Comments on: Where's the SLR-style compact camera?

Choices are sparse for camera buyers looking for some of the performance and control of an SLR but not its bulk. The options could improve soon.
Photos: Compact digicams for the SLR set

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No environmental seals

Only the most expensive pro digital SLRs have full environmental sealing: environmental seals around all controls, compartment doors, and body seams.

We're not talking waterproofing, we're talking basic seals.

Of course, if crud, dust and dirt gets into your camera and fouls it up, the sooner you'll need a new one.

[AirJim]

Good Point, but look for ultra-zoom compact cameras are available

Cnet did a review on SLR-Style Cameras.
Search on,"ultra-zoom compact cameras". Or go to this Cnet Link: http://www.cnet.com.au/digitalcameras/cameras/0,239036184,339274819,00.htm

[Emilio2000]

Totally agree! I am not buying till they make it

Digital camera manufacturers are missing the boat here. Who would NOT want a compact camera that can do it all? The Canon S80 came close, and I was about to buy it when I found out the whole S-series was discontinued. Bad move for Canon.

I am waiting for a camera with the following features:
1. Compact body (that fits in a pocket)
2. 10 x zoom or better
3. Wide end of zoom starting at 28 mm.
4. Viewfinder available.
5. LCD screen larger than 2 inches.
6. Powerful flash built-in, with range to at least 20 feet. (7 meters)
7. Manual controls available (Shutter speed, aperture, focus, etc.)
8. Fast response (with no noticeable lag).
9. Underwater housing available.
10. HD High definition TV compatible.

Somebody said this is not possible. Sure it is possible! All of these features already exist on some camera. But, each such camera falls short on something else. There is no reason why all these features couldn't be brought together in a single compact camera.

The key thing is portability. We want a camera we can carry with us at all times, not hanging around our neck or waist, but unobtrusively slipped into a shirt or pants pocket.

The first manufacturer who comes up with all the above features gets my money!

Is there anyone reading this who wouldn't want to buy such a camera? There must be millions of us. This is NOT a nitche market! EVERYONE will want one.

[Fil0403]

Who doesn't want the perfect product X?

"Is there anyone reading this who wouldn't want to buy such a camera? There must be millions of us. This is NOT a nitche market! EVERYONE will want one."

Is there anyone in the world who wouldn't want the perfect camera, or the perfect computer, or the perfect car? This is not a matter of whether someone would want it or not, of course people would. It's a matter of making it and you can say it's possible but if it hasn't been made yet it's for some reason for sure.

[MRMOAV]

Another opening for Apple

I guess all the fanboys are gonna want Apple to come to the rescue
on this thing as well. I will say that I think they are a better fit in
the photography/camera market then in the mobile phone
business.

[rdgadz]

amen to that

i hate everything apple makes but an apple camera with less megapixels, larger image sensor, and larger lenses would be worth taking a look at.

prosumer like camera with little features in a shiny white body.. hmmm

[yankl1]

I think that a good rangefinder camera with a DSLR sensoe around 10 to 12 Mg pix will be the ultimate cpmpact camera like the Epson RD-1 but with a price tag that all of us can efford !!!! the price tag that Epson and Leica wants is behond any reson and its obscure and just for millionaires.
I would put in the canon G10 an APS-C CCD and improve the noise and there you have the best P&S camera.
I hope Canon will do it some day.

[randywilson99]

The two things I love most about my SLR (Nikon D40x) are (1) that it takes pictures so fast, and (2) the clarity and lack of noise, due to the larger lens and sensor. I don't know why compact cameras can't be made to take pictures instantly, but clearly someone can figure out how to solve that one. There may well be physics involved in how big you can make the lens and the chip, but you could also use some software to do a non-linear mapping from where the light hits the sensor to where it belongs on the final image if needed.