Good digital compact?
Discussion
Welcome any thoughts on the following models, or a better equivalent. I am looking for a point and click compact for general family use, but something that feels 'nice' too! No set budget but approx £150-250. Gps and/or wifi good too.
Sony DSC-HX7V
Olympus WB150F
Panasonic DMC-LX5
Canon Ixus 230HS
Olympus SH-25MR
Nikon P510 Coolpix
Any help gratefully received. I really like the look of the Panasonic but had a go on the wb150 in a shop and for the money, appears a great buy.
Thanks
Sony DSC-HX7V
Olympus WB150F
Panasonic DMC-LX5
Canon Ixus 230HS
Olympus SH-25MR
Nikon P510 Coolpix
Any help gratefully received. I really like the look of the Panasonic but had a go on the wb150 in a shop and for the money, appears a great buy.
Thanks
Top end, but Olympus XZ-1 is a corking little thing.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004G8QSTO/ref=...
Actually, DigitalRev have it for £240 - http://www.digitalrev.com/product/olympus-xz-1-dig...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004G8QSTO/ref=...
Actually, DigitalRev have it for £240 - http://www.digitalrev.com/product/olympus-xz-1-dig...
Thanks for the advice, I had the tz-20 recommended to me this morning so will look at that aswell. The Ixus 230 hs gets some fantastic reviews and was only £160 in PCWorld, but it felt very 'placky' and the £20 more Olympus Wb 150 felt a much more quality product, with some good features and great reviews aswell.
The S95 and S100 both look great but very expensive unless you go for the Hong Kong option. I'm not sure I really want to risk a non-eu warranty and all that hassle.
The S95 and S100 both look great but very expensive unless you go for the Hong Kong option. I'm not sure I really want to risk a non-eu warranty and all that hassle.
I just bought a TZ30. It's an excellent camera. All the tests say it's far better than the old TZ20.
I bought it over a number of others because some couldn't get a GPS signal, others were accused of producing processsed photos and the TZ30 just seemed to eb the best all-rounder.
Personally, I have always had Canons but rejected the Canon 260HS as the video was 30fps and not 60fps.
In retrospect, I now find the video to be more of an issue as it's harder to play on my computer and I'm kind of wishing I had stuck with Canon simply because the download interface is so much better. people don't often take this into consideration but IMHO the Canon software download package and Zoombrowser EX viewer is far better than most others.
The camera menu on canons is also better and I frequently find myself looking for features on the TZ30 and not being able to remember which damn menu it's in.
I bought it over a number of others because some couldn't get a GPS signal, others were accused of producing processsed photos and the TZ30 just seemed to eb the best all-rounder.
Personally, I have always had Canons but rejected the Canon 260HS as the video was 30fps and not 60fps.
In retrospect, I now find the video to be more of an issue as it's harder to play on my computer and I'm kind of wishing I had stuck with Canon simply because the download interface is so much better. people don't often take this into consideration but IMHO the Canon software download package and Zoombrowser EX viewer is far better than most others.
The camera menu on canons is also better and I frequently find myself looking for features on the TZ30 and not being able to remember which damn menu it's in.
LuS1fer said:
I just bought a TZ30. It's an excellent camera. All the tests say it's far better than the old TZ20.
I bought it over a number of others because some couldn't get a GPS signal, others were accused of producing processsed photos and the TZ30 just seemed to eb the best all-rounder.
Personally, I have always had Canons but rejected the Canon 260HS as the video was 30fps and not 60fps.
In retrospect, I now find the video to be more of an issue as it's harder to play on my computer and I'm kind of wishing I had stuck with Canon simply because the download interface is so much better. people don't often take this into consideration but IMHO the Canon software download package and Zoombrowser EX viewer is far better than most others.
The camera menu on canons is also better and I frequently find myself looking for features on the TZ30 and not being able to remember which damn menu it's in.
I am really interested in this one now - gets some great reviews barring the more advanced photography sites which get all hessy over a lack of RAW files. I don't intend to edit (other than Picasa) so happy it is just JPEG. Also on at Amazon for 256 +35 cashback...think I'm going to buy, but will have a look at the 260HS aswell. Choices, choices!I bought it over a number of others because some couldn't get a GPS signal, others were accused of producing processsed photos and the TZ30 just seemed to eb the best all-rounder.
Personally, I have always had Canons but rejected the Canon 260HS as the video was 30fps and not 60fps.
In retrospect, I now find the video to be more of an issue as it's harder to play on my computer and I'm kind of wishing I had stuck with Canon simply because the download interface is so much better. people don't often take this into consideration but IMHO the Canon software download package and Zoombrowser EX viewer is far better than most others.
The camera menu on canons is also better and I frequently find myself looking for features on the TZ30 and not being able to remember which damn menu it's in.
The only advice I can give is that you should consider if you need a GPS function. The TZ25 and Canon 240HS do without it and should be cheaper. They drain the battery when left on so I turned mine off but will probably reactivate it for taking holiday snaps. It's also something else to remember to turn off on aircraft.
If you search Panasonic TZ30, you'll find my links to a spare battery and very cheap tripods - both from Amazon.
The other thing you have to get used to with the TZ is it takes photos when you touch the screen so get used to strange photos appearing from nowhere.
There are some great effects in there though despite the slightly confusing menus which I dare say just take getting used to. I haven't used mine a lot because of the rubbish summer.
If you search Panasonic TZ30, you'll find my links to a spare battery and very cheap tripods - both from Amazon.
The other thing you have to get used to with the TZ is it takes photos when you touch the screen so get used to strange photos appearing from nowhere.
There are some great effects in there though despite the slightly confusing menus which I dare say just take getting used to. I haven't used mine a lot because of the rubbish summer.
Depends on the reviewer as to how much of a step forward the TZ30 is from the TZ20. The reviews I looked at said it was better, but not necessarily worth paying a premium over the TZ20 (which is still a current model in the Panasonic range). Obviously it's improved, but there is a considerable price difference to take into account between the two models (the TZ30 is available from around £260'ish in the UK versus £150'ish for a TZ20).
I think the TZ20 is a great camera and often use it instead of my Canon 600d as it has a good zoom range and is easier to carry around on holiday etc. Mind you the 8 megapixel camera on the i-phone also gets a good work out for everyday photos as it's pretty good for what it is. I used it to take a video of fireworks in Malta earlier this year and the results were surprisingly good!
As phone cameras continue to improve, they are hitting the cheaper end of the digital camera market significantly.
I think the TZ20 is a great camera and often use it instead of my Canon 600d as it has a good zoom range and is easier to carry around on holiday etc. Mind you the 8 megapixel camera on the i-phone also gets a good work out for everyday photos as it's pretty good for what it is. I used it to take a video of fireworks in Malta earlier this year and the results were surprisingly good!
As phone cameras continue to improve, they are hitting the cheaper end of the digital camera market significantly.
Edited by 58warren on Friday 13th July 13:53
Siko said:
Thanks for the advice, I had the tz-20 recommended to me this morning so will look at that aswell. The Ixus 230 hs gets some fantastic reviews and was only £160 in PCWorld, but it felt very 'placky' and the £20 more Olympus Wb 150 felt a much more quality product, with some good features and great reviews aswell.
The S95 and S100 both look great but very expensive unless you go for the Hong Kong option. I'm not sure I really want to risk a non-eu warranty and all that hassle.
I have recently bought an S95 following advice on here, very happy so far. It may be worth trying the Canon refurb store on eBay, I managed to pick up my previous camera, a Canon G10, on there at a great price. The S95 and S100 both look great but very expensive unless you go for the Hong Kong option. I'm not sure I really want to risk a non-eu warranty and all that hassle.
LordHaveMurci said:
I have recently bought an S95 following advice on here, very happy so far. It may be worth trying the Canon refurb store on eBay, I managed to pick up my previous camera, a Canon G10, on there at a great price.
Really like the S95 and my dad has one which he really rates, just a bit on the expensive side for me!Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff