ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

I have been asked by a friend for a recommendation for a camera “better than a cell phone.” I have not bern involved in that segment of the market for quite some time, and some of the criteria are hard to quantify, so I am turning to the UHH brain trust for input.

My friend is an opportunistic photographer, who likes to take long walks in gardens and parks, and take landscape or nature photos when something catches his eye. He does not go out for the purpose of taking pictures.

Please read the following criteria. I would appreciate it if responders could refrain from suggestions that my friend “really should” have a camera that does not meet these criteria.

Requirements:

1) EASY TO USE. My friend feels that, when confronted with a picture opportunity, cell phones take too long too initialize. Wants something that can “point and shoot.”

2) Viewfinder and DSLR shape. NO POCKET CAMERAS, PLEASE, He doesn’t want a full-size camera, but likes the familiar format of the DSLR.

3) Single zoom lens, not interchangeable. Not crazy long.

4) Good picture quality (i.e., better than a cell phone).

5) Easy to download, post to social media, etc. He will NOT be processing RAW images.

6) No price limitations, but clearly advanced cameras with many features are not part of the criteria.

From my research, a camera like the Lumix DC-FZ80 would seem to meet the criteria, but I can not speak to the EASY TO USE qualities. I would appreciate hearing from Hoggers who have these same general criteria for their impressions and recommendations.

Thanks in advance.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Sony RX10 Mk II. 1" sensor, good lens, good focal length range, Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity. I can't speak from personal experience but it probably produces good jpg images in Auto mode.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

1) EASY TO USE. My friend feels that, when confronted with a picture opportunity, cell phones take too long too initialize. Wants something that can “point and shoot.” Apparently your friend has never taken the the to learn how to use his/her cellphone.

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

You are probably correct. But, i think it is also the difficulty of framing a shot in the small LCD of the phone. That’s the reason for the viewfinder.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Do you know what model cellphone your friend is using?

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

Canon G1 X III

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Requirements:

1) EASY TO USE: Ans: Phone

2) Viewfinder and DSLR shape: Ans: Silly-I. The larger LCD display of the phone is far superior. Silly-II. The shape of a camera has nothing to do with the images it creates. Silly-III. What is the purpose of this 'camera', to impress other people in the gardens and parks or people on the cruise boat?

3) Single zoom lens, not interchangeable: Ans: Is the purpose to create better images or impress people on the cruise? If they desire an SLR shape, get the SLR benefit of a zoom like a DX 18-140mm.

4) Good picture quality: Ans: Is that before or after the images are processed by this photography novice?

5) Easy to download, post to social media, etc: Ans: Can't be easier than the internet-connected phone

6) No price limitations: Ans: Any new equipment will be more expense that just using the phone already onsite.

From my research, a camera like the Lumix DC-FZ80 would seem to meet the criteria, but I can not speak to the EASY TO USE qualities. I would appreciate hearing from Hoggers who have these same general criteria for their impressions and recommendations.

Ans:

Sony has similar models the Lumix, such as the Sony RX10 Mk IV (24-600mm equivalent). The pocket models are even more portable for the opportunistic photographer, such as the Sony RX100 MK VII, or the various G-series Canon PowerShot models.

You might be more of a 'friend' in trying to steer your friend away from this idea; and rather, help them be a better phone photographer. Or, help them 'see' a smaller pocket model is a significant step-up from the phone, in both capability and complexity to use. Anything beyond the phone will add complexity to usage, even the simple step of getting the image files off the camera (card).

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Excellent response!

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Your friend wants a bridge camera. There are many available. Start by reading up on them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_camera

If he’s just taking snapshots, then any one of them will do.

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

Sony DSC-HX400. It has a super zoom (24 - 1,200 mm) Zeiss lens, WiFi connectivity, 21 megapixel sensor, anti-vibration, etc., etc. All your friend has to do is dial it to auto, turn it on, zoom to what he wants and snap away. The picture quality matches the Nikon or Canon "big boys" yet it's light and compact.

alexol

Just a question...

How happy is your friend going to be, lugging around a camera of any description? He/she will probably take their phone with them anyway.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

"Easy to download, post to social media, etc. "

That is the hardest part.

I have used the Sony, Panasonic, DJI and Olympus android apps and don't think any of them are easy.

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

OK OK, comments that my friend is silly, misguided, etc., are all likely true, but that doesn't help the decision process. He's the type of guy who has gone back to school to get a doctorate just for fun, but he is not geeky by any means. He understands that he will be just dipping his toes in the water, and that is all he wants to do at this stage.

Bluntly, the cell phone, and any pocket camera, are too small (for him) to feel comfortable taking pictures. He has held one of my pocket cameras in his hands, and rejected it for size. So, please no more along those lines.

Let me re-frame the question. Can anyone recommend a point and shoot camera that is larger than a pocket camera that is easy to use to get satisfactory .jpegs? If he has a satisfactory experience, he would be happy to get more involved, but a poor experience will send him reluctantly back to his cell phone.

Thanks to the few who responded directly to the question.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

As already suggested, the Sony DSC-HX400 is still a good choice.