anniecollie

I'm looking for a new camera. My old one was smashed when my purse was run over by a car. (don't ask me).

So, my questions are many. I'm not a professional. I like taking pictures of animals, landscapes, people and family.

Not sure the differences between cameras. Had a Nikon point and shoot. for a novice what would your subscribers suggest?

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

What a open door! Were you happy with the photos from your old camera? Was it a point and shoot? Do you want something you change lenses, or a camera with a "do everything" type lens? What is your budget? What do you expect from a new camera? Do you live near a camera store? If you post the answers to these question people on the forum will be able to give you much better answers, and be able to guide you to a really great camera.

B

Steve_m Loc: Southern California

Panasonic ZS40

Kuzano

You told us what you sorta had (P&S), you told us how you lost it, you told us what you like to and want to shoot.

At that point, almost any camera will do. You left off some info.

What must it fit inside.... probably not a purse :thumbdown:

Budget, what would you like to spend...$ or $$$?

Do you want to be able to change lenses, or do you want a camera with a fixed lens... not interchangeable.

How much zoom.... 5x or 50x.... stated another way, zoom in on a group of five people across the street and recognize who they are later, or zoom in on a bird in a tree at 100 feet and have the bird fill the screen and show a sharp image around the eye.

That would be Point and shoot, with 5x-10x, or a bridge camera with a fixed lens and 50x capability.

Many camera makers have more than one model in all these various camera's. Canon has the P&S S120 which is shirt pocket size, and various models in that range, or they have the 50x Bridge camera (not pocket size, but not too big) the SX50 or the new SX60. From there you move into mirrorless or DSLR, larger cameras, which offer the opportunity to pay Canon a ton of money for 3-5 lenses that reach out to about where the bridge fixes lenses go with one zoom lens.

The price goes up according, and for some people, they really think the Image Quality does as well. Yet many are happy with the SX50/SX60 as a compromise.

Now take all that and multiply it by 5-7 quality manufacturers, ie. Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Pentax, Samsung, and more. You have your work cut out for you.

While attempting to be helpful, 90% of the responses you get will not be impartial camera review. Many will tell you exactly what they bought and that it works well for them. Experience limit to that one, possibly two, camera's.

And that's fine, but the comments are not often impartial.

Now, in conjunction with what you find here, Do you have a Best Buy store in your area. They often have the most range of P&S and Bridge cameras, and a few DSLR and mirrorless.

How about another big box store with a large camera section...Costco, Fred Meyer. Staples, etc.

Our local WalMart Super Store used to have a large camera section. About a year ago, that section was getting smaller. Now, there are NO camera's in that local Walmart. None!

I think the Cell Phone movement has damaged their sales.

NOW that's another consideration. Some of the Smart Phones and small tablet devices have camera capabilities that are reaching into the P&S market, including zoom and other enhancements that equal many P&S camera's in image quality and capture ease.

After you get a few ideas here, go to Best Buy and get each camera in your hands. Don't mind that stretchy cable that won't let you run off with it, and we know you don't have a purse. But test the feel out, get an idea of size, try to find out the type and duration of each camera's battery.

It sounds like you would be well served with a HIGH quality P&S, or a good Bridge camera if you need more reach.

Again, the Canon SX50 gets a ton of play on this web site, but it's even a little big for a purse, if you plan on getting another one and keeping valuables in it :XD:

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

First figure out what you liked and didn't like about your previous camera, which features where important to you, and which features you wish it had.

This analysis will make it much easier to find a new camera that is right for you and best meets your needs.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

You might want to take a look at the Panasonic DMC-ZS20. Great zoom and lots of flexibility and small.

JimKing Loc: Salisbury, Maryland USA

Another question you might ask yourself is how much learning do you wish to do? More complex cameras require more time and effort to learn to use effectively. Cameras with interchangeable lenses require you to carry more stuff with you and some of the stuff can be heavy. You have gotten some good short answers and lots of questions. Now you can decide to accept a camera suggestion (all of which were reasonable) or begin to answer the questions to decide how far you wish to go. You could be very happy either way. Best of luck and you'll get lots of help here.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Given you uses, you proably don't need to go overboard. But a lot will depend on your budget. How much do you want to spend?

The Panasonic Lumix line, that people have already mentioned, is a good low cost choice (around $300) and it has a Leica lens.

If you want more camera, you need to provide a price range.

redhogbill Loc: antelope, calif

if you liked what you had , then buy another!!
your question is open ended! and buy the end of the day you are going to get posts that can cost $150.oo to $15,000.oo!!

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

I feel like a broken record suggesting this camera...but at $239 it's an awesome camera, and would still fit in a purse.

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet/reconditioned-cameras/xz-2-reconditoned.html

The other option would be Canon S110. That would definitely fit in a purse. It's $255 refurbished as well.
http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-powershot-digital-cameras/powershot-s110-black-refurbished

anniecollie

I hadn't thought of including a price range. So--under $200 probably point and shoot would prefer a view finder because the lenses wipe out during intense sunlight. ( I hate not being able to see what I'm shooting). I don't want to carry equipment around with me--only the camera in my purse. I'm usually on horseback or running around the barn or walking my dog or in a forest preserve when I take photos. I'm not a pro. i'd like to take good pictures framable, but not with all that equipment.

Thanks for all your help.

pg

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

OK. Now we are in the Nikon S6500 or Canon Powershot Elph range.

Carl 383 Loc: Southampton UK

This is a tongue in cheek reply so please don't shoot me.
I would go for a Canon T90 (old film camera) I had one kicked out of my hand by a horse and apart from a dent on the base plate it still performs flawlessly - It had the nickname given to it by the photography press of "the tank" and I can attest to the fact that it was built like one.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

You can't kill a good Canon. I bought a Canon Tx in the Commissary at Cubic Point, PI. I carried that camera on every flight I took on the P-2Vs and P-3 Orions for 12 year. That camera survived 1 moped crash in Bermuda, a motorcycle crash, in Jacksonville, Fl, a wheels up landing in a P-3 in Jacksonville, it finally meat its maker in the flood following Katrina. Actually, that camera is why I shoot Canon products today. That Tx was one tough camera.

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

Maybe start with a crush proof purse and then...go camera shopping....LOL
Also...hello and welcome to the UHH anniecollie.