The Big Debate: Hot Shoe, or No Hot Shoe?

[JohnBrowning]

Do you think a hot shoe is necessary on today's cameras higher end prosumer or ultra zoom type cameras (excluding compact cameras). For example only, the Panasonic FZ20 has one, the FZ15 does not.

I'm in a major indecision mode, and a hot shoe was one of the features that I didn't think I could do without. (The reason I have this opinion is my current camera, the original small Cybershot P1, has a small flash and takes terrible indoor pictures -- because of that, I have wanted the option of a big a__ flash to make sure).

I thought the Olympus 5060WZ was the perfect camera, but then didn't like its bulk and feel (and power switch), so now I'm back to square one. I liked the size and feel and features of the Canon S50, but it doesn't have a hot shoe, and with its size, I'm not sure I'll be happy with indoor pics.

[jamison55]

No question. If indoor photos are high on your list, than you need a hotshoe. I have yet to see a built-in flash that can keep up with a camera sufficiently. They are usually underpowered, and most cause horrible redeye. Both of those problems are present with the built-in on my DReb.

[John_Reed]

Do you think a hot shoe is necessary on today's cameras higher end prosumer or ultra zoom type cameras (excluding compact cameras). For example only, the Panasonic FZ20 has one, the FZ15 does not.

I'm in a major indecision mode, and a hot shoe was one of the features that I didn't think I could do without. (The reason I have this opinion is my current camera, the original small Cybershot P1, has a small flash and takes terrible indoor pictures -- because of that, I have wanted the option of a big a__ flash to make sure).

I thought the Olympus 5060WZ was the perfect camera, but then didn't like its bulk and feel (and power switch), so now I'm back to square one. I liked the size and feel and features of the Canon S50, but it doesn't have a hot shoe, and with its size, I'm not sure I'll be happy with indoor pics.

John, I'm an "available light" kind of guy myself, but I can see where others might be more concerned about flash power. Personally, I get enough juice from the (FZ10's) internal flash to take the occasional party shots, groups, etc. Also, the redeye problem seems to be minimal as long as I can get my subject(s) to look at the camera! I didn't think one would ever need flash for an ultra-zoom, but a couple of months ago I saw a guy with a long telephoto and a very focused flash; he was throwing light at Egrets maybe 30 feet away! So I wouldn't argue against a hot shoe; I've never used mine, and if someone handed me a new FZ15, I wouldn't leave the box unopened just knowing it didn't have a hot shoe!

[Jayde]

Like hair, its nice to have the option !!!

[bascom]

What is a hot shoe? Sounds like something that adds to the flash.

[JLV]

What is a hot shoe? Sounds like something that adds to the flash.

It is a slide on the camera which holds the flash and also has the electrical conections needed to operate the flash when the shutter button is pressed.

[Rhys]

Call me strange but I prefer cameras that don't have built-in flashes. I prefer either a PC socket or a hot shoe. Generally, I prefer a PC-socket to a hotshoe.

[cdifoto]

This is what a typical hotshoe looks like.

[tim11]

What debate? Are you likely to be using it?
You have to be aware most pop-up flash reach no further than 3 metres (9.84 feet) on ISO100. So... if you are going to use the camera for taking photos of say, 20 or more club members, your subjects will have to stand further away than 3 metres, then some kind of external flash is needed. If you only take photos of your family I guess you can do without. However, external flash is the only solution to red eyes problem.

[Jason25]

After realizing what a hot shoe can do for my pictures, I absolutely want one. There really is no debate!