High End Pocket Camera?

[NorCalKid]

Hey guys,  I’m looking to replace my pocket camera and not sure what to get.   I have an older Canon that doesn’t do HD video and doesn’t work great in low light.  So I’m looking for something  that has like a F1.4-1.8 (not sure about this W/a small sensor but it's gota be better than what I have now) and will do HD video.  I’m fine with spending a couple hundred bucks not looking to spend $700.  I really like walking around with my D80 and a 50mm f1.8 prime and taking hand held shots at night without a flash.  But I never have it with me because it’s a beast to carry around all day.  Looking for something I can always have on me that will work for this.  Any recommendations?

 

272 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

 

539 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

 

Edit:  Uhhh, realized this was public and removed a girlie pic. 

Edited February 17, 2015 by NorCalKid

[Roadglide]

I have an older Canon S100, great little camera, has the same manual controls that a good DSLR will have. Very pocketable and being a metal body it is a very sturdy well built camera.

 

I take it out at night when I find my D750 too large.

[Gaggball]

I got a Panasonic LX-5. Its a new mod. oout now it's LX-7

 

You can see some of my pictures in my TR 1 & 2

If i loose it, i will buy the sam again

[manarak]

Couple hundred bucks will not buy a high end pocket camera.

 

Sony RX100

Edited February 17, 2015 by manarak

[TheJoker]

Your budget will make it difficult to find something.  I have a Panasonic GM-1.  Micro 4/3 and with a 14mm 2.5 lens it is truly a pocket camera.  It is very good in low light.  Just got the 25mm Leica 1.4, a little bigger but can't wait to try it in low light.  But this is more in the area of 600.  It will fit legacy lens with an adapter, manual focus...

 

A pic of the camera and some shots from NYE.  

[jerry]

The Sony RX 100 mark 1 is being sold at the moment in Thailand for 12.990Bht

what is an absolute steal for this little camera that does a great job in low light . 

 

By far the best camera in this price range at the moment . 

[Billyboy294]

Sorry Joker.: I also am looking for a camera but i dont think your selection of photos (especially the two on the left) would make me rush out to buy that camera.

 

I took this similar type of shot with a £140 Lumix TZ35 (no frills version of the TZ40) and i am looking to replace it although more interested in one (a compact) for taking pics of girls.

 

I put the fact that the pics of girls is not as sharp as i would wish is because it has a 20 x zoom.

 

Edited February 18, 2015 by Billyboy294

[BigVenz]

I'm really happy with my Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40.

Great pics and 30x optical zoom.

Wireless connection to my phone to transfer all pics.

[davidge]

Thanks for suggestions so far.

I've been contemplating whether to get a camera for my June trip or just stick to my iPhone 6.

 

It wouldn't be used much, so can't justify spending too much.

In two minds whether to get a Compact, that can be slipped in a pocket, or a Bridge

 

With a limited budget, current short list, with approx cost:

 

Panasonic LUMIX TZ35 £100

Canon SX600 £120

Nikon S9600 £110

 

Nikon L330 £90

Nikon L830 £120

Canon SX400 £130

 

Any reviews of these welcome. I'm really looking for something I can just 'point & shoot'.

 

Edit: any suggestions in a similar price range (or a very little more) gratefully received.

Guess it would be best if I could find one that would get any photos onto iPad easily, but not sure if any in my price range?

I'm really out of touch with technology now!

 

Another Edit: very tempted to extend budget and get Panasonic TZ60 (called ZS40 in USA). Just under £200 on Amazon. Any thoughts?

Edited February 17, 2015 by davidge

[NorCalKid]

Thanks Jerry.  I hadn’t realized how much the price has dropped.  Just saw that the new version was going for $700 and figured I can’t justify that.  Is that what the photos in your Cambodia TR have been shot with? 

 

Current P&S

AC-Pattaya-AC by Norcalkid, on Flickr

 

AC-Pattaya-AC by Norcalkid, on Flickr

 

Almost same spot with big camera.  Looking to bridge the gap a bit. 

2-27 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

 

2-27 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

 

2-27 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

Edited February 17, 2015 by NorCalKid

[Farangkie]

Just bought a Panasonic Lumix GM5 , its about the size of a deck of cards without the lens , has large DSLR sized sensor ,cost about $1000 AUD.

 

 

[jerry]

Thanks Jerry.  I hadn’t realized how much the price has dropped.  Just saw that the new version was going for $700 and figured I can’t justify that.  Is that what the photos in your Cambodia TR have been shot with? 

 

I bought it a few months ago and don't even use the Canon S110 and G16 anymore . 

Pretty sure there isn't a better camera out there in this price range at the moment . 

 

It's great in low light situations with it's 1.8 lens (and quality is already very good with

max aperture as well) . 

 

The TR with little May is shot with a Canon 5D but i use the RX100 for most of the pics

over the last months in the 'adventures' thread . 

 

 

All these shots are existing light , 800 ISO , full aperture (F1,8) , 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jerry]

 

Just bought a Panasonic Lumix GM5 , its about the size of a deck of cards without the lens , has large DSLR sized sensor ,cost about $1000 AUD.

 

Nice camera but the guy asks for a camera that's is 1,4 or 1,8 max aperture and max a few hundred bucks ...  . 

[MrLek]

The Sony RX 100 mark 1 is being sold at the moment in Thailand for 12.990Bht

what is an absolute steal for this little camera that does a great job in low light . 

 

By far the best camera in this price range at the moment . 

One of our online retailers has it going for similar money so i suspect that it can be gotten for that kind of coin in most places.$439 Aussie to be exact. It's still expensive for a travel camera but as you say it looks like a top quality bit of kit. 

[expatdude]

RX100 for the win:

[Billyboy294]

Davidge, i note you have the Lumix TZ35 on your list at £100. I bought it last April for £140

 

It is an extremely well-made camera and easy to use. I enclose a review and two pics , one using the 20 x Zoom. You can even see the parashute ropes.

 

 

 

Edited February 18, 2015 by Billyboy294

[davidge]

Thanks Billyboy.

 

I actually took the plunge last night and got the TZ60.

The extra zoom will be handy for me, I think.

It did mean pushing the budget - I'll just have to make sure I use it :-)

 

It was a 'Daily Special' on Amazon for £194. It's £249 today. Curry are selling it for £289 and Argos for £299.

 

It looks simple enough to use. I can't be bothered with fitting lenses and fiddling with settings. I sold my DSLR last year.

[Billyboy294]

And for good measure, a night shot at a recent concert in Pattaya also using lots of zoom.

 

So it is a good all-round camera. It depends what you are planning to use it for. If you mainly want it to photograph Thai girls in your room. look for one with less zoom.

 

 

 

[filibuster]

Davidge, i note you have the Lumix TZ35 on your list at £100. I bought it last April for £140

 

It is an extremely well-made camera and easy to use. I enclose a review and two pics , one using the 20 x Zoom. You can even see the parashute ropes.

 

Not quite what the OP is after though ...

 

[davidge]

:-)

 

Not planning to photograph any girls in my room. Not into that, really!

 

It will be nice to take pics around Pattaya/Jomtien and when I'm hanging around with friends.

[davidge]

Sorry OP ( and filibuster) I hijacked the thread :-)

 

 

I'll leave it to you more experienced photographers now.

[Billyboy294]

Not quite what the OP is after though ...

 

lumix.jpg

 

That is exactly what Davidge was after. It was the first one on his list. He asked for reviews  and i gave it with my photo examples.

 

Quote:

"With a limited budget, current short list, with approx cost:

 

Panasonic LUMIX TZ35 £100

Canon SX600 £120

Nikon S9600 £110

 

Nikon L330 £90

Nikon L830 £120

Canon SX400 £130

 

Any reviews of these welcome. I'm really looking for something I can just 'point & shoot'."

 

And he chose the latest version of the Lumix TZ range , the TZ60   ( but about double the price.).

Edited February 18, 2015 by Billyboy294

[manarak]

Not quite what the OP is after though ...

 

lumix.jpg

 

well, OP was confused, he asked for a compact with F/1.4 - 1.8 and then gave a list of cameras which don't fit the bill.

Mind you, he was also asking for high end gear for 200 USD.

 

I would go for the Canon S120, after that the step up is the Sony RX100 M3

[davidge]

I think I've caused confusion by hijacking the thread!

I'm not the OP :-)

 

Apologies again!

[manarak]

I think I've caused confusion by hijacking the thread!

I'm not the OP :-)

 

Apologies again!

 

ack