Best Point & Shoot Camera under $500 today: I have read a LOT about the latest cameras on the market, but wanted to solicited honest opinions about the few that I have narrowed it down...

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Best Point & Shoot Camera under $500 today

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Jun 13, 2017 17:30:30 #

Ratledge

I have read a LOT about the latest cameras on the market, but wanted to solicited honest opinions about the few that I have narrowed it down to without limiting the discussion to those three.

The main two for me appear to be a Nikon Coolpix B700 or a Canon PowerShot SX540. The SX60 looks great for certain aspects but I am mostly interested in a camera for wildlife photography and these two I mentioned seem to be best fits.

Anyone with real world hands on for both would be extremely beneficial!

Jun 13, 2017 17:43:25 #

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

First generation Sony RX100. They still sell them new for about $300-$400. Fantastic camera, far better than anything with a smaller sensor.

Jun 13, 2017 18:19:09 #

Ratledge

Thanks for the suggestion! I saw some RX100 gen 1 and II available in that range, but I should have been a bit more specific, at least to include the zoom range of minimum 10x and preferably double that. That's why I narrowed my search to those two models.

I am also not 100% sure, but much more likely to buy new than pre-owned. Not impossible, but unlikely. I know the plus / minus for investing in new equipment, so my threshold of pain is more likely to be sated by a NWT item... As I recall the gen V is just under $1000? ("naked")

Being realistic my budget of $500 needs to include incidentals and SD card(s), so maybe $400? Probably need to add a battery and charger these days, too.

Other things that affect my desire: 20MP is about right, likely not much less, and I am leaning toward the Nikon because of the flexibility of the viewfinder and 3" HD display.

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Jun 13, 2017 18:44:31 #

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

Ratledge wrote:

Thanks for the suggestion! I saw some RX100 gen 1... (show quote)

For wildlife I'd look at a used or cheap DSLR and a used 300mm prime lens.

Too many compromises to image quality with. wide-ratio zooms and even more with small sensors.

Jun 13, 2017 18:49:49 #

Ratledge

asiafish wrote:

For wildlife I'd look at a used or cheap DSLR and a used 300mm prime lens.

Too many compromises to image quality with. wide-ratio zooms and even more with small sensors.

If I had my way (and $1000 or two) I would go with a DSLR, but the point & shoot & weight is important because I have owned an SLR before and ended up spending 3× / 4× before I had what I wanted. Again, Point & Shoot was purposefully stated to keep it down.

Jun 13, 2017 19:02:41 #

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

For wildlife, my wife and I got a Panasonic FZ150 a couple years ago. It was replaced by the FZ200 and now the FZ300 is the current version. If the FZ150 broke, I would have no problem buying the FZ300 to replace it.

It is here at (slightly) under $500. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1162645-REG/panasonic_lumix_dmc_fz300_digital_camera.html

Jun 13, 2017 19:34:50 #

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

I'll take a used em10ii and a used 17mm for less than $500. Or a bunch of legacy manual focus glass and an adaptor.

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Jun 13, 2017 20:30:03 #

Ratledge

Both truly nice cameras, agreed - but each shoots under my 20MP a bit too much and rubs against my price margin in the case of the Oly model. Thanks!

Jun 13, 2017 21:21:20 #

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Ratledge wrote:

Both truly nice cameras, agreed - but each shoots under my 20MP a bit too much and rubs against my price margin in the case of the Oly model. Thanks!

Do you have plans to print larger than 24-36"? The 16mpx m4/3 sensor handles up to that size quite well (and larger).

Jun 13, 2017 21:31:13 #

Ratledge

Cdouthitt wrote:

Do you have plans to print larger than 24-36"? The 16mpx m4/3 sensor handles up to that size quite well (and larger).

I have a Canon Pixma Pro-100 printer, don't plan to trace it. Not really part of the equation, though.

Truly would prefer to go with a $2500 DSLR, but my budget is what it is, and I have a decent SLR still. Well, indecent?

I need the resolution for 4K video, not print. Pet project...

Jun 13, 2017 21:59:39 #

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Are those really "point & shoot" cameras? They look like full-featured bridge cameras to me.

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Jun 13, 2017 22:13:15 #

Ratledge

rook2c4 wrote:

Are those really "point & shoot" cameras? They look like full-featured bridge cameras to me.

I had the very same thought at first, but that's what they call them at this point. I would have to agree that they are very advanced, but "Point and Shoot" as opposed to (D)SLR with lens(es), maybe? (with 4K video)

Jun 14, 2017 01:01:28 #