[Ru]

So I want to get a compact digi for taking on trips or simply when I can't be arsed carrying a big camera to the crag. But I'm a little out of touch with what's out there. Needs to be small-ish and a bit of zoom would be nice. Can anyone recommend anything?

[underground]

If you just want a snapping camera, a guy at work just bought a Minolta Dimage (possibly E300) one from Comet, with 70 quid off if I remember right. Not the smallest but it's 5Mp and cost 60 quid. Seems amazingly cheap but looks OK....

[toofatto boulder]

Ru, check out the olypmus range, some awesome zoom lenses and picture quality is always good. otherwise fuji get some rave reviews....

http://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/29_SP-500_UltraZoom.htm

all depends on price really

[Ru]

Well I'm doing a lot of trips this year, so I'd like something decent to record it all with. So I'm willing to shell out for something good. I guess what I'm asking are what are the best compacts/super compacts out at the moment. The Canon Ixus 800 IS seems to get some good write ups. Actually, is there anything out there that can shoot decent video AND take shots?

[unclesomebody]

Actually, is there anything out there that can shoot decent video AND take shots?

In a word, no.

For a good compact, have a look at the Panasonic DMC-LX2. The problem with all compacts is they are ultimately limited by their small form factor. And remember, don't cram too many megapixels onto the same size CCD. Check the size of the CCD to compare cameras, as well as reading the relevant reviews.

[SA Chris]

My girlfriend just got the DMC LX2 ( I think, it only came out about two weeks ago?) after months of deliberating. Amazingly compact, and so far has delivered excellent results. Will hopefully get some good use over the next month.

The problem with video quality is the amount of memory. video clips worthy of youtube, but little else.

[unclesomebody]

My girlfriend just got the DMC LX2 ( I think, it only came out about two weeks ago?) after months of deliberating. Amazingly compact, and so far has delivered excellent results. Will hopefully get some good use over the next month.

The problem with video quality is the amount of memory. video clips worthy of youtube, but little else.

As far as I was aware, it been available a few months now. Maybe not in the UK highstreet, but definitely online.

My Brother has a Sony N1 which has a nice 3" touchscreen but he says the pictures just aren't that amazing. Ofcourse, he is comparing to a fully fledged SLR set up, so what he says will apply to any compact digi. Before that he had a Canon (can't remember the model) but it wasn't one of these really small ones. It was slightly larger, looked slightly uglier, but took very very nice pictures.

[account_inactive]

I've got the Sony 7.1mb cybershot.  Takes great video (one of the main reasons I bought it) and has not dissapointed on photos.  To be honest I've never gone back to gelatine strip (for my sins).  Not sure what the REAL photographers would say about owning a Sony though.  On the plus side it does have a Carl Zeiss lens.........

[SA Chris]

Sony = Pony 

Actually they seem to be OK, mostly because all the bits have been borrowed from other manufacturers.

I think it's the same one like this http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Panasonic/panasonic_dmclx2.asp

only black. Not been used in anger yet.

[Carnage]

This my new toy:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canona620/

Fantastic camera. Get a good card tho - The video is great too but at high settings it chews up MB's.

[slackline]

The Casio Exilim series are pretty good, dead small camera w/lots of features and decent picture quality.  I've had the EX-S100 for a year or so now, and g/f has the EX-S500 that takes higher res pics and more zoom.  They are also very reasonably priced.

Check'em out http://exilim.casio.com/

[Ru]

Cheers all.

[dave]

my beyonce recently got a canon ixus 60 - seems alright, can be had for a good price.