Ok this may seem a daft question coming from me given my recent posts, but bear with me.

Its become obvious that some places I go are just not going to let me in with my slr, damn music venues / bands :mad: So I'm in the market for a decent compact.

I currently have an Sony P8 which is good, and I have impressed with but is only rated to ISO 400 which may not be enough (testing tonight), but for no flash photography in dark venues may not be.

Do any of you know of any compacts that look like compacts (not slr style) which have the following features.

4+ mp (6+ would be great)
Must use CF or memory Stick (cos I'm not buying a 3rd memory type if I can avoid it)
high ISO rating 800 ish.
Spot metering
AE lock feature would be ideal
at least x3 optical zoom
Flexable programme mode(s) that can alter to suit me and what I'm doing. ie, when I push it to high ISO's it won't try and trigger the flash or use a slow shutter speed.


And yes I know I've just 1/2 spec'd an slr.
Cheers
Simon

Ok this may seem a daft question coming from me given my recent posts, but bear with me.

Its become obvious that some places I go are just not going to let me in with my slr, damn music venues / bands :mad: So I'm in the market for a decent compact.

I currently have an Sony P8 which is good, and I have impressed with but is only rated to ISO 400 which may not be enough (testing tonight), but for no flash photography in dark venues may not be.

Do any of you know of any compacts that look like compacts (not slr style) which have the following features.

4+ mp (6+ would be great)
Must use CF or memory Stick (cos I'm not buying a 3rd memory type if I can avoid it)
high ISO rating 800 ish.
Spot metering
AE lock feature would be ideal
at least x3 optical zoom
Flexable programme mode(s) that can alter to suit me and what I'm doing. ie, when I push it to high ISO's it won't try and trigger the flash or use a slow shutter speed.


And yes I know I've just 1/2 spec'd an slr.
Cheers
Simon
Ricoh GX8 might be worth a look. However old GX could do it. (manual control on that as well I think) The GX 8 has got manual control up to 1/2000th and I think it goes to 1600 in the ISO dept. Exclusive (nobody else has them) and usually with v.quick trigger action + good lenses. Dont be put of because people think that they only make photocopiers. Their 35mm point and press kit was a well kept secret, and their 35mm SLR's were very capable.
Link below is a 35mm point and press tricked into not letting its flash automatically work. Its not a double exposure shot (cant do that with digital anyway) and is a reflection of the girfriend looking over Paris from the Eiffel. Their cameras usually have lots of features and produce good results. The GX8 is touted as a 'Semi pro' piece of kit.
http://photobucket.com/albums/b7/alfasudqv/?action=view&current=eyefulofparis.jpg
http://photobucket.com/albums/b7/alfasudqv/?action=view&current=eyeeyenotsofull.jpg

Hmm......., re read your requirements, maybe as a point and press its too big for hiding purposes. There is probably smaller kit that could suit your purpose, worth a look though.

Its not so muh of a case of hiding it, more of having a camera that looks like a "run of the mill" camera so security don't get uppety at my. Bouncers / door staff / venue security can be ar*eholes at times (I know I was 1 :D) I had occasions when just getting in with an SLR style was a problem.

Its not so muh of a case of hiding it, more of having a camera that looks like a "run of the mill" camera so security don't get uppety at my. Bouncers / door staff / venue security can be ar*eholes at times (I know I was 1 :D) I had occasions when just getting in with an SLR style was a problem.
Hmm, doorstaff and rentacops, lovely. Anyway, heres a link (unless youve already found one) As I said, I am not the most experienced or knowledgable person on Digital cameras, but I have used a lot SLR and 35mm kit. I have only just started again and have had to ask filter and other questions on this forum to get my self going again. I do know that after buying my first Ricoh, I was quite shocked at the results and for a point and press to do that after a Nikon f401 SLR took some doing. As I said, worth asking about and looking at , but there is so much kit out there, you amy find something better/more suitable.
http://www.digicamreview.co.uk/ricoh_caplio_gx8_review.htm