Camera for Senior Going on Vacation: I have a good friend who is planning a vacation to Alaska. He knows nothing about photography. He will be on a cruise ship and has several...

ackvil Loc: Delray Beach, FL

I have a good friend who is planning a vacation to Alaska. He knows nothing about photography. He will be on a cruise ship and has several excursions planned. Much to my surprise, his budget is under $1,000. Any recommendations?

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

iPhone.

mr1492 Loc: Newport News, VA

Probably something from Panasonic's Lumix series or the Canon Powershot line would be my recommendation. If he's willing to go used, the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 series would be an excellent choice.

rwoodvira

Agree with Sony rx100 vi 28-200 lens raw, jpeg or raw plus jpeg. mpb has them well under $1,000. 6 months warranty

(Download)

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Point and shoot with “auto” setting.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

ackvil wrote:

I have a good friend who is planning a vacation to Alaska. He knows nothing about photography. He will be on a cruise ship and has several excursions planned. Much to my surprise, his budget is under $1,000. Any recommendations?

Does he take pictures today? You say that he knows nothing about photography. Is he specifically wanting to learn? I've been on an Alaskan cruise, and it's a pretty tough environment to be learning something new. A couple of ports require riding the lifeboats, which are crowded and can be rough. Whalewatching excursions can be rough and wet.

The three best opportunities for a novice photographer are Glacier Bay, Mendenhall Glacier, and the lumberjack show. Pretty much any camera will do for any of those, including a phone. Same is true for any new camera, if he's played with it some first.

Bottom line...I'd not select a camera for Alaska or for a cruise. I'd select a camera that would do for him at home. It will do fine. And any worry about raw or editing is just a stupid waste of time and concern.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

We all know that cameras in the under $1000 range are diminishing because smartphones have become so good. If the friend needs a camera in their hands, both the Panasonic ZS80 and FZ300 are about $450 and have capable auto settings.

Higher priced with a bigger sensor is the ZS200 at $650.

Always loved in wet, rugged conditions is the Olympus TG-7 at $550. It works well when the weather is nice too!

ackvil Loc: Delray Beach, FL

Thanks for the replies. He currently uses an iPhone and Canon Powershot SD 1200. However, the Canon has some problems with it and he wants to replace it. In addition to the cruise, he has plans for a Europe river cruise in 2024.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

bsprague wrote:

Always loved in wet, rugged conditions is the Olympus TG-7 at $550. It works well when the weather is nice too!

The Ricoh WG-80 also is good in wetness @ about $300.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

ackvil wrote:

Thanks for the replies. He currently uses an iPhone and Canon Powershot SD 1200. However, the Canon has some problems with it and he wants to replace it. In addition to the cruise, he has plans for a Europe river cruise in 2024.

I second the motion for a TG-6 or -7. There is a telephoto available for it, it's a 4X that actually works pretty well. And good for all weather conditions that might be encountered in Alaska, or any where else! BUT, personally, I wouldn't go to Alaska without the capability of a good wildlife camera! Don't know what the OP's friend's interests are, but it would be a shame to miss out on one of the premier wildlife opportunities in the world!!! Just my humble opinion!!

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

rehess wrote:

The Ricoh WG-80 also is good in wetness @ about $300.

Yes...but doesn't even compare to the Oly TG's!

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Retired CPO wrote:

Yes...but doesn't even compare to the Oly TG's!

$300 does compare nicely to $550.
In what particular area do you feel the Oly is better??

b top gun

I did my first Alaska trip this September past; used a Samsung S22+ to back up my two Nikons and as my primary "camera" option when both Nikons were not handy. All things considered, the Samsung did fine; have had several of its images printed as either 8" x 12" or 16" x 9'.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

ackvil wrote:

I have a good friend who is planning a vacation to Alaska. He knows nothing about photography. He will be on a cruise ship and has several excursions planned. Much to my surprise, his budget is under $1,000. Any recommendations?

Smartphone camera.

Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south

Fredrick wrote:

iPhone.

The best option!