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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
03-07-2021, 11:21 PM
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Okay, six shots where I pushed the limits of the Optio and got good results. The first three are from Yeongildae Hotel's grounds--an easy shoot by day but a pleasant challenge by night. I'd say about 1 in 5 of the shots I take there turn out usable (by my standards, which are probably more forgiving than yours).
The second three shots are from Muju Firefly Festival. The fireflies themselves are indistinguishable from dust on the monitor, if that, so they're not included here. I never actually expected to get them. The two night shots here are fireworks that fell from lines stretched across the river, and a hot balloon or two. I'd say I got about 1 out of 8 shots, though one or two were really, really good. The daylight shot is from my hotel parking lot, showing you what zoom can do during the day.
Really fine camera. I may just suck it up and hunt harder for batteries...
Pushing the Optio VS20 to its limits
p.s. I almost never used the manual controls, and don't believe I did so here. I was probably shooting in "Handheld Night Snap" mode.
--edit-- These are unprocessed. If I put them out as anything more than memories, I would tidy up a little.
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
03-07-2021, 04:33 AM
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That camera size link is a massive help!! I'll look at the models in this thread through that 'lens'.
Tomorrow I'll post a favorite photo or two from the Optio, to show what it can do that made it such a treasure for so long. Right now I have a cat on my lap, and my portable hard drive not in reach...
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
03-05-2021, 05:29 AM
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Off on a tangent--looking at the Optio specs, it's using a CCD instead of a CMOS. Is that giving it better low-light performance? Remember, my next camera ideally works as well as the Optio but at a smaller size and weight.
I should look for a thread comparing CCD to CMOS, and hope it's written layman enough for me to understand...
https://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/pentax_optio_vs20_review/specifications |
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
03-04-2021, 06:50 PM
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Taking that advice, the Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K looks really good, but is its sensor/software combination really good enough for the night shots I favor? Or do I hold out for a bigger sensor?
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
03-02-2021, 10:51 PM
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
03-02-2021, 09:59 PM
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Looking at the Sony site, I'm not finding the balance between ISO/sensor (10,000 or better, but can go slightly lower) and zoom (20x or better, firm) in a hand-sized camera. Is it impossible? The Cyber-shot you recommended doesn't seem to have the zoom.
---------- Post added 03-02-21 at 10:06 PM ----------
Looking at the Ricoh GRiii GR III - Ricoh and yes, it's out of price range. I can't figure out what its zoom is--Pentax help!! It has a separate battery, meaning I can shoot all day but that it will eventually go obsolete like the Optio when the batteries get hard to get.
Does anyone know this camera?
---------- Post added 03-02-21 at 10:11 PM ----------
Beautiful ISO, right price range, not enough zoom.
Gorgeous zoom, but is 1/2.3 enough sensor for walking around at night?
In addition to worrying about battery power, I work abroad. Any time I change countries I have to change phones, meaning money put in any one phone is wasted. Effectively it becomes just a camera after I get on the plane.
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
03-02-2021, 09:37 PM
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You had me thirsty for a Sony there for a second, but none of the cameras in the NYT article handle enough low light for me. Thanks all the same--reading through that has made me a little more literate one what the right specs look like.
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
02-28-2021, 07:08 PM
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Great answers all.
Christian Rock nails it on the 20x lens--possibly the biggest selling point of the Optio at the time. I had no idea that there were trade-offs between zoom and sensor (for low light) since the Optio really hit the sweet spot on both for me.
I have a Galaxy S6 Edge and it takes really good pictures! Zoom is not where I like it, but shooting in the dark works pretty well. Viewfinder is nice but not important--I can just look over the top of the camera and reshoot if I miss. Ergonomics is an issue, but my main issue is battery power. If I'm taking tons of pictures under difficult conditions and then I need to call a taxi, set up a hotspot, or do any of the other necessary things a phone does, I've shot myself in the foot. I want a separate camera so I can shoot promiscuously. Being combined with a phone (and I've seen Apple shots--they're breathtakingly good) takes away some of the joy of photography for me by making me worry about things other than taking pictures.
Will look at your specific recommendations after I get home today. I have the day off and the urge to wander.
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
02-28-2021, 03:20 AM
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I have an Optio VS20 that's just become too ungainly. Batteries and memory cards have become hard to get, and it's heavier than my phone and bigger than my hand. I'm looking for something comparable but smaller, and ideally with wifi. A friend gave me her Canon Ixus 135--it's a good size, good price (free!) but it doesn't touch the Optio in terms of distance or low light shooting, and panoramas don't stitch in camera (My three favorite functions).
What can you recommend? Pentax is my first choice and I've had good experience with Nikons, but I'm not particular. I just need something super convenient for travel that does well in low light. Ideally under $600 so I'm looking at point & shoots rather than microcompacts.
Suggestions?
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
01-02-2018, 09:05 PM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
01-02-2018, 09:05 PM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
01-02-2018, 09:05 PM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
01-02-2018, 09:04 PM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
01-02-2018, 09:04 PM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
01-02-2018, 09:04 PM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
01-02-2018, 09:03 PM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
01-02-2018, 09:03 PM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
01-02-2018, 09:03 PM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
01-02-2018, 09:02 PM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
01-02-2018, 09:01 PM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
01-02-2018, 09:01 PM
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
01-02-2018, 09:01 PM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
01-02-2018, 09:00 PM
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Lovely use of light flare
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
01-02-2018, 09:00 PM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: General Photography
12-25-2017, 08:07 PM
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Your use of 'flat' is mildly amusing to me. I have deficient depth-perception, roughly 30% of what most people see. I imagine that affects what I shoot, though I suspect my introversion is a greater influence.
Ironically my friend Keecha, who before her disability was a celebrity and wedding photographer, is partially color-blind.
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