crushr13 Loc: Sacramento, CA

I know this has been asked in various forms before, but I am asking in a different way.

I am retired and mildly disabled, and am seeking to find a camera to learn photography from. I prefer Canon, but will not yet limit myself to that, but it is preferred. I have no price range to state, because I do not know what is available, so I would not know how much it might cost me. And once I know how much, I can then work to get that amount of money to acquire it, as needed.

What I seek is a small camera that I can easily carry around with me all the time, similar to a cell phone or point and shoot in size, but not necessarily limited to that. Pocket sized would be most useful, but not necessarily required. I am mildly handicapped, which made that requirement somewhat important.

The important things other than size and transportability are:

Can shoot in various modes: Manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Program mode, as well as auto.
One that shoots RAW as well as JPEG.
A pretty good amount of zoom with the fixed lens or ability to change lenses (preferred but not required).
A reasonable low light capability.

I realize that I seek a lot, but I just want to know what is out there, especially since I am not really familiar with all or most of what is out there, and I see so many things that people speak of here in Ugly Hedgehog, that I had never heard of before, so I ask here. If you give me a brand and model number, I can look for info online about it, but it needs to be a USA-available camera.

I would appreciate any help I can get with this. Please resist the snarky comments. I am rather new to photography, but seek to learn as something to do, and want to learn to a fairly deep level, but I need a place from which to start. Thank you, in advance.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Big question for me is what is your Budget?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

For a) pocketsize and b) the various shooting modes and c) captures on RAW, look at the Canon Powershot line for the 'G' series. There's several models, I have the G9X II. Each model number (G1, G7, G9, G5, etc) is a slightly different mix of zoom focal lengths, but the features are much the same. They have in-body stabilization, some have movable screens letting you hold the camera at odd angles. Sony and Nikon have similar models, where price and / or features might impact your final decision.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

The Canon M50 with it's dedicated M lenses is tiny compared to most dslr bodies. (rumor of new model coming) I looked at one when I was after a camera for my wife (she wanted more than her SX-50) and the body with the 200 mm zoom would fit in the large cargo pockets on my old jungle fatigues. Note from Canon USA Refurbished and the same warranty as new in box it is currently $670 with two lenses covering 15 mm to 200 mm.

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-interchangeable-lens-cameras#facet:-81036979833277&productBeginIndex:0&orderBy:&pageView:grid&pageSize:&

Yes I still have a jacket and boonie hat from the 60s in Nam. I wore out/tore up the boots and pants doing field work for geography classes in the 70s. So I am sure you could find a photographers vest that will hold it, and a few lenses, memory cards, extra batteries etc. If you get a good sturdy monopod with head on it that can double as a walking stick.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

I agree with CHG CANON, since your leaning to Canon, the G series Canons is the way to go but they are a little bigger than pocket size. You can probably get a good deal on line with one of the older models. Good luck.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

What would be the most help to you would be to write down the suggestions from the people here and go to your local camera store and explain to the sales person what your needs are and show him your list. Then let him/her show you those models and the ones he/she feels would work best and let them explain the advantages/disadvantages. Handle them and see what feels best to you then go from there.

Best of luck!!!

Dodie

repleo Loc: Boston

Take a look at the Sony RX100 line. They are probably the best 'bang for the buck' in terms of image quality and pocketablity. They have on EVF, raw capture and full PASM flexibility. The models range from the original RX100 up to version VII with different max apertures and zoom ranges.

Between new and used versions, you will surely find one within your price range. Sony also makes a neat little stick-on grip that greatly increases it holdability and an adapter for attaching filters if you need one.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

My go to pocket camera is my Canon G1X III. It has all the characteristics you are looking for but one, it is not a super zoom. There are attachment lenses to increase its zoom capabilities but this also increases the lens size. I also have a Canon M50 that's pretty small and does what you are looking for but it is a MILC, Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera. There's also the Canon Rebel SL3, the smallest DSLR currently on the market; and yes, I have one of them also. It uses Canon EF and EF-S lenses. In the super zoom category there's the SX70HS. It's not as big as most Canon DSLR'S but it is bigger than the G1X III. I don't have an SX70HS but I do have the camera it replaced, the SX60HS.

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

The Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS line on cameras is also worth looking at. I had a Sony RX100 at one point, but it never felt comfortable. The Lumix models are just a little larger and feel better to me. Trying the candidates in person is important if/when camera stores open again.

dornie

Being 90, I readily understand your circumstances and in the process of switching cameras. I presently have the about 7 cameras, but that soon will be reduced. I do have the Sony Rx100VII since it came out and have no complaints since it has most of the items your looking for. There are also a few Canon and Nikon, point/shoot with limited zoom that do well and are light and easy to carry. They continue to come out with improvements in lighter packages, weight and size are one of my top issues. I like going to Best Buy because they usually have a large variety and selection and you can see and handle the items which is often different than buying or looking on line, which I do. Also, I found some good prices on Ebay. Of course, its still hard to get the quality you want in a smaller camera, but sometimes that doesn't matter since the pictures varies so much according to the different screens and the new editing programs are amazing to help your style. Also, some of the mirroless cameras are coming out with smaller and lighter bodies and lenses. So the best suggestion is go, see and hold, that definitely will help.

pila

Yes!!!

pila

Yes!!!!!

WarpedWeaver

No one has mentioned it, but the Fujifilm XT-20 is fairly small, has control dials for settings on the camera (no fiddling with the menu screen) and takes decent photos. It can be had, with an 18-55mm kit lens (which is a decent lens for a beginner), for around $1000. Don't know what your budget is though.

Gajtguy

I am only an enthusiast per se but would agree w the Canon G series based on what you’re looking for. I have an EOS R that I really love, but price and size make it not always my go to. I have used my G7x for years and on many trips. It shoots RAW and has all the settings of a DSLR without the bulk. It’s not a super zoom, it’s the equivalent of a 24-105, pretty fast and bright. Good luck, hope it helps.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You have lots of choices. Almost all cameras have an Auto mode, so you can point and shoot. Most cameras also let you change settings, so you can experiment. Experimenting and reading about the camera online are the best ways to learn your camera.

Compact $200 -
https://improb.com/digital-cameras-under-200/
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/the-best-camera-under-pound200
https://shotkit.com/best-cameras-200/
https://www.lifewire.com/best-digital-cameras-under-200-3897831

Compact $300 -
https://www.consumerreports.org/point-shoot-digital-cameras/best-digital-cameras-under-300-dollars/
https://photophique.com/best-cameras-under-300/
https://www.photoworkout.com/best-compact-cameras-under-300-dollars/
https://www.adorama.com/alc/the-best-point-and-shoot-cameras-under-300

Compact $500 -
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-point-and-shoot-under-500/
http://www.bestproducts.com/tech/gadgets/g706/point-and-shoot-digital-cameras/

Compact Best -
https://www.techradar.com/news/best-compact-camera
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/the-10-best-compact-cameras
https://shotkit.com/best-compact-cameras/
https://www.t3.com/us/features/best-compact-cameras