I'm looking to buy a new smaller camera, that I can take out and about with me, but I still can't decide which one to get. I've narrowed it down to two that I like, but I'm still unsure. Anyone tell me which to get (or if they are both crap!) or suggest any other cameras within that price range. I've only looked online, so I've yet to have a feel of them.
Not sure that you'd be wanting a bridge camera as they are almost as big as DSLRs. If its pure p&s you want I highly recommend the Panasonic Lumix range, mine is the TZ10 and I love it.
Another good idea is the new four thirds cameras which are small with interchangeable lenses and the jury seems to be out about the best one of those - the Olympus PEN or the Sony NEX.
@kjarn The TZ10 worked well? I have a TZ20 and i hate it wholeheartedly, it keeps getting dust inside the lenses, last time it costed me 70€ it's cleaning and after three weeks it was again horribly dirty (and don't think i was all day on the beach or in particularly dusty environment)
For me, at least for a while, no more TZs... sorry.
I've heard nothing but good things about the Olympus PEN system, though it is quite a bit more expensive than the cameras you've mentioned.
My son's got the FinePix F660 and gets excellent results (the fact that it enables you to shoot in manual is great).
My compact camera, for when I don't want to tote the DSLRs, is an older Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2, which still works perfectly even today (purchased in 2006, if I remember correctly). I'm sure the newer Lumix models are just as good.
Instead of a bridge camera with a tiny sensor, I'd recommend you look at mirrorless cameras. They are small on the outside but have much larger sensors, giving you far better image quality and creative control over dof. I like the Olympus PEN series (some of the PENs are very inexpensive on Amazon right now, about half their original cost - look at the EPL-2). The PENs accept an optional electronic viewfinder that is quite excellent. If you must have a built-in viewfinder, get a Nikon V1 - there have been insane prices on it lately, I have seen it as low as $300 with lens,original price was $900!
My main camera is Canon 20D. But like you I wanted a small but good quality compact to carry around with me. I already had the versitility of changing lens with my Canon so my agenda was for a little compact that took good quality images but most of all there was no lag between pressing the shutter button and the image being taken. In the end I choose the Lumix DMC-FS41 mostly because of the 2.8 lens as the speed of the lens was more important to me than zoom, because at the end of the day if I need zoom I'll used my canon with a telephoto lens on it. Of the two you posted and going by your original agenda the F660 seems like the one, it has an impressive optical zoom for a compact. But you need to handle it to see if you like it. As for the M4/3 that others have recommended well my verdict is still out as the image quality is not always up to scratch on them and at present the lenses are still expensive. Re: View-finder I felt the same way as you. However, I am finding the ease and versatility of composing via the screen on my Lumix so refreshing and fun. Also bear in mind that on compacts and M4/3 camera the view finder is mostly digital not optical so you'd be better off using the screen on the back of the camera anyway. I have taken a lot of pictures using my Lumix on my 365 feel free to take a look.
Its a really personal choice. Canon Ixus are great. So are Sony Cybershot. Make sure a well as the pics that the buttons and menus are to your taste too. I would check prices with ParkCameras.com and WEXphotographic.com.
@miley89 Since you shoot with a DSLR and are used to creative control and shallow dof, you will not be happy with a small sensor camera that lacks such control. Before I bought my Nikon DSLR, I used a Panasonic LX-3, which is considered a high end compact camera. It is an excellent compact and I still take it with me when I want to travel light. However, due to its smaller sensor, I can not get the shallow dof that I can get with my Nikon. This is why you want a mirrorless camera with the largest sensor you can afford. Also look at the Sony NEX line - they use an APS-C sensor, same size as a crop sensor DSLR, in a much smaller body.
Honesly, I'm wary of Fuji after mty recent issues with my S4000
My original issue was a fault with my camera, in which it believed the lens cap to be on when it was not. When this intermittent fault became a constant fault, my camera was sent to Fujifilm for repair.
My camera was returned to me with the repair slip stating that my lens had been repaired. I unboxed it, and switched it on, only to find the same error immediately appeared. Obviously disappointed that my camera was still not working, I returned it to Fujifilm for a second repair.
My camera was returned to me for a second time, this time the repair notice stated that my lens had now been replaced. Excited to use my camera again I went out to start taking photographs. This time, when I switched my camera on, I immediately noticed a black mark in the top corner. This mark got bigger and smaller upon using the zoom.
It was returned for a 3rd time and replaced for a refurb.
The refurb then refused to switch on.
Returned for a 4th time and replaced with a new S4500.
Apart from my original issues, the S4500 wasn't a patch on my S4000 even though it was meant to be the same camera with a firmware upgrade.
The software is a nightmare. When you use the autofocus, the viewfinder judders. This was the same on the refub and on the new model, so it's obviously a problem across the board. And it's really off-putting.
I've tried to use my S4500 twice since I got my Canon at Christmas, and honestly, I don't know how i coped with my last camera in comparison.
For the £100 -odd quid you're looking to spend, I'm sure there's way better camera.
Thanks Danny. Yeah I see your point on that one. I want a decent point and shoot to literally bung in my handbag for snaps, as I struggle making the effort to take the big camera everywhere. I'll still be using an SLR for the main bulk of my photography.
@miley89 There are lots of great point and shoots. I own two of them and they definitely come in handy, as long as you know their limitations. The very best point and shoot is the Sony RX100, but is is expensive at $650 US. An excellent high end p&s with full manual control is the Canon S100, Amazon has it on sale for $290 US. It will slip in your pocket, it is very small and still has very good image quality. Also look at the Panasonic LX-7, superb compact camera. A bit bigger than the Canon but it has a Leica lens that opens to f/1.4 so you can get shallow dof. Amazon puts it on sale from time to time.
I would also say Olympus PEN but as its more a chuck in ya handbag type thing then a Samsung WB690. I used to have one, small, big zoom, manual control, genuine scheider krauznach lens, much closer to the price range of the one's you were looking at.
The Samsung looks very similar to the Samsung I currently have, which is a great little camera actually. I bought it back in '09 and it has served me well, but the blades which cover the lens are sticky and don't close. I still use it from time to time and have managed to get some good DoF on it actually. That might just be the one! Cheers Jase.
I have an olympus SZ 31MR. It does a whole bag of tricks as well as a reasonable zoom, great video, pinhole, fisheye, magic settings, tricks. Macro, panorama.
Have a look as most of mine are taken on it. I love it I want to but a SLR but have not decided what yet.
I love tricks and fun so not sure how I will cope with a grown up camera and one lens initially?
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Another good idea is the new four thirds cameras which are small with interchangeable lenses and the jury seems to be out about the best one of those - the Olympus PEN or the Sony NEX.
Does that one have a view finder? @peterdegraaff
For me, at least for a while, no more TZs... sorry.
My son's got the FinePix F660 and gets excellent results (the fact that it enables you to shoot in manual is great).
My compact camera, for when I don't want to tote the DSLRs, is an older Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2, which still works perfectly even today (purchased in 2006, if I remember correctly). I'm sure the newer Lumix models are just as good.
@c_o_r @davidchrtrans @peadar @soboy5 @peterdegraaff
My original issue was a fault with my camera, in which it believed the lens cap to be on when it was not. When this intermittent fault became a constant fault, my camera was sent to Fujifilm for repair.
My camera was returned to me with the repair slip stating that my lens had been repaired. I unboxed it, and switched it on, only to find the same error immediately appeared. Obviously disappointed that my camera was still not working, I returned it to Fujifilm for a second repair.
My camera was returned to me for a second time, this time the repair notice stated that my lens had now been replaced. Excited to use my camera again I went out to start taking photographs. This time, when I switched my camera on, I immediately noticed a black mark in the top corner. This mark got bigger and smaller upon using the zoom.
It was returned for a 3rd time and replaced for a refurb.
The refurb then refused to switch on.
Returned for a 4th time and replaced with a new S4500.
Apart from my original issues, the S4500 wasn't a patch on my S4000 even though it was meant to be the same camera with a firmware upgrade.
The software is a nightmare. When you use the autofocus, the viewfinder judders. This was the same on the refub and on the new model, so it's obviously a problem across the board. And it's really off-putting.
I've tried to use my S4500 twice since I got my Canon at Christmas, and honestly, I don't know how i coped with my last camera in comparison.
For the £100 -odd quid you're looking to spend, I'm sure there's way better camera.
@soboy5
@jase_h
Have a look as most of mine are taken on it. I love it I want to but a SLR but have not decided what yet.
I love tricks and fun so not sure how I will cope with a grown up camera and one lens initially?