u1003074 Loc: Goshen, New York

I recommend the Sony RX-100, versions 2, 3, 4, or 5 depending on you pocketbook. If you want to save even more money, buy one used on Ebay. I bought the II version used about six months ago and love it. It is so small it will fit in your pocket.

great8hiker

I have been using a SONY DSC-HX80 for almost a year now and it gives very satisfactory results (go to SONY website to get the specs). And as a bonus it has a 30x optical zoom.Of course I'm sure it depends on your budget.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

A couple earlier posters suggested the Canon G1x. I bought a G1x just before the second version came out. I found the images to be definitely acceptable and like it when any compact will give me raw images. However, I sent the G1x back. I found the lag totally unacceptable, down right slow. Cycle time from jpeg to jpeg or raw to raw in a non burst mode bordered on 3 sec or more. Poor by today's standards. Even simple things like power up and down seem to take forever. In a burst mode with AF, 2 frames per second is about all you can expect. I called Canon customer service literally minutes after unboxing the camera and stepping out to take some random shots, figuring there was a setting I didn't have correct. Nope, even the tech acknowledged what I was seeing. As I said, I returned the camera and kept my Canon G16, which I can heartedly recommend. Only negative is the small sensor. So, if cropping down to get composition or whatever, get ready for some noise anything smaller than 50% of image, sometimes as much as 70%. That said, I understand the 2nd gen of the G1x is vastly improved. Good luck.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

You might want to look at the Pen series of Olympus. There are some small zoom lens that will make it like a "point and shoot" while still giving you the option of more lenses should you want and the larger 4/3rds sensor (versus the 1" sensors). Also look at Panasonic with their small 4/3rds cameras.

PinOakEO Loc: NA

Make sure you have a camera case around your waste and belt. Do the with a cell phone.

Always use wrist strap with camera

cbruice

Sooooo many options. I have a Sony RX100 MII that fits in your pocket and has a larger photo sensor and technology that captures night images better than most handhelds. I've posted quite a few on this site and have received good feedback

But like I said you have a lot of choices out there

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

Ended up buying a Nikon P530 bridge camera. When I started looking for a camera thought that I wanted something small but found after taking into consideration all that I wanted in a camera went with something larger. Not so surprisingly the one thing that turned out to be of upmost importance was how the camera felt in my hands. The first two (Canon P&Ss) were excellent cameras with most of the features that I wanted. However, they didn't feel comfortable and my fingers kept getting in the way of the small buttons.

Another feature that turned out to be more important that I expected it to be was the viewfinder. Both Canons lacked a viewfinder whereas the Nikon had one. Am getting old, 75 years, and becoming more difficult to hold a camera steady. Had trouble holding the Canons steady while looking at the rear screen. Whereas I can hold a camera steady when using a viewfinder by bracing both elbows against my chest.

After my experience just don't understand why people spend good money purchasing a camera they haven't even held in their hands. What you think is important and what turns out to be important isn't always the same thing.

mrwed

I have had a Nikon P310 for a few years. I would (and do) recommend it to anyone. It is pocketable with a sharp 1.8, 24mm lens and a 4x zoom. It is great for low-light shots and reacts quickly on the street. I carry it all the time.

Ellen101 Loc: Manhattan NY ..now Spring Hill, Fl

All depends on how much money you have to spend on the new camera.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Sony makes great point and shoots, my favorite on is the DSC-HX50V, this is no longer in production but available MINT on ebay, and Sony makes it's replacement. It's lens is about 24-750 mm and has two night scene options. It has excellent IQ with it's G lenses, one of the best Sony makes, actually it is Minolta made but that is another story. Sony is an up and coming camera company giving Nikon and Canon a run. I have a belt pouch for this camera that makes it very, very easy to carry around. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

putawayboy

I have Sony RX 100 II and love it.

mjbrock2012 Loc: Grants Pass,Oregon

I've said it before, but still feel my Canon SX50 is really all I need these days. It is sometimes available on Canon's refurbished site.

hj Loc: Florida

Thanks for the followup...

mffox Loc: Avon, CT

If you can find the Olympus XZ-2 (it's been discontinued), check it out. For a pocket-sized camera, it's awesome!!

stevetl Loc: Muskegon, MI / Central Florida

I would second the Sony RX100. I have the original version and bought it from B&H used for $269. That was 2/2016. It has a fast Carl Zeiss lens and great image stabilization. Almost can't take a bad shot.