bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

I am a retired professional and I know all about professional DSLRs, but I have a problem because I know little about the amateur cameras out there. I am planning to buy my wife a new point-n-shoot for her birthday in a few weeks for a Mediterranean cruise we are planning in November. On previous cruises she liked my old Nikon D90, but it was too big and complicated for her. I bought her a Nikon point-n-shoot, but two things happened. First, she missed a lot of shots because of the delay between pushing the button and shutter actuation even with a high speed professional SDHC memory. Second, she lost the camera somewhere in the house and can't find it. I know that a new camera will solve both problems. As soon as I buy the new camera, the old one will pop up!

I want to spend under $600 if possible. Here is a list of features, some of which can be dispensed with if necessary to meet the price:

1) Compact with built in sharp and well corrected optical lens that will have an an angle of view equal to or better that a 24mm on a full frame camera and a reasonable telephoto reach.

2) Instantaneous shutter response.

3) Ability to shoot RAW images in addition to JEPG.

4) A large 24mp sensor. C-size would be nice, but not mandatory.

5) Built in GPS if possible.

6) Preferably NO wi-fi, but not a disqualifying feature.

7) Video recording.

Please send me your ideas and help reach a consensus (I know that is a lot to ask, but why not try).

Thank you!

therwol Loc: USA

My choice for a second camera when I don't want to carry my Nikon D810 was the Canon G7X Mark II. (Around $650) It has a 1 inch, 20.2 megapixel sensor and 24-100 equivalent lens. No GPS. No 4K video, but takes very good 1080P video. The mark III recently came out with the main addition being 4K video. If you really want APS-C, look into the lower priced DSLRs like the Canon SL2 with a kit lens or Nikon D3500 with a kit lens.

Taken with my Canon G7X Mark II. Download and look around. Pretty good for something you can put in a large pocket.

(Download)

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If you're a Nikon family, it makes sense to stay Nikon. If the DSLR was too big / complicated, see if you can find a store to visit that has the following so your wife can handle and consider: Nikon COOLPIX B700, Nikon COOLPIX A900.

If the pocket size is a attractive, consider too the Canon G7X (or G9X) models.

cascoly Loc: seattle

dont overthink it -- your list has items that every camera has now, plus many features she likely won't need or use -- a bridge camera fills all your needs - the lumix FZ-1000 has a broad zoom range of 25-400 eliminating carrying multiple lenses and only 1/2 the weight of a dslr. excellent results in all light conditions

i produce thousands of high quality images for stock every year, with no need for raw

wifi can always be toggled on/off, same for gps

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Olympus TG-6. 12mp but everything else meets your list. Plus really nice macro. Armored, waterproof. A telephoto is available giving you almost 350mm if 200mm isn't big enough. Very nice everyday walk around camera. It comes in RED so harder to lose. Price just dropped to $400, I'm tempted to return mine and buy another to save 50 bucks.

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

Your best bet is to take her to a camera shop and let someone else sell her the camera.
No matter the choice you may be wrong. Pass the blame.
And enjoy the cruise.
Bill

BebuLamar

You should know not to spend only $600 for your wife camera. However, I don't think they make something like you want at any price.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

That is a great idea, Retired CPO! Can do just about everything, but works well in Auto mode. Zooms out between 25mm and 100mm (35mm equivalent Field of View). Built-in Wifi and GPS. If UHH member “bpulv” gets her the red one, it will be easy to find (and hopefully harder to loose) /Ralph

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I thought so too!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

My advice (seriously) is to chose a camera you will be happy with if your wife doesn’t like it or prefers her phone. (been there, done that, I now have a Fuji)

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

Thank you. I will look at both cameras when I go to the camera store.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

Thank you. Of course the Nikons are on the list since I have used Nikon for 65 years.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

What is the approximate price?

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

Thank you, but I think something above 20mp will be better when I need to edit her pictures.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

Good idea. Now all we have to do is find her camera!