fern12

What is the best and latest point ans shoot camera?

tramsey Loc: Texas

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II, 20 mp with a 1" sensor, the lens is 28 to 100 with an F 1.8, hard to beat

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

24/7 not Point & Shoot: Rather than "Point & Shoot" which is any camera from junk to hi quality, I prefer to call the fine compact cameras such as the Sony mentioned above or the Panasonic TZ20 I always have with me as "24/7" Cameras. They fit into a belt pack and are on iA, intelligent Automatic, ready for a quick shot. Should timing allow then we use these cameras as classic tools and control iso, f, speed. With P&S, you simply point and shoot, with 24/7s you can be a photographer and make setting with knowledge.

Money and well defined end use is important first before asking for recommendations. Things to consider, for the same money a "last years camera" is perhaps better than one the same price - "this years camera." Badge makes a difference at times; when first introduced, my ZS20 was sold with Leica Badge for $700 while the Panasonic Badge (same camera) was $400. Will the camera take filters? Can it be modified?

The controls, lens max zoom, etc must be fitted to your needs. Portraits 3X is fine, for birds 20X or greater is advised. Big blowups, bigger sensor (not necessarily more pixels) is advisable. And do a lot of review readings since we, including professional reviewers, all have our personal preferences, but the specifications tell (usually) the truth.

Take your time and enjoy the search ... careful of the advice you get, even mine.

Only you, can determine the camera of your dreams.

GARGLEBLASTER Loc: Spain

Even better than the Panasonic TZ20 is the TZ30:

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/digital-cameras/1291792/panasonic-lumix-dmc-tz30

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Yes agreed, GARGLEBLASTER, the ZS30 is better... as usual always one step better and the TZ40 will have that better sensor... This series is quite the 24/7 camera. I started with the TZ3, The ZS20 is the TZ30 in Europe. The advantage of the TZ20 is that the price plummeted when the TZ30 came out. Now about $200.

I modified mine to take filters.** I am very happy with the upgrade, looking back at the TZ-3 they were good photos, but the upgrade was big change. The Leica is better because it has a Leica badge. I upgraded mine to Leica by ordering two badges from China and used silicon to upgrade to Leica!! :thumbup: ;)

**http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-75114-1.html

GARGLEBLASTER Loc: Spain

Thanks for the interesting post. I too had "adapted" mine to take a polarising filter but I had stuck mine on directly with silicone. It works but the only problem is that I have to zoom out a little each time otherwise the scamera sees the mounting of the filter in the corners.

I had thought of various ways to adapting it to avoid this problem and also to be able to change filters. I see I have some way to go. But it's a great little camera and believe it or not, I have only found out today that I can take B/W shots with it.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

I like the Canon G15 and the Canon Powershot G1x. Check out DP reviews on these and those mentioned they are all good cameras. Like the canons because they have an optical view finder.

damonlo

I have the Sony RX100 & love it. It's been called the best pocketable camera made. The 1" sensor makes it a stand out among the others, but they are pricey (they're $548 now). The RX100 II is $150 more but the new features are not enough for me to pay out the extra $s. I have a Canon Powershot S95 & it's a great little camera but the RX100's sensor sorta leaves it in the dust.

GARGLEBLASTER Loc: Spain

Canon of course make fabulous cameras and there is no doubt about the advantage of an optical viewfinder, but the advantage of the TZ30 has over the Canon G15 is a 20X zoom compared to the G15's 5X. The G1x comes off even worse with only a 4X. A big difference.

Attached is a shot I took of the Walt Disnet Concert Hall in Los Angeles from two blocks away using the full x20 zoom and hand holding the camera8 (a tribute to its image stabilisation). Unfortunately the mode dial had moved without my realising it and I was shooting in the lowest quality. Nevertheless I think that the photo came out surprisingly well. I like the way the the reflection of the two men is captured in the titanium cladding of the buillding. They are clearly visible on my 22" monitor.

Cleaning the Walt Disney Concert Hall

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

When I decided on the ZS20 almost 1.7 Years ago, I looked at the RX100, which I recall has a 3X optical vs 20x. So the sensor size is lost in cropping the photo to get something that the 20x would reach out to. Add to that many $$$$ more for the RX100 I went with the ZS20 telling my self that by the time the ZS20 bites the dust there will have been a great revolution in cameras.... like what?... well perhaps, a 421 mpix cell phone... just kidding or am I...
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13970_7-57386706-78/the-secret-behind-nokias-41-megapixel-camera-phone/

rogerl Loc: UK (Harrogate, North Yorkshire)

I won a Nikon Coolpix S9300 (18x zoom) so used that instead of my Panasonic DX1 (8x zoom). I became fed up with the Coolpix (some photos out of focus & the dial had to be taped into position otherwise I never knew where it would end up). Last month I sold the Nikon on Ebay & bought the TZ30 (price had just come down with the launch of the TZ40). I love it. It takes some cracking shots, even at full zoom, hand held. I decided I couldn't justify laying out for the TZ40 for a pocket camera - we have Nikon D90 & D200.

GARGLEBLASTER Loc: Spain

Reading the reviews of the TZ40 I really don't think that it worth upgrading from the TZ30. It has some small advantages but nothing so much that it going to let you make superior photos.

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/compact-cameras/panasonic-tz40-1122226/review#articleContent

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/digital-cameras/1299427/panasonic-lumix-dmc-tz40

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

What time of day is it? It's 4:45 pm CST and the newest model is due out in 15 minutes. Then at 7:30 pm CST the replacement model will be announced. Do as I do and buy one generation (at least) behind. You'll save a bundle and still have a great camera. :thumbup:

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

First time I've ever agreed with you but normally we argue politics. :lol: I would definitely go with an optical VF. :thumbup:

rogerl Loc: UK (Harrogate, North Yorkshire)

Many thanks for these links. It looks as though I made the right choice with the TZ30 (£150) rather than the TZ40 (£240).