I am…relatively new to photography (I had a Nikon FG 20 back in the dark ages of the 1980s and this got me into the photography world. I now have a Canon T7 and am needing a lens for long distance shots and up close shots. When I had my Nikon, I LOVED taking pictures of my dad’s flowers and such, but also, living on the Cape, took pictures of the ocean and coast. I have a wide angle lens and a “telephoto” 2x2 lens, but I have read about all in one lenses.
Does anyone have one or know anything about them? My budget is not to big so I am not looking for anything close to $1000 or higher.
With my Nikon I had a macro Zoom 50-200 which I used for most of my photography. I’d like something close to that if there is such an animal.
Please pardon me if this is a boneheaded question. I know I am a major “greenie” when it comes to photography. I really regret putting the camera down because I love photography.
Thanks in advance ☺️

I just saw an advert for the new Nikon Zf series of full-frame mirrorless cameras and they're really pushing this 'retro-look'. I don't know, but first off, one of the reasons, at least this is how I see it, in going mirrorless was so that camera designers would no longer be locked into a configuration dictated by the optical path of a mirror and viewfinder.

And to make this 'retro-look' even more pronounced, it appears that they're moving more of the controls back to dedicated knobs on the top of the camera. All they're missing is a faux film-advance and hinge on the side of the body.

Now I'll be the first to acknowledge that the LCD screen-based menu systems on many digital cameras can be frustrating (after all, I own Sony cameras ;-) but things have gotten better and with the introduction of customizable buttons (my Sony a6500 has three), you can at least program the most common option settings that you need quick access to.

Anyway, what do others think of this effort...

Disclaimer: I've never owned a Nikon, film-based or otherwise, and have been mirrorless since 2013 when I bought a Sony NEX-3N. My current mainline camera is a Sony a6500, but I've still got an a6000 and a A65 DSLR, which are occasionally called into service.

To see what I mean about this Nikon 'retro-look', here's what the new Zf looks like. Note that it's also available in all-black so at least they're not going all the way back into camera history to get this new look:

Having lost feeling and dexterity in my fingers I took the decision to change from my beloved M43 Panny to a pro P&S (if there is such a thing). After much deliberation (staying within budget) I chose the Leica D-Lux 109. Financially the swap balanced ok, with the help of Park Cameras.
When switching the Leica on, I can press an Auto button which means I can compose my shot and push the go button. This means all settings are set to best. In the Landscape section I have posted a picture which shows first results. I am pleased, and my photography can now continue.

Yes, controversial, but I saw these reasons online from Peta Pixel.

1. Handling is not very good on a phone, but a camera is easy to hold, and it has controls that let you make changes easily.
2. The view. The viewfinder of new, mirrorless cameras shows you how changes in settings will affect the final picture. The flip-screen lets you get up or down shots more easily than when using a phone.
3. The flash. Although new cameras seem to be omitting the pop-up flash, it is possible to add a flash unit to the camera. That flash can also be used off-camera to put the light at a different angle. The best you can do with a phone is a small, weak flash.
4. The lens. A modern cell phone might have three separate lenses, but the quality and control aren't as good as what's available for cameras.
5. DOF and bokeh are also lacking in phones, compared with cameras. Selecting a different lens or aperture changes the results you get in the image. That amount of control isn't available with a phone.
6. Movement. The cell phone camera likes to be held steady because it takes multiple shots when you push the button. It's also difficult to follow fast action with a phone, especially considering the multiple shots it takes each time.
7. Selfies. Using the phone for a selfie means using the phone's forward-facing camera, the one with the lowest quality.

The narrator concludes by saying that cell phones are great for quick, casual shots that are going to be shared online, but a real camera will generally give better results.

I've said here many times, that I don't like using a phone as a camera because of the steadiness required while holding the phone away from my body. Holding it steady while taping the button is tricky. I don't always know if the picture has actually been taken. I have to keep my fingers away from the lens. Yes, these are all shortcomings on my part, but they don't apply to a real camera.

I suspect that some of you might disagree with this entire post. That's okay.