Any Camera Gurus? Looking for a new Point and Shoot.

[climber8483]

Short/ADD version...
I need a new "pocketable" camera. Looking to spend up to $300. I was told to stick to Canon or Pana, but open to other ideas. What say you?


Long/more in depth version...
I'm looking for a new point and shoot. The last one was a cheapie and finally died. I was frustrated with how inconsistent it was when it came to pictures and timing anyways. (It was a $100 Fuji from Costco). I was talking to the local camera repair shop and he said to stick to Canon and Panasonic as they are the only two brands that you can *actually* get parts for without having to send the unit back to the manufacturer. I thought about going with a "rugged" camera since it will mostly be used outside in a rough environment, but the last few weren't and they held up considerably well. Two had the sensor fail and this last one just quit working, and a few others that were just outdated. I've had 3 Canon's, an S1is and a S3is, some old powershot. The Fuji and a Cheapie from Walmart (their brand).


Requirements:
Cost $200-$325
Take "better to best" quality pictures with consistent/ fast shutter activation.
"pocketable" ie no bridge or DSLR
Standard batteries a plus, but willing to deal with proprietary as long as I can get a spare.
Do Not need WIFI/GPS tagging. (I still use a flip phone and I have to carry a GPS for work anyways)
Primarily used for taking pics while working (wildland fire fighter), hiking/camping, wheeling, and occasionally of the dogs and wife.


And I know they aren't in the same "class", but I've been looking at the Panasonic Lumix ZS30 or 35 and the Canon G15. The Canon is a little bigger than I prefer, but I was told it will take a better pic. I think I can live without the zoom of the Pana, but looking for advice.


I'm open to other suggestions too.


That was long winded I apologize.






Thanks,
B

 

[Fast Eddy]

A G15 is a kickass camera. There may not be a better camera for that price.

 

[CardinalFJ60]

Panasonic

I'm a Nikon guy through and through for my DSLR stuff. However, I'm am completely impressed with the Panasonic "tough' point and shoot. If you look closely, the Lumix waterproof/shockproof/freezeproof one carries a Leica Lens. B&H or Adorama will get you some of the best pricing.

Something like this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ic_dmc_ts5d_lumix_dmc_ts5_digital_camera.html

 

[KLF]

I'll just mention this: My wife has an Olympus "Tough" model (can't remember which one), bought on impulse from QVC. What a piece of crap that thing is. Interface is terrible, focus very slow, flash is pathetic, and the photos are not that great quality. Avoid.

 

[Fast Eddy]

If you look closely, the Lumix waterproof/shockproof/freezeproof one carries a Leica Lens.

Leica-branded. f3.3 vs f1.8 for the canon. The Panasonic has some cool features, but you have to decide what you want.

Panasonic: 1080p60, waterproof, GPS, WiFi

G15 can do low-res 240fps video, raw mode, 60 second exposures, iso 12000, full manual, optical viewfinder....

If you really want waterproof, you can get a full underwater housing for the G15.

 

[Tapage]

Not anything close to photo expert or fan .. just a guy who wants a versatile camera slim good, light and fast ..

Sony TX20

 

[FJ60Seth]

I miss having an optical viewfinder on my point and shoot camera. The G15 loos like a very nice camera.

 

[Fast Eddy]

Not anything close to photo expert or fan .. just a guy who wants a versatile camera slim good, light and fast ..

If you don't know the difference between aperture priority and shutter priority, or would never use either, the G15 is probably not the right camera for you.

It's pretty big compared to a lot of the newer, slip P&S cameras.

 

[climber8483]

Thanks for the info so far

 

[e9999]

lots of info on those in Consumer Reports. From memory seems like the Nikons were doing well.

 

[saucebox]

Nikon has a Coolpix AW100—sort of meh in the picture department, but is as tough as they advertise (which is why we bought it). The pictures are acceptable, but not remarkable.

My dad has a G9 and my sister has the G10—both make better pictures than this Nikon. If the G15 is out of your price range, you'd still do great with a model or two back.

 

[Tapage]

If you don't know the difference between aperture priority and shutter priority, or would never use eithe.

I read this before but have no clue how to use or the idea behind those features .. so you are correct.

My intention was to share another option if by any chance the OP it's photo limited like me ..

 

[Fast Eddy]

sort of meh in the picture department

If someone is willing to settle for this, they should put their money into a good smart phone. An iphone 5s or a galaxy s4 is not a bad camera.

Abe's of Maine has the G15 for $329, just about in the OP's price range.

 

[gregnash]

^^^ This and considering Canon just released the new G1X the prices will continue to come done some.
I just picked up a Canon EOS-M with the 18-55mm and have been quite impressed with it so far. Working on finding a good adapter for my EF/EFS lenses (DO NOT BUY THE FOTODIOX) but I have been pretty impressed with it. The rumors are true though that it is slow to AF and definitely not a "moving object" camera unless you know what you are doing.

Also, you have to determine what YOU consider "pocketable". This is a very vague statement because I consider my M with the 18-55 still pocketable but my wife would not.
Something else to look at would be the S95/S110/S120 series from Canon. They are great cameras and still the normal P&S size with a decent zoom.

Climber - the next time you come down this way if I am able to meet up with you I will bring my M and you can play with it some.

 

[Fast Eddy]

^^^ This and considering Canon just released the new G1X the prices will continue to come done some.

The G1x is a slightly different beast, in that it is a sensor that is only slightly smaller than an APS-C sensor in a G-series body. The image quality is much improved over the little sensor that is in all the other G-series cameras.

The G1x actually came out before the G15, so I don't think the prices or even the markets are interrelated. They just announced (or at least confirmed rumors) the G1x Mark II.

http://thenewcamera.com/tag/canon-g2-x/

The G15 has a 1/1.7 sized sensor. Th Panasonic linked above has a 1/2.33 sensor. You can see from the graphic how dramatic the difference is from a G1x or a D60/D70 APS-C sensor DSLR.

And then compare the APS-C sensors to a full-frame sensor, which is the same size as a 35mm slide.

 

[saucebox]

If someone is willing to settle for this, they should put their money into a good smart phone. An iphone 5s or a galaxy s4 is not a bad camera.

I agree with this. We bought the Nikon to take wheeling, hiking, etc...mostly so we didn't have to pack/lug the full DSLR kit with us.

 

[climber8483]

Thanks the g 15 is whithin what I am willing to spend. I need to go and handle one a little more to see if it's still within my pocketable definition.

B

 

[Fast Eddy]

They'll fit in your pocket, but you won't want one there for long. Jacket pocket, more like.

 

[1FZj80]

I just bought a Canon Powershot S110 and love it. It has full manual control, very fast processor and great photos.

 

[gregnash]

Fast Eddy, your right that the G1X is a whole different beast. What I was getting at was that with the release of the newest model the older models (thought someone had mentioned a G13/15) would be dropping more in price where available. I have a good photographer friend that is still rocking her G9 and loves it.
The G series was something I was contemplating hard vs another DSLR or the M. The novelty and compatibility with my DSLR lenses won out on the M.