best compact to buy for safari

norahbattie

norahbattie

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Nads
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Hi
I was looking to buy a compact camera for hubby, we are off on safari next week. We currently have the G10 but I find it awful, can anyone recommend a good compact with some manual capabilities but not a 4/3 sensor camera. i preferably don't want interchangeable lenses.
Don't really have a budget to be honest
Thanks
Nad
 
If I were going on Safari without a DSLR I would try to get a bridge camera with a bigger zoom range than compacts are capable of. You don't know how close you may get to the animals. ;) I'd hate to go all that way and come back with a picture of an Elephant that is just a tiny dot in the scene. But then I wouldn't go all that way without a DSLR and big lens now that I have had that. ;)

There is a review of some of the latest cams here. Depends what you wish to carry, and what you want to spend. :shrug: :)
 
You don't mention in what way you find the G10 awful. If it is the results it produces I don't think you'll find anything much better below 4/3.
 
redhed17 said:
If I were going on Safari without a DSLR I would try to get a bridge camera with a bigger zoom range than compacts are capable of. You don't know how close you may get to the animals. ;) I'd hate to go all that way and come back with a picture of an Elephant that is just a tiny dot in the scene. But then I wouldn't go all that way without a DSLR and big lens now that I have had that. ;)

There is a review of some of the latest cams here. Depends what you wish to carry, and what you want to spend. :shrug: :)
Click to expand...

The compact is for the hubby, I have a canon 5D Mark II with 100-400mm, 70-200 and a wide angle to take with me. Its going to weigh me down but I wanted something he could use as pretty much point and shoot but that I can use when I go out to parties and don't want to photograph people with my canon 5D and 100-400 ;)
 
Canon s90. Very sharp and tiny with manual settings and Raw.
 
Panasonic FZ38 (Amazon have these on offer right now) or for something smaller, Panasonic TZ10.

Both have huge zooms and some manual controls.
 
I'd imagine something with a decent long zoom would best best + ability for a bit of video maybe?

As mentioned above the Panny TZ range are good for this, we have a TZ7 and like it. Have an LX3 as well which give aurguable better images, especially in lower light, however not much zoom on it.

If you don't have one already get a gorilla pod for the compact if you want some pictures with the two of you in....

Enjoy the safari!

Al
 
Thank you everyone, I have had a cybershot before and had to give it to mom as she lost it and then thought I would buy a canon G10 when out in Malaysia but there is something about it that I don't like. Works fab in bright sunlight but its really rather slow and sluggish. love the photos that come out on the panasonic but need to do the research..only have 2 days to buy it for him...eeks!!
 
Fuji HS10, great zoom, though not so compact. Least no lenses to change.
 
Thank you everyone, I bought him the Panasonic TZ10, I know its almost identical to the TZ8 but Comet had a really good offer on and I found this to be the cheapest once all the discount codes had been added on :D
Thanks for your advice again, was very tempted by the hybrid FZ38 but thought it might be a bit too big to pop in your pocket to carry everyday
 
Hi Nad
Can you let us into the discount codes secret? Does that make it cheaper than on Amazon at the mo? (£249) ?
Thanks
 
sure it ends today actually, its AW5199 and gives you 5% off the web price of the camera which brings it to £244 with delivery..save yourself another £5 by picking it up instore :) its just i am working late for the next two days and going out Fri, Sat & working Sunday so the earliest I can get into store is Monday (will be stressed out packing for our safari trip on Tuesday)
 
Let us know how you get on with the TZ10 as i have never seen images from it!

Have fun!
 
Can't wait to see your pics when you get back - have a good time!
 
norahbattie said:
Thank you everyone, I bought him the Panasonic TZ10, I know its almost identical to the TZ8 but Comet had a really good offer on and I found this to be the cheapest once all the discount codes had been added on :D
Thanks for your advice again, was very tempted by the hybrid FZ38 but thought it might be a bit too big to pop in your pocket to carry everyday
Click to expand...

You'll be very pleased with it. It's a lovely camera and the zoom is amazing. I haven't used the GPS yet as haven't really felt the need and it's heavy on power, but it might be worthwhile on Safari, as although it might not have the location you will be able to check it out later from latitude and longtitude.
Have a lovely holiday.:thumbs:
 
Enjoy. I recently bought the TZ10 for our holiday to Florida as didn't want to take the dslr. Excellent if not a little slow to operate. GPS is good but uses battery quite quickly. Would suggest an extra battery to make sure you don't run out at the crucial moment.
Andy
 
Thank you everyone :) am a little bit excited about the trip though I haven't started packing yet! I will be using the camera as soon as it comes so I will post some pre-safari images and then some post..so watch this space :D
 
After all of that...i bought the tz10 only to realise it doesn't have raw capabilities so i went for the fz38, will take some shots when in SA..very excited indeed :)
 
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