HELP finding smallest, best camera: I have a friend who would like to find a 1)small(very pocketable)camera with a 2)substantial zoom range, and a 3)eye viewfinder. All 3 wants are...

BobT Loc: southern Minnesota

I have a friend who would like to find a 1)small(very pocketable)camera with a 2)substantial zoom range, and a 3)eye viewfinder. All 3 wants are important to him. He has been using (now very beat up from use) an older small Canon camera that easily fits into pants pocket. This request is out of my realm, so thought I'd ask here. I know your first suggestion would be to simply use his cell phone. But he really wants a camera camera if such a critter exists. So, does it? Thanks.

erinjay64

Impossible. Cameras which fit comfortably in the pocket will not have the substantial zoom range.

Kuzano

Nor any real viewfinder such as EVF, or other serious optical ovf.

Kuzano

Whoops, my ZTE Blade cell phone does all that and tons more. Hangs out in my shirt pocket.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

If you find one, let me know! I'd like to have one. (The cell phone does NOT have a zoom lens, digital zoom isn't the same).

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

PHRubin wrote:

If you find one, let me know! I'd like to have one. (The cell phone does NOT have a zoom lens, digital zoom isn't the same).

I'd like to know too.

BobT Loc: southern Minnesota

If we take "substantial" away from zoom lens and replace it with "decent" or "healthy", do we have a candidate?

He was pretty strong about not wanting a cell phone, but a real "camera' instead. No need to argue that cell phone do have real cameras. You know what I'm sayin'.

d3200prime

Here's one you might like to check out: Panasonic lumix point-and-shoot digital cameras are known among camera enthusiasts for reliability and innovative features. The lumix dc-zs70 brings the legendary optical performance of a 30x (24-720mm) Leica DC vario-elmar lens with amazingly stable 5-axis hybrid o.I.S. (Optical image stabilizer) to a highly portable point-and-shoot travel camera. Traditionalists will love the hands-on manual feel of a lens-mounted control ring, plus the familiarity of an eye-level electronic viewfinder. The modern enthusiast will love the Wi-Fi mobile device controllability and next-generation flexibility that 4K video and 4K photo modes bring to the creative experience.

Leitz Loc: Solms

BobT wrote:

I have a friend who would like to find a 1)small(very pocketable)camera with a 2)substantial zoom range, and a 3)eye viewfinder. All 3 wants are important to him. He has been using (now very beat up from use) an older small Canon camera that easily fits into pants pocket. This request is out of my realm, so thought I'd ask here. I know your first suggestion would be to simply use his cell phone. But he really wants a camera camera if such a critter exists. So, does it? Thanks.

Of course it exists - what size is the pocket?

jcboy3

BobT wrote:

I have a friend who would like to find a 1)small(very pocketable)camera with a 2)substantial zoom range, and a 3)eye viewfinder. All 3 wants are important to him. He has been using (now very beat up from use) an older small Canon camera that easily fits into pants pocket. This request is out of my realm, so thought I'd ask here. I know your first suggestion would be to simply use his cell phone. But he really wants a camera camera if such a critter exists. So, does it? Thanks.

The best solution I have found is the Panasonic LF1. It's been discontinued for awhile, but it is pocketable, has a 28-200 equivalent zoom, and an EVF. It also shoots RAW, has WiFi, and charges batteries in camera. The newer Panasonic cameras are larger (as far as I know). I have a black one for me, and a white one for my wife. The only thing it lacks to be the perfect P&S is a flash hot shoe; flash capabilities are very limited. It is small enough that I keep it permanently stored in my accessories bag (with sunglasses, phone, and other stuff I need). It is small enough, that it will fit in a (large) shirt pocket or loose pants pocket. I recommend getting an add on rubber grip; the front is a bit smooth for secure handling. Small grip if you want to be putting it in your pocket.

Still available used.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Another one is the Sony HX-90V. I had one once for a very short time, but thought it was too small for my hands. It has a substantial zoom--24-720mm--and a nice electronic viewfinder, and it will definitely fit in a shirt pocket. B&H has it for $448.00. Same price on Amazon, I believe.

jmvaugh Loc: Albuquerque

Sams Club has several nice small Nikons with decent zooms.

erinjay64

Kuzano wrote:

Whoops, my ZTE Blade cell phone does all that and tons more. Hangs out in my shirt pocket.

And it's "substantial zoom range" is.....??

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

Here's a search on BH Photo specifying a viewfinder and the more desirable (to me...) brands sorted by price. The first one that's "pocketable" is the Sony DSC-HX80 which has "24-720mm equivalent focal length range" which I would consider a super zoom:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=fct_brand_name-sony&Ns=p_PRICE_2%7c0&ci=8612&fct=fct_brand_name%7ccanon%2bfct_brand_name%7cfujifilm%2bfct_brand_name%7cleica%2bfct_brand_name%7cnikon%2bfct_brand_name%7cpanasonic%2bfct_a_features_1123%7cviewfinder-built-in%2bfct_brand_name%7csony&N=4288586279&

Direct link to the Sony:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1237635-REG/sony_dsc_hx80_b_cyber_shot_dsc_hx80_digital_camera.html

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

if you can stick around until 2025 or 2050, you might get to see what you are looking for.