Will someone just hit buy for me?

[jhoannam]

I had my heart set on an Olympus EM5 ($899) I was going to buy it this week. But then FIL called and said that they probably won't be able to come visit us this year--as planned. The good thing is that we get to visit them in California and sneak in a 3 day trip to DL. The bad is that I don't have the $900 for the camera. I have a 5DMII but I only have 2 lenses 50mm & 85mmm, so I was planning on adding the 28mm instead of getting a new camera. But we are going skiing next week (first ski trip for our girls) so I want to make sure to capture them on the slops. I have been looking at smaller compact cameras, DH would rather I not spend $300 on a camera so I have been reading review for P&S (around $150) and the reviews say that they are just glorified smart phones. So I have decided that I can't bring myself to waste $150 on a P&S so I'm looking for something a little better, a compact camera for about $300.
I have been looking at the Samsung NX3000 ($299 includes LR5). I can also get a Sony a5000 (refurbished) for $340. Any other suggestions? I have spend the last 2 weeks trying to decided but I can't. Someone help me decide!! Please!

 

[mom2rtk]

Maybe instead of just a P&S you might want to bring something else to the table. Maybe a waterproof camera that could do double duty? I bought one last summer as a complement to my DSLR and have enjoyed using it as a backup as well. I also love the panoramic function.

 

[jhoannam]

Maybe instead of just a P&S you might want to bring something else to the table. Maybe a waterproof camera that could do double duty? I bought one last summer as a complement to my DSLR and have enjoyed using it as a backup as well. I also love the panoramic function.

what did you get?

 

[mom2rtk]

I got the Lumix TS5A. Not sure why it's so much more now than it was last year when I bought mine for $269. There are plenty of other models to choose from though as new updates come out all the time. Just google "best waterproof camera" and start reading. That's how I chose. I was looking for something waterproof, but wanted to be sure it also took good photos out of the water as well. And we had fun playing with the panoramic function, so that added value for me.

P1000295 by mom2rtk, on Flickr