Pocket size Point and shoot for under $300

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

05/06/2009 09:47:38 PM · #1

I am looking for a small point and shoot for my mom with a $300 budget. She doesn't need the camera to have that many functions. She would like to have a longer zoom, around 5x, 10X would be better but only if it doesn't make the camera too bulky. She does not want it to run on AA batteries and wants it to have a rechargeable battery. She saw this one and was close to getting it, Canon SX 110 IS, but it runs on AA's. She would like to have some control over how it functions, PSAM would be nice. Mostly she wants it to be compact, not a digicam. Any suggestions would be great, in terms of MP not too important, it seems 10.1 is where they are at these days.
Thanks for any advice!
Joe

not be confused for

pointandshoot, who is not for sale. :P

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

05/06/2009 11:53:20 PM · #2

The Lumix TZ4 or 5 would be a good choice I think. Goes from wide to zoom, no manual controls, very small for a 10x zoom.

Pros: VERY sharp lens, large zoom, wide angle, 10x!

Cons: Indoors, you really need to use flash. You don't want to go high ISO on that one.

Uses a little LiIon battery, rechargeable, per your requirements.

scooter97

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

05/07/2009 12:01:35 AM · #3

I have the Canon SX 110 IS. It's not that small. Not certainly as small as the Panasonic. It has manual controls and takes nice images. I like the Panasonic as well but the picture quality isn't quite as good, especially in low light.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/07/2009 03:48:58 PM · #4

Thaks for the advice I will look at the TZ4 and TZ5. A little bump for more suggestions. Also the a little size to the camera is ok. Before she used an Canon Powershot A95 and liked that size ok. Do they still make nice point and shoot with flip screens? I don't see them that often anymore.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

05/07/2009 04:16:22 PM · #5

Why would she want a proprietary rechargable when she could use rechargable AA batteries, and have regular ones available for the inevitable emergency?

I get 3-400 shots on my NiMH AAs, and you can probably get LiIon AAs if you really need the hottest technology ... for what she wants otherwise, it doesn't seem necessary.

The Canon S5 IS has the flip/swivel screen, but I think the A-series may have lost it; the S5 is a bit bigger than a "pocket" camera, but has a long zoom (12x?), SuperMacro (focus to 0"), and can do almost everything pretty well except Bulb exposures.

Another thing to look into are the waterproof/shock-resistant models from Olympus and Panasonic(?).

Message edited by author 2009-05-07 16:18:27.

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Nikon

05/07/2009 06:16:49 PM · #6

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Very True, and something I tried to explain to her, but that is what she would like so that is how I am looking. :)

FrozenMoments

Nikon D90

05/07/2009 06:26:49 PM · #7

I have a FujiFilm S5800 which I bought for $250 AU.
But it may be a bit bulky for her, because it has extra features on it. I love having the 10x zoom and the close up macro modes. Excellent camera for the price.

Although it does run on AA I use rechargeable AA with it (I tend to get around the 1,000 shot mark before recharging.)

Message edited by author 2009-05-07 18:28:30.

brownsm

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/07/2009 06:28:31 PM · #8

Originally posted by nshapiro:

Another vote for the Lumix TZ5. My sister-in-law has one, and it's a great camera. Nice zoom range, and decent noise characteristics. And a large, 3" LCD.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/07/2009 06:51:33 PM · #9

Originally posted by jdannels:

... I tried to explain to her, but that is what she would like so that is how I am looking. :)

Sounds like my mom ... :-)

tnun

Ricoh GR III

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

05/07/2009 07:04:32 PM · #10

My vote is for Panny, I think. BUT the AA batteries are way better than proprietary. Rechargable eneloops or now Sony Cycle energy: cheaper, longer lasting, cheaper to replace. Try again. (Golly, I accept Everything my progeny tells me about electronics. Does your Mom know something I don't?)

scooter97

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

05/07/2009 08:18:04 PM · #11

If you are looking for a flip screen, the Canon Power Shot SX10 IS is a nice not too big flip screen camera. 2 AA batteries and a 20x 'optical' zoom. Still a P&S too. It's bigger than the Canon SX 110 IS which is a 10x 'optical' zoom camera in a smaller body. I got one recently at Amazon.com for less than $300 (the SX10 IS)

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

05/07/2009 09:33:25 PM · #12

I got on eBay and bought a couple of Fuji A-820's for my sister (76) and my aunt (83) a while back for less than $70 each. They both love them, because of the way the menus work. When you change a setting, a description of the setting appears on the LCD screen, in large type, which is great if you can't see the tiny lettering on the buttons. The Fuji's use 2 AA rechargeable and can shoot most of the day on one pair if you don't spend too much time using it as a photo viewer. Some of my sister's photos on our trip to Montana last summer are actually better than the ones that I took of the same places.
The new Z5 is pretty nice too, smaller with more features. The new Z's use a dedicated battery, and, they come in pink and other cool colors.

Message edited by author 2009-05-07 21:34:46.