scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,147 
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Post by scrapnnana on Dec 30, 2014 2:17:57 GMT
I have a small camera that I keep in my purse. I dropped it against a really hard surface, and it was damaged to the point it would cost too much to fix it.
Now I need a new small pocket digital point & shoot camera. Can anyone recommend a good one that they love?
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sweetpe
Junior Member
Posts: 56
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Post by sweetpe on Dec 30, 2014 17:27:06 GMT
I was in the boat a few weeks ago..........
I love my d90 but sometimes its just to big to carry around so after much reading (and knowing myself) I went with the nikon 1.
I liked the interchangeable lens and the small point and shoot size.
I love it!!
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christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,129
Location: New York, NY
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Post by christinec68 on Dec 30, 2014 19:40:04 GMT
I have the Canon Powershot Elph 300 - it's a great camera. It's very small, has several shooting modes and it has a pretty short time lapse between pictures.
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Post by scraphappyinjax on Jan 1, 2015 2:33:46 GMT
Do you have a smart phone or eligible for an upgrade? If so, I highly recommend the iPhone 6+. I upgraded right before Christmas and I'm blown away by the quality of my images. I've been using my Nikon for taking pictures for my blog but I may switch entirely to the 6+. Good luck on whatever you decide.  |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
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Post by scrapnnana on Jan 1, 2015 13:06:48 GMT
I appreciate everyone who has taken time to reply, but I guess I need to clarify what I am looking for in a camera.
While phone cameras have come a long way, a small point & shoot has features that allow for better pictures than most phone cameras. I have used my phone when I accidentally left my camera home, but I am looking for an actual camera, not a new phone. I know a lot of people take photos with their phones. It's a last resort for me.
I bought a Sony Cyber Shot on impulse a couple of days ago, then realized belatedly it has no view finder. Reviews say that in bright light, the LCD screen is nearly impossible to see what you are aiming at. I will be returning the camera, despite the other features it has that I liked.
So I am still looking for recommendations for a good, small, point & shoot with good color, clarity, nice features, a view finder, scene choices, and the ability to set up manual shots. I also want a good optical zoom (at least 20x).
I have a nice DSLR (Nikon D3100). It's just not a camera I want to carry around in my purse. I never go anywhere without a camera. If I am going someplace special, or know in advance that I will be taking photos, I take my DSLR. The small camera I carried in my purse was more of a backup, for unexpected photo opportunities.
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Post by scraphappyinjax on Jan 1, 2015 13:15:26 GMT
I've always read positive reviews about Canon's Elph line like Christine suggested.
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scrappinwithoutpeas
Pearl Clutcher
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Location: Northern Virginia
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on Jan 1, 2015 14:04:54 GMT
I keep a small point & shoot camera in my purse too for the very reasons you mentioned. I needed to upgrade/update to a newer one last summer before our vacation. (DH is the DSLR-carrying photographer in our family  !) After quite a bit of research and comparisons, I went with the Canon PowerShot SX 280 HS. It has a 20x zoom and I really like it. I get great pictures with it and love all the features, yet it's simple enough for me. ETA: I also wanted to add that, although this camera model has been written up a lot because of a potential glitch with the battery monitor, I have not had the issue with mine, and neither has my MIL (who has the regular SX 280). I took a slight risk with buying this camera over others, but I went with it because this was the only point & shoot that had all the features I wanted at the price point I could afford and was willing to pay for a small camera. I've never regretted the decision, FWIW. |
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christinec68
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Location: New York, NY
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Post by christinec68 on Jan 1, 2015 14:14:54 GMT
My canon elph doesn't have a view finder but I don't recall that ever being an issue for me although I can't say that with 100% certainty. having used this camera for 2 years, I wouldn't let no view finder prevent me from buying a different point & shoot when it's time to replace this one.
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Post by penny on Jan 2, 2015 7:18:18 GMT
I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 and I love it... 30x optical zoom, 60x digital zoom, view finder, large LCD (that I've never had any problems with in bright light), and it can transfer images to your phone/devices through wifi or Bluetooth... I've taken photos at events, sent them to my iPhone, edited them, then emailed them, sent them for printing, posted to fb, etc within minutes... It's the camera I take everywhere...
I also have a Nikon Coolpix S01... It's smaller than my iPhone, and I bought it before my iPhone because I didn't have a small camera... No viewfinder on it, but the screen has never been hard to see... It's also a touchscreen so it's easy to navigate... 3x optical zoom... And when I say this one is a pocket camera, it really is - 3"x2"x 5/8" thick... Takes great shots for a basic camera...
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Post by TracieClaiborne on Jan 2, 2015 9:59:56 GMT
I know you said you don't want a new phone but my iPhone 5 camera blows away my Canon Powershot and other point and shoots we have. The technology just keeps getting better and better on iPhones and with apps like Pic-Tap-Go, it makes it so quick to edit them quickly. I'm in love with 99% of my phone photos and rarely use my DSLR anymore. Just my two cents. |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
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Post by scrapnnana on Jan 2, 2015 16:08:51 GMT
I appreciate everyone's suggestions. It's all food for thought. Please keep them coming.
I have not yet returned the Sony camera that I bought. I guess I need to think about all my options before I decide to return it and possibly get another pocket camera. Yes, I still want a camera, not a phone upgrade.
A little more info as to why: most cell phones require a contract, with monthly fees that are pretty high. BTDT. I put up with it for years because I didn't know of any other option. However, I now have a decent smart phone with NO contract, unlimited calls, unlimited texts, AND unlimited data, and I pay only $25/month. Yes, that is correct. Just twenty-five bucks a month. I see no point in paying a high fee every month, no matter how nice the cameras on phones get. I am not even tempted. I compare my current cell bills with DH's (who has a Samsung Galaxy and a MUCH higher price tag for his phone plan), and there is a huge difference in cost that really adds up over a year. He pays at least $1200/ year more for his phone than I do for mine.
I honestly do understand that camera phones have gotten a lot better, and I am happy for those who love the cameras on their phones, but I still just want a pocket camera.
Thanks!
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sweetpe
Junior Member
Posts: 56
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Post by sweetpe on Jan 2, 2015 17:15:35 GMT
I still stand by the nikon 1, its a bit pricey but worth it |
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Post by anniefb on Jan 2, 2015 20:00:37 GMT
I also have a Panasonic Lumix (older model) which I've been very happy with. Has a good zoom and macro setting plus other options which I don't really use. Here are some recent reviews which might help. |
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Post by bwife on Jan 3, 2015 4:04:03 GMT
I keep a little Cannon Powershot in my purse. All of our kids have one ( 19, 15 and 12) they take a decent picture. Ours was a quick impulse buy when DD was in Washington DC and her other Camera Crapped out. We were able to buy this one over the phone from a local store and have the manager run down and pick it up for us. So when she got home, DH got her camera working ( it was something with the settings) and since we paid for the new camera, it became mine.  I have to say, it takes some decent pics and the battery really holds a charge. I dont think I have charged it for a month at least and I just dug it out and turned it on. Still full charge! These little cannons run around $100. When I actually know that I need my camera .... My good one is a Nikon 3100 |
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GiantsFan
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Jan 3, 2015 17:59:43 GMT
I appreciate everyone's suggestions. It's all food for thought. Please keep them coming. I have not yet returned the Sony camera that I bought. I guess I need to think about all my options before I decide to return it and possibly get another pocket camera. Yes, I still want a camera, not a phone upgrade. A little more info as to why: most cell phones require a contract, with monthly fees that are pretty high. BTDT. I put up with it for years because I didn't know of any other option. However, I now have a decent smart phone with NO contract, unlimited calls, unlimited texts, AND unlimited data, and I pay only $25/month. Yes, that is correct. Just twenty-five bucks a month. I see no point in paying a high fee every month, no matter how nice the cameras on phones get. I am not even tempted. I compare my current cell bills with DH's (who has a Samsung Galaxy and a MUCH higher price tag for his phone plan), and there is a huge difference in cost that really adds up over a year. He pays at least $1200/ year more for his phone than I do for mine. I honestly do understand that camera phones have gotten a lot better, and I am happy for those who love the cameras on their phones, but I still just want a pocket camera. Thanks! I hear you on not wanting to use a cell phone camera. Why pay the extra money for a smart phone just for the good camera, when the phone part is all you need. I had a $30 plan and upgraded to smartphone and now it's over $70! For the $480+ per year savings you can get a pretty nice P&S! I love my P&S camera although they don't make the model anymore, it's a Canon PS 870IS. It fits in my pocket and it's quick to turn on and take a photo. The photos are really good. I've had it for a long time and have gotten my moneys worth. I'm actually looking for a new P&S because the back screen (viewfinder) is starting to have issues. Before the Canon I had a Nikon and before that was an Olympus. I prefer the Canon. My Dad has a pretty nice newer Nikon that takes really clear photos. Not sure what the model is. I'll find out and post back. All that said, I've been trying to switch to my phone camera but it's a hard switch. I have to put in my passcode (my cell phone is password protected), pushing the camera app, etc. But it takes really good photos and I can upload them automatically, or text, or e-mail. But I STILL want a P&S. Thanks for reading my ramblings. |
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!) After quite a bit of research and comparisons, I went with the Canon PowerShot SX 280 HS. It has a 20x zoom and I really like it. I get great pictures with it and love all the features, yet it's simple enough for me.
I have to say, it takes some decent pics and the battery really holds a charge. I dont think I have charged it for a month at least and I just dug it out and turned it on. Still full charge! These little cannons run around $100. When I actually know that I need my camera .... My good one is a Nikon 3100