jlporter Loc: Seattle

Greetings, I am going back to picture-taking hopefully, and would appreciate any thoughts about an appropriate (i.e., inexpensive, small, travel worthy, "exposure adjustable", easy to transfer photo, etc.) Thanks very much if you have a suggestion or two... Jas

twosummers Loc: Melbourne Australia or Lincolnshire England

iPhones really are very good cameras too. Would seem a good choice although they are expensive

ricardo00

What are you trying to photograph? Scenery? Wildlife?

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I would recommend you first define:

> what you wish to photograph
> budget
> physical restrictions

If you are interested in general travel photography involving people, places, and landscapes, a small camera with a zoom lens and a one inch or Micro Four Thirds sensor would be a good pick.

You can save money by buying used from these reputable dealers used by many here on UHH:

Adorama — adorama.com
B&H — bhphotovideo.com
KEH — keh.com
MPB — mpb.com
Roberts Camera — usedphotopro.com

ALL digital cameras are relatively easy to transfer files from, either via USB cable, or by putting an SD card into a reader in (or connected to) your computer.

As for convenience and portability and overall ease of getting a good image, it is hard to beat a high-end iPhone or Android phone. Most people fall into one of two camps — intentional picture makers and casual "snap shooters." The snap shooters are better off with phones most of the time.

If you are committed to a learning curve, get a dedicated adjustable camera, and budget for some photographic and computer education. More-than-casual digital photography is incomplete without post-processing skills.

YouTube has a gazillion photographic equipment reviewers and trainers, and https://www.dpreview.com has many good guides to various classes of cameras, with in-depth reviews of each to back them up.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

therwol Loc: USA

iPhone cameras have gotten to be pretty darn good. The cheaper compact cameras are not necessarily better, and they are disappearing from the market anyway. Those in the $500-$1000 range can do everything you want and will have an optical zoom that a phone can't match. Look for Sony, Canon , Lumix and Fuji models. A 1 inch sensor is the minimum size for decent results. A dedicated viewfinder is desirable. I have a Canon G7X II sunlight that lacks a viewfinder, and it can be a problem in bright sunlight. Otherwise it is a great little camera. Or you buy an entry level DSLR with a kit lens and go from there.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Pretty much anything that has interchangeable lenses.

BebuLamar

Next generation IPhone?

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

If you are looking for a full featured camera phone, Google's Pixel 6 Pro seems to have the best camera reviews. The built-in camera app is very complete, however there are a couple of third party apps that provide access to features not in the OEM app, like Firstlight, and Photoshop Camera.

Sony makes a very portable, yet full-featured advanced point and shoot - the RX100M7 - with a Zeiss 24-100 mm equivalent lens, the fastest autofocus on the planet other than the larger offerings, a frame rate of 20 fps, Eye-AF, and many other really useful features.

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

Nikon Z50 with 2 kit lenses.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1511295-REG/nikon_1632_z_50_mirrorless_digital.html

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Yes, however, the additional features of the cell phone outweigh a camera.

BrHawkeye

Yes, for a pocket computer that can also act as a phone, up-to 60-frames-per-second 1080 video camera,12 megapixel still camera with a variety of features including macro and zoom lenses, it's hard to beat a new iPhone. Pricey though.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I bought my iPhone 7 Plus five years ago today. It cost $1200 with a case and a car charger and a screen protector. That is $.66 a day for hardware (plus $50 a month for my part of an unlimited family data plan) for a pocket device that can be any of two million different things, just by downloading a cheap application. It integrates so tightly with my Mac that I can run my life from either one. Expensive? Nah. The thing saves me money with its utility, and it accelerates my schedule.

I use my phone for casual photography, and my Micro Four Thirds system for intentional photography. It's a mental focus thing...

BrHawkeye

My iPhone 13 pro max with accessories was around $1,400. Expensive unless you try to buy an equivalent phone, an equivalent camera, and an equivalent laptop computer separately.

In my flying days, my iPhone even acted as a backup VFR flight map (only needed to use it that way once though when my main map device overheated on a hot day).

Cubanphoto

Burkphoto,
What a comprehensive and well given answer. For my benefits, what are some recommendations for learning to post precess. Any recommendations for courses? I am trialing Luminar AI, PH Elements and may trial Denoise.