What is a "point and shoot" digital camera?

[JDLaing50]

A camera that has an Auto selection on the dial that lets you point the camera and take a picture with the camera doing all the work ie exposure, focus, other settings.

That would make the A9, A7III, A7RIII and numerous other high end models point and shoot cameras.

Yes it would.

One button, the shutter button, and voila!

You point it and shoot.

 

[lomoapontaechuta]

There has been some discussion in these forums about what is/isn't a "point and shoot" digital camera.

What do you consider a "point and shoot" digital camera?

Do they still exist?

If not, what was the last "point and shoot" digital camera?

Are Smartphones "point and shoot" digital cameras?

What's the difference between a "compact digital camera" and a "point and shoot" digital camera?

:

Looking forward to people's thoughts.

Den

I found out DSLRs excels in point and shoot, more than the point and shoot traditional cameras.

1 - they are much faster to start up.

2- If you have a favourite focal range, DSLRs can always have the last focal range used by you, an amazing feature lacking in most point and shoot cameras (not all, tz200 have a memory of the last focal range used).

3- in addition, the proper size of the OVF/EVF makes so much easier to see where is your subject and so much faster going from the base focal length to the end of the focal length if needed it.

4- small corrections can be made on the fly (manual controls buttons) vs the lack of manual controls buttons on the P&S (but you can go full auto)

So, I don't know what is a point and shoot camera anymore.

Smartphones aren't P&S, they lack the ergonomics (they are too thin and too slippery), they lack the range, and how the controls (touchscreen) are arranged I found extremely difficult to shoot with them.

they are very slow to P&B, at least in my hands.

 

[PhilDunn]

I wrote the book on Point and Shoot Nature Photography (no...I really did. You can find it on Amazon.)

A Point and Shoot Camera is one that was designed to be used in Auto or Program most of the time. It will, today, have intelligent Auto (scene selection auto), and lots of Scene Modes built in. Generally they have a fixed zoom lens. 3x to 83x (with the Nikon P1000 at 125x or something like that). They are generally more compact than any equivalent DSLR or even Mirrorless outfit. Some are still pocket-sized.

Yes they are still made. The old 3 to 4x zoom, pocket-sized P&S are gone, replaced by phone cameras, but most brands still have a 10 to 15x pocket sized offering...there are even 30 to 40x pocket sized P&S travel cameras. Most have small sensors...bigger than a phone but still 5.7 times smaller than full frame. They use contrast detection auto focus (for better and worse).

With the demise of the simple 3 to 4x P&S, most P&Ss today do have more sophisticated controls...including Aperture and Shutter Prioirity and full manual, so they do not have to used in the P&S fashion...though I recommend you do.

So in writing your book you decided to redefine the term point and shoot? Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of having definitions in the first place? As I said to someone else on this subject, that's like continuing to call a Honda Civc a compact car when it is in fact a medium size car.

The most sophisticated are “enthusiast” compact cameras with DSLR like controls (and, in the most recent, equivalent focus systems) and larger 1 inch sensors for better image quality.

However, you can use any digital camera currently made in the Point and Shoot fashion, by just setting it to intelligent Auto (or Program with a few modifications of your own) and letting the camera do the work of exposure and focus and white balance while you pay attention to finding and framing the images that are worth taking/making. Point and Shoot: with you doing the pointing, and the camera doing the shooting. Simple. I let people post DSLR and Mirrorless shots on my P&S Natrue Photography groups on Facebook and Google+ as long as they are using the P&S method...letting the camera do whatever it can do well.

(To me it makes no sense for the P&S photographer to use RAW,

Only for those that are not interested in superior image quality.

though a few P&Ss and all of the enthusiast cameras offer the option. Among the things that P&S cameras do very well is processing to jpeg...and most of the more sophisticated modes,

especially multi-frame modes,

Which regularly fail due to alignment and blending issues.

are based on jpeg. The most sophisticated P&Ss use multiple (and adjustable) processing profiles (creative styles, picture modes) so you can, if necessary, fine tune your jpegs in camera for your typical subjects.)

I put phone cameras in a slightly different category but the method you use (generally are forced to use) is pure Point and Shoot.

A slightly different category to Point and Shoots but is pure Point and Shoot?

They are different in that their sensors are even smaller (even when they have the same pixel count) and they generally have a fixed focal length lens...no zoom (though a few have two lenses for a choice of focal lengths and special effects). Digital zoom (pinch and zoom) is not real zoom and always degrades the image...though if you are only posting to FB and Instagram no one will notice. I think phone photography deserves its own category because using a phone as your primary camera comes with a whole new set of challenges (and opportunities). But that is just my opinion. I let people post phone images in my P&S groups on Facebook and Google+. Still, it amazes me how many people show up for a safari, for instance, with only a phone or tablet for a camera.

Other’s may have a different definition for (and attitude toward) P&S....but as the guy who wrote the book...

 

[DenImage]

In another thread, you're quick to say what modern digital cameras aren't "point and shoot" cameras, but aren't able to say which modern digital cameras are "point and shoot" cameras???

Phil, I ask again, please name one modern digital camera model that you consider is a "point and shoot" digital camera and not a modern digital compact camera?

Den

 

[PhilDunn]

In another thread, you're quick to say what modern digital cameras aren't "point and shoot" cameras, but aren't able to say which modern digital cameras are "point and shoot" cameras???

I gave you an entire class of cameras but you would rather troll and stalk my posts instead of accepting what I actually wrote.

Phil, I ask again, please name one modern digital camera model that you consider is a "point and shoot" digital camera and not a modern digital compact camera?

Go back and read my posts, if you really care, troll.

Den

 

[DenImage]

There's that trend again with your post Phil, when pressed to substantiate your comments or opinions, you make vague responses, or attemp to divert away from the specific questions. Resorting to name calling is another sign you can't substantiate your comments or opinions. Your credibility again comes into question if you're reluctant or unable to substantiate your comments or opinions.

I'll ask again, please name one modern digital camera model that you consider is a "point and shoot" digital camera and not a modern digital compact camera?

Den

 

[DenImage]

Thank you to those that responded to my questions in my original post in this thread.

For anyone that's still interested, this is what Amazon (owner of DPReview) consider as some of the modern "point and shoot" digital cameras in their best selling list:

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers...oint-Shoot-Cameras/zgbs/electronics/330405011

B&H refer to "point and shoot" digital camera models here:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Point-Shoot-Digital-Cameras/ci/8612/N/4288586279

Panasonic's website lists the following models as "point and shoot" digital cameras:

https://www.panasonic.com/africa/consumer/cameras-camcorders/lumix-digital-cameras-point-shoot.html

Panasonic refer to "point and shoot" digital cameras here as well:

http://www.panasonic.com/promos/learn/lumix/

Sony reference "point and shoot" digital cameras in the title of their website for numerous models:

https://www.sony.com.au/electronics/cyber-shot-compact-cameras/dsc-rx100

Canon say the same:

https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/list/cameras/point-and-shoot

:

I'm not sure why other forum members deny the obvious. Even when the above is pointed out to them, they say it's on the websites as an IT programming error.

Oh well, believe what you want to believe.

Den

 

[sludge21017]

P&S cameras are toast. Manufacturers are giving them up.

 

[sludge21017]

Thank you to those that responded to my questions in my original post in this thread.

For anyone that's still interested, this is what Amazon (owner of DPReview) consider as some of the modern "point and shoot" digital cameras in their best selling list:

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers...oint-Shoot-Cameras/zgbs/electronics/330405011

Panasonic's website lists the following models as "point and shoot" digital cameras:

https://www.panasonic.com/africa/consumer/cameras-camcorders/lumix-digital-cameras-point-shoot.html

Panasonic refer to "point and shoot" digital cameras here as well:

http://www.panasonic.com/promos/learn/lumix/

Sony reference "point and shoot" digital cameras in the title of their website for numerous models:

https://www.sony.com.au/electronics/cyber-shot-compact-cameras/dsc-rx100

Canon say the same:

https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/list/cameras/point-and-shoot

:

I'm not sure why other forum members deny the obvious. Even when the above is pointed out to them, they say it's on the websites as an IT programming error.

Oh well, believe what you want to believe.

Den

Even this website 4 years ago said the death of P&S was a good thing.

Maybe your next question will be film related.

https://www.dpreview.com/articles/8...of-the-point-and-shoot-benefits-photographers

 

[DenImage]

P&S cameras are toast. Manufacturers are giving them up.

This thread is not about the future of "point and shoot" cameras, it's about what defines them.

Den

 

[DenImage]

Thank you to those that responded to my questions in my original post in this thread.

For anyone that's still interested, this is what Amazon (owner of DPReview) consider as some of the modern "point and shoot" digital cameras in their best selling list:

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers...oint-Shoot-Cameras/zgbs/electronics/330405011

Panasonic's website lists the following models as "point and shoot" digital cameras:

https://www.panasonic.com/africa/consumer/cameras-camcorders/lumix-digital-cameras-point-shoot.html

Panasonic refer to "point and shoot" digital cameras here as well:

http://www.panasonic.com/promos/learn/lumix/

Sony reference "point and shoot" digital cameras in the title of their website for numerous models:

https://www.sony.com.au/electronics/cyber-shot-compact-cameras/dsc-rx100

Canon say the same:

https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/list/cameras/point-and-shoot

:

I'm not sure why other forum members deny the obvious. Even when the above is pointed out to them, they say it's on the websites as an IT programming error.

Oh well, believe what you want to believe.

Den

Even this website 4 years ago said the death of P&S was a good thing.

Maybe your next question will be film related.

https://www.dpreview.com/articles/8...of-the-point-and-shoot-benefits-photographers

Again, this thread is not about the future of "point and shoot" cameras, it's about what defines them.

Please read the original post, then stay on topic.

Den

 

[sludge21017]

Thank you to those that responded to my questions in my original post in this thread.

For anyone that's still interested, this is what Amazon (owner of DPReview) consider as some of the modern "point and shoot" digital cameras in their best selling list:

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers...oint-Shoot-Cameras/zgbs/electronics/330405011

Panasonic's website lists the following models as "point and shoot" digital cameras:

https://www.panasonic.com/africa/consumer/cameras-camcorders/lumix-digital-cameras-point-shoot.html

Panasonic refer to "point and shoot" digital cameras here as well:

http://www.panasonic.com/promos/learn/lumix/

Sony reference "point and shoot" digital cameras in the title of their website for numerous models:

https://www.sony.com.au/electronics/cyber-shot-compact-cameras/dsc-rx100

Canon say the same:

https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/list/cameras/point-and-shoot

:

I'm not sure why other forum members deny the obvious. Even when the above is pointed out to them, they say it's on the websites as an IT programming error.

Oh well, believe what you want to believe.

Den

Even this website 4 years ago said the death of P&S was a good thing.

Maybe your next question will be film related.

https://www.dpreview.com/articles/8...of-the-point-and-shoot-benefits-photographers

Again, this thread is not about the future of "point and shoot" cameras, it's about what defines them.

Please read the original post, then stay on topic.

Den

4 years ago is very far in the past.

The segment is 6 feet under.

Quit time traveling to the past, and redefining things in the present.

 

[DenImage]

"4 years ago is very far in the past.

The segment is 6 feet under.

Quit time traveling to the past, and redefining things in the present"

:

Thats your flawed opinion.

Manufacturers are still producing modern "point and shoot" digital cameras, this sub forum (and other sub forums) is full of people who have purchased them in the last four years.

I purchased both my RX10iv and RX100vi "point and shoot" digital cameras in the last few months, so the segment is alive and well to me (and many others) contrary to your opinion.

If you believe the "point and shoot" digital camera segment is "6 feet under", why are you posting in this sub forum?

I notice you have no camera equipment listed in your gear list, why not say what gear you own and use?

Den