Small Cameras, High ISOs and High Art: Can You Have it All?
May 21, 2007: Many small point and shoot cameras advertise that they take great pictures at high ISOs. The physics would seem to be impossible: The smaller the camera, the smaller the sensor. The smaller the sensor, the worse the noise.
So, are the companies that make these claims telling the truth. Um, not really.
DP Review has posted a great article on this. They looked at several compact cameras and concluded thusly (I love saying “thusly!”):
Many decent compacts can produce almost SLR-like quality at their lowest ISO, but whatever the marketing departments of the camera manufacturers may like you to think, there is no way you can get acceptable results from a small sensor compact at high ISO settings - some struggle even at ISO 400. The only exceptions are the Fujifilm FinePix F30 and F31fd, which use a combination of large pixels (lower megapixel count), clever sensor design and clever noise reduction to produce decent results at ISO 800 and usable results at ISO 1600 (the ISO 3200 mode is, however, a step too far).
You can read Simon Joinson’s whole article here.
While we’re on the subject of compact cameras, Mike Johnston of The Online Photographyer wrote a blistering article about point and shoots. He says that from his perspective, and with his years of experience and knowledge, he’s found this: “Here’s the upshot: they’re all sh**.”
Except he doesn’t use the asterisks…he actually says the “s” word! Right there on the internets!!! Who knew they allowed that kind of language?
He goes on:
These disreputable little excuses for cameras can kill the ardor of any budding enthusiast or extinguish the desire to learn in any noob or neophyte. They exist to prevent accomplishment, stymie satisfaction, and permanently obfuscate the acquisition of relevant knowledge. You can hardly be a photographer with a point-and-shoot (the occasional exception proves the rule), and you cannot learn photography with a point-and-shoot, and if a point-and-shoot is your only experience of photographing, you will most probably neither want to learn more about photography nor be a photographer anyway.
Sheesh! Mike’s article is interesting and opinionated. I don’t agree with his conclusions, though. Obviously, point and shoots are not as capable as DSLRs, but they still offer a wealth of opportunities to take great pictures and have a great time doing so. Will they all be keepers? Will you get wonderful shots in low light? Are the the best choice for fast moving action or artistic impression? No, no, no and no.
But they slip into your pocket or small bag, they’re inexpensive, you can take them almost anywhere. They allow you to get casual shots you might otherwise miss. And while you may not be able to learn as much with them as you can with a DSLR, you can certainly learn composition. You can even be inspired by them to move up to a more capable camera: I know I was.
And why does everyone need to learn about photography, anyway? Some people just want to capture a moment, not an award.
No sh**.
It doesn’t seem like I can link directly to Mike’s discussion, but you should be able to find it in the middle of this page.
Scott
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Don’t give a s**t about language on the internets, I know some people say the word “cockles” out load without hesitation! “cockles”!
May 23rd, 2007 at 2:29 am
As a point-and-shoot owner I take offense to his comments. But that’s just because unlike Scott I can’t afford to move up to a DSLR yet. I am thinking about it rather seriously. But if I hadn’t enjoyed the point and shoot as much, or the ability to edit photos online etc, there is no way I would even have been interested in upgrading. Well that and I’ve been listening to this show for more than 6 months too - you guys have an effect!
Thanks for the great show and I hope I can stay subscribed from South Africa… 3 weeks left in the US.
May 23rd, 2007 at 7:41 am
I have a great little point and shooter, Fuji S5100 that I’ve had for a couple of years. I’m only just now learning about RAW. It is inspiring me to get back to an SLR and reinvigorating my interest in photography.
I was thinking that I had wasted my money buying this, but even after I move to a DSLR, it will be handy for those quick snaps of grandkids. That, plus the video feature will keep it in use for a long time.
BTW, the permalink to the article referenced is http://theonlinephotographer.blogspot.com/2007/05/how-to-choose-digital-point-and-shoot.html
May 23rd, 2007 at 11:14 am
That guy is full of cockles.
All cameras have thier place in spectrum of photography. I have a pretty darn nice DSLR with some of the best glass I can get my hands on and still I use my point-and-shoot several times a week.
It’s a matter of “the right tool for the right job”. You don’t need a EOS 1D Mark III with a 400mm f/2.8 lens to take a photo of a Disney figurine to put on eBay.
Tell Mike Johnson not to be such a cockle and think before he writes :)
May 23rd, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Being opinionated is one thing, being close-minded is another.
Interestingly, one would think that without the income the point-and-shoot cameras generate, companies like Canon or Nikon wouldn’t have the money they need to funnel into more advanced technologies present in DSLR’s
May 24th, 2007 at 7:27 am
Average print size people do is 4×5 according to PMA, so what is the problem of using a point and shoot for a family event. You do not need a Nikon D2x or a Canon Mark IV ;-) for a Xmas shots or birthday shots? If the goal is to share images with friends by email, why does one need high resolution. Shoot what you want and enjoy the moment.
May 25th, 2007 at 8:49 am
I’m listening to your pod cast show right now.
I’m 10 minutes into it and it’s all bulls***. You haven’t started the show yet.
The show host sucks! This guy says the most stupid things!
This is no show, it’s not informative at all. It’s just a long add for photo products.
This blows.
May 25th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
I’m sure we’d all like to thank Toby for his “insightful” post to this blog. Now maybe he’ll crawl back under his rock.
Although I’m definately a DPS fangirl, I’ve got to say that I’ve learned a tremendous amount about photography from this podcast and it’s hosts, Scott and Michael. Although I’ve never been a finalist in the photo contests and expect I never will be, the contests have enabled me to take a risk and put my pictures out there for better or worse. The contests, by pinpointing various photography skills, have made the learning of these skills more enjoyable. Additionally, I love seeing the fantastic work of my fellow DPS listeners. We have some awfully talented people in this community and I appreciate that they share their work with us.
IMHO, this show keeps getting better with every submission. Thanks guys for all you do.
May 27th, 2007 at 1:24 am
hehe, either I am a complete sucker for punishment, or Toby is way off track. I have finally caught up to episode 51, after only discovering your podcast a few weeks ago. Since then I have downloaded, listened to, and enjoyed, pretty much all of your previous podcasts!!!
Phew!! that was a task.
I think you guys are doing an absolutely fantastic show, and your show really lives by the ethos you frequently espouse; that photography should be fun.
Keep up the good work guy(s)and remember, for each person who doesn’t like it when you guy(s) say the most stupid things, there are hundreds of us that do ;)
May 29th, 2007 at 12:04 am
I am amazed there are not more lurkers like Toby roaming the internet so they can post on sites just to draw attention to themselves. A tribute to this show that there are so few of these, really.
May 29th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Please would people read the whole article before posting…
His conclusion for those seem to have missed it…
“• Don’t agonize over the choice. Pick one and stop worrying.
• Take the time you would have spent obsessively shopping and spend it mastering the camera you did buy.
• When (not if) you get frustrated while photographing with one of the little beasties, don’t let it get you down. They’re all imperfect. Just shrug and say “oh well” and move on.”
It’s a good article and I agree with lots of it. I use my P&S when I can’t take my DSLR with me, but have to trick it to make the images I want. It’s a piece of cr*p, but I can use it to make good images.
May 31st, 2007 at 8:26 am
I have just listened to the show and, like the previous shows, enjoyed its variety and helpfulness. You guys do a great job. I particularly like your interviews and look forward to hearing more from Scott Kelby if you can get him again (he is so busy and popular I think it is a real feather in your cap getting him to contribute). Thanks for your time and efforts.
May 31st, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Toby has clearly not yet mastered the subtleties of his Ipod. If you don’t want to listen to the first 10 minutes of “host chat”, you fast forward to the “long add for photo products”. I personally like the long add for photo products section of the pod cast show. It has made me aware of many products that I didn’t know about and has made photography more enjoyable for me and my cockles.