jules1476 Loc: Fort Worth, TX

Hi all,
I'm heading to Italy at the beginning of August for two weeks (a week at a villa in Tuscany and the rest of the time in Rome) with a group of friends. I've decided to attempt to just carry on, and am thinking of leaving the DSLR behind and possibly getting a point and shoot. I mostly will be shooting the friends, some street photography, and the normal touristy sites, I guess, but people are my main interest. Any suggestions on a good P&S that won't break the bank - say around $300 that'll give me some good results? Would like to use the regular size memory card, Raw would be nice, Wifi would be awesome, and a nice zoom with some nice action capabilities. Is it possible?
Thanks!

Pepsiman Loc: New York City

Canon SX 530 HS

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

I am sure the whole UHH world is going to come down on my head for this but...
If you don't intend to print over 8x10 and if you have a relatively new cell phone with a decent camera take that. My Galaxy S7s native camera app allows me to take RAW+jpg if I want. Many advantages to a cell phone including: you will always have it with you, less likely to leave it on a restaurant table or in the car or whatever. The only disadvantage I can see is the limited storage and that can be alleviated if someone in your party brings a laptop, simply download to the laptop and erase from the phone.

I have my helmet and body armor on. Attack at will.

jules1476 Loc: Fort Worth, TX

I've thought about doing that, but I just have an iPhone 7 and don't think I would be as happy with the results as I would be with something with a few more options...

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

The Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS70 is slightly above your budget at $347.99 new, but has much more detail than the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 ($299 new). Both have a 30X zoom (24-720mm (35mm Equivalent)) and a videwfinder which I consider a must for outdoors in bright sunlight.

EDIT: Both are pocketable.

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

I do not have a camera recommendation. I am sure there are others here more knowledgeable in P&S. But I just got back from 2 weeks in Europe with my dslr and 3 lenses. I didn’t carry all of them every day but honestly I wish I had left my dslr at home and bought a p&s for the trip. I would also make a suggestion in addition to a p&s practice getting good images with you cell phone too. Not instead of the point and shoot but in addition to. I took about 2000 shots with the dslr and an additional 250 with my cell phone. I wish I had been better skilled in its use before going. I would also recommend downloading Snapspeed to it. It’s a great editing app for your cell phone pics. Where the cell phone comes in very handy is taking pics that you want to upload to social media right away or maybe send to someone. By the second week of my trip it replaced my wide angle zoom. I also would take a good shot with my DSLR and then take out my cell and capture the same shot. I didn’t have to wait until the end of the day, download the images from a card and edit the raw images etc. I was able to post an image at the next place that had WiFi. Like any other tool it does take some practice and most “photographers” overlook it so they don’t practice with it enough. I know this will bring the ire of the “real photographers” here but who cares you are capturing memories and the best camera to do that with is the one you have with you at that moment. Good luck and have a great trip!

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Take a look at the Lumix zs50k. Amazon has it for $299. I think it will fit your needs. Also good in low light.....

jules1476 Loc: Fort Worth, TX

That is one that is on my list....

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

I have another recommendation not related to a p&s. Take a mini tripod or platypod with a ball head. Go out and do your shooting at dawn. Leave your camera behind during the day and just use your cell. I know it sounds crazy but here is why. St Peters square in Rome for example is a mad scene during the day, at dawn the lighting is gorgeous and there will be no one there to get in your pictures. If you want to get killer images of the sights that is the best time. Then during the day you can focus on just seeing the sights. If there is something you want to capture you have your cell. Which would lend it self more to selfies and shots of the people you are with but still capable of great images in good light. A selfie stick is also not a bad idea. Not just for selfies but it will allow you to get very different and unique angles. For example, again in St. Peter’s square in a crowd you can raise it up and get a nice shot looking over the crowd. Or you can use it to get a low perspective shooting up. The mini (and I mean really small) will be great for blue hour when you need longer exposures. Platypods are great too and can usually be used inside museums and other places where tripods are not allowed.

jules1476 Loc: Fort Worth, TX

I've traveled with my DSLR and lenses quite a bit and am just thinking this time I don't want to lug it all with me. Thanks for confirming I might have the right idea! All the things you mentioned are the exact things I've been thinking about. I've heard about Snapseed too and will download and get to know it. Thanks!

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Look at “Snapseed”. It is very useful app for processing on a phone or iPad.
Even if you invest in a P&S, “Snapseed” would be a very useful tool for any images taken with the iPhone.
It is impressive, and turns an iPhone into a “real camera”.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

My favorite camera is a $600 Panasonic LX-100. My wife's favorite camera is a $500 Panasonic ZS-100. They are our primary cameras, not just our travel cameras. I confess to having another but it is only for its really long "wildlife" lens.

Small cameras have gone well beyond "Point and Shoot". Because they are small, and still capable, your photography has the potential to be better because the shooting opportunities improve.

Buy one of these (or maybe the always acclaimed Sony RX-100) from B&H. If I'm wrong, B&H gives you a full satisfaction guarantee for 30 days. You will get all of your money back.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

You might have to expand your budget a little be. The Panasonic Lumix ZS70 would be a good choice. It's currently going for $349.99 at Best Buy, and I'm sure B&H has it for the same price. It has an EVF and zooms out from 24--720mm (35mm equivalent). It won't fit in a jeans pocket, but a loose shirt pocket or cargo shorts/pants pocket or a jacket pocket will hold it. If you want to spend a bit more, the Sony HX99 is going for $449.99. It's smaller and lighter. Both shoot JPEG and RAW.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Good Cell phone is probably the best bet.
I am considering a P&S to replace my FSLR for vacation in certain situations but I also am looking for excellent image quality that I could make prints from if I wanted to...budget here is 600-1000 (Lumix/Sony high end gear).

IMHO, take your DSLR for images you may want to print/lowlight and use your cellphone for everything else....or if serious, get a Sony Rx100 model from version ii-vi ....all are good and the ii is close to your price range.

Low end p&s just dont seem to carry enough differentiation from cell phone cameras.
(Unless you want waterproof).