I'm currently looking to buy a camera for friend, she normally do the following with her camera:
* Portrait with at least a bit of soft background blurr.
* Macro for small stuff like flower and pets ( hamster ( roborovski ) , Dog, Cat)
* Daily use camera and put them in her handbag ( so, compact has more weight)
* Food
*She is not spec and technical freak, just a normal camera user



I know these stuff suit best with even a entry DSLR such as 1100D, 3100D, But since she is going to bring together with her everyday. So indeed a compact camera would be much preferable.

I search around the internet and notice some recommendation from S100 , LX5, LX7( with no much review since it didn't even launch yet) to compact system like J1, And I end up looking into RX100 and seems its the best balance, plus the blurred background effect easily.

However looking at the >2K price, it stop me from recommend this, while I'm seeing other camera below 1.5K. Even the Nikon J1 ( including 10-30mm and 30-100mm) is below 2k.

Initial reserach shows me that J1 tend to be the best deal , reasonable price and it's blazzing fast in taking photo, best for her to take photo for her super energize roborsvski who run like a ferrari). But after we looking at blurred background effect, it seems to fail us.
According to online review, it perform sucks in Low light and not able to do blurr effect ( at least not easy for common users like us comparative).

Any successful stories or tips on using J1 with blurred effect? can't find any (While RX100 seems to be promising ).


Any other recommendation guys? I've no idea now...




P/S: let me know if i posted in the wrong place. thanks.
Budget: 1-2K max

This post has been edited by cakegiyh: Aug 20 2012, 04:16 PM

Girl camera supremo --> NEX-F3

In pink please... and ya.. you could've posted on the pinned camera recommendation thread.

Thanks. Will move there. NEX-F3 can take blurred images? Which F3 Model? There are couple of them.

This post has been edited by cakegiyh: Aug 20 2012, 04:54 PM

http://www.sony.com.my/productcategory/nex-camera

imho if budget is limited, save up and go for the RX100. even with cheapest interchangeable len option like the J1 (which i also opted for) will still give the owner some headache on doing researches on which lens to get, and what they will do for the owner and if the owner need them, and end up more than RM2000 in the (not so) long run and hassle of changing lens due to different situation is still present - especially annoying if the owner want something that just need to switch on and starting taking photo.

i believe the RX100 suits better for one-package-does-it-all, plus the size is just so portable, and the 20MP is a big bonus for extra resolution and sharpness when downsized.

however, IMO (and please take it with a pinch of salt), there are something about certain camera's color (of any type) that doesn't catch my eyes, including the RX100. each camera model, even from the same brand, will have slight difference in color processing, some may appeal to one than another. and personally i don't like the output from RX100 - too contrasty and saturated and the overall color tone doesn't catch my eyes. yes, i can sit in front of the PC all day long to process them but life is short and as a casual shooter i want the least thing to process and color is one of the more complicated ones.


UPDATE: did a quick check on the LX-7 hands-on preview and some sample shots, i must say i'm impressed with the colors captured too. do consider waiting a little longer for the LX-7.

This post has been edited by little ice: Aug 20 2012, 05:30 PM

The Canon G1X might suit you. The mirrorless cameras like Sony NEX Series, Lumix GF Seriess might be too bulky to put it in a handbag or something. The Canon G1X might have a little bit of background blur due to its large sensor (just slightly smaller than the Canon APSC sensor) It's also quite user friendly!

Thanks Bryan. But G1x seems to be over budget for me.

"little ice" idea seems to be good. I will do some review (a peek on review shows that NEX-F3 seems to be promising. )

Nex-F3 darn huge la to be put in a handbag for EDC
If RX100 too expensive then wait for the next Canon Sxx

No problem, it's your choice. The Sony NEX F3 can give better background blur too, and it has interchangeable lenses for you to upgrade!