[GTO]

Originally Posted by sj_koova

If you don't plan to photograph in low light condition, you can do with a P&S for most of the cases

Nope, don't. Shoot most cars in direct sunlight.

Originally Posted by tsk1979

GTO, DSLR is not for you. You will be best with a superzoom P&S
There are 2 camera I recommend
Canon SX10 IS and Panasonic FZ28

On my way to check!

Originally Posted by Samurai

There are a few pocketable cameras that can give you very good image quality.

Look forward to the names.

Thanks guys

[Technocrat]

Thanks. Is that the absolute best P&S out there?

Well there is nothing absolute best but yes this camera is the closest to being called best.

The SX 10 IS will fulfill your requirements & more

[tsk1979]

But SX10 and FZ28 are not "pocketable".
In pocketable cams the best out there is the LX3. Samurai also owns this one. Its a true gem, and ideal for landscape and car shots.
And it fits in your shirt pocket.

[Samurai]

There is no best all purpose P&S. Since you need this camera for a very specific need, let's address that. The camera should have wide angle 28mm or less. Zoom is not important. Image quality very important. Noise should be well controlled. High dynamic range is desirable.

1) Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

Awesome Wide angle - Best for shooting car interiors
Superior Image quality
Limited Zoom, shouldn't affect you much though.
Very good lowlight performance - Best for shooting car interiors.

2) Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

Best dynamic range, good for shooting in the sun.
Very good lowlight performance - Best for shooting car interiors.
Overall good performance.

BTW, I don't have LX3, wish I did. It came out after I bought the FX-36.

[rajismine]

1 more vote for SX10 here. I have used both FZ28 and SX10 and Canon certainly is a step forward. Though the FZ28 is a strong competitor but not so much in low light, Ease with the screen, Grip not so good because its small for that shape (Canon is heavy though), Cap is locked and if u turn on without removing the cap you will damage the barrel badly. The good for FZ28 is that it has that Quick Settings Key and that it has a Lithium Ion Battery...


hey mav2000. Stretch the budget by Rs 1000 and u get Canon SX110 for that price...u will love it...U can also see Canon A1000 and A2100,

Sony H10 and H20 might also interest you for Rs 11K

All above are grey prices

Rajeev

[clevermax]

Originally Posted by GTO

That picture's a classic, Jkdas! Cracked me up.

Is there anything like a point & shoot DSLR? Or should I vamoose from this thread? Purpose : Only to shoot cars. I am not the type who will make even one manual adjustment for a picture, but know what to shoot (in terms of angle). Best point & shoot?

GTO, check out the Sony Alpha A 230/330 DSLRs. They have launched the 'x30' series keeping in mind the very novice user. Its menus are simple, user freindly just like a P&S, but its a DSLR! I had posted about the launch in this same thread few weeks before. I guess even the non-auto shooting modes will be easier to operate with.

[GTO]

So basically between the SX10 & the LX3. Any experience with the Canon G10?

check out the Sony Alpha A 230/330 DSLRs.

Will do, thanks. But after talking to Samurai, I'm getting more inclined toward premium (compact) P&S which can manage high quality pictures (and not DSLR).

[tsk1979]

Stay away from G10,
The LX3 has wider angle 24mm wide. So excellent for both exterior or interior shots of cars
The Canon SX10 has 28-560mm zoom range as compared to 24-60 for LX3
So if you want an all in one which can be used for far zooms also, get SX10.
If you want a wider angle than 28mm go for LX3

So all purpose - SX10
Wide angle specialist - great for car shots - LX3

SX10 wide at 28mm is also pretty okay.
I have a 350D which with 18mm gives approx 28mm
So if you want to know what 28mm wide looks like, here are the couple.
With 24mm , you can get even wider!

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by GTO

So basically between the SX10 & the LX3. Any experience with the Canon G10?

See here: Digital Cameras Side-by-Side, 3 cameras: Digital Photography Review

There are two aspects where LX3 is miles ahead of SX10 and G10, and these two aspects are very important for your need.

1) Image quality, which hugely depends on pixel density, lower the better. LX3 is 24MP/cm.sq compared to 34 and 35 of other two.
2) Wide angle, which is very useful for upclose shooting, lower the better. LX3 has 24mm compared to 28mm of other two. I paid $800 to upgrade from 28mm dSLR lens to a 24mm dSLR lens. That should give you some idea about the importance of this feature.

[tortoiseNhare]

Originally Posted by GTO

That picture's a classic, Jkdas! Cracked me up.

Is there anything like a point & shoot DSLR? Or should I vamoose from this thread? Purpose : Only to shoot cars. I am not the type who will make even one manual adjustment for a picture, but know what to shoot (in terms of angle). Best point & shoot?

Nikon Coolpix P90 or Canon SX10 IS come to mind first.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

The LX3 has wider angle 24mm wide. So excellent for both exterior or interior shots of cars

Originally Posted by Samurai

There are two aspects where LX3 is miles ahead of SX10 and G10, and these two aspects are very important for your need.

Done & finalised on the Lumix LX3. Much appreciate the prompt help & understanding of my requirements.

[gendarmee]

Stay away from G10, pathetic for low light. Also, the pics have noise even at ISO 80.

[tortoiseNhare]

Originally Posted by GTO

Done & finalised on the Lumix LX3. Much appreciate the prompt help & understanding of my requirements.

That's a great choice GTO. I'm using a Lumix (DMC FZ8) point and shoot for a couple of years now and I'm happy with it. The model I use is powered by a proprietary Panasonic battery pack which is the only drawback imho.

[Jaggu]

GTO i think you should check once with ol man also before you pay up.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

GTO i think you should check once with ol man also before you pay up.

Our old man may convince him to get a Full frame DSLR