Point and Shoot Help

[ksloane]

I came here for advice when buying my DSLR and am so thankful and feel that I ultimately made the right decision and I'm slowly learning to use it.

Now I'm in the market for a point and shoot camera. While I love the photos I get with my DSLR, I sometimes just want to carry something small and convenient.

I'd really like to stay at about $350 or less. I would go up to $400 without crying too much.

I've been looking at the

Canon PowerShot S110
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20
Fujifilm XF1
Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX7K

but not limited to those.

Anyone willing to offer any advice. At this point, I am primarily wanting it for our Disney vacation in June so thought I'd come here.....

I'd like to be able to take the best picture possible in that price range in as many situations as possible - low light, bright light, a little movement, etc.

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[hakepb]

Both are solid choices. The only absolute upgrade would be the RX100, but its well above your budget.
If you are fine with the manual zoom, the Fuji is interesting.
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/fujifilm-xf1

The other angle are the enthuiast cameras that are faster at the telephoto end..which include the Canon G15, Olympus ZX2, Panasonic LX7, Nikon P7700.

 

[ksloane]

Thanks. I wish there was a way to "check out" a camera like a library book for a week and take pictures. LOL I always hate making these decisions.

 

[hakepb]

Thanks. I wish there was a way to "check out" a camera like a library book for a week and take pictures. LOL I always hate making these decisions.

I've never used or researched them, but there are a few PnS at lensrentals.com

It seems others buy both then a use return policies at amazon or bestbuy. (But you have to watch out, Amazon can cancel your account after too many returns, which basically kills all kindle, music... connectivity)

 

[ksloane]

That's a cool idea. I tend to not return things. I just suck it up and live with my ultimate decision for a year or two.

 

[Jonasphill]

If you want a camera that is an excellent "automatic" then I would chose the Sony ( we have the HX9v and love it) but if you want to have more manual control then get the Canon ( it reminds me of the old 'RangeFinder' camera's of my youth)

 

[Jonasphill]

But, if you can swing it, get the Sony RX100. It is by far the best pocket camera I have ever owned. It is great for chasing kids around and still geting great shots. That and the lens is relatively fast on a sensor almost as big as the micro 4/3 dslr's.

 

[ksloane]

If you want a camera that is an excellent "automatic" then I would chose the Sony ( we have the HX9v and love it) but if you want to have more manual control then get the Canon ( it reminds me of the old 'RangeFinder' camera's of my youth)

But, if you can swing it, get the Sony RX100. It is by far the best pocket camera I have ever owned. It is great for chasing kids around and still geting great shots. That and the lens is relatively fast on a sensor almost as big as the micro 4/3 dslr's.

Thanks. I'm leaning towards the Canon. If I remember correctly without looking back, the RX100 is a little larger than what I'm looking for. I have a DSLR and then a Fuji that's about the size of the RX100. I was hoping for something a little smaller/light weight in this camera.

 

[photo_chick]

I had the chance to play with a Fuji XF1 very recently and was really impressed. I've always been partial to Fuji point and shoots and this is one I would seriously consider if I were in the market right now. However, you said the RX100 was a little bigger than what you want, and the Fuji is nearly the same size. Those larger sensors make the cameras bigger.

 

[hakepb]

The DPReview link shows the Fuji vs the Canon and RX100:
The XF1 is also slightly larger from the front than the Sony Cyber-Shot RX100, despite the latter having a sensor twice the area. As with the S100, the XF1's two-tone design contrasts strongly with the Sony's utilitarian lines.

From the top, the positions are reversed, and the XF1 is a fraction slimmer than the RX100 when their lenses are retracted.

 

[ksloane]

Thanks everyone. It really helps to hear various opinions.

 

[havoc315]

Thanks. I'm leaning towards the Canon. If I remember correctly without looking back, the RX100 is a little larger than what I'm looking for. I have a DSLR and then a Fuji that's about the size of the RX100. I was hoping for something a little smaller/light weight in this camera.

The RX100 is tiny. Not Elph tiny, but quite small. The dimensions are slightly smaller than the Sony HX20. It's only a tiny tiny bit larger than the Canon S110.
Here is the Canon S100 side by side, with the Sony RX100.


Canon s100 vs Sony RX100 by garycruz, on Flickr


Canon s100 vs Sony RX100 by garycruz, on Flickr

 

[Pea-n-Me]

But, if you can swing it, get the Sony RX100. It is by far the best pocket camera I have ever owned. It is great for chasing kids around and still geting great shots. That and the lens is relatively fast on a sensor almost as big as the micro 4/3 dslr's.

 

[ksloane]

Thanks for those side by side pictures.