What should I look for in a portable, non-professional camera for family photos?
Asked 3/14/2012
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2 answers
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I want a camera that can take great photos of people at a family reunion, including candid shots while people are eating or dancing, plus posed group portraits. My priorities are:
- sharp images
- accurate, clear color
- fast shutter response with minimal lag
- good performance in low light
- portable size
I’m not looking for pro gear, but I do want something that will reliably capture moments without missing expressions because of focus or shutter delay. What camera features matter most for this, and what type of camera should I be considering?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
3
You pretty much got it. The hardest things to consistently find are fast response times and low light/high iso performance.
One of the things that tends not to be touted too much is sensor size. Second only to the quality of the lens, it's the biggest factor in image quality (and low light/high iso perf). Most point and shoot cameras have finger-nail sized sensors, which isn't much to work with. DSLR's have a size of up to 35mm.
There are a few in-between cameras with moderate size sensors that can deliver higher quality photos in a modest body size. Some of the ones I know of off the top of my head are the Canon G12 and the newer G1X as well as the Canon S100. There are some Panasonic Lumix ones with similar features, but I'm not sure what Nikon has in that market.
Also, if you want to step it up a little more, the micro four-thirds cameras are a nice in-between type of camera. They will probably rule the world one day, but are still just taking off now. The Nikon 1 is similar to a micro four thirds camera, but with a sensor that is a little smaller.
Originally by user8843. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user8843
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For family photos, the biggest things to prioritize are fast shutter/focus response and good low-light performance. Those are often where small compact cameras struggle most.
What to look for:
- larger sensor: generally improves image quality and high-ISO/low-light results
- good lens quality, ideally a bright lens: helps with sharpness and indoor shooting
- low shutter lag / fast autofocus: important for catching expressions and movement
- usable automatic mode: helpful if you want strong results without manual setup
In camera types, a consumer DSLR is the safest choice if image quality and responsiveness matter most. They tend to focus and shoot faster than typical point-and-shoot models.
If a DSLR feels too large, consider larger-sensor compact or bridge-style options, but expect some compromise. Not all of them focus quickly, so try the camera in person if possible and test how fast it locks focus and takes the shot after you press the shutter.
Models mentioned by the community as examples include the Canon G12, Canon G1 X, Canon S100, Pentax K-r, and Sony Alpha SLT models such as the A55/A57.
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