Looking for a concert camera - no DSLR, no "lifestyle" cam either

[dwojr]

The Pentax k-01 sounds like what you are seeking. Get it body only, buy an older manual focus lens with a large aperture, and use focus peaking to help you focus. Check it out.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Gearslutz App

[Schattenmann]

I haven't used the G12 in a while but, if my memory serves me well, you couldn't zoom while shooting vids. Would have to check online reviews to be sure though.

[Schattenmann]

By the way, do you need RAW format?

[Polarelch]

Ah yes, I read that too about the G12.
I don't need RAW.
Thanks for the Pentax suggestion in the first reply, but that's way above my budget, looks damn good though :-/

[Schattenmann]

Nikon released the P510 some weeks ago. Seems it can zoom/autofocus while shooting vids but I don't see any mic input.
Besides I just know the prices we have here in Japan. Have no idea about prices in Germany.

[Yago]

What about a Sony Nex ?
Sony NEX-C3 Black + 18-55mm - Only £389.00 - Park Cameras Online
I have never used one , so do your own research on dpreview etc .

[Schattenmann]

Originally Posted by Yago

What about a Sony Nex ?

As with every relatively small cams, the grip might be a problem.

[Polarelch]

The Nikon would be too bulky / take away too much space and weight.

Sony Alpha NEX-C3 looks like a serious contender though.
I just checked a German test article on it, and the amazon reviews, looks pretty much like what I am after. Though there is a bit headroom for dimensions and buttons.
But this is a real contender as much as I read about it.

[Yago]

Originally Posted by Schattenmann

As with every relatively small cams, the grip might be a problem.

Preaching to the choir mate , I am DSLR shooter !

Just thought the NEX series may suit the OPs needs

[Polarelch]

Talking about grip,
the NEX surely looks like a less "holdable" camera, but its not my priority.
It could be slightly bulkier, but what's a camera with good grip worth when it doesn't fit my needs in its interior?

[Schattenmann]

Originally Posted by Yago

Preaching to the choir mate , I am DSLR shooter !

Just thought the NEX series may suit the OPs needs

Never tried the Sony so I don't know how good/bad is the grip.
I guess it might be ok if you also use a fairly big lens.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...C3_01s4500.jpg

[Whitecat]

I've been personally looking at the Nikon P310 quite closely (it just came out). The F1.8 lens (at the wide angle) is the most notable feature, especially for gig photos - and combined with the optical vibration reduction (image stabiliser) I think you could get some good shots. Never seen a lens that quick in a digital compact before...

Not sure if I'm going to do it or not, but it's not very expensive (can be had for £250). I still have an "old" Leica D-Lux 4 that works very well... but you know how these things go with gadgets & tech.

[Polarelch]

Thank you all for your comments so far.
I decided to wait a bit longer, because there is no urge to have one in the next weeks.
If I wait longer, my budget might even get a bit bigger, so a whole new bunch of cameras would be put into consideration.

[Polarelch]

I got recommended the Nikon P7100 today.
It was in my closer consideration, but dpreview rated its video capabilities badly... but when I read the details, it seems its based on the fact it does "only" 720p.
My video purposes are clips for the internet, so that's totally fine, and it does H264 and zoom and AF, so that looks like a very hot contender now.
It also offers an external mic input, and the sound "on board" is said to be rather good already.
Also, German amazon reviews are raving, giving it 4,5 stars by 45 reviews.

Just looking at some photos online that were done with it, and it does look nice.

Anyone with experiences here, especially for my main purpose I wrote about?

[Schattenmann]

Originally Posted by Polarelch

I got recommended the Nikon P7100 today.
...
Anyone with experiences here, especially for my main purpose I wrote about?

If I remember correctly, ain't that small nor light (about 400g I think).
A bit slow too, with a sub-par viewfinder. In camera sound not so great.
I would still consider it an interesting deal for the price though.
Having used Panasonic cams (vignetting and not that good colors), the Nikon is surely better.

[Schattenmann]

Just asked a friend about her Fuji F550EXR and she's quite satisfied with it. Older model so quite cheap now. Newer model FX770EXR is more expensive.
No mic in and I don't know how good/bad is the sound.
You can zoom/AF during video recording. Both photo/video seem of good quality.

[Yago]

I read some reviews of EVIL cameras , and the viewfinders can get "slideshow" when the lighting is low .
Might be important , dunno .

[nicpope]

One of the cheaper olympus pens might do the trick for you. Its kind of the middleground between a point and shoot and a full blown dslr. Real lenses but good autoexposure and stuff. I think you can even get a lens adapter to make use of any lenses you may already have for your Canon.

[kayd]

Check out the Canon S100, i got mine new for £350 with a nice case.

Its got
1080p HD Video Recording, (no mic input though)
Great Picture Quality ,
Small enough to carry around,
Good Zoom/s ,
HDR function,
A twisty lens knob you can assign stuff to so no menu diving,
some clever Fx and shot modes .
Manual and Auto modes.
Sexy looks
Image stabiliser to stop any blurry shots.
GPS to tag your locations

The battery life is so so , you'd be wise to grab a 2nd for long usage.

[esaias]

Sony Nex-5n

Great sidekick camera, shoots good video too.

Should fit your needs, alhtough the grip is rather small and battery life may be a little worse than Canon's (but hey, you get a big bright creen )

-Tomi

[Polarelch]

ah... thanks for the latest suggestions! Will keep them in mind. Still not decided.
Anyone got a Fuji X10?
Heard a lot of bad (the orb issue) and a lot of good things about it.

[champ]

I think you can't expect to much for a 500,- camera. 550D is decent body but its all about the lenses. great lenses can cost a fortune.

Don't forget about phones, they get better each year.

I'm hoping the next iPhone will be my camera for shooting on the go.
iPhone is terrible when it gets a little dark and there're stability issues but thats also a problem with the 550D. I did see great footage with the iPhone in the right lighting conditions (check: Framed - an iphone 4S short story on Vimeo)
I hate carrying around multiple devices and a mobile phone is always in my pocket. Plus how many times does something amazing happen and you'll be like bloody hellll I wish I had the damn camera with me. :p

In order to shoot decent material with small camera's its best to use rigs. Zacuto is one of those companies that make great rigs which are not cheap and can go easily far over your budget but ut does make your 550D more useful and saver to carry around. There are cheaper brands but for some reason I choose Zacuto over the rest. (could be because of the smashing videos they produce for advertising :P )

For the more advanced stuff I've sold my 60D's for this new camera coming out very soon: Blackmagic Design: Blackmagic Cinema Camera
The body does cost 3000,- but for what you get it's an offer I couldn't refuse.

[shponglefan]

Originally Posted by Polarelch

However, what I need a camera most for is taking good pictures on events, rehearsals of concerts, shows, etc., where it's not the best light.
I also want to capture the show light as good as possible (for my budget and dimension wish).

Like champ said, it's all about the lenses, not the camera. Good pictures in low light requires a fast lens (i.e. a lens capable of a large aperture).

High ISOs can compensate somewhat, but the higher the ISO setting the more degredation of the image. And from personal experience, this tends to be more noticable in low-light pictures. Although newer sensors do have better high ISO performance. The Sony camera mentioned didn't look too at the higher ISO settings from what I could look up.

If you're putting money into a new camera body, then don't expect too much in low light. The alternative would be to suck it up and use the 550D, and put the money in a good, fast lens.

[shponglefan]

Originally Posted by Polarelch

ah... thanks for the latest suggestions! Will keep them in mind. Still not decided.
Anyone got a Fuji X10?

Don't have one, but it appears to have one of the fastest lenses I've seen on a camera in that class.

[Yago]

Originally Posted by champ

I'm hoping the next iPhone will be my camera for shooting on the go.
iPhone is terrible when it gets a little dark and there're stability issues but thats also a problem with the 550D.

What do you mean stability issues with 550d ?

[Arthur Stone]

Originally Posted by shponglefan

...The alternative would be to suck it up and use the 550D, and put the money in a good, fast lens.

Canon make a great F1.8 50mm prime lens that weighs 130g (cost around £80-100): Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II review: Digital Photography Review

I quite like this on the 550D as it works well in low light and makes the camera very light and maneuverable; no image stabilisation though.

[Polarelch]

No big fan of smartphones at all here, to be more specific, no big fan of touchscreens, basically because you have to focus more on the visual aspect of using a device and you can't feel the buttons.

My biggest issue with any DSLR would be the same if I keep it, the fact that it's not quick enough to make a photo. Sure, the lense might be faster, but getting the camera bag out, getting the camera out (with both hands), getting the cap (?) off the camera, etc... takes valuable time on occasions where speed is crucial and the environment is a hectical crowd, i.e. no space to put anything but your own pockets.

So, I don't see a way for me really to try to stick with the EOS for such a purpose...

[shponglefan]

Originally Posted by Polarelch

Sure, the lense might be faster, but getting the camera bag out, getting the camera out (with both hands), getting the cap (?) off the camera, etc... takes valuable time on occasions where speed is crucial and the environment is a hectical crowd, i.e. no space to put anything but your own pockets.

I can sympathize, because I know lugging around a DSLR is more of a pain than a regular P&S-type camera. But there are solutions.

One option would be to just have your camera around your neck at all times. Although I can understand why you might not want it out if you're in a crowded area.

Another option, which I use for street photography is to use a camera bag with no zipper. I use a Tamrac Express bag. It has a clip and velcro. When shooting, I leave it unclipped, so only the velcro holds the top down. Then when I need the camera, I can flip back the top, pull out the camera and take of the lens. It takes literally 3-5 seconds before I have the camera at eye level ready to shoot (assuming I've already dialed in my settings for the environment).

I just hold the lens cap with one hand, camera with the other. Then when done, pop the lens cap on and the camera bag in the bag.

[champ]

You could use one of these things but it leaves your body and lens exposed.
(I'm to scared using them) Capture Camera Clip System by Peak Design - Wear your DSLR camera on any backpack strap or belt.

About the touchscreen part.. I get what you're saying but believe me that you'll get used to it, plus it gives wide possibilities for further updates, realtime editing on the device itself and great fun for the hackers trying to get the most out of it. A few knobs for the basic stuff is of course always needed.
I therefor really hope one day tablets and phones get video input. Think of all the amazing apps would come to control the camera and what not.