Tenor1 Posted October 5, 2009 Share #1 Posted October 5, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Is the lack of ability to change lenses mean a camera is a P&S? Many cameras considered P&S's have full manual capabilities, so I don't think that comes into play. I am asking in relation to the X1. Thanks, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 5, 2009 Posted October 5, 2009 Hi Tenor1, Take a look here What is the Formal Definition For P&S?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bill Posted October 5, 2009 Share #2 Posted October 5, 2009 It's actually an interesting question. The smartarse answer is that there is no textbook definition but that a "point and shoot" camera is one that you can pick up and shoot with, without thinking or fiddling with any of the settings. The reality today is that the most basic of digicams are capable of some degree of manual control. This set me to thinking. The humblest camera I own is probably the Mju-II that often occupies a corner of a bag. I used it the other day when yachting, because of it's weatherproofing. You open the clamshell case, and press the shutter release - it does the rest. There is a modicum of user over-ride possible - you can set spot metering, and over-ride automatic flash, but that's it, and any settings you do alter are forgotten as soon as the clamshell is shut again. BUT - it is capable of extremely good results - so simple is not bad, just restrictive. It IS a point and shoot, because that is pretty well all you can do with it. I read an alternative term in an American magazine years ago - "PHD". This stood for "Push Here, Dummy" and was, I think, far more apt. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJP Posted October 6, 2009 Share #3 Posted October 6, 2009 Impossible to realy answer, but I guess the main point is that a P&S has the ability to (and does!) take control via auto focus, shutter, aperture & flash. In addition it will tend to have a zoom lens (5x-10x optical). The X1 has a fixed focal length prime so it is not a point and shoot. It is a different animal altogether. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenor1 Posted October 6, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted October 6, 2009 Thanks Bill and Stephen for your replies. I noticed on DPreview cameras are classified as being a "compact digicam." It seems the X1 is more than being a P&S as the criticism infers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted October 6, 2009 Share #5 Posted October 6, 2009 Does it matter? It's a label. 3 star Michelin restaurants and McDonalds both call themselves restaurants. It's not the label on the bottle that matters, it's what's inside that's important. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted October 6, 2009 Share #6 Posted October 6, 2009 A DSLR like the Canon 1D or Nikon D3 could be called a P&S, if you wanted to. In fairness I think of cheap digicams with auto only features aimed at the occassional snapshot taker. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenor1 Posted October 7, 2009 Author Share #7 Posted October 7, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Steve, I think it's the passive/aggressive forum members degrading the X1 as a P&S that made me think about it. I agree with James assessment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhsimmonds Posted October 15, 2009 Share #8 Posted October 15, 2009 Does it matter? It's a label. 3 star Michelin restaurants and McDonalds both call themselves restaurants. It's not the label on the bottle that matters, it's what's inside that's important. I agree with Steve, in fact I would go one step more and say that it's what's between the ears of the photographer that's the most important! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackart Posted October 15, 2009 Share #9 Posted October 15, 2009 I believe, the is no "de jure" official definition, but perception of users, "de facto" understanding. And it is: - no interchangeable lens - no mirror - full auto -- auto focus and exposure - pocketable You may ask, what is V-Lux 1. Its not P&S, it's snot pocketable. Jaak Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenor1 Posted October 15, 2009 Author Share #10 Posted October 15, 2009 Jaak, I think you "hit the nail on the head." I don't feel the X1 meets the criteria and possible a reason it would not suit my needs. The pocket-ability is a key need for me. I had completely overlooked the size since it is considered a P&S. My enthusiasm is somewhat diminished. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted October 15, 2009 Share #11 Posted October 15, 2009 Well, the quintessential original "P&S" or "PhD" cameras were the Kodaks of 100 years ago - fixed focus, fixed aperture or shutter speed (or both). "You push the button, we do the rest" philosophy. Definitely not pocketable, at least in 620-film size. I'd say a P&S is any camera in which the default, most easily accessible mode of operation is full auto everything. Anything with flowers or mountains as control setting options is a P&S. Anything with a rocker switch for zoom control instead of a zoom ring is a P&S. I have a pretty simple personal definition for a P&S - you HAVE TO turn the camera on to know what shutter speed, aperture, focal length, and focal point are already set. But it's a continuum - because some cameras have pretty good, transparent analog control of certain functions and lousy manual access to other controls. The X1 being a good example - P&S focusing, analog access to aperture and shutter settings. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted October 15, 2009 Share #12 Posted October 15, 2009 I think the problem is that people think P&S is deragatory when it is not. Therefore, they get offended when you call their favorite compact camera a P&S. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobtodrick Posted October 15, 2009 Share #13 Posted October 15, 2009 I would say it is a term that has more to do with the person using the camera than the camera itself. I've seen people take great care to set up a family photo with their $150 Canon P&S cameras... I know people with fairly pricey DSLR's who never take them off of P and A/F.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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