up a bit on image quality - what would be the most important in terms of operation is:
1. lightning fast autofocus (my iphone 4 is quicker than s95)
2. quick start-up time.
3. good high speed burst operation

As said I wouldn't pixel-peep this photos and quality can be worse, but would like to make sure that I can capture these moments (a smiling kid with some chromatic aberration is better for me than a tack sharp and color clean empty chair). I went to our nearby photo store, but they don't have many on dispaly and the real user experience here is important as opposed to the specifications. Nikons seemed to be better, but would like to get your suggestions in case someone had similar objectives. The new IXUS230HS looks also good on paper, but again don't know how the real user experice is.
Thanks in advance.

 

[jl_smith]

You might seriously consider either M43 or Sony NEX or some other such class of camera.

A compact P&S is just going to have a hard time doing what you're asking it to do (really, any camera with contrast-detect AF), but perhaps finding a bit more powerful CDAF camera might do the trick - I haven't used any of the recent m43 or other mirror less cameras, so I'm not sure how fast they track.

PDAF is faster for tracking subjects, as you can see by your A55's operation but of course the cameras are much larger.

--
JL Smith
http://jl-smith.smugmug.com

 

[B1ackhat]

1. lightning fast autofocus (my iphone 4 is quicker than s95)

Something that isn't made by Canon.

3. good high speed burst operation

Generally, anything CMOS-based.

Nikons seemed to be better, but would like to get your suggestions in case someone had similar objectives. The new IXUS230HS looks also good on paper, but again don't know how the real user experice is.

The S9100 photos are a little sharper OOC than the SX230's. The 9100 lacks the ASM modes though.

--

If you abuse or kill animals, children, or the elderly, you deserve to be tortured and killed.

 

[Prairie Pal]

You might seriously consider either M43 or Sony NEX or some other such class of camera.

A compact P&S is just going to have a hard time doing what you're asking it to do (really, any camera with contrast-detect AF), but perhaps finding a bit more powerful CDAF camera might do the trick - I haven't used any of the recent m43 or other mirror less cameras, so I'm not sure how fast they track.

I have a Panasonic GF1 and the focus tracking is actually very responsive and acurate. With kit zooms you can get them fairly low cost, and cheaper used. It's not exactly a pocketable camera though, but certainly one that fits well in a small purse or a man's soft shoulder bag, or a coat with deeper pockets.

 

[captura]

The newly-announced Fujifilm X-10 is supposed to be especially fast.

 

[archiebald]

I am looking for a quick compact to capture quickly moments, mainly kids. I have a sony A55 with proper lens and flash (great for this job) and a S95 for those days when I can't carry the monster (for me small is beautiful). The S95 is a great camera, but I feel the operation very slow, from the moment I switch it on and the first and the second shot is taken my kids have been out of the room and back twice... Either the kids are fast or the camera is slow.

I can only think that you have a problem with your S95 or with your fingers. I can switch mine on, focus and shoot in little over a second.

Also in auto mode it doesnt work great...

Mine works fine. But if you are only going to shoot Auto then the S95 is too much camera for you.

...and when my wife uses it I always need to play with the settings at the end or switch it to one of the scene modes for her to take good photos.

Same comment as above.

I am happy to give up a bit on image quality - what would be the most important in terms of operation is:
1. lightning fast autofocus (my iphone 4 is quicker than s95)

Again, my S95 is very fast - maybe you have a problem with your settings. Using face detect etc?

2. quick start-up time.

My S95 can be switched on, extend lens and ready to shoot in about half a second. Not many zoom compacts will be any faster.

3. good high speed burst operation

Sounds like you need a gimmicky Sony with their faux burst speeds.

 

[jpvann]

Harsh assessment, but I tend to agree. My S95 keeps up with my 16 month old grandson pretty well. Notmas fast as my 60D, but I don't miss many pictures.

I am looking for a quick compact to capture quickly moments, mainly kids. I have a sony A55 with proper lens and flash (great for this job) and a S95 for those days when I can't carry the monster (for me small is beautiful). The S95 is a great camera, but I feel the operation very slow, from the moment I switch it on and the first and the second shot is taken my kids have been out of the room and back twice... Either the kids are fast or the camera is slow.

I can only think that you have a problem with your S95 or with your fingers. I can switch mine on, focus and shoot in little over a second.

Also in auto mode it doesnt work great...

Mine works fine. But if you are only going to shoot Auto then the S95 is too much camera for you.

...and when my wife uses it I always need to play with the settings at the end or switch it to one of the scene modes for her to take good photos.

Same comment as above.

I am happy to give up a bit on image quality - what would be the most important in terms of operation is:
1. lightning fast autofocus (my iphone 4 is quicker than s95)

Again, my S95 is very fast - maybe you have a problem with your settings. Using face detect etc?

2. quick start-up time.

My S95 can be switched on, extend lens and ready to shoot in about half a second. Not many zoom compacts will be any faster.

3. good high speed burst operation

Sounds like you need a gimmicky Sony with their faux burst speeds.

--
Jer 23:29
http://bit.ly/oBK0JZ

 

[Cyril Catt]

For fast moving subjects like my grandkids, or from a moving vehicle, I use video clips - preferably in Motion JPEG format for less compression - then look through frame by frame for ones which catch an interesting mood or moment. That usually gets a few good postcard sized pics, and overcomes the lag between kids' actions and my aged finger's reaction.Here is an example:





--
Cyril

 

[007peter]

I have Canon SD4000 HS also know as IXUS 300 HS in Europe or IXY 30 in some other countries. This camera Start up very fast, is ready to shoot in fraction of a seconds, and have great High ISO (see my own comparison image at bottom). I love this camera, it is as good as the reviews.

DigitalRev Video comparing SD4000 against S90, very informative
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yqnR07m2xA

Canon SD4000 receive the rare GOLD STAR from DPR's review here:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonsd4000is/





comes in multiple colors options:



Since I also own the older 10mp Canon 790IS, I make some comparison between the two here: Both are 10mp camera





iso1600





iso800

 

[spaltzer]

If you want compact and quick AF the Panasonic LX5 is worth a look. I have one and it feels really zippy, almost as a entry level DSLR. It does have a limited burst depth but the AF speed is very good. It has roughly the same IQ as the S95.