Compact camera advice

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Andrew Smith

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Hi again all.

I am in the market for a decent compact camera to act as a backup or for when I don't want to take my DSLR Nikon's out. I currently have a Canon A300 sureshot which is well over a decade old as my back up camera and it needs to go.

Criteria - ideally 12MP or above, decent zoom lens, ideally uses full size SD cards. Ideally it will have an eye level viewfinder. Must have built in flash.

There has been mention on here in the past of a new LUMIX camera which seemed interesting (can't remember the model number anyone know what it was?) but I'm open to suggestions as to what to go and look at. Reasonable funds available but getting the right camera is the most important. Would like to avoid hybrid types if possible due to their size.

TIA all comments welcome.
 
There are very few with an EVF these days. The Panasonic you mention is probably the LX100 which ticks all your boxes except for zoom range. The TZ100 has a much longer zoom range but not as good a viewfinder as the LX10.
The Sony RX100 III, IV & V have a pop-up viewfinder but limited zoom range.
It's worth looking at the reviews of these cameras on DPReview and I think I'd start with the TZ100.
 
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Andrew Smith said:
Hi again all.

I am in the market for a decent compact camera to act as a backup or for when I don't want to take my DSLR Nikon's out. I currently have a Canon A300 sureshot which is well over a decade old as my back up camera and it needs to go.

Criteria - ideally 12MP or above, decent zoom lens, ideally uses full size SD cards. Ideally it will have an eye level viewfinder. Must have built in flash.

There has been mention on here in the past of a new LUMIX camera which seemed interesting (can't remember the model number anyone know what it was?) but I'm open to suggestions as to what to go and look at. Reasonable funds available but getting the right camera is the most important. Would like to avoid hybrid types if possible due to their size.

TIA all comments welcome.
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You should be looking at a bigger sensor, as opposed to a high number of pixels.
 
I've used a Sony RX 100 mk3 as backup to my Canon 80D for almost a couple of years now and am constantly amazed at the quality of photos that you can achieve with its 1" sensor. The video quality (not 4k though) is excellent in most circumstances. I too would consider sensor size to be more of a consideration than pixel numbers (although I do understand that other factors will come into the equation!). The Sony is a small camera, even for my "medium size" hands and as always, would suggest that, if possible, you pick one up/handle it to see if you can get comfortable. Sony sell a small additional handgrip, which does make it easier to hold and I've had one of these fitted since day 1. I have no experience of the mk4/5 models. Also, my mark 3 has a pop up viewfinder which has proved invaluable in bright sunlight but stays closed most of the time. Hope this helps.
 
I have a Mk4 RX100, pretty much what goinggreynow said but the MK4 has a newer sensor and supports 4K video.
All in all great little camera.
 
A friend of mine is looking for the same sort of thing. Pretty much all she could find was the Lumix range (at a reasonable cost!), with the DMC-TZ60 being favourite on paper - just waiting for her and her husband to have a little time off together so they can get to John Lewis to fondle and maybe buy one.
 
I've had a similar issue in that I need to replace my G12. Both the RX100 IV and the G5X are cameras I've been considering. The RX100 EVF - there's a button on the side to pop it up but then you have to slide it towards you. The G5x EVF is on top of the camera so no need to fiddle but does add to the bulk of the camera. It also has I think 24-100 range, a built in flash and a hotshoe that could be used for an external flash.
 
The LUMIX cameras I was thinking of are the LX15 and LX100. Any thoughts on those? I won't buy Sony products due to problems getting spares in the past but I will go and look at the G5X. Any other suggestions??
 
The Panasonic LX100 seems to get good reviews and there is a thread on it in TP:

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/panasonic-lx100.559974/page-13#post-7760776

Another suggestion is the Panasonic GM5, which is actually a fully-blown m4/3 body no bigger than the Sony RX100. I use the GM5 as a second body next to an Olympus E-M10II when travelling. It's an engineering marvel but not as intuitive to use as the E-M10II or the Sony RX100 IMO.

Also the GM5 does not have a built-in flash but is supplied with a tiny slide-in flash.
 
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Just to give you all an update. I have narrowed the search down to a TZ100, LX100 and the G7 Mk2. John Lewis had all 3 on display but the Canon wasn't working so I will have to go back another day to try them all side by side. At the moment the G7 and TZ100 seem to be ahead of the LX100. I will keep you informed.....
 
Andrew Smith said:
Just to give you all an update. I have narrowed the search down to a TZ100, LX100 and the G7 Mk2. John Lewis had all 3 on display but the Canon wasn't working so I will have to go back another day to try them all side by side. At the moment the G7 and TZ100 seem to be ahead of the LX100. I will keep you informed.....
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Thought you wanted an eye level viewfinder.
My small compact carry around is a G16 not made now but easy to pick up s/h if your canon guy you will find it easy to use RAW files and full control from Manuel to all the usual plus Custom settings.
 
Get the LX100. It's streets ahead of the other two, if only by virtue of the sensor.
 
DemiLion said:
Get the LX100. It's streets ahead of the other two, if only by virtue of the sensor.
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Yes but the zoom isn't good enough and there isn't a built in flash, hence why the TZ100 and G7 Mk2 are ahead in my choices. The TZ100 has an EVF, but the Canon has a tiltable screen which I wasn't aware of until I saw one. Just need to see one working alongside the TZ100 now.....
 
You can crop into the LX100 files as much (if not slightly more) than 50%. As for the flash, it comes with one included.
 
I think it's worth thinking about what we think is compact.

I have a Panasonic LF1 and also a Canon Ixus and both are genuinely trouser or even a shirt pocket cameras. In the past I've had Panasonic LXx cameras which were at the time top end chunky compact cameras which wouldn't really fit in a trouser pocket and instead needed to be in a coat pocket or a bag. I also have RF style Micro Four Thirds cameras and although they'll fit in a winter coat pocket if a compact prime or zoom is fitted they wont fit in a summer jacket pocket let alone a trouser or shirt pocket but they will fit in a small bag not a lot or significantly bigger than that needed for a LXx type top end compact camera.

So, the question I'd ask myself is do I want a camera that fits in a trouser or shirt pocket or in a coat pocket or am I willing to carry a camera in a small bag. Answer that question and then you can either open yourself up to better quality or narrow the search down to genuinely pocketable cameras.

However I do think that the requirements are a bit demanding and where I'd compromise is on zoom length as if you'll accept a shorter zoom you may get a wider aperture and better low light performance.
 
Well it certainly needs to fit in a pocket, I don't want to be carrying it in a bag. I tried all 3 cameras very briefly in John Lewis on Oxford St at the weekend and am undecided. I need more time in the shop to have a thorough play. Will keep you updated.
 
I took the plunge recently and bought a Sony RX100 IV. Not cheap but beautifully made and I am stunned at the quality of the images if takes.
 
I was working in London this afternoon and managed to get back to John Lewis 30 mins before they shut. Had a good play with all 3 cameras and have settled on the TZ100. Will now hunt around for pricing. I want the grey colour with the red stripe

Anyone know who is offering good deals?
 
Might pop into JL and get them to price/deal match Bristol Cameras - AND reduce the shelf price of the thing! (Never Knowingly Undersold, my arse!!!)
 
I bought a TZ70 a year or so ago & haven't regretted it. Massive zoom & smart programming. No touch screen or flippability but you can set it up how you want in terms of eyeball or screen.
I don't love it but it's pretty good
 
Andrew Smith said:
Bristol cameras have them for £520 inc an additional battery
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I should be picking up a silver/red one from Jessops tomorrow. Couldn't match the Bristol Cameras offer since they (Jessops) don't (as a group) stock Panasonic genuine batteries so they did me the camera with a spare Hahnel battery for £500. Can't say fairer than that! (I did make sure I used my credit card just in case they go pop [again] before I pick it up...) Could have had a black one off the shelf (sealed box!) but like the look of the red go-faster stripe!
 
Bristol cameras are out of stock for a month. JL didn't want to price match but Jessops did so I bought from them. They are delivering a nice silver one with a spare 3rd party battery on Tuesday. Thanks for your help everyone.
 
I have the tz 100 and like it. That zoom range comes in handy.
 
The TZ100 arrived yesterday and I've started to play with it. Most impressed so far, seems like money well spent. Thanks for all the help on this thread.
 
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