Downgrading From My DSLR – Need Suggestions For A Replacement!

[jebfour]

I think that I could really use some suggestions. This is going to be a little long, but I appreciate any suggestions that you can provide!

I currently own both a Canon A640 (P&S) and a Canon XSi, as well as a Sony DCR-DVD 205 Video Camera.

I find myself grabbing for the A640 the majority of the time due to its size. The XSi requires me to drag out my bag with all the “stuff” – I can’t just “grab and go”. Also, to drag it along on a hike, fishing trip, mountain bike ride, or just grabbing it to take shots of my three year old running around….well, it’s cumbersome. I just spent a week in Mammoth Lakes, CA and I didn’t get out the XSi one time. I figure that if I can’t be inspired to “unpack the bag” with this kind of scenery, then it’s time to make a change.

In addition, our Sony video camera just sets and collects dust. It RARELY gets used. Again, I have to drag it out of the bag, mess with it, etc….and by that time, whatever cute thing my three year old was doing has passed.

I want to sell both cameras as well as the video camera and pick up an “all in one”. Before I get started, let me say that I DO realize that there will be compromises, but equipment that doesn’t get used just takes up space and I “miss the moment”.

OK, now that I have the “why I’m doing this” out of the way, let’s get on to the “what features I’d like”

•“Near” DSLR quality photos

•“Long” zoom capabilities without switching lenses around (cost and size of multiple lenses is another thing turning me off to the DSLR).

•Be able to take decent landscape photos

•“Decent” flash.

•The ability to adjust F-Stop/Shutter for the times that I feel like being creative.

•Can use filters

•HD Video Capabilities (1080 preferred)

•Somewhat small in size so that I can throw it in my backpack or cargo pants when on a hike.

• I’m sure that there is more on my list, but this is a good start, although I’m not sure that there is a camera out there that can meet all of these…

My boss recently purchased a Sony DSC-HX1. I’ve played with it (though not a lot) and it seems to meet many/most of these criteria, but I’d like to hear about other options, as it is very important to me to pick the right camera (as it is to everyone).

Any other suggestions? Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by jebfour

•“Near” DSLR quality photos

Good luck with that. While there are some great compact cameras out there, you're pretty much never going to get that same quality.

Originally Posted by jebfour

•“Long” zoom capabilities without switching lenses around (cost and size of multiple lenses is another thing turning me off to the DSLR).

Sounds like you didn't do enough homework when you got the XSi. Anything in the 12x+ range should do you for most things.

Originally Posted by jebfour

•Be able to take decent landscape photos

That's more up to you than anything

Originally Posted by jebfour

•“Decent” flash.

Define "Decent". Most aren't much use past about 6-8', and none can be bounced. That pretty much means ZERO for me.

Originally Posted by jebfour

•The ability to adjust F-Stop/Shutter for the times that I feel like being creative.

Not that being able to adjust the aperture does much on a compact. Even if you have a longer aperture range (like, say, the Samsung EX-1), you're still not gonna see a massive difference.

Originally Posted by jebfour

•Can use filters

Attached (like on your XSi) or held in front? If the former: very very few (The Canon G series, is all, I think). If the latter: Any.

Originally Posted by jebfour

•HD Video Capabilities (1080 preferred)

Only one "compact" on the market right now does 1080p video: The Nikon P100. It's not bad, and it also fulfills most of your other criteria. However, its almost the same size as an XSi, which kinda defeats the purpose.

Originally Posted by jebfour

•Somewhat small in size so that I can throw it in my backpack or cargo pants when on a hike.

Backpack = SLR. That's not small. Cargo pockets is small, but likely not possible to get what you're looking for.

I think you need to visit a camera store and see what's available.

[NicoleScraps]

I am new here, just thought I'd jump in and add my 2 cents. How about one of Kodak Z series models? I used a Kodak Z 740 for five years before I upgraded and I was able to get some really great photos with that camera! I mean, not professional-photographer-type photos, I am not a professional. But for me, as a mom, taking photos of my kids everyday, on vacations, and funtions, it was a great camera.
The video quality was good. Very good in natural light. Not so good indoors in low light. But again, this camera is now 5 years old, the new ones probably are a lot better.
Oh and in addition to having some great preset modes, it did allow you to access the manual controls. I didn't really play with that part too much, because the presets were usually spot on as far as what I needed them to do.

[Jamfke]

I'll second the Kodak. I've used the Z812IS until recently (went to Pentax Kx, but was seriously considering the Z981). I love the versatility of the Kodak, from macro to super zoom (26X on the Z981!) Plenty of manual functions to play around with too.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by jebfour

•“Near” DSLR quality photos

As Os mentioned, not gonna happen. But you can find better high ISO behavior these days among the compacts. But only micro-four thirds is a smaller format that's the same as dSLR quality. This is one you're going to have to give up if you go for a small-sensor camera.

•“Long” zoom capabilities without switching lenses around (cost and size of multiple lenses is another thing turning me off to the DSLR).\

Ok, to me, this indicates what you really want is a bridge superzoom camera. The only feature on the list below that one of those is unlikely to get you is compact size. The Canon P&S model you may want to consider is the SX20IS.

Take a read through dpreview's comparison of superzooms.