Point and shoot for a friend: I'm out of the loop for these things so thought I'd ask the UHH community. A friend asked me today what camera he could get that would do well for family...

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

I'm out of the loop for these things so thought I'd ask the UHH community. A friend asked me today what camera he could get that would do well for family shooting, both inside and out. He wants something simple, like a P&S. Recommendations? I'd like to see him with a pretty good device...he's hip to digital as he has a 2002 Oly that's obviously long in der tooth...

niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

Budget?

Terkat

Good morning Charlie,

I have the "big guns" - D3, D850, F5 and D6 etc. but one of my nearly most often used is my Canon G9 X. Absolutely flawless image quality. Could not be any more user friendly.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! Slightly above "budget" at $489.00 (likely somewhat less if you shop around) but truly worth it.

Good luck in your search and all the best to you and yours,

Terry

Grey Ghost

How about the iPhone 13. This phone has a phenomenal camera and it is always with you.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

We need a price range. Whatever he gets will be fine.

$200 -
https://improb.com/digital-cameras-under-200/
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/the-best-camera-under-pound200
https://shotkit.com/best-cameras-200/
https://www.lifewire.com/best-digital-cameras-under-200-3897831

$300 -
https://www.consumerreports.org/point-shoot-digital-cameras/best-digital-cameras-under-300-dollars/
https://photophique.com/best-cameras-under-300/
https://www.photoworkout.com/best-compact-cameras-under-300-dollars/
https://www.adorama.com/alc/the-best-point-and-shoot-cameras-under-300

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

Best compact -
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/the-10-best-compact-cameras
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/buying-guide-best-compact-zoom-cameras
https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2401971,00.asp
https://www.techradar.com/news/best-compact-camera
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/the-10-best-compact-cameras
https://shotkit.com/best-compact-cameras/
https://www.t3.com/us/features/best-compact-cameras

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I have a Canon Powershot G9X too. Unless there's something beyond what the zoom range or aperture of this camera provides, you can't tell the difference from this 20MP 2.7x crop factor camera. The IBIS is pretty reliable down to about 1/30 sec in the auto options. I switch over the Manual if I need to bump up the shutter when I find I can't handhold the camera at something slower.

Sony and Nikon have competing models. All three have various slightly different configurations, at different model numbers, if you want more zoom or a sliding rear screen, etc.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

CHG_CANON wrote:

I have a Canon Powershot G9X too. Unless there's s... (show quote)

...cool, two votes for the G9X...a friend, awhile ago, was extolling the virtues of this camera so the planets are aligned. I will recommend...

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

chasgroh wrote:

...cool, two votes for the G9X...a friend, awhile ago, was extolling the virtues of this camera so the planets are aligned. I will recommend...

My complaint about the G9X is the lack of viewfinder. Now for the same price there is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 which not only has a viewfinder, its' Leica lens zooms from 25-250 mm (35 equiv). I have one and love it.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

PHRubin wrote:

My complaint about the G9X is the lack of viewfinder. Now for the same price there is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 which not only has a viewfinder, its' Leica lens zooms from 25-250 mm (35 equiv). I have one and love it.

I have one also, and like it. Good for street photog. Depending on the friend's budget, a good possibility.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

DWU2 wrote:

I have one also, and like it. Good for street photog. Depending on the friend's budget, a good possibility.

If you are OK with a 1/2.3" sensor, the DCZS80 has a viewfinder, goes out to 720 mm ans costs $100 less.

Laramie Loc: Tempe

Does he have $1000? The Canon G1 X even has an APS-C sensor.

niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

... or if he/she has sixteen hundred of those dollars, there's the Sony RX10 IV, which is why I asked about budget. The built in flash and super zoom lens make it mighty flexible and the 1" sensor gives great image quality compared to the less than half inch sensor on so many others.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

chasgroh wrote:

I'm out of the loop for these things so thought I'd ask the UHH community. A friend asked me today what camera he could get that would do well for family shooting, both inside and out. He wants something simple, like a P&S. Recommendations? I'd like to see him with a pretty good device...he's hip to digital as he has a 2002 Oly that's obviously long in der tooth...

A Lumix ZS200 is a nice pocketable camera for family snapshots. Canon makes a nice series of compact cameras in their G series (I don’t know the current variant in that series). Alternatively a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830 is inexpensive and makes nice images for the price. I have an example of all three and have been pleased with their performance.

Stan

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

If simplicity is the goal while being able to turn out nice images, then the Canon G9X is hard to beat. If a bit more zoom is desired along with a few more feature, the G7X2 or 3 is also a good choice, although a bit more expensive.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

If he’s truly looking for P&S and not a superzoom bridge camera his best bet is his phone.