bobjim

This blurb is prompted by a post from ‘Lica’ in a November UHH issue.
Lica had a Sony Cybershot (which was stolen) and needed advice on replacement.
My 1962 Olympus Pen S was also stolen but I have a 2009 Sony Cybershot which I still use and have considered what to replace it with.

The first camera I used (my father’s) was a Kodak bellows type with B&W 120 film.
Photographed a variety of visiting US military aircraft at the 1959 opening of Wellington Airport (Rongotai) in New Zealand and saw some great photo opportunities (which I missed) as follows:

* RAF Avro Vulcan bomber was attempting a ‘touch-and-go’ landing but hit soft ground before the start of the sealed runway, causing the left undercarriage to fold back and puncture a wing fuel tank. The Vulcan recovered and as it powered away above me, I noticed fuel streaming out of the punctured tank. I watched it disappear into the distance, wondering why it did not retract the undercarriage. It crash-landed at the RNZAF Ohakea air force base about 140 km north of Wellington and spent some time there being repaired before flying back to England.

* RNZAF Short Sunderland flying boat doing a low-level flypast down the length of the runway inadvertently came into contact with the ground and ripped a hole in the keel.
I watched it disappear into the distance trailing escaping bilge water. It landed at the NZ air force base in Auckland and quickly beached before it could sink.

* USAF McDonnell Voodoo roared overhead, went vertical with afterburners and punched a hole in the clouds, exposing blue sky through the swirling hole.

Oh for a modern camera (with video capability) to capture some of those highlights of the day.

First camera I purchased (1962) was an Olympus Pen S (35mm half-frame). A 36 exposure film would realize 72 or more shots but I sometimes got the film retailer to load extra length of B&W film to achieve up to 90 exposures.

Second camera used through the 1970s was a Yashica 35mm non-reflex.

Third camera was my father’s Minolta XG1 which I inherited in 1982 and subsequently purchased several extra second-hand lenses for it.

Fourth camera, purchased in 2008, is a Sony Cybershot which has 15x optical zoom and (only) 8Mp sensor. I have taken thousands of photos and videos with this camera which still serves me well after numerous European trips.
The only extras I have needed are more memory sticks because I like to take videos to capture some of the panoramic scenes and action shots. If I bought a new camera to replace it, I would consider something similar with 16 to 20+ Mp and 50 to 60x optical zoom, usually in the US$400-600 price range.

I have discussed with friends the choice of a high Mp camera with extra lenses versus my preference for a single lens variable zoom camera and modest Mp capability. One friend preferred a high Mp camera and the ability to enlarge and crop the image on a computer. My operating preference in the field is to zoom in on detail that cannot otherwise be seen (or identified with the naked eye) and make that the shot. I like to take a landscape shot and subsequently zoom in to take close-up shots of interesting details. This beats mucking around with lens changes. Was keen on the Nikon P900, then came the Nikon P1000 (both only have 16Mp sensors) but I saw a scathing review on-line re the P1000. Maybe the winner should be another Sony?

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

You are not going to be "happy" with the Nikon P1000; first it's a beast, secondly focusing at 3000 mm is problematical. And at $996 I think it is a bit pricey for a bridge camera.

I think, if you do not want to go the removable lens route, a Sony RX100M4 with it's 24-70 lens, 20 Mp sensor, pop up EVF and flash would be an excellent choice. The RX100M4 is my secondary travel camera, something I can slip into my pocket.

For a mirrorless, look at the Fuji X100F with it's 32 mm lens or the Fuji X-T20 with the 16-55 and 55-230 lenses. I traveled all over France with one and took incredible pictures, all hand held.

Whatever you get, spare batteries are far more important that a lot of "memory sticks."

There's my 2 cents.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

All I can do is off a list of camera comparison sites.

(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://www.cameradecision.com/
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

I agree whole-heartedly with the Fuji and two lens recommendation. I have the X-T20 and a few Fuji lenses. What a convenient kit.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Sony HX90V or if you like RAW go with the new HX99V.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

I took the Fuji X100F all over Europe this past summer, and never regretted not taking my interchangeable camera and lenses.

Although the fixed lens is a 35mm equivalent, it also has a built in digital teleconverter that lets you also shoot 50mm and 70mm, if you don’t mind just shooting jpegs at those focal lengths. They are much better than just cropping due to interpolation software that Fuji uses.

The camera is incredible.

regularguy55

Perhaps check out the Panasonic LUMIX FZ1000 for a nice bridge camera which has a 1” sensor, articulating screen, and bright viewfinder. Does a nice job and has great balance. With a little practice one can take decent one-handed shots.

Bushpilot Loc: Minnesota

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I have an older Canon SX50 HS I bought to satisfy the following:

1) More portable than my DSLR
2) Viewfinder (Display panels can be troublesome in bright daylight) but also live view
3) Hot shoe compatible with my Canon strobe but also with built-in flash

I am VERY happy with it. Today we have the SX60 HS or the just announced SX70 HS (soon to be available) meeting your requirements

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

I have both a Sony RX10 III & IV and am very happy with its 1" sensor and excellent Zeiss 24-600mm zoom. Although I also have a couple of Sony full frame cameras (A7S and A7R II), the RX10's are my most used cameras.

A shot from yesterday with the RX10 IV attached.

bwa

(Download)

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

What’s very interesting is that a whole lot of folks come on here with great ideas about many photo topics. And many come on and rave about a particular camera or lens BRAND, most are really happy with which ever brand they use & love. The obvious conclusion one might come away with, is that almost all cameras and lenses are terrific, these days, so you’re probably safe to go out and handle one you like and it will most likely be “ALL THAT” and be a safe bet. But the various characteristics described buy uhh folks, can steer you in or away from or to, what will meet your requirements, and make you a HAPPY CAMPER(photographer). ..... RJM

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

Yup, over the years I've been happy with Kodak, Pentax, Panasonic, Canon and now Sony...

bwa

Steve411

Your camera is ready. A Nikon 900P. Please research the details.. and get your $600 bucks ready. With this camera you can truly reach out and touch someone.
enjoy the research, Steve411