Compact Digital Camera Choice

[JasonBz]

I think it is about time I got a new camera, as both my old ones are getting a bit past it (and I cant find all the bits to make either work at the mo ).

I understand that since I bought the last camera, mobile phone cameras have improved to the point where they have taken the cheap and cheerful end of the market more or less totally.

However, I dont want a really cheap one, nor do I want a DSLR or Bridge camera - Id only break it!

The Sony Cyber Shot RX100 looks to fit most criteria.....

Does anyone have one of these to comment on? or something similar but better?

[Graham Walters]

It really depends on what you will be taking pictures of, and what you will be doing with them, mobile phones may have loads of pixels, millions even, however they still pixelate when viewed on large screens like TV's or on websites if you need to zoom in.

Look for natural zoom, and not digital zoom, natural zoom pixelates less.

The next factor is how much you have to spend, that will be the biggest deciding factor, get the best you can afford.

Do what I do when I want to buy anything electrical, buy a few specialist magazines and look for their best buys.

[7P5F]

As has already been said,what do you want to take pics of?.If you want to take wildlife for instance,you want a long zoom lens.I do quite a bit of photography & got a bit fed up carting around a Nikon D300 with 150-500mm telephoto lens & all the other lenses & paraphanalia & also it was bl***y heavy.I`ve just bought myself a Canon G3X camera witha 24-600mm lens,pricey but unfortunatly,you only get what you pay for.Excellent camera,damn sght lighter as well.

                           Ray.

[javlinfaw7]

I love my Nikon coolpix S9500 has a 4.5 to 99 optical zoom 18 megapixel and loads of features that I dont use ,but for anything stationary it is nearly as good as a dslr ,
I also carry a Pentax I10 as it is small sits in my pocket for use at any time , I use it as the equivalent of a sketch pad ,Digital zooms are only the equivalent of cropping so look for the best optical zoom you can get for your money , mega pixels are important  but also look at ISO rating and do you need video . Find one that is comfortable for you to use ,check reviews on line and in press but go to a shop you can pick it up and feel it in your hand ,make sure that it does what you want before you buy

[JasonBz]

Thanks for the input so far
I do think I know what Im after, but Im a touch out of the loop.

Just take pictures of houses etc for before and after and some records, trains in reality and model trains of course -  with the odd snaps of this and that thrown in.

[red_death]

The Sony RX100 line are very nice.  I almost bought one a few months ago when I was after a compact to go with my SLR.  In the end I went for a Canon S120 for three reasons: I am very comfortable with how Canon's work; it was marginally more pocketable; and finally it was a really good price from Wex Photographic. The programmable ring adjustor is great (you can set pretty much any function to be controlled by the ring round the lens eg shutter speed/ISO/aperture etc).

NB the S120 is starting to go out of stock in many places so I suspect that it might be replaced by Canon very soon.

HTH

Mike

[lil chris]

I had a small Fuji camera and a Cannon before that, I like a small portable camera that will fit in my pocket. I got sand in The Cannon so that voided the warranty so I bought the Fuji, nice camera but I dropped it, It kept working for at least 12 months but has finally bit the dust. I priced getting it repaired and it was between £150-£200 so I bought a small Fuji Xp, it is small its shockproof, water proof/dustproof and takes good pics, I am very happy with it. It is not too expensive either £120 which I think is good. link here.http://www.fotosense.co.uk/fuji-finepix-xp80-digital-camera-black.html

[railsquid]

I have a Panasonic DMC-TZ25 for a compact-ish camera, it's a couple of years old so there may be a newer version (previously had the DMC-TZ5). Not the cheapest but happy with it; it's quite robust. Just starting to play with the macro functions for close-up layout work.

[JasonBz]

I seem to like Panasonic stuff and despite what I said in the OP - I came across this earlier - which could do the job ...

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/digital-slrs-hybrids/panasonic-lumix-fz72-review-1189192/review

[austinbob]

Thanks for the input so far
I do think I know what Im after, but Im a touch out of the loop.

Just take pictures of houses etc for before and after and some records, trains in reality and model trains of course -  with the odd snaps of this and that thrown in.

If you are going to take pictures of model trains close up bear in mind that you'll need a close focus or macro facility

[fisherman]

that is well  worth   having and  checking...

all  modern compacts are  amazing....

The  new   Nikon  Coolpix  (7900>) has rave  reviews

[silly moo]

I've got a Nikon Coolpix 8200 which is a few years old and I'm very happy with it. It has lots of features (most of which I don't really need as it works very well in auto mode) and it fits in my pocket.

I would suggest you go into a camera shop and get the feel of a few cameras some of them seem to fit in your hands more comfortably than others.

The advice I was given was to go for a well known name as they generally have better lenses.

Another thing to consider is the type of battery they use, do you want to use ordinary batteries or to get a camera with lithium batteries on board. I bought an extra lithium Nikon battery for mine and I keep it charged in case the one in the camera runs out. Shooting movies and using the flash decreases battery life quite quickly.

Ordinary batteries do have the advantage of being easily obtainable from the shops should you run out. You could also get rechargeable ones.

There are lots of online camera sites that give reviews of the latest cameras, if you find something in a shop that you like you can always check out the online reviews.

[austinbob]

If you want to find out more about cameras, reviews, performance etc. you just can't beat this site.
I'm a keen photographer and regularly check out the latest for lenses and accessories for my camera. Great sections on compacts.
http://www.dpreview.com/
Enjoy.... 

[JasonBz]

Again thanks to you all
But I think the Panasonic FZ72 is the favourite....Ill think about it a little more over night and see if I still want one tomorrow afternoon Im sure I will do!

[georgehgv]

I really like Panasonics, I have dmc-sz7 that I use anytime, just fits in shirt pocket and the slightly bigger dmc-tz60 heavier but fantastic with amazing zoom and panoramic shots in fact everything a body and about six lenses could cover without all that clobber to car ry around.