What would be a good first step up from an iPhone? (Page 2): You won’t find a camera that meets your specs that’s "inexpensive". Given that, look for a camera that also has a fixed...

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

You won’t find a camera that meets your specs that’s "inexpensive". Given that, look for a camera that also has a fixed lens with an optical zoom range greater than your iPhone and a Manual exposure mode. These are called Point-and-Shoot models, commonly known as P&S models. Many of them have excellent lenses and are compact.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

burkphoto wrote:

I would recommend you first define: br br > w... (show quote)

Burk, you always provide thorough, and accurate responses complete with referances and websites.
When you post, I always learn something, and that makes me . . .
Smile,
JimmyT Sends
Bravo Zulu

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

jlporter wrote:

Greetings, I am going back to picture-taking hopefully, and would appreciate any thoughts about an appropriate (i.e., inexpensive, small, travel worthy, "exposure adjustable", easy to transfer photo, etc.) Thanks very much if you have a suggestion or two... Jas

A more current smart phone.

DJCard Loc: Northern Kentucky

jlporter wrote:

Greetings, I am going back to picture-taking hopefully, and would appreciate any thoughts about an appropriate (i.e., inexpensive, small, travel worthy, "exposure adjustable", easy to transfer photo, etc.) Thanks very much if you have a suggestion or two... Jas

It would help to know which iPhone you currently have and whether or not you plan to upgrade your iPhone. IMO, the latest iPhones have the ability to take excellent photos, along with its editing software. IMO, it would take a significant step up in camera ability, and editing ability, to beat the newer iPhones’ potential. A couple from my 12 Pro Max:

radiojohn

There is an ocean full of good, used cameras out there going for ten cents on the dollar from the original price.

I always liked Canon Powershots with optical viewfinders.

eBay has strong buyer support, shopgoodwill is a mess with high shipping prices and everything as-is.

ralphhipps

I got both my iPhone 7 and iPhone 13 for free on trade in deals with Verizon, so that’s pretty hard to beat from a cost standpoint.

But for more serious shooting I love my DSLRs. I have GAS, so I have more than one, each with certain advantages over the others, but I really could get by with just one good one. The Nikon D600 or my Canon D6 would qualify.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Check out the type of camera that's referred to as a "premium compact". Pocketable, good image quality, manual controls, can shoot raw files. Some come with a good range of focal lengths (i.e. lots of zoom).

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

jlporter wrote:

Greetings, I am going back to picture-taking hopefully, and would appreciate any thoughts about an appropriate (i.e., inexpensive, small, travel worthy, "exposure adjustable", easy to transfer photo, etc.) Thanks very much if you have a suggestion or two... Jas

Panasonic Lumix ZS100. $397 at Amazon. 20mp 1 inch sensor pocketable camera. Zoom lens 28mm - 250mm. EVF + screen. Bought one for my daughter for Christmas. She loves it. At least take a look at it.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

There are numerous point and shoot cameras that will be pocket-sized and packed with features. There are models in the Nikon Coolpix family for starters (I started with one), but there are others from the other manufacturers.
Its really hard to go wrong.

Hip Coyote

jlporter wrote:

Greetings, I am going back to picture-taking hopefully, and would appreciate any thoughts about an appropriate (i.e., inexpensive, small, travel worthy, "exposure adjustable", easy to transfer photo, etc.) Thanks very much if you have a suggestion or two... Jas

Burke always has good advice. I can say that the new iPhones have very very good cameras. Good enough to be a primary or secondary camera while traveling. Do you want a camera with changeable lenses? When you say small, do you mean pocket-able?

I had a friend who had basically the same criteria that you have and asked for my help in selection. We decided on a Panasonic Lumix ZS 70. (I see from above there is a newer version..the 100.) It has a view finder (an absolute must IMO), adjustable settings, can shoot in RAW (she could care less about that now but maybe some day in the future?), easily transfers images, has a small on-board flash, etc. And it was not that expensive. We bought a camera case, an extra battery and a few SD cards. I think she got out of the shop for about $500. She is very happy with the camera. She puts into into P mode and off she goes. It takes very nice vacation photos.

If you want an interchangable lens camera that is "relatively" small, I like the Olympus OMD em 10 mark ii series...it also has an on board flash, is relatively cheap, excellent image quality, you can upgrade lenses as you see fit, etc. It will not fit in a pocket. I would add to the camera the 14-150 zoom and you have a good travel camera. Those can be had used.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

burkphoto wrote:

I would recommend you first define: br br > w... (show quote)

nikonbrain Loc: Crystal River Florida

jlporter wrote:

Greetings, I am going back to picture-taking hopefully, and would appreciate any thoughts about an appropriate (i.e., inexpensive, small, travel worthy, "exposure adjustable", easy to transfer photo, etc.) Thanks very much if you have a suggestion or two... Jas

Both Canon and Nikon have come out with new entry level mirrorless camera setups ,I believe with Nikon It's the Z50 and use all used nikon lenses from the past with an adapter and of coarse new mirrorless lenses .I am not sure about which Canon is entry level I am sure there will be more suggestions here. You could also try a bridge camera like a Nikon P900 with built in zoom to 2000 mm around $800.00 or a Nikon P1000 out to 3000mm . both big bangs for low bucks .

wetreed

I would recommend a Nikon D3500

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

A Canon T8i with a 18-135 lens good entry camera. If you want weather resistance Olympus TG6

Johnnyt Loc: keizer Oregon

I also have been trying to get back into photography. My family wants me to use my Iphone. It is a good camera but I prefer to have some control over my photography and use my dedicated camera. i have a Sony Cybershot dsc rx10 m3. It’s a little old but it does the job. It has more of what I need for my hobby. So think and make your choice. 1. automation limited function or 2. ability for creativity and control. You may make mistakes but hopefully you will learn from them and do better from then on! Good Luck! I have been photographing for over 60 years starting out with a Kodak brownie , Minolta SRT 101 up to digital and been through a lot! Good Luck!