Premium Compact vs Micro 4/3rd vs Entry Level DSLR

chiron

chiron

Herald
At a budget of say 15-30k, will a advanced digicam like the Panasonic XZ1/Canon S100/G11/Samsung EX1 be better in terms of IQ/focus speed/sharpness/low light performance vs a (Micro 4/3 or DSLR) + kit lens? The reason I am asking is coz they not only fall in the same budget but also have similar zoom ranges.

This is more "something I am wondering about" than a purchase query btw
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I would say it is best to first note down the differences between all of the three categories and then choose one of them depending on your need. As none of these category are fit for all.

For example:- Premium compact cameras are best in terms of form factors and then comes the Micro4/3 and DSLRs at last, similary in terms of picture quality the DSLRs are way ahead of both Micro 4/3 and Premium compacts. I know this is a very debatable statement but yes Micro4/3s and premium compacts are quite rapidly bridging the gap. But being a DSLR user myself, I can never expect the low light performance of DSLRs from Micro4/3s or premium compacts.

So definitely it drills downs to your need and expectation from your camera.

As one wise man said :- Camera is just a tool in your hand, same as paint brush. Its just the painter or you who uses this tool to make an art.
 
The f-value comparison will be more valid for the premium compacts vs micro4/3 with almost same size camera sensors. This thread might be helpful for that :-

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1041&thread=39261069

I think it would be valid to say, the premium compacts might perform better then the micro4/3 with stock lenses but still they have the option of changing the lens and going one step ahead.

Comparison with DSLR wont be justified, the lower f-value is not only the parameter for good low light performance. The physical size of the sensor, capability to shoot at very high ISO and control over the shutter speed are just some of the advantage over premium compacts.
 
chiron said:
^^ but the f-value in the premium compacts are all lower than the ones in the kit lens of slr's. Shouldn't that translate to better low light performance as well?

Saw a related thread at dpreview; http://forums.dprevi...31&changemode=1
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An F stop advantage, will translate into higher speed, but you are forgetting that the smaller the sensor size, worse is the ISO performance. Hence although a DSLR kit lens will be slower, the bigger sensor will result in better ISO performance.
 
Ok, that makes sense; only the Fujifilm X100 has a dslr size sensor among the current models and that seems to cost ~55k and no zoom.
 
^^ the Sony NEX 3 has an APS-C sensor and costs 19.5k if you want form factor. In addition Sony has promised a plethora of lenses for the NEX systems..
 
chiron said:
Ok, that makes sense; only the Fujifilm X100 has a dslr size sensor among the current models and that seems to cost ~55k and no zoom.
Click to expand...

The Sony NEX,samsung NX both have APS-C size sensors and both are ILC cameras.

If you want a cheaper(compared to fuji X100) fixed lens camera with a APS-C sensor(nearly as big) then you do also have the newly launched canon GX-1 the sensor does look to be better then the 4/3 sensor ,but the fixed lens is a bit more soft at the corners then most kit lens and softer even in center compared to some kit lens.
 
The low light performance of a m43 sensor is pretty close to a DSLR. Don't believe all the crap you will hear on m43s. Both m43s and a DSLR will run circles around a premium compact especially at ISO 400 and greater.

Decide whether you want performance or versatility. Getting an interchangeable lens camrea can be a very slipperly road for your wallet ! Tread with caution.
 
Btw, do all dslr's make that audible click sound when taking photos? What about MFT's? While I am not certain about it, that seems to put most birds on alert.
 
chiron said:
Btw, do all dslr's make that audible click sound when taking photos? What about MFT's? While I am not certain about it, that seems to put most birds on alert.
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Since they have all have mechanical shutter,yes you will hear a click when taking photos,but some are quieter then others,in a DSLR apart from the shutter noise you will also year the mirror slapping noise,but in mirrorless camera and Sony SLT cameras you don't get to hear the noise coming from the mirror.

Unless you are taking a photo at point blank range i don't think the noise will be a problem for birds,but in quiet places you might have to use a tele zoom lens,but the noise will certainly alert other people that one is taking a photo.
 
^ Just adding a little thing there. Mirrorless cams don't make much noise, however the Sony SLT cameras do make around the same amount of noise as DSLRs do.
 
viralbug said:
^ Just adding a little thing there. Mirrorless cams don't make much noise, however the Sony SLT cameras do make around the same amount of noise as DSLRs do.
Click to expand...

Mirrorless camera do may significant noise but varies from make/model to make/model ,its a bit quieter then regular DSLR.

Some new cameras with electronic first curtain shutter like the NEX-5n and A77/65 are said to be even quieter compared to older models.
 
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