Which compact digital for product shots

[inmotion]

compact for photographing Hand made jewellery and bead work for web use.
Must be sharp and her budget is $300-500
any clues
cheers jim

[Bally]

can't recommend a brand, but some of the things I would look for are
Not too much zoom, 3 x perhaps
manual settings and a range of modes
If you aren't using a light box, external flash, you will find that very useful, even if not straight away
macro mode
make sure the closest focus distance is workable for you (with macro capable, should be ok)
Custom white balance
light box, instructions here somewhere to make one which included vodka from memory
Shoots in raw not mandatory but would advantage, as colour cast of any sort is a problem with jewellery, and getting the right look can be the difference between a sale and not a sale.

I would think all of these things would be more important than sensor size, so an older camera with all the specs, and an older smaller sensor would be better than a new release, big megapixel sensor without the features

Just my thoughts, others here might have better or other suggestions, good luck with your search. Sites like DPreview will let you look at camera featrures easily, and side by side.

[martycon]

I have used olympus uz (3.2mp) & sony DSC HX1 (9mp) and find both give fair results for semi macros of stones & broaches, and suspect that most in the upper end of that range will do so quite well.

[ricktas]

Look for a compact that offers manual modes and is capable of doing macro photography. I suggest she also looks at getting a small light tent (with lights), to help ensure a good quality photographic result.

[inmotion]

Thanks guys she is using a home made light tent but only natural light so i may have a closer look and introduce some lighting as well
Canon G11/G12 any good
cheers jim

[Darey]

Have a look at a Panasonic Lumix LX5, has all the features you need, excellent image quality and is a great travel camera.

[dannat]

the samsung ex1 produces some great shots & i full manula -it competes with pana lx5 -has a 3x zoom, & a nice sharp lens -alos has a flash shoe -if you want to add an ext flash -its a bit cheaper than the lx5 also

[ausguitarman]

Just picked myself up a G12.

If I get a chance over the next day or so I see what it can do.

[inmotion]

thanks the G12 was one i was looking at for my sons girlfriend--jim

[ausguitarman]

Had a quick go tonight. Interesting trying to go back to this type of camera after the 5DMKII (it's actually easier to use). Whole new learning curve.

No lighting. No cable release as it hasn't arrived yet. Sat on a white piece of paper under a downlight. EXIF intact. These seem sharper in DPP than on Photobucket.

@f4



@f8

[ausguitarman]

Flash



Crop

[ausguitarman]

Slow Synchro Flash



Crop

[ausguitarman]

No Flash



Crop

[ausguitarman]

I think once I've used this a little more and got the hang of what it can do I think it would take some nice product shots.

The last set @ ISO 1600 surprised me when viewed in DPP as they are quite sharp.

[inmotion]

thanks for the follow up your help much apreciated sorry for late reply have been away.