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anotherengineer
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need a new point and shoot camera

Wed Feb 19, 2014 9:27 pm

Pretty much as the title says. Currently have a Panasonic DMC-ZS7 (made in Japan) been happy with it and still works well. Want another camera for backup/better pics etc.

so

Needs
-excellent sharp jpeg pics
-good pics if have shaky hands.....wife walks and takes pics while walking.........really
-SD mem card
-available in Canada
-10x optical zoom (min)

Wants
-made in japan (or some place with better QC than china)
-stereo sound for vid recording
-720p or 1080p hd vid recording
-good warranty
-about the same size as the dmc-zs7
-$300 budget
-AA batteries would be nice


If there are any other important things i may have missed please feel free to mention, I am by no means a camera expert.

I have been eyeing the Fuji XF1 lately since it has been going on sale for $200. Thanks
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TheEmrys
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Wed Feb 19, 2014 9:37 pm

You may have to look a bit, but the best p&s under $1000 is the Sony rx100. Its amazing. If you look for deals or are willing to buy used, its simply stunning.
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JustAnEngineer
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Wed Feb 19, 2014 10:02 pm

Waterproof, ruggedized?
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Airmantharp
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Wed Feb 19, 2014 10:03 pm

Your current Panasonic looks pretty good- you'll really have to be splitting hairs to get more out of a $300 camera. As TheEmrys said above, the RX100 (II) rules the roost in actual compact cameras with respect to image quality.

Another thing to think about- sharp images and zooms with very large ratios don't go well together, even if you're spending ~$5,000 on a Canon semi-pro DSLR and a superzoom like the 28-300L. 3x to 5x is where the best image quality will lie.
 
anotherengineer
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Wed Feb 19, 2014 10:11 pm

JustAnEngineer wrote:
Waterproof, ruggedized?


Shouldn't be required.
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anotherengineer
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Wed Feb 19, 2014 10:12 pm

Airmantharp wrote:
Your current Panasonic looks pretty good- you'll really have to be splitting hairs to get more out of a $300 camera. As TheEmrys said above, the RX100 (II) rules the roost in actual compact cameras with respect to image quality.

Another thing to think about- sharp images and zooms with very large ratios don't go well together, even if you're spending ~$5,000 on a Canon semi-pro DSLR and a superzoom like the 28-300L. 3x to 5x is where the best image quality will lie.


Thanks for the tips, I usually keep the zoom below 5x when I want to take a decent pic, I usually shoot around 8mp also.
It doesn't have to be way awesome compared to what I have now, equal or better would be nice. Maybe I should get a cheapy for the wife and reclaim the panasonic :)

Ya it was 550, but got it on sale for about 285. I should look around to see if we have a place here that can clean the lens, just not sure what that would cost.

edit the rx100 (I) is coming down in price a bit http://www.hookbag.ca/product/H3C0CS03K/dscrx100-b-sony just have to tack on 13% tax here though.
Last edited by anotherengineer on Wed Feb 19, 2014 10:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Airmantharp
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Wed Feb 19, 2014 10:29 pm

You'd think that any old repair shop would do- but you might also try contacting Panasonic; might cost as much as a new camera, or it might cost not much more than shipping, and it is a nice camera.
 
anotherengineer
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Wed Feb 19, 2014 10:34 pm

Airmantharp wrote:
You'd think that any old repair shop would do- but you might also try contacting Panasonic; might cost as much as a new camera, or it might cost not much more than shipping, and it is a nice camera.


Thanks.

A small review on the XF1
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2418078,00.asp
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Airmantharp
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Wed Feb 19, 2014 10:44 pm

2/3" sensor on a Fuji with an f/1.8 25mm (eq.) wide end? That's hard to say no to, if it comes in lower than an RX100 :).
 
anotherengineer
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Thu Feb 20, 2014 9:17 am

Airmantharp wrote:
2/3" sensor on a Fuji with an f/1.8 25mm (eq.) wide end? That's hard to say no to, if it comes in lower than an RX100 :).


Everything you said but the sensor went over my head lol.

Ya the RX100 (I) is about 580 here and the fuji XF1 is on sale for 200, and the RX100 (II) is a bit over 800 here. (w/o 13% sales tax, that really starts to hurt over the 300 mark)

One more thing about the Fuji.......video's are in quicktime format, sigh.

edit
http://products.ncix.com/detail/fujifil ... 9-1530.htm

in my cart for $200 though
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TheEmrys
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Thu Feb 20, 2014 9:54 am

That f/ number thing is a bit of a big deal, and I want to float an idea with you.

How would you like to get into an entry level mirrorless? Interchangeable lenses and everything. Sony NEX 3's are right under $300. It has a full sized APS-C sensor. I would normally choose the RX100 over the 3 line, but its much cheaper. And it will include a 16-50mm lens, a normal range. While not an outstanding performer, its very usable and the video can be in avchd or mp4.
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anotherengineer
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Thu Feb 20, 2014 11:46 am

TheEmrys wrote:
That f/ number thing is a bit of a big deal, and I want to float an idea with you.

How would you like to get into an entry level mirrorless? Interchangeable lenses and everything. Sony NEX 3's are right under $300. It has a full sized APS-C sensor. I would normally choose the RX100 over the 3 line, but its much cheaper. And it will include a 16-50mm lens, a normal range. While not an outstanding performer, its very usable and the video can be in avchd or mp4.


Interesting. About 350 w/o tax here. So if I changed the criteria slightly to what would be the best quality pics per price?

I see a Nikon D3200 can be had for about 400, but not sure with that includes a lens? Wife put me on hold, said she may be fine with a bigger camera if it takes good pics. I told her no camera will take good pics if you are trying to take pics while shaking it and running with it at the same time.
http://www.vistek.ca/store/DigitalSLRs/ ... black.aspx

I think she would have more trouble trying to get good pics with this since her hands/camera is all over the place while she tries to take pics, but I don't know.
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TheEmrys
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Thu Feb 20, 2014 12:06 pm

I would personally go mirrorless. It would keep it about the same size, but with typically much better quality. Here are the options I would consider for the price points of ~$300 (instead of <$300)

Sony NEX - 3. - But if you don't mind used, you can get killer deals. Craigslist is usually a good place, but KEH.com is a real winner. So is B&H's used department, and to a lesser extent, Adorama's. KEH is usually where I find the best prices and selection.

Sony NEX 5n with 18-55mm - A STELLAR camera with great IQ. Has a touch screen so you can pick your focus point by touch. Awesome feature. -$379

Nex 3n with 16-50mm lens - A pretty good camera, and the lens is okay, but not as good as the 18-55mm. -$310

The Nikon One system is a very good one as well.

Nikon One J3 with 10-30mm lens - Its not as good as the V1, but its decent.

Canon's EOS M is very capable, but not easy to find used. It hasn't sold tremendously well, but if you can find one used, its a very solid pick up. I don't know what the prices are on them, so YMMV.

You could always look at the Micro 4/3's system, also. They tend to be a bit more money, particularly for quality. You would have to settle for the Olympus PEN E model (much lower quality than the OMD's), but capable. Bodies run ~$250 and then a lens on top of that.

If it were me, I would look long and hard at the Sony 5n. Its a bit of a reach, but its an excellent price:performance.

Here is a review of it. The conclusions are pretty accurate. One thing I would bear in mind is that the AUTO setting on this works awfully well. When I started to get serious, this was my progression:

AUTO - camera makes all the choices
P - camera still makes all the choices, but with a bit less hand holding
A - I set the aperture (you can learn about this later)
M - All manual

Starting in AUTO is perfectly fine. If you want more info on them or books to read, I have some excellent body-specific authors to check out.
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anotherengineer
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Thu Feb 20, 2014 12:27 pm

Ya the Sony 5N is a nice looking camera. Bummer no mic though, optional plug in, $120 option here in Canada ;( Maybe videos with no sound can be a good thing :)
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TheEmrys
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Thu Feb 20, 2014 12:33 pm

Umm... I am 99.99% sure it has stereo internal microphones.

Yep. Listed here.
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Milo Burke
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Thu Feb 20, 2014 1:14 pm

Sorry for being facetious, but have you considered the Samsung Galaxy S4?
 
LocalCitizen
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Thu Feb 20, 2014 2:21 pm

also consider Olympus E-PM2. It has in-body stabilization. It's micro 4/3, so it's lenses are smaller and lighter. with 14-42mm (equivalent to 28-84mm) is $430 plus tax.
http://www.photoprice.ca/product/04085/ ... price.html

a comprehensive review can be found here:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/o ... -epm2A.HTM
 
cynan
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Thu Feb 20, 2014 3:06 pm

For under $300, as an alternative to the the Fuji XF1, the Canon S110 is a decent option. It's been replaced by the S120, but if you're going to spend the extra $200 on the S120, you may as well just get the Sony RX100 by that point. I think the XF1 will probably get you a bit more image quality as it has a larger sensor, however, some don't like the erognoimics of the XF1 (manual lens retraction and power on/off by twisting lens, etc).
 
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Thu Feb 20, 2014 3:20 pm

TheEmrys wrote:
Sony NEX 5n with 18-55mm - A STELLAR camera with great IQ. Has a touch screen so you can pick your focus point by touch. Awesome feature. -$379


If you are interested in an interchangeable lens compact, and are in Canada, Futureshop has had the NEX-5R (updated version of the Nex-5n to include wifi transfer, a bit more ergonomic manual control with an added wheel,function button and more positioning options with the screen, and potential better phase-detect AF) with the 18-55mm kit lens on sale for $399 a couple of times this year so far. The 5R has just been replaced by the 5TL, which basically adds nothing of note (I think only NFC) and I would expect Futureshop/Bestbuy to continue with these periodic sales to clear the 5Rs out. Even at $449, it's not too bad, considering what the 5TL kit goes for.

I picked up the 5R kit at $399 and it's a great little camera for the price if you think you might want something more than a point and shoot down the line.
 
Airmantharp
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Sun Feb 23, 2014 5:10 pm

This is an excellent deal on a very capable, very small camera.

Shoots RAW just like the big boys, and has a larger sensor than your garden-variety point-and-shoot.

The $449 Canon S120 replaced it, for a price reference.
 
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Thu Feb 27, 2014 1:16 pm

Sony a7II 55/1.8 Minolta 100/2, 17-35D, Tamron 28-75/2.8
 
tanker27
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Thu Feb 27, 2014 8:20 pm

II second the Cannon Powershot, with CHDK they become little beasts that rival the DSLRs. I have a Cannon Powershot Elph 330HS.
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JustAnEngineer
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Thu Feb 27, 2014 8:51 pm

It's $16 less at B&H or Adorama than at Amazon.
http://www.canonpricewatch.com/product/ ... price.html
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anotherengineer
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Thu Feb 27, 2014 10:29 pm

Nice deals, unfortunately I am in Canada so I can't take advantage of them. Now the wife says she wants big camera (DSLR) so she can have nice pics.

Sigh, I tried telling her smaller camera's have come a long way, and DSLR with lenses aren't cheap or kid friendly, also not matter how good your camera is, if you are walking and holding it sideways your pics still won't be good lol she didn't listen.

So still looking. I see several different types of stabilization, which one is typically the best?

What about this guy??
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-NX1100-Di ... 09924011_4
Last edited by anotherengineer on Fri Feb 28, 2014 11:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
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JustAnEngineer
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Thu Feb 27, 2014 10:35 pm

If your wife wants a DSLR, you're going to double your budget.
The EOS Rebel SL1 is the smallest and lightest consumer DSLR ever made. With the compact EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lens mounted, it's smaller than some advanced non-DSLR cameras.
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Thu Feb 27, 2014 10:37 pm

I've been very happy with my Powershot S90 so I'd go for the S110 too.
 
Airmantharp
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Thu Feb 27, 2014 11:05 pm

JustAnEngineer wrote:
If your wife wants a DSLR, you're going to double your budget.
The EOS Rebel SL1 is the smallest and lightest consumer DSLR ever made. With the compact EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lens mounted, it's smaller than some advanced non-DSLR cameras.


Just remember that said 40mm lens is a short telephoto on a crop camera- not terribly wieldy indoors :).

Also, Nikon's compacts deserve a mention here too- a refurbished D3200 hits 24MP with a decent 18-55 kit lens, and while their 50/1.8G is a little more expensive than Canon's 50/1.8 II, it's worth every penny as it's build is better than Canon's faster 50/1.4. Video won't be as nice and it doesn't have a touch-screen, but it does bring better image quality to the game when the lighting gets tough.
 
JustAnEngineer
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Fri Feb 28, 2014 6:08 am

The 40mm lens with the 1.6 crop factor of the APS-C sensor has the field of view that a 64mm lens would have on a full frame camera. It did fine indoors when I played with it on the EOS Rebel SL1 and the EOS 7D over the Christmas holidays. As a simple prime lens, its one focal length doesn't have the versatility of a fast zoom lens with image stabilization, but at only 130 grams, it's much smaller, lighter and cheaper. That's close to the focal length that I end up selecting for candid shots of the family when I'm using a zoom lens, anyway.

To get the >10x optical zoom that the OP requested, the super-zoom lens makes a larger package. You can stick the thing in a jacket pocket with the 40/2.8 mounted. You're not going to do that with a long lens installed. Because the Rebel SL1 camera is so light, mounting a large lens really changes the balance. It looked odd with my 100-400 attached. The 370g mass of the body was only 1/5th of total for the assembled lens+camera. My flash weighs 1.3 times as much as the camera does, too.
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Yeats
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Fri Feb 28, 2014 11:43 am

JustAnEngineer wrote:
The 40mm lens with the 1.6 crop factor of the APS-C sensor has the field of view that a 64mm lens would have on a full frame camera. It did fine indoors when I played with it on the EOS Rebel SL1 and the EOS 7D over the Christmas holidays. As a simple prime lens, its one focal length doesn't have the versatility of a fast zoom lens with image stabilization, but at only 130 grams, it's much smaller, lighter and cheaper. That's close to the focal length that I end up selecting for candid shots of the family when I'm using a zoom lens, anyway.


I like 40mm on APS-C, too, for indoors. I think many folks want wider sometimes because they can't figure out what to compose, so they just try to grab everything... much like people who shoot landscapes, always looking to capture "everything" rather than focus on an interesting feature.
 
anotherengineer
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Re: need a new point and shoot camera

Fri Feb 28, 2014 11:57 am

Indeed, so the search continues, probably a good deal will win out. I am still going to push a point and shoot for the time, it just makes life easier.

So Canon S110, Sony Nex 3/5, rx100 nice, but $$, watch for sales.

What's the best system for image stabilization?
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