Camera recommendations

[meandmygirl]

I am after camera recommendations for our upcoming trip.

I have a Canon DSLR but don't have the confidence to use it to its full potential to get good photos so have decided it won't be coming with us.

I want to get a good P&S. My trusty old Fujifilm has recently died and can't be purchased anymore It took the best photos.

So, I am after recommendations for a P&S - $$ not really a problem but would like something under $400.

I will also have my iphone. I guess that poses another question, would the iphone be adequate or not?

Thanks in advance.

 

[HappyFingers]

panasonic lumix ft3

fully waterproof
takes great pics

just point and shoot

and in your budget

 

[HappyFingers]

heres one

.

 

[HappyFingers]

one more, i love this pic, its insane, but i love it

Brianna has it as the screensaver on her ipad

 

[fiestamomma]

I'm am far from tech savvy when it comes to cameras. I searched around here and online reviews and found what I though would best fit us. We purchased a Sony Hx30v.

I chose this one because it had great reviews on p&s capability, ridiculously good zoom and is HD. The wifi is a bonus and I'm sure whatever else it does is great too but those were our sticking points.

We have had it for about three weeks now and really like it. Easy to use and follow on screen directions and again the zoom is awesome!!!

You can google online and see some good comps and samples pics and videos.

I purchase it on Amazon as a bundle for 419. came with a 32g sd card, case, tripod, extra battery and some cleaning stuff. The tripod looks like a cereal box prize but the sd card and extra battery were at least a $60 value.

Hope this helps

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[meandmygirl]

HappyFingers -that underwater shot is great! Thanks for the suggestion, I will add it to my research list.

 

[alicia1506]

on our last trip, i used a panasonic lumix dmc fh25 which was a brilliant little pocket sized p&s, good for lowlight and high exposure (not brilliant, but does take acceptable lowlight and high exposure shots).

i have also used an olympus sp 810uz which has a much more extended zoom feature & better manual controls (not quite a dslr but an upgraded p&s for the more advanced hobbyist).

i recommend making a list of the features you're looking for eg digital zoom capabilities, low light performance, high contrast performance, AA vs L-ion battery, size, weight etc and then use review sites like digitalcamera-hq.com to review the performance of the cameras you're looking at, and use sites like www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au to give you a feel for price.

 

[Tara2004]

I WOULD TAKE THE CANON, just put it put it on Full Auto and you cant go wrong. It would be a shame to leave a good camera at home. Just do some Practice before you go.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I WOULD TAKE THE CANON, just put it put it on Full Auto and you cant go wrong. It would be a shame to leave a good camera at home. Just do some Practice before you go.

I completely agree with Tara. That camera on auto is far better than a point and shoot. Although I can appreciate they are heavy to lug around.

I have a little Canon S95 in my bag and it takes beautiful photos. I can recommend it.

 

[meandmygirl]

lol - I was certain someone would say take the Canon

I have got it out and will take it for an outing on the weekend. Got the local show coming up as well so will take it there for whirl and see how I go.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

You will truly be fine. I'm a protographer and I put my canon dslr on auto probably 50% of the time when I travel. I don't want to be worrying about it and when it's just "snaps" that's good enough for me. Of course if I'm standing in front of the Grand Canyon or something, then I get a bit fancier

 

[battymum]

I bought an Olympus epl mirrorless - from all the reviews I read, it was supposed to be the perfect travel camera - quality of a dslr, size of a p&s - although I wish I had used it in auto more !

 

[queenie82]

I agree with taking the Canon...
If you have it and know how to use it then even on Auto you are going to do better.
And you can then get the 'moments' still just with your phone

DBF doesn't want to lug around his Canon this upcoming trip and is proposing getting this
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FZ-48-black/dp/B005DV9YR6
but I'm hoping he forgets to get this...
and is "stuck" "lugging" the canon around.
While it IS a good camera and more compact...it still isn't ACTUALLY compact...because it is still a DSLR lens. You just can't change it.

My (should be pro) photographer friend who shoots with a Nikon says that pretty much all the P&S are much of a muchness. And that the newest iPad which his girlfriend has actually does very good video and photos.

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

I have a brand new Canon DSLR that I got especially to take in October! But, I will also have my Panasonic Lumix TMC DZ10 which I took on the last trip and it was great! It takes some amazing pics and if you would like to see any my TR link is below!

You will be surprised how you can get the Canon to do what you want it to do rather quickly. Auto mode is just that.......easy!!! And with a bit of practice, you will be using it like a pro in no time!

So........take the canon, you won't regret it

 

[Royal Consort]

Firstly, what is your DSLR and what lenses do you use on it? The lenses are actually the really important part.

OK so this is something I've researched and considered for the past year. For Disneyland Paris I took my S95. I shot everything in RAW and could then play with my pictures in Lightroom when I got home. I was happy with the results for such a small P&S and ended up with some 'perfect' shots. However, we have each bought a Canon 650D DSLR for our upcoming trip. Because I spent so much time in manual control on the S95, I want to use this for a DSLR and be able to get everything exposed correctly (i.e. clouds). I also wanted something that can handle higher ISO better (sensor's sensitivity to light)

I was of the opinion that I didn't want to take a DSLR to a Disney park because I didn't want to experience the holiday through a viewfinder and lug it round. My last trip proved me wrong. I missed not having the shutter speed to take 'frozen' shots in parades and needed it for low light performance in the evening. I felt I missed so many amazing opportunities because my P&S just couldn't do what I wanted it to. So this time I'm going equipped. I won't be caught out again.

My advice would be: if your pictures are something you really value and you really want to capture the magic of your experience, you may benefit from taking your DSLR. It can handle things a P&S just can't. At the same time, a beautiful shot is based on composition and the photographer's eye. You can take a great composition with a P&S.

But if you don't want to continually take photos and have the weight all day, don't bother with the DSLR.

You said you didn't want to take your DSLR because you don't know how to use it - but you can learn!!!! I think not taking it because you don't feel proficient is the worst reason not to take it. It depends on prorities and yes, there'll be times when you will use it on auto because you just won't have the time to set up a shot. But for those moments when you do have the time to set it up properly, or during periods of low light... why wouldn't you take it?!

If you're after a P&S, pick up a Canon S100. It's not cheap in stores, $500ish - but you can find it cheaper online.

I'm taking both DSLR and S95 on my trip because I can't be bothered storing the DSLR at Universal.

 

[Royal Consort]

one more, i love this pic, its insane, but i love it

Brianna has it as the screensaver on her ipad

Good job she's not part of the Olympic swim team.

 

[Feej]

If you're after a P&S, pick up a Canon S100. It's not cheap in stores, $500ish - but you can find it cheaper online.

My wife just got one of these yesterday from HN of all places, for around $450 I think. We also got a spare battery, as apparently they burn through pretty quick.

It looks a very nice P&S with quite a bit of flexibility. We'll see how it goes...

 

[Royal Consort]

My wife just got one of these yesterday from HN of all places, for around $450 I think. We also got a spare battery, as apparently they burn through pretty quick.

It looks a very nice P&S with quite a bit of flexibility. We'll see how it goes...

I really like the S95 and the S100 has some cool improvements.

I also keep two batteries. It doesn't burn through them but it's not economical with battery power either. I use the second as battery insurance for those days when I'm photo obsessive.

 

[shushh]

Another vote here for your Canon DSLR! If it is confidence that is stopping you from bringing it, then use it on auto. Even on auto, it will take superior or at the least equivalent photos to a P&S.

However, if it is bulk and weight of the DLSR stopping you from bringing it with you then take a P&S with you.

As already mentioned, the newer iphones and ipads actually has decent cameras. Can't help with P&S recommendations as we travel with our Nikon DSLR and our camera phones serve as our P&S.

 

[robynrainer]

Just invested in a P&S for the same reason. The thought of three tired kids and the weight of the SLR on my shoulder at the end of the day was too much to contemplate. Picked up a panasonic lumix FT4 which is waterproof to 12 m and shockproof and full HD movie. This can fit in my pocket and we can head off to the parks light on weight and not have to worry about the camera in the water parka. Will miss my SLR though and still thinking I can't go to NYC without it.