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Out In The Streets
For the last couple of weeks I have been searching for the perfect street camera. I have been comparing three “point and shoot” cameras that could potentially fit the bill. I’ve been trying to make a decision as to which would serve a very specific purpose in my work, and although all fall just short of ideal they each seem to point toward a new class of camera that I am really excited about.
The Niche
There are a few requirements I have been longing for in a digital camera. Fitting this niche will always be difficult as consumers seems to look for other features than pros do, and the pro camera market is sort of focused around DSLRs at the moment. What I am after is essentially a compact camera with a fast and wide lens that creates beautiful files, worthy of printing for the walls of an art gallery. I need something I can take with me everywhere, that wont be a drag and that will continue to spark my creative juices. Oh, and it has to write a RAW file.
The Sigma DP-1
The camera that looked most appealing to me at first was the Sigma DP-1. This camera has only been on the market a short while, but it was announced nearly a year ago and many enthusiasts had been eagerly awaiting its arrival. Well it’s here now, for around $800 dollars and it sure looks nice. It is certainly compact and discrete, and it has some really interesting features that sounded pretty great at first. Namely, its Foveon technology sensor, is what grabbed my attention. This is really the first compact camera to have a DSLR sized sensor built right in. A Foveon sensor differs in its design from most digital camera sensors in that it uses three separate layers of pixels to record the RG and B channels in an image. What this means is that each pixel is actually representative of the actual raw value that it captured. In nearly every other digital camera out there, a “Bayer” pattern of filters is layed over the sensor and interpolation is used to make a best guess as to what each RGB triplet should be for each pixel location.
While the Foveon may record a more accurate view of the world, it makes a serious sacrifice in spatial resolution. The 14 megapixel sensor in the DP-1 results in around a 5 megapixel final image. It may be a crystal clear image, but its a crystal clear 5 megapixel image, nevertheless.
But this wasn’t the biggest deal breaker for me. The DP-1 writes a RAW file, but one that is not currently supported by anyone but Sigma. You can’t convert it to a DNG using Adobe’s DNG converter, and Aperture hasn’t written support for it as of yet. In order to work with the Sigma’s RAW files you need to download their own processing software which can only write out a TIFF or JPEG. I just can’t imaging building this into my workflow. No way!
The Richo GX-100
Another really appealing camera that fit this niche was the Richo GX-100. This little camera seemed to fit the bill. It has an optional electronic viewfinder, writes a DNG file natively, and a 24mm equivalent lens. Nice! There is a really extensive write-up about this camera over at Luminous Landscape (there are write ups on all three of the cameras I mention here at LL as well) and the writer makes some really good observations.
My main gripe with this camera is the RAW write speed. If I am going to be shooting in RAW mode, I need at least a couple of frames in a burst I’m not going to be using this thing to shoot sports or anything like that, but there is a necessity for me to be able to capture a couple frames in a quick burst to keep the spontaneity of a shoot going. I am willing to wait for a couple of seconds for that next couple of frames, but I really need to be able to snap one and then another and then rest for as second. This really has to do with the way I prefer to shoot, and the interaction I get form my subjects. It’s a personal preference, but a must have for me.
The Richo is also really hard to find. You can buy it online, but here in the DC Metropolitan area I wasn’t able to find a floor model anywhere. Most salespeople hadn’t even heard of it. That sort of scares me.
The Canon G9
In case you haven’t guessed by now, the Canon G9 is the third camera that fits this very small niche. The G9 is nearly identical to its G7 predecessor, but they added one very important feature--it writes a RAW file.
The G9 has all the markings of a perfect little pocket camera, but with a few added issues that make it a hard sell for me. Honestly these are all small peeves, and things that could be resolved in a firmware upgrade, but they are nevertheless, hard for me to get over.
The main peeve with the Canon is that you really can’t turn off the LCD display. While the built in viewfinder may be pretty useless, an accessory hot-shoe mounted view-finder could really make this camera work for me. But I would really like to be able to turn of the view-finder while I worked in that mode. Apparently you can turn of the viewfinder, but this, reportedly causes the camera to slow down to a crawl. I haven’t tested this myself.
On the upside the Canon probably makes the most sense. It is compatible with all of my existing Canon lighting equipment including the wireless TTL module I have for my flashes. It also works seamlessly with Aperture in RAW mode. You can shoot two quick frames in RAW mode before you have to wait for the buffer to unload, and at 12 megapixels, it certainly writes a decent sized file.
Seriously, for around $480 bucks you can’t go wrong. There are already a bunch of great accessories for it and rapidly growing community of enthusiasts online, ready to answer questions and share results. While I don’t think the camera will fill the niche I have carved out perfectly, I will probably end up getting one as I think it would make a great notebook camera.
Final Thoughts
I would love to hear your thoughts on these cameras or other models that I have failed to mention here. I left out the Leica M8 as I think that for $5500 (for the body alone) the camera just isn’t there yet. The perfect camera for me is really a Leica M9, with a full frame BEAUTIFUL sensor, and all the ergonomics of its film predecessors. Until that model exists, I can’t see myself investing that much money in something substandard.
The G9 will have to do for now. Hopefully it will fill that void between the little camera in my iPhone that I ALWAYS have with me, and my DSLR, that I just don’t like to lug around with me anymore unless I have to. Either way, these three cameras really do point toward a new class of camera. A "street-able," compact camera, pocket sized, that shoots RAW, works with Aperture, has a wide and fast lens (fixed is fine with me) and can produce large prints that I can hang on the wall.
Hopefully the next iPhone will have a 12 megapixel APS-C sized sensor, with manual “touch” exposure controls and the ability to shoot at 2-fps in RAW mode indefinitely. Now that would be something!
PS - The photo above was taken on the "streets" of Amsterdam with a Nikon D100 and a 20mm f/2.8 fixed lens.
Comments (20)
For me the G9 has been the way to go. I use the Leica M8 as my pro camera for assignments, but must admit that I am really getting to like using the G9 for street shooting here in Paris. Mostly it's nice to not have to worry about having an 8 thousand euro camera around my neck just to explore the streets, then people are much less aggressive if you are noticed photographing them with a pocket camera.
The image quality of the G9 while not as good as a pro camera, is very usable in most situations, especially as you learn to exploit the strengths of this type of camera and not always try to do the same things you normally do with the pro models.
I love to just go out and shoot freely with this lightweight little thing, then come back to my place and plug the SD card into Aperture and edit the RAW
images minutes after they are taken.
It feels like the fun is back in photography again, thanks to Aperture and amazing little inexpensive cameras.
http://www.norman-godwin.com/index.php?d=Paris
I have used the G9 for the last 6 months, and find it to be the next best thing to having a DSLR with me. In fact, when I periodically go through projects in Aperture and look at images I have not seen for awhile, I have been surprised several times to find that some of the best looking ones were taken with my G9.
Thanks for the comments. I am very hopeful that the G9 will prove useful. Have either of you made any large prints from your G9 files? Any B+W conversions?
-m
No I have not made prints over 30x40cm, but I have had double page magazine spreads with the G9 that looked great.
The built image stabilizer helps me quite a bit too, even though the lens only opens to 2.8, I can take sharp pictures a very slow speeds. I am also very happy that the zoom starts at 35mm equiv. instead of wider, because 35 is where I like to start at and as you zoom with this type of lens the aperture goes up proportionally. So I get 2.8 at the focal length I use and like the most. If it started at 24 or 28, then the aperture at 35 would be something like 4.
Hi Micah!
I would skip the 9 and purchase an Oly E-420 single lens kit. The kit is currently $599 at Amazon and there is a 30 day return policy no questions asked. With the E-420, you are getting the worlds smallest and lightest DSLR with 10 megapixels, EFFECTIVE dust control, USABLE HI ISO, and excellent build. Oly has also released a 25mm f2.8 pancake lens. The 14-42 kit lens is no dog toy. With Amazon's great return policy, what do you have to lose?
Tommy
Thanks for the info...
I do a lot of street photography and revisit the search for the ideal SP cam every year. The problem for me is none of them offer a true wide-angle focal length. I've been using a 10-22mm solely on my canon 20D - preferring to get close to people. Unfortunately that equivalent focal length range, 16-35mm isn't offered on a digicam.
So, wanting a smaller and lighter weight cam than I have now, it looks like I'm going to "downgrade" to a canon 450/XSI. Smaller, lighter, better performance - not a bad price.
Anyway, those are my thoughts...
Brad
Thomas,
The Olympus does look very cool. But the small 25mm 4/3 lens is the equivalent of about a 50 in 35mm format. And I'm looking for something closer to 28 or 35 equivalent. Once you get the wider lenses from Olympus they get quite a bit larger. Do you know of any wider fixed length 4/3 lenses that would work?
Cool camera though! Live View....etc...
-m
Any thoughts about using the Panasonic LX2?
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasoniclx2/
M..
The 14-42 kit lens in 35mm terms would be 28-84.
Try it M, you cant lose. Live View is there as you mentioned. The $599 price includes the 14-42 lens.
I have looked at the same cameras for the same reason, and have come to the conclusion that the G9 is the best of the bunch, especially for the price. I've used it in both full auto mode and manual mode, and it was really impressive. That will most likely be my next photo gear purchase.
Jeremy,
Have you seen/tried the E-420 kit? Order it from Amazon and try it for 30 days. I would much rather have it than the 9. It gives you much better RAW write times, a USABLE HI ISO, Live View, small and light, an OVF that you can use. The camera body is 13 ounces!
Thomas, the E-420 is a reflex, not a point and shoot. Granted it is small, but it is a reflex, not the same thing and IS BIGGER with the zoom lens attached and for a different style of photography. I think what the others are looking for here is a complement to their bigger camera outfit, something truly small and different to allow a less classic way to look at shooting pictures.
A quick search for G9 on flickr illustrates the power of what can be done with a pocket camera in the right hands.
Micah. I think you are smart to start your search with a camera that Aperture supports. I made the mistake of purchasing a DP1 and now even though my workflow is whacked I JUST CAN'T STOP USING IT!!
The camera does have some speed issues (between 3 shot bursts) but the images are wonderful. I have found that the tiff files upsize very well with Aperture and in fact are every bit the equal of my 10mp Nikon.
I have found that reaction to this camera on the street is very very mild. People seem to ignore it, something that never happened with my DSLR.
What surprised me the most is the way this camera deals with subtlelties of color, tone, shade. I don't know if this is because of the lens or the chip but frankly I don't care. Digital images are quite wonderful but saturated color is incredibly seductive. Much of the work I see is color on steroids. The DP1's subtle tones remind me of why I loved film so much.
I'm hoping someone with some "Juice" in Cupertino helps persuade them to support this RAW file. You perhaps?
The G9 is a fantastic instrument. I have been using it extensively for 6 months and can tell you that it is good in almost any situation. One other thing I adore is the video capability. You can just decide to shoot video including sound on the fly at surprisingly good quality.
This little camera opens up paths a more contemporary way of producing imagery.
The G9 is great. I like the style and range, but I absolutely hate the noise above ISO 200. Regardless of that, I also the G9's exposure preview and accessibility of other features makes it a really great teaching tool in my digital photography workshops.
Guys/Gals,
I realize the E-420 is a reflex camera. But so what? You can use it as a P&S since it has Live View? Why be hindered with ISO 200 when you can go to a usable 1600? The 14-42 kit lens is small. The DP1 looks nice but it is expensive at this moment, IMO. The 9 looks ok as long as you dont need high ISO and speed.
I would probably have gone with the G9 if it were me- though my personal criteria is slightly different. I like it's set of features and the design. Here's a bit of advice: I'd get a fast memory card. As fast a possible. A new SDHC Sandisk Ducati or Extreme 4 would be nice, but they're not cheap.
Now the LX2 was mentioned and I've got some info. The lens is awesome! I have an LX1 and love it. It's 35mm equiv is a 28-112 @ f/ 2.8-4.9 It's a tad slow for the long end but not too bad.
Now the problem with the LX2 is noise. It's often blown a bit out of proportion. But it can be a problem. My LX1 isn't too bad if I just keep the settings right. But the real problem with the noise in the LX2 is that the software does too much reduction. If you do some searching at the DPreview forums there's advice about that. It's a fine camera but I also think it's showing some age. The 16:9 aspect ratio is really cool, but sometimes you compose a shot for it and then print a 4*6 or 5*7 and it can be a bit annoying having the composition messed up. (though the issue is similar with 4:3 too)
Now here's what I want for a P&S pocket cam so listen up manufactures:
3:2 aspect ratio!!! Is this really so hard to figure out? Seriously an 8-10MP 1/1.5 -1/1.75" sensor would be good to help balance out cost and noise.
RAW
fast wide lens. I need zoom if it's my only camera.
good burst mode. I don't need to huge of a buffer (though Its good) but just 3-4FPS in RAW and 4 in JPEG
Not to skimp out on the other stuff. It can't just forget about the other areas.
Then it needs to have software: manual mode, long shutter speeds (min +) firmware upgrades and fast and easy to navigate. (The G9's wheel is good!)
---The problem: cost, but we kinda knew that.
There's plenty of us who are asking for that SLR minus the removable lens and mirror. Canon, Nikon, and everyone else can do it.
Also, on the subject of firmware you should check out CHDK to enable camera features for canon's. It's safe as it lives on an SD card: http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK
I was just in Dubai for a workshop with some influential-type pro photographers and many were sporting Canon G9s out and about... including lots of Nikon guys.
Personally, I'd like something just a smidge smaller, but in terms of image quality and functionality, the G9 seems to be a killer package.
I have been using the Leica D-Lux 3 for the past 10 months and have had a great time with it. My normal pro system is the Nikon D3, D2X, & D300. But for just on the run out in the streets the Leica has been a delight. From extreme wide angle to a decent zoom. Optically great as well as compact and ease of use.
Just another one to add to the list. The G9 looks great as well. I just have been very happy with the D-Lux 3.
Enjoy what ever you are using to create with.
The G9 is a good point an shoot camera and works very well if you take your pictures with daylight. Sometimes you have to wait a bit for the autofocus, but it's ok. The buid in IS is also a thing you will need.
But if you want to use it at night, then the M8 is the better tool.
I have both, first I got the M8, here it was frustating that the white balance was sometimes strage (I shoot RAW, but it's then more work to sort out what the right WB was leater on), now this issue is fixed.
Later on I got also the G9. A nice camera at daylight and much more flexibel because the range of the lense.
I tried to use both at night in my last trip to hong kong. Well, the M8 images were better and you had not to wait for the autofocus, also the Iso performance is better. After two nights the G9 was let in the hotel room.
During the day I was shooting with the 1Ds...so no need to bring along the G9.
The M8 is really way to costly and has still a lot of bugs. The G9 too much a point and shoot, but it does not cost much.
I'm hoping for a for a DP-1 like camera from Canon or Nikon, perhaps I will have less issues than the Sigma.