Personal computing discussed
Moderators: renee, Dposcorp, SpotTheCat
JustAnEngineer wrote:Waterproof, ruggedized?
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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
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.
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.