Search for small digi camera with manual focus

Hi,

I'm looking for a small digi camera like the Ixus800.
But it should have approximately 4 optical zoom and manual focus if
possible.
I have expensive pro gear but I can't take it with me on my bike rides.
I would like to take shots of my friend's jumps during the rides and
that's where I require the manual focus.

Any suggestions please?

 

www.dpreview.com -> Buying Guide -> Features search.

 

For example Ricoh GX8, R5 etc.

 

^^^^
Motor or pedal?

BugBear

 

This might fit the bill --

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/e900.html

4 x zoom and manual focus.
I picked one up yesterday and so far I like it a lot.

 

I'm also looking for a compact, did you consider an LX2? I'd buy one in a
flash if it not for the reports of bad noise.

 

Thank you everybody.
I hope there is a smaller camera out there like the Ixus cameras.
I really need one which is very thin to keep it around my neck.

 

You like the manual focus? That's one of the E900's weakest features, the
LCD is low res (115K) and there is no magnified image available to help you
judge the focus. You may get lucky at close range but I wouldn't depend on
it. Also when using manual focus in low light the screen does not 'bright
up' so a dim scene becomes unworkable. The behaviour in auto-focus mode is
different, here the screen does bright-up and one trick I developed was to
pre-focus on the target in auto-focus mode - though even that's not too easy
in low light since the E900 doesn't have a focus assist lamp - then, without
adjusting anything else, switch to manual focus. The focus point remains at
the pre-focus setting. Not perfect, but likely to get better results than
plain manual and in low light the only usable option.

The E900 does have its plus points but please don't sell it on its manual focus.

 

Sorry about the line wrapping. Using Thunderbird - must try to remember to
re-wrap before sending.

 

No problem reading it with T-bird here, as it wraps to the size of my
window automatically...
The above don't work as a delimiter only because Terranews appends its
own delimiter:

 

Yes, but it can make it difficult to follow with a wide window. I'd sooner
it wrapped as here. [Assuming I've done it right this time. ]

I know. Drat. Not a lot I can do about that aside from finding another
provider but Teranews has good coverage and performs adequately given the
price (though it has had its ups and downs) so I'm not desperate to move.

I'll maintain the 'non-delimiter' out of habit.

 

Hw small do you want to go? How big is too big?
If you're after a pocket camera, try one of the Canon A series - these
advanced pocket cameras have some mighty impressive specs.
If you're happy to go a bit larger, try the Canon S3 on for size. I've been
impressed with the Canon S3.

The little Panasonics look pretty impressive too, with built in image
stabiliser.

Question though ... instead of manual focus, wouldn't pre-focusing work well
enough?

David

 

My guess is that he prefers open stop with low EI ... a DOF issue
demanding greater focussing control.

 

Correct- thank you.
I'm still looking around since I can't find a really small pocket camera
which does the job.