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.
35
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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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
17
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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?
17
votes
8answers
662 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 ...
14
votes
9answers
712 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 ...
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.
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 ...
12
votes
5answers
499 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 ...
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 ...
11
votes
4answers
3k views
Do digital cameras lose picture quality over time?
For some reasons when I look at my first pictures from my camera (DSLR), they look stunning. I know it could be just psychological. Another friend told me that her camera was really good when she ...
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 ...
11
votes
6answers
503 views
How do I compensate for a bright sun with a point and shoot?
So I'm in the bright sun with no shade around. What can I do to minimize over exposure and shadows with just a regular point and shoot? Should I go into "manual" mode? If so, which mode and what do ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
8
votes
12answers
833 views
Will point-and-shoot cameras be able to compete with camera phones? [closed]
As camera phones become more and more sophisticated, will they ultimately replace point-and-shoot cameras?
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
7
votes
4answers
755 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 ...
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
7
votes
3answers
542 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
5answers
305 views
Advice on an inexpensive but very hardy/tough point-and-shoot camera
I'm looking for a reasonably cheap point-and-shoot camera that can take a lot of abuse. Think rain, mud, occasional falls from head height, etc.
To make it easier, I really don't care too much about ...
7
votes
2answers
485 views
Compact vs Mirrorless - why pick one over another?
What would be a reason for one to pick the compact (whatever it'd be P&S or something more advanced) over mirrorless compact system camera ?
Right now market is quite confusing — we have huge ...
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
3answers
243 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 ...
6
votes
4answers
661 views
How can I get sharp images using optical zoom function on a point-and-shoot?
We’ve got a point-and-shoot (Canon A590 IS), and it seems that the zoom function is completely useless because it is always blurry, even in broad daylight. For example, I tried to take a picture of a ...
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?
6
votes
1answer
922 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 ...
6
votes
5answers
463 views
Does a compact camera that zooms and performs well exist?
I just bought a casio exilim h-10 camera and quite frankly I am disappointed.
The picture quality is very poor and the video (even if it is HD 720 P) is even worse.
I am really looking for a camera ...
6
votes
3answers
191 views
I dropped my P&S, can I fix the zoom by myself?
I dropped my P&S, and now the zoom barrel is like this:
It's out of warranty, what's the best way to fix it?
Take it apart? Hit the barrel with something? Push it?
6
votes
3answers
4k views
How do I find a point-and-shoot camera with an optical viewfinder?
These days it seems that all point-and-shoot cameras do not have optical viewfinders. Do any exist in the lower end of the price range? With so many cameras on the market, how can I identify the ones ...
5
votes
3answers
959 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 ...
5
votes
4answers
885 views
Good point and shoot for jewelry photography?
I have a friend/client (a jeweler) who needs to purchase a new camera. He has a nice lightbox setup (I think something specifically intended for jewelry use - he mentioned "full spectrum lights", ...
5
votes
8answers
625 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 ...
5
votes
7answers
939 views
Is there any way to stop down the aperture of a Canon PowerShot SD780 IS?
I have a Canon PowerShot SD780 IS point-and-shoot which I use as my carry-around-everywhere camera when I don't want to drag my SLR about. This tiny little camera works great and takes fabulous ...
5
votes
1answer
394 views
How can I find a point & shoot camera which will not be dust-cursed?
All my "point and shoot" cameras always end with noticeable dust in the lens (usually just after the warranty expiration), and although they otherwise work fine, I'm forced to buy another one.
I ...
5
votes
4answers
209 views
How long until a point-and-shoot becomes obsolete?
The general rule of thumb with computers is that if you've owned one for more than a few years, it's likely obsolete and nearly any new model will vastly outperform it. Does the same hold true for ...
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 ...
4
votes
2answers
509 views
What is the difference between a point-and-shoot and a mirrorless?
Both point-and-shoot camera and mirrorless cameras seems to be mostly similar in the way they work.
So, What are the differences between a point and shoot and a mirrorless camera?
Is a mirrorless ...
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 ...
4
votes
3answers
409 views
Do compact and DSLR cameras have the same sensor size if they have the same number of megapixels?
In the analog camera, I understood the impact of using a 35mm film vs using a 70 mm film.
However in digital world, I dont know if the sensor size is the same for compact and DSLRs. In other words, ...
4
votes
3answers
531 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
What does the 'macro' mode on my camera actually do?
Background
I have a Panasonic DMC-FZ20, however I would imagine this question applies to most point-and-shoot cameras with a built-in macro mode.
I accidentally left my camera in macro mode while ...
4
votes
3answers
163 views
What should I look for in a ultra compact camera?
I found it is time to step it up from my 2MP Nikon Coolpix I bought in 2002. In my situation size does matter — I am very active and would like to have this camera with me when I can. I know very ...
4
votes
2answers
217 views
Do point and shoot cameras have a metering sensor?
I have a Pentax point and shot camera and I tried to convert it to Infrared. I was successful to remove the front IR filter from CCD and then I had a 760 nm IR filter to kick start with the infrared ...
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
2answers
424 views
Can I capture motion-trails with a point-and-shoot camera?
Is it possible to capture motion trails (like throwing a ball or running) using a camera like the Nikon Coolpix S70?
If so, how do I do it?
