A term for a compact camera that is designed for use without needing to alter various settings, hence it's as simple as pointing and shooting.
30
votes
12answers
3k views
How can I take shallow depth of field photos with a point-and-shoot camera?
I have a compact digital camera, and in macro mode I can manage to achieve a blurred background, if the background is far enough away. Can this be done when taking non-macro pictures, and if not, is ...
35
votes
10answers
3k views
How do I tell which point-and-shoot cameras take good low light photos?
I have a Canon Powershot A710 and I previously had a previous Powershot A-series model. I love them due to the high amount of control they offer. Sadly, they both suck in low light conditions, their ...
12
votes
5answers
505 views
Is an SLR camera a must when learning?
I'm starting to learn how to shoot. Up until now I've only used point-and-shoot cameras mostly on automatic settings. My view is there are basically three classes of cameras sold by the major ...
17
votes
10answers
1k views
Why is a DSLR better than a P&S?
Why should I put up with the inconvenience of lugging around a DSLR?
They look cool, but is there more substance to it?
18
votes
4answers
2k views
Why do compact digital cameras not have the aperture range of DSLRs?
Why is it that on compact digital cameras the aperture never seems to go any smaller than about F8 ? Even on high-end compacts such as the Cannon G10 or Panasonic LX5. Is there some practical or ...
7
votes
4answers
3k views
What are the depth-of-field capabilities of point & shoot cameras?
Is it possible to show following by using a point-and-shoot camera?
shallow depth of field
deep depth of field
17
votes
8answers
663 views
Should I buy a DSLR to get started?
I'm really interested in getting into serious or even professional photography. I've read some articles about fundamental concepts like aperture, exposure, ISO sensitivity, etc., and I want to get the ...
4
votes
4answers
5k views
What should I do about Canon PowerShot “Lens error, restart camera”?
I've had a Canon PowerShot A1100 IS camera for almost a year now.
About a week ago, I went on a trip, took pictures the whole trip, everything was ok.
When I got home, and tried to turn the camera ...
4
votes
5answers
1k views
How do I choose between an SLR or an expensive P&S?
I am planning to buy a new camera and am all confused. I am an amateur photographer who likes to click good photographs. I try to make the most of my Nikon CoolPix camera and have some decent ...
12
votes
10answers
1k views
How can I make a very sharp photograph with a point & shoot camera?
I've taken a picture with my Canon PowerShot SX210 IS and the following settings:
Aperture: F8 (Maximum I have)
Shutter speed: 1/400
ISO: 80
Focal length: 21.1 mm (118mm 35mm-e)
I did increase the ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
Why does a linear polarizer work as well as a circular one on a P&S camera?
I have just purchased a Canon SX30 IS and though extremely happy with it I will need to use a polarizing filter due to the fact that I am travelling to Indonesia to do volcano photography/landscape ...
3
votes
2answers
234 views
What should a beginner look at in comparing two point & shoot cameras?
My interest in photography grew over the last few days, and I finally decided get into this thing. My goal is to become a Nature/Wildlife & Fashion photographer some day.
Since I am total ...
2
votes
4answers
191 views
How can I reduce blur with a point and shoot camera, without flash?
I'm a beginner photographer and I was wondering how to freeze moments of time without having to resort to using flash or tripods.
I use a Sony HX200V and it basically only renders jpeg images. I have ...
7
votes
4answers
759 views
Why are my photos taken at f/11 less sharp than those taken at a wider aperture?
I am new to photography. I have Fujifilm FinePix HS10 camera. Lately I was trying my hands on landscape photography.
I learnt from different tutorials that setting high aperture value gets most of ...
14
votes
5answers
397 views
What non-toy camera would be good for a child?
Looking for a camera for my six year old. We have one of the V-Tech child cameras, which he loves, but the pictures it takes are amazingly awful. Basically I am looking for a rugged point-and-shoot.
6
votes
4answers
4k views
Can any point-and-shoot camera take RAW images?
Which point and shoot cameras support RAW images? Is there any way to take RAW images on unsupported cameras?
3
votes
2answers
922 views
What features really matter in a point and shoot camera?
I am planning to buy my first new digital camera. Now I am too confused for more than 20 days about how I can choose a camera.
I want to use the camera for domestic purpose.
The Canon IXUS 220 HS ...
14
votes
9answers
713 views
What advanced cameras are the size of a point and shoot?
My wife is starting to get in to photography more and more. She likes her point and shoot camera because it is small so it can go with her most ever where.
She is interested in some of the nicer ...
8
votes
6answers
2k views
Do point and shoots exist which can get close to what DSLRs can produce? (And where could I find one?)
I've recently been borrowing my grandmother's Nikon D40, in order to take pictures at Microsoft's Imagine Cup US Finals. I'm not really a big photography guy, and I don't anticipate using most of the ...
3
votes
3answers
1k views
Taking photos of computer screens - reducing glare with S95
I am using my S95 to take photographs of LCD computer screens which are used to display Microfilm images related to my research. Unfortunately they aren't running a normal OS, so it's not an option to ...
2
votes
2answers
644 views
What is a Carl Zeiss lens in a camera?
I have a Sony CyberShot camera and I don't know why they use a lens in the camera. What is a Carl Zeiss lens?
9
votes
7answers
3k views
Which small point-and-shoot cameras support RAW images?
What small point-and-shoot cameras are available that support RAW images? I'm looking for something to use when I don't want to lug my SLR around, so I want something that is small and convenient. In ...
6
votes
1answer
923 views
What are the differences between an entry-level DSLR and a Canon PowerShot?
A Canon Powershot series camera has shutter priority, aperture priority and complete manual mode that lets the user control the shutter speed and aperture
Even though an Entry-level DSLR has more ...
4
votes
3answers
532 views
How can I improve my food photography when limited to a point and shoot?
Previously I have used a Sony DSLR A580 camera along with its 50mm 1.8 lens to take pictures of food. Personally, I really liked that lens. At the moment, I am back to my old Samsung i8 Point and ...
18
votes
7answers
1k views
Digital camera for someone without a computer?
My (rural living) mother-in-law has recently been told by her local camera shop that they will soon stop offering processing and prints from film based cameras.
I'm wondering if it is practical to ...
11
votes
6answers
1k views
Should I turn off optical image stabilisation when shooting long-exposure photos?
I have a Canon SX210 IS. With CHDK, I usually take photos of more than 10 minutes at night (using tripod of course). I read somewhere it is recommended to turn off the mechanical image stabilization ...
8
votes
6answers
7k views
What is the difference between point-and-shoot and SLR cameras?
I have a very good (I assume) point and shoot high end camera with me. Model is Panasonic Fz35. I think it has very nice features and using the camera in manual mode is nice too.
However, with all ...
6
votes
3answers
244 views
What are some common gotchas and missed capabilities migrating from compacts to DSLRs
It has been just a couple weeks since I bought an old Nikon D40X after using a Canon SX120IS for a year. The only things I miss so far are the ability to fine adjust the exposure using the back ...
5
votes
3answers
965 views
How do I get crisp indoor or low light images from my point and shoot?
I have a digital camera Canon PowerShot. I notice when I try to take any pictures other than a non-zoom, outdoor picture in good lighting the picture comes out blurry and grainy. I have tried a ...
3
votes
3answers
379 views
How can I get nice, vivid colors in food photography without blown-out brightness from the flash?
Whenever I click pictures of people and food using flash, the whole picture becomes bright. When I click without flash, the camera takes in the light from the surroundings and gives me a monotonous ...
11
votes
4answers
1k views
Why do some DSLRs have fewer megapixels than some pocket cameras?
Some point and shoot cameras like the Olympus mju range have more megapixel capabilities than many DSLRs. Why is this? Is this because they have larger sensors or more dense ones? What are the ...
9
votes
2answers
2k views
What differences between point and shoot zoom versus DSLR zoom cause the price disparity?
I'm just getting into the world of photography, stepping up from a point-and-shoot. I've just purchased a Nikon D3100 and it should be here in a couple of days.
I've done lots of research, but ...
8
votes
2answers
2k views
What is the dynamic range comparison between SLR, DSLR, and point & shoot?
I'm a little curious on how different is the dynamic range in each kind of camera.
I know the DR of the human eyes is quit high. But, how different is the DR in SLR, DSLR and P&S cameras? Or is ...
7
votes
3answers
547 views
Why are macros from my new DSLR no better than those from my P&S?
I have been using a 14mp point and shoot for a couple of years. I like to take macros of flowers, frost and bugs. I want to keep zooming in on my PC to see deeper into the flower, so I bought a 18mp ...
7
votes
3answers
4k views
How do I find a point-and-shoot camera specifically for bokeh / a very shallow depth of field?
I will be getting a point-and-shoot camera for taking portraits and only portraits. Specifically portraits with a shallow depth of field. Groups portraits sometimes. It's just too much work to add ...
6
votes
9answers
683 views
How do I choose a point and shoot camera under $400?
I need a P&S camera for my family. They would probably use it for family functions,trips etc. I want a camera with flash for taking good night photos with a decent quality. They are not ...
4
votes
5answers
4k views
Are any ultra-wide angle digital point and shoot cameras made?
Are any ultra-wide angle digital point and shoot cameras made? By ulta-wide angle I mean anything under 24mm equivalent, although ideally I'd be after something around 12mm.
I'd prefer something ...
3
votes
2answers
828 views
Small-ish camera recommendations for a beginner on a safari
My friend is going on a safari in Africa this year. She wants to buy a new camera because she has an old point and shoot and doesn't feel like she'll get "quality" pictures.
She doesn't have a ...
1
vote
3answers
280 views
Why is there too much noise in a fog photograph?
I have been told that this photo has terrible noise.
I wasn't aware of this fact! :redface:
Morning scene, F4.8, Shutter: 1/50, ISO 100, Focal 14.4mm.
The fog was dense of course, but still it ...
1
vote
1answer
504 views
How to photograph panning with a point and shoot camera?
I have recently learnt about panning photography on the internet and I was curious about capturing one myself,
But as an amateur I just own a Point and shoot camera (Samsung SL30),
I have ...
1
vote
1answer
582 views
Best point and shoot under $150? [closed]
Whenever I purchase point and shoots I go in expecting them to be heavily used and abused, since we usually use them while going out to places where the likelihood of them getting damaged is high ...
0
votes
3answers
213 views
How can I take the best pictures at a nightclub with my compact camera?
Tomorrow I am going to a big event and I would like to know how to take the best pictures. It's an indoor event with lots of lasers and lights.
I want to take pictures from far away where the entire ...
