Compact help please!

[Davel]

I would be the first to accept that I know bugger all about photography and what little I used to know, has now been forgotten.

With that in mind and since giving my old trusty 'Powershot' to the warehouse crew for the odd snaps of incoming material issues, I am now in the market for a new compact camera that can do most stuff - and ideally with a good automatic point and shoot action. I can still zoom when needed!


I do sometimes need a camera for work whether for photographing buildings, incoming stocks etc (although the Powershot will be left at the office). It'll also be used for landscapes and general family stuff.

Budget wise, I'm thinking £250 to £300 and a camera which I can easily download photos to the pc and a decent memory card would be good too.

So far, I've been recommended either a Lumix TZ20 or a Lumix LX5 but I'm open to any advice please because the local shop seems to be just willing to sell anything without proper advice.

Oh and I notice that many cameras don't seem to have a viewing slot (?) anymore and instead rely on looking at a display screen at the back. I guess it's like looking through a lense but would appreciate any useful comments.

[littleredrooster]

Depends what features you are needing, but most of the group tests seem to be won by either Canon or Panasonic Lumix. I can vouch for them both and have bought and sold half-a-dozen of their various competitors because they were lacking.

I currently have a Canon SX130is and a Lumix FT10 (waterproof) and both can be persuaded to produce good results for a compact.

[GetCarter]

Davel said:

I would be the first to accept that I know bugger all about photography and what little I used to know, has now been forgotten.

With that in mind and since giving my old trusty 'Powershot' to the warehouse crew for the odd snaps of incoming material issues, I am now in the market for a new compact camera that can do most stuff - and ideally with a good automatic point and shoot action. I can still zoom when needed!


I do sometimes need a camera for work whether for photographing buildings, incoming stocks etc (although the Powershot will be left at the office). It'll also be used for landscapes and general family stuff.

Budget wise, I'm thinking £250 to £300 and a camera which I can easily download photos to the pc and a decent memory card would be good too.

So far, I've been recommended either a Lumix TZ20 or a Lumix LX5 but I'm open to any advice please because the local shop seems to be just willing to sell anything without proper advice.

Oh and I notice that many cameras don't seem to have a viewing slot (?) anymore and instead rely on looking at a display screen at the back. I guess it's like looking through a lense but would appreciate any useful comments.

Canon S100 coming out on 1-1-12. Canon S95 considered the best compact until then.

[Davel]

Thanks for that!

Will my photos then be as good as your's?

[RobDickinson]

[craikeybaby]

The Canon S95 is a great little camera, however, if a decent amount of zoom is important I'd look elsewhere. I can't really advice where as I have S90 (same as S95) and the limited zoom isn't an issue for me.

[Mr Overheads]

I've just plumped for the Sony DSC-WX10 over the Canon S95 (was on teh shortlist) purely based on size, it's that little bit smaller and lighter so not too bulky in say loose pockets of shorts.