Compact recommendation

[badgerade]

Sorry - I'm sure you all get bored of seeing recommendation threads!

My wife has very subtly hinted that she wants a camera for Christmas. When I've asked her what she wants from it, I've got the following:

- Small enough to easily put in a bag/coat pocket
- "Good" zoom
- Easy to download photos
- Not interested in swappable lenses

I think it'll mainly be used when we're out and about in our campervan, and basic touristy stuff as well as pics of the kids/dogs etc.

With this in mind, I think we're in the what appears to be "travel superzoom" type cameras? I have some suspicions that it may not get used nearly as much as she thinks so not looking to go totally crazy on the price but at the same time I don't want to get something that won't actually do what she wants.

What are peoples thoughts on the Panasonic TZ-90 to fit the above? I've seen lots of love for the TZ series here in the past, but want to check I'm not missing anything too obvious.

Main concern I have is that it's nearly 3 years old but it still appears to perform pretty well and comes in just over the £250 mark.

If there is something better for somewhere in the £250-£350 area please shout!

[sgrimshaw]

Panasonic compacts are nice bits of kit as are the Sony ones.

If you want truly small, then the Sony WX 350 is shirt pocket size, under £170 at the moment:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00IGL9PQ0/ref=twister...

Sony HX range are a bit chunkier and go from HX60 to the HX99, the more you pay the bigger the zoom and the more features. HX99 is highly impressive for the money, but is at the top of your budget on sale at £379 at the moment.

[Gad-Westy]

I'd keep an eye on Sony RX100 prices on Black Friday. The first gen one is getting on a bit now but it's still excellent and already in budget. But gen iii are almost in budget so worth keeping a look out. 1" sensor is far bigger than most compacts and the lens is great so image quality really is very decent.

[Bill]

Gad-Westy said:

I'd keep an eye on Sony RX100 prices on Black Friday. The first gen one is getting on a bit now but it's still excellent and already in budget. But gen iii are almost in budget so worth keeping a look out. 1" sensor is far bigger than most compacts and the lens is great so image quality really is very decent.

Not much zoom though. The TZ100 has a 1" sensor and 10x zoom and is just over budget.

But you'll get a smaller camera with more zoom with a smaller sensor.

[Gad-Westy]

Bill said:

Gad-Westy said:

I'd keep an eye on Sony RX100 prices on Black Friday. The first gen one is getting on a bit now but it's still excellent and already in budget. But gen iii are almost in budget so worth keeping a look out. 1" sensor is far bigger than most compacts and the lens is great so image quality really is very decent.

Not much zoom though. The TZ100 has a 1" sensor and 10x zoom and is just over budget.

But you'll get a smaller camera with more zoom with a smaller sensor.

Yep, TZ100 is definitely worth a look though worth mentioning that the long end of these compact zooms is often pretty iffy. Personally I'd rather the shorter range and less compromise on lens design and speed but I appreciate it depends the subject matter.

[badgerade]

Interesting stuff, thanks for the replies.

I'll check out some reviews/sample images from the suggestions and see where that leads me.

[Derek Smith]

I've got a Panasonic TZ25 compact. It's got a metal case, so it's robust. It's great on auto and has enough manual controls to allow shooting in most conditions. The video is good as well. I've had it years, from when it first came out. It's been carried in my pocket, left in the car, in the bottom of my camera bag, and gone on trips abroad. I can't fault it. It's only got a 4x zoom but that's enough for what I use it for. The lens is great - it says it is a Zeiss - and I like the colour it gives.

I'd suggest working out what you want from a camera, going to a shop to see if they fit in the hand, and then take a couple of shots on a card you take, and compare. Park cameras, near me, are great that way.

If I was replacing it, I'd perhaps opt for an 8x zoom and a viewfinder, without sacrificing anything, including size and robustness.

I like compacts. I also have a micro 4/3rd SLR and that's all I need.

Although another flashgun might help.