Step up from basic point-and-shoot?

[carreauchompeur]

Afternoon all,

I'm off to Japan for a fortnight between Oct-Nov. I currently have a Sony Cybershot W170 (10MP) which has been alright thus far, however I am starting to realise its limitations in the quality of pictures/adjustability.

What's the next step up in terms of a digital camera with a bit better functionality/quality?

Can't spend a fortune since the trip's going to cost me one... But prepared to go second hand if necessary!

[GetCarter]

Canon S95 springs to mind.

Just over £300 now - full manual, exposure bracketing, RAW, user definable controls. I use it every day as it fits in me jeans pocket...






ETA: Amount of megapixels not that important - Just a marketing ploy. Amount of pixels on size of sensor MUCH more important (which they tend not to tell you!) Have a good trip.

Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 28th August 15:58

[Mr Pointy]

Here's recent-ish comparative review of enthusiast compact cameras from the DPReview site:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q42010highendcompa...

If the S95 or the Lumix LX-5 are too pricey then how about the previous version LX-3, which is very similar. only available second hand but there are some very nice examples oneBay for around £200:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/csc/Digital-Cameras-/31388/i...

[GetCarter]

Interesting to see that the Panasonic LX3 prices are falling through the floor and the Leica D-Lux4 are really strong. Don't you love it when a plan comes together

Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 28th August 17:21

[MPoxon]

GetCarter said:

Canon S95 springs to mind.

Just over £300 now - full manual, exposure bracketing, RAW, user definable controls. I use it every day as it fits in me jeans pocket...



ETA: Amount of megapixels not that important - Just a marketing ploy. Amount of pixels on size of sensor MUCH more important (which they tend not to tell you!) Have a good trip.

[footnote]

That is a cracking shot especially when you consider it is from a compact.

[craikeybaby]

Another vote for the Canon S95, the S100 has just been announced, so you may be able to get a good deal on the S95. My Dad just got an S90 (just as good as S95 for stills) for under £150 from the Canon refurb store on eBay.

In past years I would have suggested waiting until you get to Japan to buy the camera, but I was having a look at prices in Tokyo at the weekend and it is cheaper to buy Japanese made camera equipment in the UK at the moment.

[carreauchompeur]

I've ended up with a Lumix FZ45. Slightly off the original brief maybe but at £212 delivered, brand new, it was a steal! Massive zoom on it- 24x optical. Just working out how to use it but have already had some great results using the intelligent auto function.

Very light but a bit of a big lump though