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Well, I've been given a budget to go out and purchase a compact camera for work. Mostly because I'm gripping about our ancient Canon point and shoot that's been the store's workhorse for a few years, it's not yet busted, but it's having issues. Seriously... our cell phone cameras have been doing a better job, but the process of getting images off the phone can be irritating.
I work at an automotive shop, and the camera is often used for taking photos of defects, anything from small imperfections in the paint, could be just a bump or stray drop of paint that wasn't caught at the factory, to bent piston. Usually I'm the one that's asked to take the pictures. This thing never focus's, even on macro, and the iso capabilities are so pathetic that most shots come out too grainy or blury to use. So it's time to update the technology.
Essentially, we need a compact that has a fairly smart auto mode, but can still be used in manual modes or at least Av when needed. It's got to be able to macro focus on the smallest changes in contrast, or have a manual focus over ride thats easy to use. I built in zoom of 5x should be more than enough. There is also a need for good higher iso capabilities, able to take clear pictures at a minimum of iso 400, but preferably 800-1600. I'm not expecting K5 quality in noise, but usable to see small details. An in camera ability to crop wouldn't be too bad either.
The best part about this is that I will be in sole possession of the camera, and have been told the camera leaves with me if I decided to leave. Essentially they are scared of the fact that my K5 and Tammy 90 macro will disappear eventually if I keep bringing it to work, and they are afraid to replace it. So they would rather just buy a compact I can lock in my desk.
I have no idea what cameras to be looking at, but I haven't really gone out and played with any either.
The top one on my list is the WG3. It's durable so I won't have to worry about a tech dropping it or it getting smashed to bits. Granted... the old Canon hasn't suffered ill fate, so this is not really a huge concern, and since this camera will be locked in my desk when not in use I shouldn't have to worry much about the techs. But the one thing I do love about this camera for the job, and really its the only reason it is at the top, is the macro lights. The shop is not very well lit, neither are most vehicle interiors with all the black leather. Have you ever tried to take a photograph the of manufactures logo on the inner edge of a sunroof? It's incredibly dark, and a flash just kills it, I usually have to get out a flashlight and try to illuminate it enough while taking a photo.
The second one on my list is the MX-1. I bought this camera a while ago, but returned it, and long story short, I think it could do well here. The tilting screen, manual controls, and fast lens are very positive forces. It's a bit large, but hey, maybe it will get some more of that brassing quicker.
The third one on my list... the Sony RX-1000. The ability to manual focus using the barrel and the compact nature of the camera is very compelling. I normally strongly dislike Sony products, but this does seem to be the compact to beat when it comes to compact cameras. It is very compact, meaning that it could fill the role my Q has failed out, being my pocket camera when I go on training sessions and would like to bring a camera along that is not a K5 with a 16-50 f2.8 mounted on it. (it's been known to happen) Going back to the manual focus, that could make or break an image for a warranty claim if the camera decides it just can't figure out what to focus on.
something the MX-1 and RX-1000 miss, but would be very nice to have, is a hot shoe so one could mount macro LED lights. I think this could end up becoming a major reason why I would look at the Rioch GR. The GR's biggest disadvantage is the zoom lens, and really, this could be fairly important if one is taking photos of items in the engine bay and you can't physically get close enough. One could "crop in", and really for our needs the picture does not usually need to be bigger than 4mp, so that option is fine. There is no image stabilization however, which could make or break a shot while shooting in the low light under the suspension arms of an SUV.
Are there other cameras I should be looking at? Are there notes about the ones I've selected that may swing one ahead of the other in terms of abilities? The biggest thing of all though, how strong is the cameras ability to focus on something as small as a dust particle caught underneath the top coat of a glossy white automotive finish? Yes... we have to do that more often than you think.