bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

Thank you. I looked into the A1000 and it is on my list. It is $448 at Walmart.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Once again, the problem with the Nikons is they all use the 1/2.3” sensor. That is what allows for the amazing zoom range, but you’re sacrificing IQ and low light capability if you don’t need all that zoom.

classic320

Does she even want a camera? I've purchased cameras for girlfriends, then my wife, and none of them get used. Otherwise, I think Bill's advice about letting the salesman earn his/her keep is a good idea.....

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

Thank you. I understand. I will have her look at it if she is uncomfortable with a better camera.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

She said she does and is upset about not being able to find her old Nikon point-n-shoot although she was never happy with the shutter delay issue.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Shutter delay is a killer. My wife hated it too. Then I got her the much older Olympus ZX-1. With the very first picture of our dogs with the camera, I heard, "Oh! Look! It took the picture!". Her days with shutter delay were over. The shutter delay on the Olympus O-MDs is about 0.05 seconds which is not that far off from what I believe is the fastest at 0.036 seconds.

It sounds like your wife does mostly travel shots. But if she is also into kids, grandkids, and greatgrandkids action shot and has trouble catching peak action (or any other action shots), then I would look at the E-M1 mkII with Pro Capture. At 60fps, it will capture 39 frames of 20mp RAW images before the shutter is pressed and another 139 frames of 20mp RAW images after the shutter is pressed until the buffer starts slowing it down from 60fps (18fps is more reasonable for editing purposes; 60fps of 20mp RAW fills a chip quick). The E-M1 mkII is expensive, but it can be set up to not miss a peak action shot. There is a chance that the E-M5 mkIII when it comes out in the future it will have a form of Pro Capture. This is probably more than what you want or would be willing to pay, but it is worth mentioning.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

Thank you for your suggestion. I just looked at the ZX-1 and my big issue with it is that it only has an LCD and that is problematic in bright sunlight. One of the must have features the camera must have is an eye level viewfinder.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

You can actually buy an add-on viewfinder with a shade (they are seperate items). It attaches to the hot shoe. My wife had the same problem with viewing a rear screen, hence the reason we bought the viewfinder. It is a discontinued camera that can still be found on the used market. If you do not see that one, there is also the successor XZ-2. Some more advance features on it. The XZ-1 is still a capable camera. One time on a business trip of my wife's, where I was shooting photographs for her, I had forgotten to charge up my second battery for my E-M5 (dumb photographer!). There I was, the photographer, no camera - except we did have a camera. Hers. So I mounted her camera on the flash bracket, hooked up the flash to the hot shoe, and kept on shooting. It worked perfect until I could recharge my two batteries that night. It looked funny seeing that small white camera with the big bracket and flash.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Still a lot more cumbersome than a real viewfinder. I can understand buying one after the fact for a camera with no viewfinder, but it makes no sense buying a camera with no viewfinder if you know you’re gonna want it. Especially when there are so many good options that have built in viewfinders.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

MY FINAL POST ON THIS SUBJECT

Thank all of you for your helpful suggestions regarding a camera for my wife Carren. This morning we went to Samy's Camera in Santa Ana, California and she chose the Panasonic/Lumix DMC-ZS100; a camera that many of you suggested or were high on you lists. We spent the afternoon charging batteries (I bought her a charger, additional batteries, a soft case) and teaching her how to use it. The big thing now is for her to read and understand the manual.

Again, thank you all.

Leo_B Loc: Houston suburb

That should be a very good choice and do a great job for her. Hopefully you will post one more time after your trip to report how well it went and how much she enjoyed using her new camera. Safe travels.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

I will be glad to do that. The Mediterranean Cruise is in early November. Please continue to watch this thread until then.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I think she will be very happy with it. She will have made a reasonably educated choice. I hope she captures many beautiful shots with it.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Congrats. ENJOY! I have one and am very happy with it, I'm sure she will be too.