Edition Forty Eight

The compact camera - friend or foe?

Technology.

It has advanced many mundane things. Communications for one. Remember how we used to write letters, lick stamps and dropped them in a mail box? Entertainment. We have too much to watch and read. Our bookmarks folder contains links we often forget. Our "Watch Later" playlists keep filling up.

The way we take photos didn’t escape this evolution. From the earliest cameras to the present version technology has made things good for us. Cameras went from film to digital in a tech heartbeat. Since 1990 the first digital cameras have gone from small, handheld devices to beasts.

I want to stand still at the compact camera for a moment. The grandfather of digital cameras.

Many photographers are turning to compact cameras for different reasons. The give the photographer a different tool to use. New ways of thinking when it comes to composing. The smaller sensors means you don't have as much megapixels at your disposal. You start thinking in a more creative way when it comes to the photos you take.

The grand daddy of digital cameras is making a comeback.

Pros and cons.

My weapon of choice is the Kodak EasyShareM531.

The specs aren’t earth shaking but it does have a 14 megapixel sensor. Programmable settings, a 3 x zoom, 36 - 108mm lens and a 1/4000 shutter speed.

I’ve give you my thoughts and feedback which I’ve gathered based on the 7 years I’ve been using it.

Pros first.

The size makes it great. It fits into my pockets without hassle. This is my day-to-day camera and walking around with it doesn't attract too much attention.

You don’t have to fiddle too much with the settings to get started. It has a variety of “modes” which ranges from macro to portrait and more. As one of its names implies its a point and shoot. Out of the box, battery charged you can walk around and start taking photos.

If I want to download photos from it I connect it to my USB drives. No apps required. It does have a share function to put your photos on platforms like Facebook and Flickr. I've never used this though.

Next the cons.

The battery life isn't as good as my XE2. I operated with the original battery and only recently replaced it. The charge time is an hour or two and from that I can get more or less the same amount of time taking photos.

Something I have noticed lately is the slow auto focus. It takes a second or more and often this causes me to miss a photo. For something like macro or landscape it works great but if you're pressed for time it might become an issue.

This might be a personal issue but the latch which covers the battery slot sometimes opens when I take it out of my pocket. Once this happens the camera shuts down. It takes a few seconds to restart and somethings needs the date & time reset.

It referred to the lack of an app for the camera as a bonus but it is also a negative point. Once I'm finished taking photos I need to get to a computer because I can download my photos. An app would have been great considering how much I use the camera.

Why do I use it?

Based on the up and downsides I'm very much in favor of the camera.

One thing to consider when I go out for photography is safety. I’ve never had any issues with people wanting to take my camera but I’d rather not chance it. When I use the compact camera I don’t have this worry as much. It’s in my pocket.

A variety of photographers have spoken about moving to a compact camera at times. This might be a case of cashing in on a trend but I do find merit in some of their views.

My other cameras are 16 & 18 MP when it comes to sensor size. All things said I don't have a big complaint about quality (from the Kodak). But my uses for this camera doesn't focus on pure quality. Could I sell these images? Definitely. Would I use the compact camera for the main photos at a wedding or event? No.

I first saw thought about using my "small camera" after watching these videos by Adrian Vila. If you’re interested you can watch the videos here and here.

I include some of the photos I’ve taken over the past weeks to give you an idea of the quality of the compact camera.

Kodak M531 Photos

In closing.

Sell your full frame camera for a compact camera? Sell your existing setup you use for portrait photography to buy a Kodak M531?

No. Don't be too hasty.

Having a compact camera as well can't do serious damage to your photography skills. You could use it when you want to take quick photos without setting up all your other gear. If you're going for a quick visit to an interesting place this camera might be the closest one you have - if your phone isn't nearby.

Thanks for reading : )