Compact point and shoot with manual focusing?

I'm planning to buy a COMPACT point and shoot camera. I have a good DSLR with all the gadgets but like to hike/backpack and want something lightweight to carry. I was recently in the Grand Canyon and only brought my iPhone 6. I saw many Dainty Sulphurs, Common Checkered Skippers, others whites and yellows, as well as some bees and flies but couldn't get any decent shots. I have some older compact point and shoot cameras (which I did not take) but the MAJOR problem with them is proper focusing. Autofocus is problematic (example-shooting aphids on milkweed, or a skipper between small rocks) and mine don't have good or simple manual focus methods. My older point and shoot cameras are virtually worthless for shooting insects as I've experimented with them at home quite a bit.

I'm looking for high megapixels, decent optical zoom, COMPACT (lightweight), macro capability, and some type of easy manual focusing capability. Price is not an issue. I've read reviews of many cameras but can't seem to find one that fills the bill for hunting insects. Any suggestions? Thanks for any ideas.

Contributed by Woodworker on 13 December, 2015 - 10:11am

Nikon COOLPIX S9900

I just noticed this camera last week.
It's quite like the S10 (and the legendary predecessor, the Coolpix 995).

It has a fully articulated LCD, macro mode focussing to about 0.4 in. (1 cm), 16 MP, HD movie mode.

COOLPIX S9900

… Stephen Hart, 11 April, 2016 - 9:45am

Agreed

True. But with 7 fps in still mode and 30 fps in 4K movie mode (with 8 MP single frames), a camera can help with the "right time" part.

… Stephen Hart, 11 April, 2016 - 9:47am

Bridge Cameras

I think what you're describing is the Nikon Coolpix S10. I used one for a few years. Unfortunately, it's long discontinued and only has 10 MP.

So-called "bridge" cameras fit between DSLRs and compact point 'n' shoot cameras.

What I'm using now is the Panasonic Lumix FZ 1000. It's more the size of a SLR than a compact, but I carry it for walks in the Olympic mountains. My whole kit, including collecting vials, etc. fits in a modest-sized belt pack I modified for the camera.

It has full manual control if you want it, and is excellent for butterflies. Without a close-up supplementary lens, I can get good photos at 4-15 feet using the extended zoom feature (10 MP) example: http://bugguide.net/node/view/1048136
With a Marumi 62mm +5 supplementary lens, I can get excellent photos at normal close-up distances (20 MP). And it does 4K video, so you can pull an 8MP single frame out of the video. example: http://bugguide.net/node/view/1139285

For me, it's well worth the extra weight.

… Stephen Hart, 4 March, 2016 - 5:46pm

Thanks for the information

I enjoyed your shots, thanks. A few months ago I bought a Canon Powershot G16 and tested it shooting insects around the house and yard. I was not happy with the results I was getting, although the camera is light and compact. I concluded to carry my DSLR and zoom lens on my recent backpack into Grand Canyon. It weighs 42 oz. with the lens and is bulky. However, the photos I got were good. For myself in the future, I will carry my D70 with two lenses (I use a 100mm Macro and a 55-250mm zoom) and accept the cost of the weight. Thanks for all the help.

… Woodworker, 8 March, 2016 - 11:54am

perhaps mutually incompatible?

I've been told that part of the definition of 'point and shoot' means the camera is in control of focus.
The salesperson ridiculed me for even wanting to do manual focus when the camera would do it all for me - guess he never tried photographing frilly flowers or insects.
Anyhow, I am now ready to move on to a DSLR, despite not being at all compact...

… Michael W. Palmer, 7 February, 2016 - 6:58pm

Point well taken

Yes, that makes sense that point and shoot excludes manual focusing. I guess what I really meant was that I'm looking for a compact camera that can zoom, and allow manual focusing to some extent. I appreciate the input from everyone, and I have just ordered a Canon G-16. Not expensive relative to some options, it is lightweight and has some manual focus capability. I'll play with it a bit for the next few weeks and hopefully I will take it on my backpacking trip (first week of March). I had almost resigned myself to carrying my full size DSLR and lenses which weigh a lot more than the 3/4 pounds for the G-16. Thanks

… Woodworker, 8 February, 2016 - 11:46am

Compromises

Yes, I am learning of a lot of compromises myself.
I am now trying to figure out the optimum setup for microlepidoptera (please note a new forum I opened on this topic, under the photography header). If anyone in this thread has any opinions on the matter, I would be thankful to hear them! (better there than here).

… Michael W. Palmer, 8 February, 2016 - 12:03pm

Did you get a camera?

I am looking into the same thing. I have spent a lot of time reading up on sensor size, depth of field, zoom distance, etc. and am more confused than ever. I am just curious if you ended up purchasing something and if so how you like it. Thanks!

… Laura Jesse, 15 January, 2016 - 8:57am

Not yet

Sadly, I've gotten no feedback from the community here at BugGuide. I'm going on another backpacking trip in 6 weeks and was sure I'd have made a decision by now. I see that Canon, Sony and Panasonic all have cameras (as many others do as well) that sort of fit the bill EXCEPT for the manual focus issue. I may have to settle for a good compact and just use the touchscreen focus (available on some) or the autofocus and hope for the best. I'm sure I can get some better photos this way than with the iPhone........however, I hate to spend $500-900 for a camera and then be disappointed. I am actually considering carrying my HEAVY DSLR and lenses on this hike (I'm 67 years old, so I really want to keep the pack weight down!

… Woodworker, 15 January, 2016 - 4:03pm

Compromise?

You may have to add some weight to get manual focus. I use a bridge camera, a Canon G15. Keeping the size and weight down, for portability, is important to me, and I find the G series a reasonable compromise between that and image quality. This camera is easier to adjust to varying light conditions than my small compact. I carry it in a homemade sort-of-purse that hangs from a belt, and the weight isn't very noticeable that way.

… R. Berg, 7 February, 2016 - 8:32pm

Canon PowerShot

I have both the Canon PowerShot G12 and G15. The G15 has a more pixels. Not a good upgrade. Too many pixels make macros blotchy. The G12 takes a sharper picture in macro.

Both have manual focus, but it’s not a ring - it’s a push button to increase or decrease sharpness accordingly.

The G12 also has one other weird drawback for some. The grips for holding the camera are made with zinc bis, a process used to soften plastic. On many people this causes dermatitis – red hot itching with raised bumps. Like poison ivy, it takes about 3 days to show up.

New, these cameras were around $500.

… Lee Penner, 15 January, 2016 - 4:54pm

Panasonic

I have primarily used a Panasonic DMC-ZS20 which is several years old. There is a new one coming out that I am thinking of buying. I have liked the ability to zoom and take pictures from a distance. Outdoors it seems to do well if there is enough light, but indoors it is difficult and the flash never works well for macro. I am hoping the newer cameras with larger sensors will help with this but worry about the depth of field problems.

I think overall I just need to learn to actually use the different settings better.

… Laura Jesse, 15 January, 2016 - 4:36pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version