Wide angle capability

[DougM]

Hey, Jeff. Since you have access to all the manufacturers, I would like to express some opinions that you might pass on to them. I find far too many cameras these days have no PASM modes, and no real wide angle capability beyond 28mm. Canon, for instance doesn't even make a wide angle lens for the top of the line G10. At least Panasonic's LX3, Nikon's P6000, and Ricoh's GX200 all have optional wide angle lenses available. No bridge cameras do, and very few other compacts do. As far as I know, the only others are the Canon A590, the Sony W150 and W170 (both discontinued, and I don't know if their replacements can use the Sony adapter and 46mm wide angle). Of course, the Sony cameras have no manual controls. The last camera I bought was the Panasonic FX500, because of the 25mm lens and manual controls. I wish Panasonic still made an optional wide lens for it, because the thing I really miss about film SLRs is the ability to shoot scenics wider than 24mm, and I can't afford a D40 and 12-24 lens. I also am lazy, and don't want to have lug around anything that big, which is why my Fx500 goes everywhere with me, and my Fuji S6000FD stays home. I've read that no one uses all the many, many scene modes offered on all point and shoot cameras, so why not leave them out and include Aperture and Shutter priority modes instead? Keep up the great work!

[Dark Cobra]

Well hopefully Jeff will eventually jump in on this as you asked. Meanwhile, let me agree with you on a lot of what you said. A great many of us have been screaming for more wide angle capability on pocket cams for a long time. One primary reason why we have not seen them is because it is very difficult to provide ultra wide angle in pocket cams with existing CCD technology and lens optics.

However, there's no reason why more 24mm pocket cams can't be provided and we're starting to slowly see that happen. But I doubt you'll see anything too much wider than that for the time being.

In regards to the manual controls, I fully concur as well. There indeed can be and should be more pocket cameras with these controls, as all these silly scene modes are at best compromises in mimicking what manual modes can always do better. I mean why go through the trouble of providing 25 scene modes that you have to fumble around with when you can just provide Aperture and Shutter priority instead?

It's all part of the "dumbing down" of camera users these days. Back in the day, we all learned to use Aperture and Shutter priority quite easily and thus really learned photography. Now, all most people know how to do is point and shoot. If the manufacturers really want people to migrate up to DSLR's then they really should provide some of those controls with the entry level cameras to get them exploring early and wanting more faster. When millions can just point and shoot and get decent images, why should they move up? The manufacturers have blundered badly in my opinion on this issue.

[Screenclutter]

Most manufacturers wouldn't mind having their customers learn more about digital cameras. Problem is that most customers DON'T want to learn about this stuff. Certainly almost all of my friends and people I have met don't want to.

[Dark Cobra]

Oh you are so right and this is so sad. I honestly think one of the largest reasons for this is camera manufacturers themselves have provided so much automation that "point and shoot" is all many people need these days and millions of people simply rest right there. That is why I say it is the manufacturers who have hurt themselves in providing them so much automation. When you can get great pictures "without" having to really learn manual photography, why should they buy those DSLR's.

So you're absolutely right . . . they DON'T want to learn about this stuff . . . they no longer need to thanks to the total automation the manufacturers gave them. I see you still have your Canon A610. I love mine still and in fact grabbed a second one just before they went extinct. A good size CCD sensor with 5mp. Ah, the good old days!

[Screenclutter]

That is why I say it is the manufacturers who have hurt themselves in providing them so much automation.

They can only respond to what their market wants of them. I am consistently noticing that small size (and as a result, a smaller sensor) is what everyone wants first. After size is night-time/indoors performance. It takes too long for a single camera company to try to create changes in their market, when at the same time another company decides to make a cute looking fashion accessory camera with inferior performance that sells like hotcakes.

Think the Canon A600 series has been completely discontinued. About Canon point-and-shoots, I have to say that they can nail daytime exposure and colours at base ISO very well, especially in their Auto modes.

[Dark Cobra]

They can only respond to what their market wants of them. I am consistently noticing that small size (and as a result, a smaller sensor) is what everyone wants first.

LOL . . . definitely some truth there, but if manufacturers can only respond to what their market wants of them as the explanation for why manual controls are not provided . . . and you're noticing that small sensor size is what everyone wants . . . what could be the reason for manufacturers NOT providing the larger sensors more often in their pocket cams? As you state, the market is definitely demanding them!

If the theory is going to be consistent (and I think you're theory has some merit) then they should be responding a lot more to the clear market demand for larger sensors (1/1.8, 1/1.7, 1/1.6, etc.). Canon for example has over a dozen pocket cams out but only a couple with one of these larger sensors.

Personally, I think the reason we are not seeing more manual controls &/or larger sensors is because those same manufacturers are simply NOT wanting to infringe on their DSLR market. They provide just a small sprinkling of manual controls and better sensors because of the demand cry but are intentionally NOT putting out more to protect the DSLR market out of false fear that people won't want DSLR's. Pro's and serious enthusiasts always will!