Replacing the camera?

[awa355]

I only have two gripes with my existing camera (Panasonic DMC-FT10). The 4x optical zoom, and the lack of zoom functionality during video recording. Taking landscape or birdlife type photos, I do wish sometimes that I could zoom in closer to a feature than the 4x allows.

The MP count isn't that important, most photos are only displayed on the laptop or uploaded to a web page so having 60megapixels is probably overkill. The Panasonic is 14megs and I rarely have it set that high, although 14mp does help if I'm going to crop a photo.

I want a flat styled camera that slips into a jacket pocket. A decent zoom, and takes reasonable photos on the basic settings. I get confused with all the manual settings for the ISO, exposure etc.

The cell phone has a 5mg camera but the low light capability is poor and the camera performance is poor overall. I'm not interested in paying hundreds of dollars for a ph just to have a fancy camera, also I find the camera is easier to operate while holding than a ph camera.

With cell phones, most riders dont bother to carry a camera but I like having one. I feel a dedicated camera has better inbuilt features than most phones.

What do you use?

[Akzle]

nokia 808.

olympus T series.

that is all.

[Blackbird]

Sony DSC RX-100. Arguably the best pocket-sized camera on the market. Here's one review but they're all the same: http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/d...+1-inch+Sensor

I bought mine specifically for long shots of wildlife and distant scenery in Canada and Alaska, but wanted something pocket-sized and it was superb. You can see a selection here at full resolution: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/p0b89ksh4...p3UBd33Ga?dl=0 . Got my Mk1 version from eBay for about US$400. They're double that in NZ. Totally happy with the purchase.

[awa355]

Blackbird, I read the review of the Sony, a nice camera but only a 3.6 optical zoom, I get this mindset that it wont bring anything in closer than the camera I have. Also at $700 its getting past my price bracket.

[Gremlin]

I've had a Sony DSC-TX5 and now a TX20. Supposed to be water/dust/shock/freeze proof. I liked the slide down face to power on mechanism and full touch screen rear that worked with gloves. The TX5 developed an intermittent fault where it would vibrate and all shots were blurry, so I bought a newer TX20. They changed the layout of cables with the TX20 and how you charged it. I've since lost that cable and it's such a pain in the arse I haven't sorted out and ended up using my mobile camera instead.

So, oddly enough I can't recommend a camera (although it did take good shots, had panorama etc). I think I can probably say, stay clear of Sony, they change shit up for seemingly no other reason than make inter-operability as hard as possible. Get something compatible, uses SD cards (plenty available) and standard usb cable charging.

[Blackbird]

Blackbird, I read the review of the Sony, a nice camera but only a 3.6 optical zoom, I get this mindset that it wont bring anything in closer than the camera I have. Also at $700 its getting past my price bracket.

Aha! Then you missed the bit about its fancy electronics enhancing the digital zoom! Virtually loss-less. Some of those glacier shots in Alaska were taken half a k away from the face. Yes, the camera is expensive but you get what you pay for! I also have a Canon Ixus. Don't use it at all now!

[EmBe]

I'm happy with my canon ixus especially for under $150. 8× optical zoom, easy auto settings and perfect pocket fit.
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=...Camera---Grey-

[Ulsterkiwi]

quality of lens is paramount, which is why the iPhone takes good pictures, they use Zeiss.

The SONY RX100 is probably considered one of the best compacts around, worth thinking about.

Anyway if the price is prohibitive, what about a Canon Powershot S120?

Good glass, fully manual if you want it and shoots in RAW format. If you have a camera which shoots RAW post-editing becomes a whole different world.

Blackbird is right, you gets what you pays for.....

[R650R]

Whats your budget max??? otherwise its how long is a piece of string in options...

[awa355]

Ulsterkiwi, The S120 only has a 5x zoom, This is the main feature that I want to improve over my existing camera. Picture wise the old Panasonic produces as good a picture on a pc as I want. I like taking photos of old empty buildings (sometimes well back from the road), birdlife etc so a greater optical zoom function would be priority.

I am not interested in buying an expensive phone . I have a ph now that rarely gets used. Although I did use it today on a ride to take some photos. I had left the camera at home so had to use the LG ph camera. A pain, tapping the screen to bring up the menu, then trying to see past the reflective screen. I like using the buttons on a camera better than a touch screen.

Dont want to go over about $350.

[R650R]

For that sort of money your going to struggle to get anything that beats a new cellphone (and I despise cellphone cams) unless you get lucky in the secondhand market.

[Ulsterkiwi]

fair enough, will be hard to get something in that price bracket AND a compact to do that. For sure you could find a 12X or 15X zoom but it will be at the cost of physical size or image quality in general.

[R650R]

BTW I used to have a Fuji s8000 superzoom, the latest incarnation of such is quite cheaper now. Trouble is those sort of cameras hammer the battery life too.

Hell prices have dropped, this will prob suit at #349 new https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/c...rod129296.html

I hammered my s8000 and it stood up well floating around in work bag all week and mounted on truck bumper for occasional creative videos. Plenty of zoom for your bird stuff.

[Berries]

Phones are phones, cameras are cameras. My Nikon Coolpix 7900 was highly recommended for being compact, excellent video and I think 8x optical zoom. It has finally been bounced off the footpath one too many times and has to be retired. All I want from a compact camera is optical zoom. I'd suggest going to Hardly Normal and just comparing the lot of them. Big discounts in a week or two.

[awa355]

Phones are phones, cameras are cameras. My Nikon Coolpix 7900 was highly recommended for being compact, excellent video and I think 8x optical zoom ................ All I want from a compact camera is optical zoom. I'd suggest going to Hardly Normal and just comparing the lot of them. Big discounts in a week or two.

Thats what I think. I find a camera with buttons is a hell'va easier to hold and operate than a ph with a touch screen. In the past I have printed off some nice photos taken from cameras that would be considered 'bottom end' performance these days. The silly season sales will be starting next week so will do the rounds.