Wanted: Simple, Fast P&S: Compacts have gotten way too sophisticated/complex (for my wife, that is). She has even less patience (at some things) than I do and photography borders on...

unclebe1 Loc: NYC & Wellington, FL

Compacts have gotten way too sophisticated/complex (for my wife, that is). She has even less patience (at some things) than I do and photography borders on none. She, quite literally, wants to point and shoot....frequently and at moving objects....grandchildren. I bought a Sony RX100 (more for me than her, but it's our compact) and it has a habit in auto mode of 'thinking' or 'hunting' as best as I can tell. She'll point and press the shutter, but there will be often be a delay of several seconds before it activates, at which time the shot is 'lost'. Maybe it's the flash recycling time, but whatever it is, it's frequent and gets her quite annoyed (at me of course :lol: ). Sooooo, I wonder if there is a p&s without a hundred scenes and a thousand functions, that is truly POINT and SHOOT! Anyone else have a similar experience or, better yet, a solution? Thanks in advance :)

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

You might try one of the Panasonic or Canon "pocket" sized P&S cameras. I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC SZ7 that is small, quick and does a good job. Has 10x optical zoom. Not sure what current equivalent model number would be, around $150

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

unclebe1 wrote:

Compacts have gotten way too sophisticated/complex... (show quote)

All P&S cameras will have some lag between the pushing of the shutter button and picture actually being taken. 2 factor are doing this. There's the auto focus function that is hunting for proper focus and then there's the search for proper exposure and if the flash is required. You can reduce the focus hunting by holding the shutter button half way depressed while framing your shot. The exposure calculation time is determined by the specific camera's hardware and firmware and you'll have to try different cameras and see which have the least shutter lag time.

cthahn

unclebe1 wrote:

Compacts have gotten way too sophisticated/complex... (show quote)

You bought a point and shoot and you got what you paid for. A ood SLR with a 35 or 50mm prime lens would give her everything she needs. Understand that the automatic function on a camera is not the way to go. It never will be. It is only for people that are unwilling to learn S,A, and M.

Picdude Loc: Ohio

I know this is going to sound a little silly but.....

Get something that takes 4AA batteries rather than 2AA.

My wife got me a Canon SX130IS when the battery compartment door of my old Fuji 3800 stop latching. I really like the features of the Canon, but was noticing that I had real delay issues with the flash when taking family snap-shots, especially as the party went on, that I rarely had with the Fuji. Same thing when saving high resolution photos. After thinking about it, they both act the same when the batteries get weak. But the Fuji has 4 AA batteries, which has more staying power than the 2AA's in the Canon.

May make for a bigger camera, but may also get you out of the dog house.

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

Picdude wrote:

I know this is going to sound a little silly but..... (show quote)

Why not find a P&S camera that uses rechargable Lithium-Ion batteries and save yourself the money and hassle of replacing batteries all the time. A good Canon or Nikon P&S can take up to 200 or so photos on a fully charged battery and you can always buy an extra battery if the need arises.

THEMRED7007

unclebe1 wrote:

Compacts have gotten way too sophisticated/complex... (show quote)

I've got an old Nikon P-60-5X optical that is pretty quick in flash, or non flash mode, and gives pretty good battery life on 2AA. I know that someone else has a "better" one than this, but it's my everyday carry and works well for me, and price is good on e-bay. IMHO.

rayford2 Loc: New Bethlehem, PA

cthahn wrote:

You bought a point and shoot and you got what you paid for. A ood SLR with a 35 or 50mm prime lens would give her everything she needs. Understand that the automatic function on a camera is not the way to go. It never will be. It is only for people that are unwilling to learn S,A, and M.

Using S, A, and M exclusively defeats the purpose of the "fast" camera the OP is looking for.

emmons267 Loc: Arizona, Valley of the Sun

Nikon s9100

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

rayford2 wrote:

Using S, A, and M exclusively defeats the purpose of the "fast" camera the OP is looking for.

Rayford2,
You seem to overlooked that this OP also wanted something simple and easy to operate. Any of the P&S or small cameras that are manually operated will have complex menu systems and whistles and bells that only confuse an unfamiliar user or novice. Also, these cameras you speak of are very expensive.

Picdude Loc: Ohio

singleviking wrote:

Why not find a P&S camera that uses rechargable Lithium-Ion batteries and save yourself the money and hassle of replacing batteries all the time. A good Canon or Nikon P&S can take up to 200 or so photos on a fully charged battery and you can always buy an extra battery if the need arises.

That's what I used in both of the cameras I mentioned.

steve40 Loc: Asheville/Canton, NC, USA

Here is what you need, I have one. Of course it offers something for everyone, including a rather simple manual mode, scenes, and the whole 9 yards, but does well in Auto.
Of which it has two - intelligent, and one for the absolutely stupid, just point and press the button.
It even auto focuses in this function, and quickly. Sony DSC-H90. B&H has sold out of these, on which I got a really stupid price. But if you can find someone who has one, I think you would be well satisfied.

Uses a rather large for such a small camera Lithium Ion battery, which comes with charger. It will get you about 250 shots before pooping out, and needing a recharge.

Amazon has some ($145/149), not quite as cheap as I got mine. But not bad, considering the original price of $250. Red ones, and Black ones.

SpeedyWilson Loc: Upstate South Carolina

Find her a used Canon PowerShot A620. Once you set it up, it'll be very easy for her from there on. She can leave it on Auto and get all the shots she wants, even of fast moving kids.

I know this camera will do the job ... I'm handicapped and it's what I use. I don't have the hand dexterity to make changes in settings, so I just use Auto mode for everything. However, if I'm taking some studio type shots, very rare, I can change anything I want to.

It takes 4 AA batteries. I use Rayovac Alkaline, and get about 200 or more shots with no problems.

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

Picdude wrote:

That's what I used in both of the cameras I mentioned.

The basic problem with P&S cameras that use "AA" batteries is that they can not be recharges using the USB cable. Many Canon and Nikon P&S cameras can be recharged without removing the batteries and in a real long session or when using the internal flash a lot, you can always replace the battery with a fully charged Li-Ion spare battery and Li-Ion batteries do not get weak but just cease to supply power when discharged. They also have no memory problems like the old NiCad rechargable batteries used to have.

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

steve40 wrote:

Here is what you need, I have one. Of course it of... (show quote)

I think you can find most of the P&S type cameras on huge sales this month and on Black Friday. Many stores even have price matching so shop for something that suits the application and is convenient and simple to operate. All the stores and online suppliers like Amazon are just begging for consumers, so go out and try as many P&S models you can and then make your decision.