AGeza

Hello! I am new here.
I just bought and tried the HX80, and 'm not too happy with the focusing (time and sharpness). Do you think I will get more and quick and sharp pictures with RX100? Or any other suggestion for a good point and shoot camera? Thanks.

le boecere

Hello and welcome!

As one can read in the reviews, many HX80 owners are quite happy with their choice. But, satisfaction with "quick" focus and "sharp' pictures, is really about individual taste. So, stepping up to the RX100 series puts you in a different class of camera, and with a stellar reputation among pocket cameras. Of course you'll need to go for the new RX100VI to approach the 30x zoom of your HX80. And, I would think that the newer the RX100xx iteration the better, for auto-focus and image quality.

BTW; aren't most digital cameras "point and shoots"?

Edit: My EDC (every day carry) pocket camera has been the RX100III, for about 3 years, and I have no motivation to change that habit.

AGeza

Thank you, appreciate your reply. May I continue a little bit further? I am about to decide on buying one for a trip to Greece. I see that you have the RX100iii. I was thinking on the RX100. And I have in mind Coolpix A900 (I have a Coolpix S9600 but not too happy with it), and thinking about Lumix Zs50 and Zs60. That is the 4 I try to sort out.
What do you think? I don't want to use your time but still would like to ask for your input and help. Thanks.

le boecere

Were I to be traveling to Greece, and limiting myself to a pocket camera, I'd choose the RX100 ~ and even better, eat beans and rice until I have enough money to upgrade to the RX100II (for the newer sensor).

I'd pick the RX100 series (the latest model I can afford), because I tend to shoot in low light, and have a disdain for flash (unless it's fill-flash). I know I cannot hand-hold a small telephoto (i.e.; 700 mm) lens still enough to get a clean, clear, shot; so I'm willing to give up zoom for image quality and low-light capabilities.

The other cameras you mention have a 1/2.3" sensor, and I've never tried any of them. Were I forced to choose, and felt that I need to elevate a long zoom lens to the top of my list of "gotta haves", it'd probably be the Panasonic ~ why? I dunno ~ maybe the EVF?

Imaging Resource says:

Low-Light Quality: Limited
The physics of placing a big zoom lens on a small camera body mean the image sensor must be small. The ZS60 has a 18-megapixel chip measuring just 6.17 x 4.55 mm, not much larger than a smartphone's. Displayed at laptop-screen size (2560 pixels across), images start to look mottled beyond ISO 400 sensitivity, which wouldn't get you past shooting during the brighter part of twilight. That makes the ZS60 no match for bridge cameras that have larger sensors (though much shorter lenses) like the top-tier Sony RX100 III bridge camera (whose 1-inch sensor is about four times larger).

I do hope one of the Hoggers on this forum, who has experience with the cameras you've mentioned, will come on here and help you out.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

There's a huge difference in price between those two cameras.

Comparison sites -
Read comparisons and specs, and decide what features are important to you.
(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://www.cameradecision.com/
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

Compact -
https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2401971,00.asp
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/2017-roundup-compact-enthusiast-zoom-cameras
https://www.techradar.com/news/best-compact-camera

Compact $500 -
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-point-and-shoot-under-500/
http://www.bestproducts.com/tech/gadgets/g706/point-and-shoot-digital-cameras/

Compact $900 - $1,200 -
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/2017-roundup-interchangeable-lens-cameras-900-1200

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Most of Sony's point and shoot share focusing systems. I use both the RX100 and the HX90V and experience NO focusing problems. The following was a grab shot with the XH90V.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

You won't go wrong with buying any Sony Pocket camera, from the lowest priced ones to the most expensive. You'll pay extra for features. The least expensive ones don't shoot in RAW and sometimes have longer focal ranges. And the sensor size, does have a factor too. The smaller sensor will give the longest focal ranges. Such as the 1/2.3". Which is a commonly used sensor in Bridge and pocket cameras. The one that's in my Sony 20 megapixels pocket camera., and my Nikon Bridge camera. Neither of which shoot RAW. JerryC41 links have some very good info too. Check them out. And the HX90V, mentioned earlier, is very good. I've seen very good reviews on that one too. Good luck.

lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

Because of age and elbow problems, I am considering selling my a7ii and iii, along with lens and other equipment, and purchasing the latest Rx100. I want to be able to take acceptable photos without having to constantly raise a heavy camera.

Low Budget Dave

I can tell you that the 1/2.3" sensors are a lot better than they used to be, but so are the 1" sensors. The 1" sensor cameras (like the RX100 and the Panasonic TZ200, and Panasonic LX15, and Canon G7x, etc... etc.. etc...) will take pictures in lower light, and with faster shutter speed, and with better-looking background blur than any of the 1/2.3" sensor cameras.

If you are willing to carry around a big bridge camera like the Sony RX10, the zoom range gets even better, and the picture quality and video quality are surprisingly good. In the case of the RX10, the lens it goes all the way to 600mm at F4.

regularguy55

The 1” sensors are a plus in most situations as noted. I use my bridge (Panasonic LUMIX FZ1000) as much or more than my point and shoot. Has great zoom and I am satisfied with the AF. Very well balanced and it is about half the price of the Sony RX10 (which is also an excellent bridge). I believe FZ1000 has a faster shutter speed, time lapse recording and 4K. Good luck.

OKsprat Loc: Oklahoma

I've used the Sony RX100II for about three years now and the image quality is fantastic. I've been very impressed and have never had a problem with this camera.

TRAVLR38 Loc: CENTRAL PA

My pocket camera--the one I always have with me--is a panasonic lumix zs50. I chose it because of the 12 mp sensor. The megapixels are bigger than those on the other zs models. I chose the zs line for its good optica and very long zoom. I have gotten some very good pictures with it, when used within its limits. For single shots I would not go above ISO 800. But, if you use the burst function and combine the images in LR or Ps, you can go higher. As I understand it, noise is random. By combining images, the random elements are not recorded in the final image, giving less visible noise.
I used it fairly extensively on a trip to Kenya. While shooting scenes of village life along the road from our vehicle more discretely than with my Olympus with a telephoto, I got lots of good pictures. If you want to see some of them, look at my "drive-by shootings" in the Kenya album on my Flickr page (flickr.com/photos/gnrhyne). These were taken on bouncy roads at a shutter speed of 1/1000. I have made some good images 11x14 cropping away more than half of the original.
The macro function is amazingly good.
The camera is small, the batteries last a long time.
I find that I take more good photos with the camera I have with me than the camera that is on a shelf at home.
Anyway, I am sure you will find something suitable for your needs. Have a great trip!

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

This is my experience too.

mffox Loc: Avon, CT

My "go-everywhere" P&S camera is the Panasonic ZS-70; I love it. 20 MP, good zoom, good image quality, even in low light.

AGeza

Thanks everyone for the much needed help. Reading your advices (and considering my budget) I bought the RX100. I am going to my trip with my HX80 (for outside) and the RX100 for claudy weather and inside. I made a note for myself looking at ZS60 and ZS70 next time.
Now I wonder about the best SD cards I should have for this two cameras. I am going to open a post with that question. Thanks again for the advices. Seems to be in a good company.