Camera Recommedations

[soulcougher73]

We are going to Europe for the first time in 3 months. We currently don't own a camera other than our cell phones. As someone who doesn't know much about cameras what might you recommend for say a $300 budget? I'm thinking something small and not bulky to carry around. Point & Shoot?

As i said i don't know much about cameras and i don't really follow the tech behind them. Just something reliable that has some decent optical zoom and is portable.

 

[IronWing]

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 gets pretty decent reviews, is very compact, and offers a superzoom which might be handy for traveling.

 

[jtvang125]

What cellphones? Cause a $300 P&S may not offer much over a smartphone released within the last year or 2.

 

[IronWing]

What cellphones? Cause a $300 P&S may not offer much over a smartphone released within the last year or 2.

Optical zoom is the biggest benefit over cellphones for cameras in this price range.

 

[CuriousMike]

To re-iterate what's been said above, if you have a recent (within last 2-3 years old) smartphone, it will have similar results to any P&S you can buy at $300. However, you would gain real, optical zoom with the P&S.

If you can up your budget to ~$500, then you can get into something that could offer you tangible improvements.

 

[soulcougher73]

What cellphones? Cause a $300 P&S may not offer much over a smartphone released within the last year or 2.

Samsung S6.

 

[soulcougher73]

To re-iterate what's been said above, if you have a recent (within last 2-3 years old) smartphone, it will have similar results to any P&S you can buy at $300. However, you would gain real, optical zoom with the P&S.

If you can up your budget to ~$500, then you can get into something that could offer you tangible improvements.

What might you recommend at $500 range? Im not sure i want to spend that much, but if the improvements are worthwhile i may.

 

[CuriousMike]

I could have a whole host of recommendations - and if you could stomach the used or refurbished market, that broadens the choices greatly.

I don't know how "big" of a camera you're willing to carry.

I'm giving mostly refurb suggestions here as I personally have no qualms going that route.

My overall choice, but chunky, would be having you get a DSLR - example the refurbished D3400 is $400 at Cameta. I've purchased two refurbs from them in the past, each almost looked brand new. And they give you a 1 year warranty (compared to the normal 90 day refurb warranty.)
https://www.cameta.com/Nikon-D3400-...DX-AF-P-Zoom-Lens-Black-Refurbished-96488.cfm

A secondary choice would be the Olympus OMD-EM10 - version 1 or 2, new or used.
https://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Mirrorless-Digital-Camera-Black/dp/B00HPQ0A16?th=1

(2.5th choice Panny GX85, such as https://www.adorama.com/us 95704...MI1qPihbrM2wIVTVuGCh2zkgDBEAQYAyABEgLXofD_BwE)

A third choice (and probably more of what you have in mind) would be the Sony RX100. There are 5 or 6 versions out, but even version 1 is a good step up from a smartphone.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00889ST2G/ref=psdc_330405011_t2_B00GORMJTI

 

[IronWing]

DP Review picked the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II as runner-up for their buying guide and it is in the price range. You gain a 1" type sensor but lose zoom reach.

 

[soulcougher73]

Are these type cameras good? Panasonic FZ80 with 60x optical zoom?
https://smile.amazon.com/PANASONIC-...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=92APA2C0B9C23D1XSJJN

 

[IronWing]

Are these type cameras good? Panasonic FZ80 with 60x optical zoom?
https://smile.amazon.com/PANASONIC-...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=92APA2C0B9C23D1XSJJN

This article covers a few of these cameras. I don't have any experience to offer with superzooms.

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/2017-roundup-consumer-long-zoom-compacts

Reading the comments can help fill out the review as folks point out that DPR lumped some pretty small and pretty big cameras into the same review.

 

[CuriousMike]

The suggestions I made (along with IronWing's) are all larger sensor format cameras. These larger sensors essentially "collect more light" and do a better job in low light and having a broader dynamic range (keeping the bright parts looking good while also keeping the shadows looking good.)

The Panasonic superzoom you posted is undoubtedly a "good camera" - if only for the virtue of its zoom range. However, it's sensor is the same size as the one in your smartphone. That camera will have some other benefits beyond zoom (the lens is likely a bit better) - but for outright quality (ignoring zoom), it'll be (IMO) only marginally better than your smartphone.

 

[Paladin3]

IMHO, Canon's refurbished kits are some of the best deals out there. If you aren't adverse to carrying a small DSLR with one lens, check this deal out: https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/...s-rebel-t6-ef-s-18-55mm-f35-56-is-ii-kit-gray

Canon refurbs are known for their quality and I've purchased them four times myself and they all looked new. $268.99 for a Rebel T6 and 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens is a heck of a deal. You can set it up to work like a point and shoot so you don't need to do anything, but if you take a bit of time to learn how it works you will open up a world of options to make some really nice images.

With a DSLR you get a larger sensor, great image quality at high ISO, total control if you want to take it, and a huge range of auto modes to do the thinking for you if you don't. I don't think any other option will get you better photos for less or the same money. You just have to get used to carrying around a small DSLR.

 

[FeuerFrei]

DPR just tested "travel zooms" ( June 25 )
Two Panasonics and the Sony RX100.
You'll probably want one of them.

https://www.dpreview.com/articles/4...s200-tz200-vs-dmc-zs100-tz100-best-for-travel

** Wait, look at the price. Camera prices are deplorable these days. **

 

[Selena Jain]

Canon EOS Rebel T6 (known as the EOS 1300D outside the US) is a best entry-level DSLR 2018. Canon's just announced its replacement, the EOS Rebel T7.

 

[IronWing]

Nikon just announced the new P-1000 super-zoom. With a 3000mm equivalent lense, you don't even need to travel anymore.

https://www.dpreview.com/news/04240...00-shoots-for-the-moon-with-3000mm-equiv-zoom

 

[NAC]

I'm glad others posted what I was going to: other than optical zoom, most inexpensive point and shoot cameras wont give you much improvement over a decent phone.

The best bang for the buck are a Nikon or Canon refurbished DSLR camera. For under $500, I'd lean toward the Nikon myself. Perhaps this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-D340...ndition=2000&_from=R40&rt=nc&LH_TitleDesc=0|0


If you want something smaller and lighter, Olympus and Panasonic micro 4/3 is the way to go, but you need to be more patient for good sales. This is the link for Olympus refurbs. The E-PL7 was on sale for $224 last week with a 50-150 lens available for $59.
http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet.html?limit=36&p=1&ref=CJ

 

[Thunder 57]

I know it's not what you said you were looking for, but I would suggest a DSLR as well. P&S will give you optical zoom and some more controls, but it seems to be dying out as smartphones are "good enough" and if you want something better it just makes sense to get a DSLR (other than size).

I got a Nikon D3300 a few years ago and it has been great. It's on the smaller size for a DSLR, but clearly too big for pockets. The 18-55mm lens is rather versatile and you can always switch lenses depending on what you will be shooting. The great thing about a DSLR is the large image sensor and usable higher ISO. I almost never use the flash because it's just that good in low light. Being able to not use the flash lets you take pictures discreetly, or in places where flash photography just isn't allowed. That also saves battery power, so you can take many hundreds of pictures on a single charge.

You can also use another lens like this little gem. Personally I use that lens as my standard unless I know I will need some zoom capability. Or if you want something with a little more "reach", the 55-200mm is cheap and easy. I also have the 55-300mm, but that extra 100mm is almost never necessary and it's nearly double the size.

You also get a whole bunch of control. Even if you don't plan on using them, you may want them later on if you get more into photography. I just use the simple "no flash auto" mode 90% of the time, easy peasy. If I want to get a bit more creative then it's super easy to use a wide aperture or longer exposure.

If you're alright with ebay, this looks like a steal:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-D330...se-Battery-Charger-SD-Used-Once/123241661974?

EDIT

Also, it's worth noting that lenses hold their value, but camera do not. That's why you can usually find a decent deal on a camera, but not so much when it comes to lenses.

EDIT 2

I just looked at that ebay link again. It is a little concerning that the camera does not have a lens cap on it. Was it stored that way? SOP is to put a lens or lens cap on it quickly to avoid getting dust on the sensor.