murphy Loc: Georgia

I am considering a point and shoot that has manuel settings and would like to know if anybody knows which camera would be best. I currently have 2 dslr's and want a pocket camera for everyday use. Undecided between the Canon Power Shoot GI X and the Sony DSG Rx100. Anybody have experience with either one and can give me the Pro's and Con's. Thanks

bebo1998 Loc: Baltimore MD area

Hi, Murphy - what do you consider "everyday" use? That would be a big factor to know.

Barb

murphy Loc: Georgia

I want something to put in my purse and have with me. I don't keep my dslr in the truck with me. I take them when I intentionally go out to the mountains or camping trips, etc. But there's times I see something and wish I had it with me. So, I have been considering a smaller camera. Just be nice to have something that light and convenient. Thanks for any advice you can give me, I appreciate it.

bebo1998 Loc: Baltimore MD area

I got a little Samsung TL220 for that purpose. The only problem I find with the little guys, is that in my experience they let in too much light if you are in a bright condition. I keep my other stuff with me and use the little one for the times when you just can't carry the larger one. I must tell you, though, that I hardly ever use it. I just got an ASUS tablet with an 8 MB rear camera that rocks. Here's a shot of my brother's dog Daisey who is very camera shy. No flash, no noise - she didn't know the difference. ;-)

Daisey taken with my ASUS tablet rear camera

ocbeyer Loc: Baltimore

Problem with today's point and shoots is they no longer have viewfinders. Personally I don't like holding a camera up and two feet in front of my face and what do you do in bright daylight?

I buy smaller, older cameras off of Amazon, some new, for nearly nothing. I've taken great shots with a small 7mp Kodak using manual and auto settings. But I would really recommend a bridge camera like my Canon S5. You can find them online for around $100.

wowbmw Loc: Grant, Colorado

I have the G1X. Upgraded from the canon G11. Excellent but bigger and the lens does not fully retract. I think I should have waited for the new G15. Lighter and just as much in the way of options I need as the G1X. Less expensive as well.

allan catt Loc: gillingham,kent,uk

Hi.Murphy,I have been using a Lumix DMC-TZ5 P&S for a few years now and have not disapointed,it has no viewfinder or manual settings but a good zoom range and a Leica lens,it has now been upgraded to The DMC-TZ40 have a look.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Good suggestion. I hate to see viewfinders go, but I can understand the reasons. A few years ago, holding a camera at arm's length was the sign of an occasional shooter with a cheap camera. Now, even the Nikon P510 is designed for using primarily the LCD.

murphy Loc: Georgia

My nephew has one and loves it. Bigger than what I want but that photo is great!

murphy Loc: Georgia

Hi Guys: I have gone in and done some research on all of your suggestions. Most would save me a couple hundred bucks. That's a plus. More technical knowledge would help me a lot. So your suggestions sure help, experience speaks for itself. Thanks so much.

saichiez Loc: Beautiful Central Oregon

Seriously? before you go P&S "small sensor", since you shoot DSLR anyway, why not consider "larger sensor"... or the small Olympus EPM1 and EPM2 with a pancake lens. That's a Micro 4/3 (slightly smaller than an APSc) sensor, either 12Mp or 16Mp. OLympus just came out with a kit pancake lens which is the size of a body cap with a decent piece of glass for a FLAT profile. It's a one focal length proposition, but you have the added advantage of lens interchangeability into some wonderful lenses from Olympus and Panasonic, plus the micro 4/3 mount as an entre into a whole world of adapted legacy lenses.

The EPM-1 is being phased out by the EPM-2 with the new Sony sensor, and close-out EPM-1's can be purchased new from many vendors from $350 - $400.

At that price it comes with a 14-42mm fast focus zoom. That lens may not meet your "in my purse" requirement, but the pancake lens surely would, since the camera Oly's small PEN is designed to compete as a bridge camera, up from P&S, with lens interchange and larger sensor.

I shoot Olympus PENS now 80-90% of the time in favor of DSLR, with image quality matching APSc sensor DSLRs.

And, don't overlook the In Body Image Stabilization in the PEN, so all lenses are stabilized.

I can carry it in a field coat pocket with the basic zoom. You can get the new Sony 16Mp sensor EPM-2 with the faster focus II R zoom lens for about $600. That's the same sensor that helped Olympus' EM5 capture "Camera of The Year 2012" from DPreview.com, edging out both Canon and Nikon.

By the way, the new "body cap" sized Olympus M4/3 lens for the PEN cameras, is a 15mm f8 configurations for a 30mm field of view on the camera. Very nice Wide Angle. It runs about$60 new.

See both the EPM2 (EPM1 same size) with the interchangeable pancake lens here at this site:

http://www.popphoto.com/gear/2012/09/olympus-15mm-f8-micro-four-thirds-bodycap-lens-hands-and-first-impressions

sassman3629L Loc: South Florida

Hey Murph:
A few months ago my Canon 10-D shot crap and I had been contemplating a replacement for a Canon 1300 P & S. I wanted that elusive "Convenience" factor.
I bit the bullet and bought the new Sony DSC RX-100 and have been amazed with what I have been doing with that little Mighty Mouse machine. I was so reluctant to switch from my tried & true Canon brand but, it was a lucky move
this time.
I bought better cards (SanDisk) 95MB/s Extreme Pro 16 gb, at the same time and my color is so impressive with the Zeiss lens. I also find that small children do not have adverse reactions as they did before with a big DSLR and zoom. My quality is just so impressive, I have just been stunned with my results to date with my little marvel.
A good decision even though it is a little pricey, I will never look back and will be entering some competitions with shots from my little marvel. I am now considering the expensive a99 DSLR as my prime camera evan though I have 6 Canon lenses beginning with a Canon 17-35L which I just cannot give up?
Cordially,
Sonny

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

At a store the other day I saw a Canon SX50 and was really impressed with it. Take a look at this:

http://www.adorama.com/ICASX50.html

It might be what you are looking for. I get worried about having my cameras and lenses in the jeep all the time and this would fit in the glove box or center council. I am really considering pick one up.

Jim D

murphy Loc: Georgia

WOW! I will be searching this out. My homework is sure cut out for me! That just might be a great way to go. I know so little about camera's and what is really available you have opened up a whole new idea. I will sure look into this. Thanks so much.

murphy Loc: Georgia

Okay friends, I will definitely be very busy researching the web on all these options. Thanks Sonny for letting me know your experience with the Sony, I have heard it is really sharp. I am going to look into the Olympus that Saichez suggested, that sounds interesting too. So much to learn. I am just progressing with my Canons dslr's and was unaware of the Olympus. Thank you everyone for your input, it is all being looked into. Who knows where I will land with all this but it sure gives me a starting point.