Top 5 Point and Shoot Cameras
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Rating the Top 5 Point and Shoot Cameras
You can't just go to your local department store camera counter and pick one up. You have to have a plan. You have to know which camera does what you want to do.
In this article, you will get some ideas about which cameras are the best as rated by others who bought them.
There is no scientific research formula to determine the Top 5 Point and Shoot Cameras. The ratings are from the Amazon online store where camera buyers get to post their experiences and opinions about the cameras that they purchased. You will get truthful, meaningful comments about what is good and not so good about the cameras there.
But even better, in this article we have sifted through the Best Sellers list to find which point and shoot cameras were the absolute favorites. And it is not necessarily the top seller. The cameras in this list are from the standpoint of user satisfaction. Yes, they are on the Best Sellers list, but there is the Star Rating to consider as well to make the Top 5 Point and Shoot Camera List.
Hopefully this will save you a lot of time and confusion.
By the way, this is kind of a dynamic list in that I am constantly trying to find the newest and best point and shoot cameras. If the ratings change, the list will change. Just recently, the Sony DSC TX7 pushed the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
off the list. So keep coming back until you make your purchase. Never know which camera will show up on the Top 10 Point and Shoot Camera list.#1 - Panasonic Lumix DMC LX5
Panasonic locks up the number 1 spot in the "Top 5 Point and Shoot Cameras" List.
This particular model is used by lots of pro photographers as their "carry everywhere" camera. It is known for excellent image quality and extraordinary control functions that the professionals are used to.
The camera's sensor is 10.1-megapixels in one of the larger sensors in a compact camera. The result is superior image quality due to pixel quality. This fact alone makes the Panasonic LX5 the camera of choice of many serious photo hobbyists and professionals. If you want a camera that will travel with you wherever you go, yet give you the best quality of any point and shoot digital camera, this may be the one for you.
Star Rating: 4.5
Techy Stuff
- 10.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints
- 3.8x F2.0 ultra-wide-angle 24mm Leica DC Vario-Summicron lens
- 3.0-inch Intelligent LCD
- Record HD videos in AVCHD Lite
- Creative Movie mode
- Venus Engine FHD image processor; hot shoe for easy accessorization
- Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards
A quote from the Users' Comments at Amazon:
"Wow, I am so impressed by this camera! I am a professional photographer and have been searching for a quality point & shoot for casual use when I don't want to lug around my DSLR (Nikon D700 at the moment) but have never been happy with the compromises of a P&S...
Overall, I highly recommend the LX5 if you are in the market for a serious photographer's P&S camera. No, it won't replace a DSLR if you need the ultimate image quality and speed, but within the context of a P&S, it fits the bill nearly perfectly for me."
Sample Images from the Panasonic Lumix LX5
This photo almost looks like a painting.
(click the photo to go to the source image at Amazon).
Ever try to take a photo at a concert or your child's dance recital?
(click the photo to see additional samples at Amazon.com)
Panasonic Lumix LX5 @ YouTube
Panasonic DMC LX5 @ Amazon
#2 - Canon PowerShot G11
The Canon G11 has been on the Best Seller list for quite some time, but it is also on the Top 5 Point and Shoot Camera list because of the user popularity. There is a newer model, the Canon PowerShot G12, however that model has not met with the same user satisfaction as its older brother. Photographers are still opting for the G11.Star Rating: 4.5
The PowerShot G11 is an impressive looking camera with lots of advanced features. It has been the camera of choice for many advanced amateurs. In fact it fits into a category known as "Prosumer cameras" which simply means that they are of "near pro quality". The Panasonic Lumix LX5 is also in this category. The price reflects the quality of the camera.
Techy Stuff
- 10-megapixel High Sensitivity System
- DIGIC 4 Image Processor
- Bright 2.8-inch Vari-Angle PureColor System LCD plus optical viewfinder
- Wide-angle 5x optical zoom (equivalent to 28-140mm)
- Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer
- Improved Smart AUTO intelligently selects from 22 predefined shooting situations
- RAW + JPEG shooting and recording modes
- Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards
As mentioned, the PowerShot G11 is as close to a digital SLR as you can get without the exchanging of lenses. The option to shoot pictures in RAW format is a priority for some of the more serious photographers. But even if you want to set your camera on the "auto mode" there are plenty of creative options for even the most discerning photo enthusiast.
One such enthusiast had this to say about the Canon PowerShot G11 with regard to the image noise problem that is common to most point and shoot cameras:
"I went out shooting in the soft rain and gloomy half light yesterday afternoon/evening. I used the camera at ISO 400 and 800 and shot as low as 1/25th of a second. The images did not have a lot of noise and the IS worked very well. If you've shot with Canon's previous powershot cameras you will get used to the controls and menus very quickly. "
Sample Photos from the Canon PowerShot G11
Macro photography fans can get great close-ups with this model.
(click on the photo for more image samples)
Pretty nice bokeh (blurred background) in this cat portrait.
(Click the photo to see more examples from Amazon.com)
Canon PowerShot G11 @ Amazon
#3 - Canon PowerShot S95
Canon PowerShot S95 10 MP Digital Camera
The Canon PowerShot S95 is not only on the Top 5 Point and Shoot Camera list, it is THE #1 Best Seller at Amazon for Point and Shoot cameras... very impressive for a digital camera that has only been on the market since August, 2010.This little camera is a powerhouse in a small container. It is one of those cameras that professionals would not be embarrassed to carry around so they don't miss a photo opportunity, much like the Panasonic Lumix LX5.
- 10.0-megapixel sensor combined with the DIGIC 4 Image Processor creates Canon's HS System
- Capture 720p HD video in stereo sound
- Play back on an HDTV via the HDMI output
- f/2.0 lens for low light conditions or shallow depth-of-field
- Control ring for intuitive manual control
- 3.8x optical zoom; 28mm wide-angle lens
- Canon's Hybrid IS to compensate for angular and shift camera shake
- Capture images to SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards
A happy buyer from the Amazon website had this to say:
"I'm in love with this camera. I won't go into details about picture quality because it's as good as its predecessor; there are examples all over the Internet. And of course the S95's 720 HD video is a big improvement over the standard video of the S90. "
Sample Photos Using Canon PowerShot S95
A sample image from Amazon.com where buyers can share their photo experiences.
(click on the photo to view more samples)
Denver after sunset - excellent low light performance.
(click on the photo to view more samples)
Canon PowerShot S95 @ Amazon
This is the #1 Best Seller in Point and Shoot Cameras at Amazon.com
#4 - Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 14.1 MP Digital Camera
The Panasonic Lumix FH20 is the least expensive of the camera in the Top 5 Point and Shoot Camera list, but it is quite impressive in performance. With 14.1-megapixels and 8x zoom, it is capable of being whatever you want it to be in terms of camera type. The reason that it rates so high is that the folks that purchase it are aware of what the camera can do and its limitations. They are quite satisfied because their expectations do not exceed the limits of the camera. Smart people!
Star Rating: 4.4
Techy Stuff
- 14.1-Megapixel High-Resolution CCD: The DMC-FH20 features a 1/2.33" CCD with effective 14.1-megapixel high-resolution.
- 2.7" 230,000-Dot High-Resolution LCD: The DMC- FH20 features a 2.7" 230,000-dot high-resolution Intelligent LCD and High-angle Mode.
- 28mm Wide-Angle 8x Optical Zoom Lens in a Compact Body: The DMC-FH20 features a newly developed 28mm wide-angle high-quality LUMIX DC VARIO lens with powerful 8x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 28-224mm) in a slim, compact body.
- Up to 16.9x Extra Optical Zoom: The Extra Optical Zoom uses the center of the CCD to further extend the powerful 8x optical zoom when a resolution of less than 14.1 megapixel is used.
- Sonic Speed AF: The Sonic Speed AF system in the DMC-FH20 has a maximum speed of approx. 0.35 second for auto focusing. It includes numerous re-engineering enhancements, including a higher-speed actuator, optimized algorithms and parallel software processing.
Here is an insightful comment with practical application for use - from the comments section at Amazon.com:
"...Received this camera several days ago, this FH20 rocks. Pictures are really very, very good. I couldn't believe it. The size is great, ease of use is beyond belief. I'm an artist and use my camera to take pictures of lighthouses, old barns and interesting buildings. This camera gives me what I'm looking for and more. So glad I took the plunge...."
Sample images for the Panasonic Lumix FH20
Sunflower image from the users' upload section of Amazon.com
(click on the photo to see more samples)
This Macro shot looks quite professional - from the users' upload section of Amazon.com
(click on the photo to see more samples)
Very impressive handling of light
(see more examples by clicking on the photo)
Panasonic Lumix FH20 @ YouTube
Panasonic Lumix FH20 @ Amazon
#5 - Sony DSC-TX7
Rounding out the Top 5 Point and Shoot Cameras is the Sony DSC-TX7 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 4x Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.5 inch Touch Screen LCD.
Star Rating: 4.4
This is a truly compact camera, about the size of a wide cell phone. But don't let it's size fool you. It has some very impressive features.
It has the largest of all LCD panels at 3.5", and it is "touch-screen" to boot, meaning all the settings are available on the LCD menu. One of the things that is unique to this camera on the Top 5 Point and Shoot Camera list is the "panorama mode." You set it on panorama and sweep the camera across the picture area, and it automatically stitches together a seamless wide panoramic picture. Seeing it in action is an OMG moment.
Add the low light capability, 1080p video (about an hour's worth on an 8GB storage card), and about continuous shooting at about 10 frames per second, and you have a camera that is hard to beat at this price point.
Techy Stuff:
- 3.5-inch touch screen for easy focus selection and photo viewing
- 10.2-megapixel "Exmor R" CMOS sensor for stunning low-light performance
- iSweep Panorama Mode captures stunning panoramic images
- Fast capture with 10fps at full 10.2 MP resolution
- 1080i AVCHD Movie records high-quality HD movies
- Accepts Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick PRO Duo/Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo
One of the helpful user comments from Amazon had this to say about the Sony DSC TX7:
"At first the CMOS sensor seems to give very good performance compared to the CCD competition, and the camera excels in low light conditions. Upon closer examination, you will find that Sony has put that fast processor to work doing aggressive noise reduction. In addition to this, the camera has a twilight handheld mode which snaps 6 different frames, and picks the best parts of each frame to synthesize a single final frame. So long as things do not move rapidly, and your lighting conditions do not vary (such as with fluorescent or sodium lights which tend to stobe) things work well. Combined with optical stabilization and the CMOS sensor, this makes possible shots that would be hopelessly blurred in the other cameras I have tried."
Sample Photos for the Sony DSC TX7
The "auto panorama" mode, an advanced feature of the Sony DSC TX7 is quite unique. (click the photo to view original file on Amazon)
Another image from the Amazon samples for the Sony DSC TX7 shows how the camera handles very diverse light situations.
(Click on the photo to see all the samples at Amazon.com)
Sony DSC TX7 Video Review
Sony DSC TX7 @ Amazon
Which Camera Would You Put In The "Top 5 Point and Shoot Camera" List?
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glockr
Oct 29, 2011 @ 9:50 am | delete
- Of the ones on your list, I like the Canon G11 because it has a real viewfinder and it can run the CHDK. I like the G12 better though because it's $150 cheaper, still has a real viewfinder, and is still CHDK capable. Not sure why people like the earlier model better, the G12 doesn't give up anything compared to the G11, unlike most "improved" cameras.
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adamfrench
Oct 3, 2011 @ 12:05 pm | delete
- Impressive lens, thumbs up
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deyani
Mar 31, 2011 @ 9:45 pm | delete
- I've heard many great reviews about Canon PowerShot G11, so this camera has my vote. You have explained the top 5 point and shoot camera comprehensively and this lens has been blessed & is now showcased on my Baby Angel lens.
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thewayeyeseeit
Apr 1, 2011 @ 4:25 am | delete
- Thank you deyani. I am glad you liked it. And, yes, the G11 is a great choice, as are all the cameras listed here.
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by thewayeyeseeit
Photography is one of my passions.
A natural by-product of photography is post processing my photos. I use Photoshop CS4, along with the Adobe CS4...
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