If you had only one camera: I have a friend who is thinking of selling all her camera gear: DSLR, lenses, flash, tripods, bags, etc. and using the resulting cash to buy just one...

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

I have a friend who is thinking of selling all her camera gear: DSLR, lenses, flash, tripods, bags, etc. and using the resulting cash to buy just one camera, with which to travel and use on family occasions. She asked me what camera she should buy. Basically, I think she wants a really, really good P&S or bridge, but since there will be several thousand pounds resulting from the sale of her equipment, she wants the very best she can buy, not just an "ordinary" P&S (unless someone recommends a spectacular "ordinary P&S). It has to be able to take really good quality images, as she is a good photographer but is tired of so much "stuff" to carry, so no exchangeable lenses and no fuss.

I really only know about Canon cameras. I do have a very small Leica P&S (the D Lux 2 - well out of date but which I love), and a Panasonic Lumix FZ200, so I don't feel qualified to give her advice. What would those amongst you who have camera stores or buy and sell cameras, or who know about various different makes, recommend?

Thank you for your suggestions.

Bobgood1 Loc: Indianapolis, IN

I think the Sony RX1ooII is one of the best. The lens is fast and using them in the past, have found the high quality. It has features galore and the size is great. I got tired of carrying the camera bags and all the accessories particularly when traveling far.

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

Bobgood1 wrote:

I think the Sony RX1ooII is one of the best. The lens is fast and using them in the past, have found the high quality. It has features galore and the size is great. I got tired of carrying the camera bags and all the accessories particularly when traveling far.

Thank you. I will pass this on, and she can Google it.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Let her check out the Canon G16 or G1X, Bob.

Yooper 2 Loc: Ironwood, MI

A bridge camera has a better IQ than an point & shoot. And you can manually control settings.
I have the Canon SX50 HS and I love it for traveling and as a walk around camera. It's highly rated and has the longest zoom on the market.
Bridge camera lenses will never equal the quality of high end interchangeable lenses and therefore might disappoint someone who is used to using the best quality lenses.
Why not pare down to the best 3 or 4 quality lenses that will meet all the needs of the photographer? For my DSLR I use a 15-85 mm, a 70-300 mm, and a 100 mm macro lens. These cover all my photographic needs nicely.

amehta Loc: Boston

I second the Sony RX-100 suggestion, except I might not get the newer M2 version, saving several hundred (pounds or dollars).

If she decides she wants a wider focal length range, then certainly the bridge camera is a better option than a P&S with a superzoom. (I would be curious how "A bridge camera has a better IQ than an point & shoot" does between the SX50 and the RX100.)

One other suggestion for her: get the new camera before selling her current stuff if she manage it. Use just the new camera for 3-6 months, so she's sure that she doesn't miss the other gear. Then sell everything else.

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

amehta wrote:

I second the Sony RX-100 suggestion, except I migh... (show quote)

That's a very good suggestion, which I will pass on. Could be that she needs to sell the gear before being able to afford yet another camera! But that's up to her....

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

amehta wrote:

... One other suggestion for her: get the new camera before selling her current stuff if she manage it. Use just the new camera for 3-6 months, so she's sure that she doesn't miss the other gear. Then sell everything else.

I second that motion, and add that if she is thrilled with something and makes the move, buy two. I have been using Nikon P7XXX cameras exclusively for over two years now, and I just ordered the Nikon P7800. Just last summer traveling all over I had my P7100 suddenly roll belly up. I reached back into the car and retrieved my older P7000 and went right on. No lost pictures, no ruined trip. :mrgreen:

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Another camera that people use exclusively is the X100S. Single focal length, fixed lens...no bells, no whistles...just good image quality in a small package.

It's freeing to not think about lenses...gadgets...gear...just a camera around your neck and a spare battery in your pocket.... :)

Bayertake2 Loc: Alton, Illinois

A new Sony point & shoot DSCRX10/B Cybershot

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FRHTSMW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=MHBW2YKM4GZN&coliid=I3LNKXGI28OYG8

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

rpavich wrote:

Another camera that people use exclusively is the X100S. Single focal length, fixed lens...no bells, no whistles...just good image quality in a small package.

It's freeing to not think about lenses...gadgets...gear...just a camera around your neck and a spare battery in your pocket.... :)

Rpavich: all I can say is WOW! that X100S is some camera! I went online and had a look at some reviews (Nick Devlin, Zack Arias and "Strobist" David Hobby) and it sounds absolutely phenomenal. Better than Leica, they say - and MUCH less dosh. I'm tempted to go the same route as my friend! I do get very tired of carrying all my gear. Do you have one, is that why you recommended it?

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

photosarah wrote:

Rpavich: all I can say is WOW! that X100S is some camera! I went online and had a look at some reviews (Nick Devlin, Zack Arias and "Strobist" David Hobby) and it sounds absolutely phenomenal. Better than Leica, they say - and MUCH less dosh. I'm tempted to go the same route as my friend! I do get very tired of carrying all my gear. Do you have one, is that why you recommended it?

I might not say "better than Leica" but certainly a LOT of bang for the buck... :) while being 8,500.00 cheaper!

I do have one...and you can check out my photostream on flickr.
I also have an X-Pro1 that I use.

I got rid of a large 5D Mark III rig with all the L glass (for financial reasons) and ended up with these two cameras....and I'm not regretful at all.

Here is my X100S set:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rpavich/sets/72157634615056210/

And my Xpro1 set:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rpavich/sets/72157635414527400/

LRH Loc: Peosta IA.

Bayertake2 wrote:

A new Sony point & shoot DSCRX10/B Cybershot

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FRHTSMW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=MHBW2YKM4GZN&coliid=I3LNKXGI28OYG8

Have to agree with you. Have had mine for about six weeks and don't miss my DSLR at all. By all means go and try one out. I think you will like it.

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

rpavich wrote:

I might not say "better than Leica" but ... (show quote)

Thanks for the links. I had a look at both. After reading the reviews, I'd got myself all hyped up and (probably stupidly!) I had expected that there would not be that much difference between the two, but your Xpro1 set is markedly better. But I don't know anything about the Xpro1 anyway.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

photosarah wrote:

Thanks for the links. I had a look at both. After reading the reviews, I'd got myself all hyped up and (probably stupidly!) I had expected that there would not be that much difference between the two, but your Xpro1 set is markedly better. But I don't know anything about the Xpro1 anyway.

Well..I wouldn't say it's "markedly better" at all...possibly I'm better at using it...I tend to use it more because I use it for more things that I shoot...dogs and food.

I'd suggest you go to flickr and search the x100S group and then make a decision.

Keep in mind that the X-Pro1 is twice as heavy and the expense is far beyond the X100S...

Not only that it doesn't have a leaf shutter like the X100S...so the sync speed is low.

Don't write it off based on my photos...is what I'm trying to say... :)

Here is a link to the flickr group

http://www.flickr.com/groups/fujifilmx100s/