Originally Posted by latinasojourn

IMO if you must use a consumer digicam you are better off (if shooting model candids) to get something with the highest megapixal, the biggest sensor, and the FASTEST high quality lens. (ex: f/1.8 lets in more than twice the light of f/2.8)

because a fast lens needs more glass the camera will be physically bigger than the very small pocket cams which are the fashion now---so people sacrifice the convenience of a very small camera for a less versatile camera.

the micro sized compact camera is really a toy, it can make OK pix, but needs lots of light (or flash) to get good pix. (so for candids you usually have to work outdoors, not the best situation sometimes) and skin does not look very glamorous when shooting with the little on-camera flash of a compact camera---so for good skin you should work with no flash or bounced light.

and your most glamorous shots usually will come from available light. without a fast lens the compact camera will not shoot handheld on a dark street without flash, inside a club without flash, or in normal room light without flash---this is something to consider if you want the models to look good---and they WILL NOT look good if you have to use the on-camera flash.

also fast lens allows DOF choices, this is very useful in isolating the model from a visually distracting background.