any suggestions for a compact?

timbo59 · Jan 8, 2015

My wife is heading to Paris with our son in Spring and we just discovered that her old compact camera has died. I know my way around SLR's and DSLR's but know zip about the pros and cons of the multitude of compacts out there. I'd let her take my old D70 and tell her to simply set it on auto, but I know she'd rather take something she can slip into her handbag. (I had pondered getting her the Nikon L830 but nixed it for that very reason).

Nikon has a slew of compacts out there, as does Canon. Any suggestions on something I could pick up for her in the $100 to $200 range that will be trouble-free, give good results, and easy to handle? Video isn't a priority. All she needs is a point and shoot that won't intimidate her.

Didereaux · Jan 8, 2015

Actually the big 2 aren't the best in the pack. Look at Panasonic, Fuji, and even Sony. More $$$ can get you inot Leica, Oly's etc. But as I said Nikon, and to a lesser extent Canon are NOT the leaders in quality in compacts.

Light Guru · Jan 8, 2015

Does she have a cell phone that can take photos? If she does I would say don't bother buying s point and shoot.

goodguy · Jan 8, 2015

Canon S120
Tiny camera that is very powerful and not too expensive.

timbo59 · Jan 8, 2015

No, my wife's phone sucks at pictures - it isn't the best. That's why I want to get her a little dedicated unit.

As for the big two, that's partly why I was looking for suggestions. I've done a bit of homework, and all I keep coming across are people complaining about the lack of quality/camera breaking down on vacations, etc, etc. Came as somewhat of a surprise, especially from Nikon, but I guess the level of quality control the big two exercise over their flagship cameras doesn't necessarily apply to the lesser stuff.

So if anyone has any specific models in mind by all means feel free to render a view. It would certainly save me spending a few evenings going backwards and forwards online - besides which I have to do it when my wife's not around, as i was going to toss it in as one of her upcoming birthday gifts!

Didereaux · Jan 8, 2015

timbo59 said:
No, my wife's phone sucks at pictures - it isn't the best. That's why I want to get her a little dedicated unit.

As for the big two, that's partly why I was looking for suggestions. I've done a bit of homework, and all I keep coming across are people complaining about the lack of quality/camera breaking down on vacations, etc, etc. Came as somewhat of a surprise, especially from Nikon, but I guess the level of quality control the big two exercise over their flagship cameras doesn't necessarily apply to the lesser stuff.

So if anyone has any specific models in mind by all means feel free to render a view. It would certainly save me spending a few evenings going backwards and forwards online - besides which I have to do it when my wife's not around, as i was going to toss it in as one of her upcoming birthday gifts!

what is your camera budget?

timbo59 · Jan 8, 2015

Oh, as I said at the top, somewhere around $100 - $200.

I've been cruising the web since a few of the other posts, and have so far sighted the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25 as one possible purchase. Just started looking though!

Didereaux · Jan 8, 2015

A year ago I got the grandson his first camera (10years old), It was a Fuji FinePix S4800 Digital
Has a very good macro mode and the auto-focus is reasonable at a 1/3sec. got a shot of an eagle using the zoom that almost equaled mine. a very nice small DSLR looking and handling camera. I would buy again. Amazon has them.

sashbar · Jan 8, 2015

Fujifilm FinePix S4800 is not something a woman would like to slip into her handbag. It is bulky.
I would try FUJIFILM XF1. The price is great at the moment, especially for this red one.
Amazon.com : Fujifilm XF1 12 MP Digital Camera with 3-Inch LCD Screen (Red) : Point And Shoot Digital Cameras : Camera & Photo

Tinderbox (UK) · Jan 8, 2015

Buy one of the older Nikon 1 System camera`s and they take amazing photo`s even if you no nothing about photography, I had the original 10mp one a few years ago and i still love the way the photo`s look, they are at 18mp now but the 14mb versions are the sweet spot, also the built in flash i really smart and will not blow out your portraits and you can buy other lenses for it if you want too.

My V2 model can take fullhd video and full 14mp photo`s at the same time, I love it.

John

sashbar · Jan 8, 2015

Tinderbox (UK) said:
Buy one of the older Nikon 1 System camera`s and they take amazing photo`s even if you no nothing about photography, I had the original 10mp one a few years ago and i still love the way the photo`s look, they are at 18mp now but the 14mb versions are the sweet spot, also the built in flash i really smart and will not blow out your portraits and you can buy other lenses for it if you want too.

My V2 model can take fullhd video and full 14mp photo`s at the same time, I love it.

John

It is twice over the guy's budget

Tinderbox (UK) · Jan 8, 2015

My V2 is the previous top of the line model, the entry level versions must be within his budget, get an Nikon S1 or something for $200 or buy a second-hand one or a refurb from Nikon.

John.

timbo59 · Jan 8, 2015

Sashbar nailed it as far as the Fuji is concerned. Has to be a compact that can slip into her handbag, as mentioned in the OP. Otherwise a nice camera.

Okay, spent a few hours hunting around and making comparisons, and I've pruned it down to the following -
Fuji XF1 - $115
Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS25 (version with Leica lens) - $140 (refurbished)
Nikon 1 S1 - $160
Canon Powershot SX280 HS - $160 (refurbished)

Like the Fuji, even if it is a little idiosyncratic for a compact, such as the way you turn it on and off. The Lumix and Powershot are nice cameras at great prices via the refurbished units, while the S1 is an interesting unit for providing interchangeable lenses at such a price.

Tinderbox (UK) · Jan 9, 2015

I have had a few fuji compacts the x20 and the XQ1 and i found they constantly underexposed in bright light outdoors which did my head in as i love the looks of the fuji but when you correct the exposure in lightroom/photoshop it introduce a lot of image noise that was unacceptable , the Panasonic did much better getting the exposure correct, but the Nikon 1 system cameras nailed the exposer over 95% of the time, but they are bit more bulky.

EDIT : The Fuji XF1 has an EXR sensor if you leave the camera in full auto, up to 2/3 of you photo`s could be only 6mp not 12mp depending on which EXR mode it decides to use, though you can force the camera to take only 12mp photo`s in high-resolution mode.

John.

Didereaux · Jan 9, 2015

timbo59 said:
Sashbar nailed it as far as the Fuji is concerned. Has to be a compact that can slip into her handbag, as mentioned in the OP. Otherwise a nice camera.

Okay, spent a few hours hunting around and making comparisons, and I've pruned it down to the following -
Fuji XF1 - $115
Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS25 (version with Leica lens) - $140 (refurbished)
Nikon 1 S1 - $160
Canon Powershot SX280 HS - $160 (refurbished)

Like the Fuji, even if it is a little idiosyncratic for a compact, such as the way you turn it on and off. The Lumix and Powershot are nice cameras at great prices via the refurbished units, while the S1 is an interesting unit for providing interchangeable lenses at such a price.