Looking for a camera recommendation...

[NRaleighLiberal]

We've been doing lots of travels with my new book and my wife wants a small, light digital camera that takes really good pictures (not that we are looking for any good pics of me - the blurrier the better!). Something with a good auto setting, maybe shake correction - but not really expensive.

We've used Nikon and Canon in the past, but aren't wedded to any particular brand. Thoughts?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Wish I could suggest something, but I can't!

I love my big, slightly heavy digital SLR! But I do understand why many people want something smaller and lighter.

Remember, though, that the smaller digital cameras have limitations as to what they do well. But they're great for people shots, or building close-ups and things like that.

Good Luck, and Happy Hunting!

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. yes, I love my Canon super zoom - too clunky for what Sue needs. I will await more views

but thanks, CP!

Taking a very minor breather between "stuff" - though heard today I will be on The Splendid Table at some point soon...yikes!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. The Splendid Table...???

I am unacquainted with this. What is it?

[NRaleighLiberal]

5. NPR cooking show (radio) - on weekly on weekends. Big time foodie show!

http://www.splendidtable.org/

[flamin lib]

7. Love that show! Also Martha, Life of a Chef, America's test kitchen,

Huber Keller and anything John Besh.

[NRaleighLiberal]

8. I am taping a segment on my book (I guess) next Wednesday - just heard about it today!

[alfredo]

10. SNL did a parody of it, "The Delicious Dish."

[NRaleighLiberal]

12. Yep remember, and loved that!

[alfredo]

19. I love both the NPR and SNL versions.

[flamin lib]

4. Look into the Olympus EPL 5 or EPL 7.

Both are tiny, have interchangeable lenses, 16 MPXL and in-camera image stabilization. The 7 with the 14-42 EZ lens is no bigger than a P+S.

I have a camera bag that is 8"high x 6" deep x 7"wide (just measured it) that holds: OMD EM5 with the 14-42 on it, a 40-150 short tele, a 75-300 long tele, the tiny dedicated flash and the big "pro" flash. That's 35mm equivalent of 28-600 and with the built in electronic 2X it's 28-1200.

Don't like to put the camera in there 'cause it chafes against the lenses, but I do store it that way. Usually have the camera on a wrist strap and bag over the shoulder. I'll put the Oly images up against any Nicannon except the "full frame" examples that weigh 5 pounds.

[NRaleighLiberal]

6. thanks. will look into that (maybe for me) - my wife doesn't want to fool with any lenses -

just a tiny point and shoot with good quality. She would be the first to admit to having little interest in all in technology (very talented quilter/knitter/sewer, has a love/hate rel'p with her smartphone and chromebook!)

[flamin lib]

9. Just set it to "Auto" and it functions just like any P+S. Other than that

her smart phone will do as well as any P+S and it is full auto by default.

I can't for the life of me understand why P+S still exists. The advantage to a dedicated high quality ICL is that you might want to borrow it for something serious when the DSLR is elsewhere.

But seriously, spend some time playing with the smart phone. I think you'll be impressed.

[Major Nikon]

14. In those terms it's pretty hard to go wrong with modern cameras in that niche

Where the products really start to diverge is in terms of what capabilities you want beyond those. Some cameras offer water resistance or water proofing. Some still cameras do good with video and vise versa. Good built in lighting and/or the capability of using external lights is another consideration.

[alfredo]

11. The Sony RX 100 series gets high marks all around.

If you want one with a larger zoom, Lumix makes some nice superzooms. FZ200 or the newer FZ300.

[NRaleighLiberal]

13. thanks!

[alfredo]

20. I'm an Olympus owner, but they Don't make anything like the Sony RX100 series

[NV Whino]

15. Nikon L840

I have the L830 as my car camera. Great little camera. 16mp, good macro and the equivalent of a 300mm zoom. The down side is it's only a view screen without a viewfinder. Other than that, it's great.

[PuppyBismark]

16. Get one with a built-in GPS

If you take lots of pictures while traveling, GPS encoding of the pictures is a great feature. Later when you look at them, you will be able to see where the picture was taken. It is a great feature and many software packages exist which will show you where the pictures were taken on a Google or Google-like map.

I even bought a GPS adapter for my Nikon SLR.

[csziggy]

17. I love my FujiFilm FinePix S4500

Their FinePix 8600 is very equivalent in features and price.

What I love is that in one package I get wide angle and zoom, decent macro, and a small camera big enough to not be hard for me to handle with my big hands.

Mine has a 30x optical zoom - plenty for zooming in on birds or to pick up details. And it has Image Stabilizer so even when my hands were not strong before and after carpal tunnel surgery I could get acceptable photos.

Something that my 4500 has that I love is the electronic view finder - it's not on the 8600 but is on the 9900. I find it invaluable when trying to zoom in on things and in bright light. Being old school, I really dislike only having the rear LCD to frame my pictures.

Our other digital cameras are a very old Nikon D70 DSLR and a couple of Canon point and shoot cameras for casual photography, just for comparison.

[rdking647]

18. sony dsc hx90

i just bought one for taking to concerts where i need a pocket camera
30x zoom,image stabilization,fits in a pocket