We are coming across a lot of
advanced point and shoot cameras that offer a killer feature set and better
image quality than standard cheaper point and shoots
So you’re sick and tired of little cameras
that crap out in 5 out of 10 situations (this is an optimistic estimate). You
don’t want the bulk of a DSLR or the hassle of changing lenses, but you don’t
want to compromise on quality either. Don’t worry. The camera-makers have got
you covered. The advanced point and shoot category of point and shoot cameras
is designed for people looking for impeccable DSLR like quality, in all kinds
of light condition, without the bulk of a DSLR. But these little things cost
quite a bit, so choosing the right one becomes important and for that, we’ve
got this nifty guide for you.
The
camera makers have got you covered.
Wider is Better
The first and most important feature to
look out for on an advanced point and shoot is its aperture number. The smaller
the number, the better (f/1.8 is better than f/2.0 and so on). This number
essentially means how wide the aperture can open to let in light. The smaller
the number, the wider the aperture opens, meaning more light goes in. A smaller
number range is better, like f/2.0-4.0 is better than f/2.0-5.6.
Bigger is also better
The second and equally important thing is
the size of the sensor. Normally, even advanced point and shoot cameras will
have a regular 1/2.3-inch sensor, but some have a bigger one like the Fujifilm
X-10 with its 2/3-inch sensor or the Sony RX100 with its 1-inch sensor. The
bigger the sensor, the better the dynamic range, color rendition and contrast
range of the image captured.
The
Sony RX100 with its 1-inch sensor
Lighting up the Scene
Make sure there is a flash on the camera.
We especially like the design of the RX100’s flash, which when raised can be
tilted and swiveled in the event you want to bounce the light onto your
subject. Another important aspect is the presence of a hot-shoe, onto which you
should be able to attach an external flash if you need to. Not all advanced
point and shoot cameras will give you this luxury.
Accessorize
The camera is only one part of the
equation. Accessories for the camera can add a lot of amazing functionality to
it, like an external mic for better audio recording in movie mode, or a
wide/telephoto lens attachment to push the optics beyond what they’re capable
of. These aren’t absolutely essential, but it’s good to know that the camera
you’re investing in has some scope for expansion in the future. These are only
a handful of things to look out for when purchasing an advanced point and
shoot. There is also the issue of how well sized the camera is. The Fujifilm
X-10 cannot be pocketed, even if you’re trying to fit it into cargo pants. The
Sony RX100 on the other hand will slip right into most jeans pockets. There is
always some trade-off or the other with most cameras, so it will all break down
to what trade-offs you’re OK living with. A few other smaller factors to
consider are ergonomics (how well the camera feels in your hands), whether it
can shoot in RAW or not, and the capacity of the battery. Even though these
advanced point and shoots are pretty heavy duty with respect to features, they
often come with measly batteries which will die halfway through a shoot. We
recommend giving special consideration to battery life, and therefore picking
up a few extra slabs of Lions batteries. However, the most important piece of
advice is that before you actually buy the camera, go out to a store and use it.
Take a memory card with you and shoot off a few test frames which you can
examine at home. When you see an image that meets your quality standards,
you’ve found a keeper.
Fujifilm
X-10 cannot be pocketed
