As an older, disabled, hobbyist, I have become increasing interested in getting a high quality, pocket sized camera, but due to my fixed income and rather low hobby budget, I have not yet made a decision and plunked down the cash. I have been saving for quite some time for this type of purchase, but really need to get the most out of it as it may well be the camera I finish out my photographic endeavors with along side my Pentax K3. Anyway, I have done a lot of online research and it's obvious that what I really want is the Sony RX100 MK-VII, but the sticker shock is painful to say the least! Even good used models are near $1000.00 and that's if you can even find one. I might be able to settle for the RX100 VR, but it too is still pricey for me and even harder to find used or refurbished. So, I am now leaning toward a Canon G5X MK-II or possibly even a G7X MK-III. I'd rather have the G5X primarily due to the pop up viewfinder, but these still go for around $900.00 new and I have yet to find a used one up for sale. The G7X doesn't have a viewfinder, but I can find them for sale used at a reasonable price (around $450.00) However, the auto focus on both Canon models is not their current phase detect system and I've read some reviews that mentioned focus issues with the G7X. This brings me right back to the Sony Models that clearly have the superior focus systems, I just can't seem to spend that kind of money on one, at least not yet. Frankly, I'd really like to keep my budget under $700.00 and I'm not against buying refurbished or used if the unit is in great shape and it saves me some money. Therefore, I have also recently reviewed some of the Panasonic and Fuji models and they seem to have a lot of bang for the bucks, with some Panasonic models being well within my price range. However, the reviews aren't all that great and I keep thinking that the Sony is the one I really want. So, unless the group here can show me a really good option within my current price range, I guess I'm going to have to keep saving or sell something and even then it's going to be very hard for me to plunk down the cash needed for the Sony RX100 either new or used (I bought my last 3 DLSR's for less than that combined). Anyone got any good suggestions on alternatives? I'd especially like to hear about experiences with the Panasonic models from folks that have actually used them. Thanks for any input here and good luck and good shooting to all.

To keep the cost down, you have two options--buy a used model and/or one with a sensor smaller than 1 inch. And decide what features you need the most--focal length range for the zoom lens and RAW plus Jpeg or just Jpeg just to name two.

I own a Nikon coolpix camera similar to the Nikon P7800 (no longer made). Its sensor is smaller than 1 inch but larger than 1/2.3inch. It shoots in RAW or Jpeg. It is great for travel.

The current "version" is the Nikon COOLPIX A1000 Digital Camera but its sensor is 1/2.3 inch. But it sells for under $500 new. Other companies make similar cameras too.

I would check out any possible camera at DP Review

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/buying-guide-best-compact-zoom-cameras

As an older, disabled, hobbyist, I have become increasing interested in getting a high quality, pocket sized camera, but due to my fixed income and rather low hobby budget, I have not yet made a decision and plunked down the cash. I have been saving for quite some time for this type of purchase, but really need to get the most out of it as it may well be the camera I finish out my photographic endeavors with along side my Pentax K3. Anyway, I have done a lot of online research and it's obvious that what I really want is the Sony RX100 MK-VII, but the sticker shock is painful to say the least! Even good used models are near $1000.00 and that's if you can even find one. I might be able to settle for the RX100 VR, but it too is still pricey for me and even harder to find used or refurbished. So, I am now leaning toward a Canon G5X MK-II or possibly even a G7X MK-III. I'd rather have the G5X primarily due to the pop up viewfinder, but these still go for around $900.00 new and I have yet to find a used one up for sale. The G7X doesn't have a viewfinder, but I can find them for sale used at a reasonable price (around $450.00) However, the auto focus on both Canon models is not their current phase detect system and I've read some reviews that mentioned focus issues with the G7X. This brings me right back to the Sony Models that clearly have the superior focus systems, I just can't seem to spend that kind of money on one, at least not yet. Frankly, I'd really like to keep my budget under $700.00 and I'm not against buying refurbished or used if the unit is in great shape and it saves me some money. Therefore, I have also recently reviewed some of the Panasonic and Fuji models and they seem to have a lot of bang for the bucks, with some Panasonic models being well within my price range. However, the reviews aren't all that great and I keep thinking that the Sony is the one I really want. So, unless the group here can show me a really good option within my current price range, I guess I'm going to have to keep saving or sell something and even then it's going to be very hard for me to plunk down the cash needed for the Sony RX100 either new or used (I bought my last 3 DLSR's for less than that combined). Anyone got any good suggestions on alternatives? I'd especially like to hear about experiences with the Panasonic models from folks that have actually used them. Thanks for any input here and good luck and good shooting to all.

As an older, disabled, hobbyist, I have become increasing interested in getting a high quality, pocket sized camera, but due to my fixed income and rather low hobby budget, I have not yet made a decision and plunked down the cash. I have been saving for quite some time for this type of purchase, but really need to get the most out of it as it may well be the camera I finish out my photographic endeavors with along side my Pentax K3. Anyway, I have done a lot of online research and it's obvious that what I really want is the Sony RX100 MK-VII, but the sticker shock is painful to say the least! Even good used models are near $1000.00 and that's if you can even find one. I might be able to settle for the RX100 VR, but it too is still pricey for me and even harder to find used or refurbished. So, I am now leaning toward a Canon G5X MK-II or possibly even a G7X MK-III. I'd rather have the G5X primarily due to the pop up viewfinder, but these still go for around $900.00 new and I have yet to find a used one up for sale. The G7X doesn't have a viewfinder, but I can find them for sale used at a reasonable price (around $450.00) However, the auto focus on both Canon models is not their current phase detect system and I've read some reviews that mentioned focus issues with the G7X. This brings me right back to the Sony Models that clearly have the superior focus systems, I just can't seem to spend that kind of money on one, at least not yet. Frankly, I'd really like to keep my budget under $700.00 and I'm not against buying refurbished or used if the unit is in great shape and it saves me some money. Therefore, I have also recently reviewed some of the Panasonic and Fuji models and they seem to have a lot of bang for the bucks, with some Panasonic models being well within my price range. However, the reviews aren't all that great and I keep thinking that the Sony is the one I really want. So, unless the group here can show me a really good option within my current price range, I guess I'm going to have to keep saving or sell something and even then it's going to be very hard for me to plunk down the cash needed for the Sony RX100 either new or used (I bought my last 3 DLSR's for less than that combined). Anyone got any good suggestions on alternatives? I'd especially like to hear about experiences with the Panasonic models from folks that have actually used them. Thanks for any input here and good luck and good shooting to all.

As an older, disabled, hobbyist, I have become increasing interested in getting a high quality, pocket sized camera, but due to my fixed income and rather low hobby budget, I have not yet made a decision and plunked down the cash. I have been saving for quite some time for this type of purchase, but really need to get the most out of it as it may well be the camera I finish out my photographic endeavors with along side my Pentax K3. Anyway, I have done a lot of online research and it's obvious that what I really want is the Sony RX100 MK-VII, but the sticker shock is painful to say the least! Even good used models are near $1000.00 and that's if you can even find one. I might be able to settle for the RX100 VR, but it too is still pricey for me and even harder to find used or refurbished. So, I am now leaning toward a Canon G5X MK-II or possibly even a G7X MK-III. I'd rather have the G5X primarily due to the pop up viewfinder, but these still go for around $900.00 new and I have yet to find a used one up for sale. The G7X doesn't have a viewfinder, but I can find them for sale used at a reasonable price (around $450.00) However, the auto focus on both Canon models is not their current phase detect system and I've read some reviews that mentioned focus issues with the G7X. This brings me right back to the Sony Models that clearly have the superior focus systems, I just can't seem to spend that kind of money on one, at least not yet. Frankly, I'd really like to keep my budget under $700.00 and I'm not against buying refurbished or used if the unit is in great shape and it saves me some money. Therefore, I have also recently reviewed some of the Panasonic and Fuji models and they seem to have a lot of bang for the bucks, with some Panasonic models being well within my price range. However, the reviews aren't all that great and I keep thinking that the Sony is the one I really want. So, unless the group here can show me a really good option within my current price range, I guess I'm going to have to keep saving or sell something and even then it's going to be very hard for me to plunk down the cash needed for the Sony RX100 either new or used (I bought my last 3 DLSR's for less than that combined). Anyone got any good suggestions on alternatives? I'd especially like to hear about experiences with the Panasonic models from folks that have actually used them. Thanks for any input here and good luck and good shooting to all.

As an older, disabled, hobbyist, I have become increasing interested in getting a high quality, pocket sized camera, but due to my fixed income and rather low hobby budget, I have not yet made a decision and plunked down the cash. I have been saving for quite some time for this type of purchase, but really need to get the most out of it as it may well be the camera I finish out my photographic endeavors with along side my Pentax K3. Anyway, I have done a lot of online research and it's obvious that what I really want is the Sony RX100 MK-VII, but the sticker shock is painful to say the least! Even good used models are near $1000.00 and that's if you can even find one. I might be able to settle for the RX100 VR, but it too is still pricey for me and even harder to find used or refurbished. So, I am now leaning toward a Canon G5X MK-II or possibly even a G7X MK-III. I'd rather have the G5X primarily due to the pop up viewfinder, but these still go for around $900.00 new and I have yet to find a used one up for sale. The G7X doesn't have a viewfinder, but I can find them for sale used at a reasonable price (around $450.00) However, the auto focus on both Canon models is not their current phase detect system and I've read some reviews that mentioned focus issues with the G7X. This brings me right back to the Sony Models that clearly have the superior focus systems, I just can't seem to spend that kind of money on one, at least not yet. Frankly, I'd really like to keep my budget under $700.00 and I'm not against buying refurbished or used if the unit is in great shape and it saves me some money. Therefore, I have also recently reviewed some of the Panasonic and Fuji models and they seem to have a lot of bang for the bucks, with some Panasonic models being well within my price range. However, the reviews aren't all that great and I keep thinking that the Sony is the one I really want. So, unless the group here can show me a really good option within my current price range, I guess I'm going to have to keep saving or sell something and even then it's going to be very hard for me to plunk down the cash needed for the Sony RX100 either new or used (I bought my last 3 DLSR's for less than that combined). Anyone got any good suggestions on alternatives? I'd especially like to hear about experiences with the Panasonic models from folks that have actually used them. Thanks for any input here and good luck and good shooting to all.