DSLR to "Travel Zoom" - going backwards

[thetapeworm]

At the present time I have a selection of older "compacts" and a Nikon D5000 with various lenses, filters, multiple batteries and so on - yet I seem to spend more time taking photos with my phone (A HTC One) that anything else.

With the Nikon I find I have to be going out to take photos to actually bother to take it with me, with the compacts and phone it's more a case of capturing the moment and having the ability to always have the means to take a shot when I want to. I usually wish I had the Nikon to hand but due the size and lack of flexibility it gives me it's very rarely used, I'd be amazed if I've taken more than 500 shots with it in two years and can easily do that many in a few days with my compact.

So I'm looking to get rid of the the Nikon (and various other older bridge cameras that are gathering dust) and get something that I'll get more use out of. I don't really want anything with interchangeable lenses or a raft of accessories, I want a "jack of all trades" that can go from taking a macro shot to a 20x zoom in the click of a button, basically I've given up on photography and want to collect "ok" photographs instead. It's mainly architecture, scenery, family and cars with the odd abstract close-up, general snappery I suppose rather than a specific type of shot.

At the moment my short-list is very short:

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ40 (current favourite)
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX50

I like that they are small enough to go in a pocket, have a flexible zoom / wide angle, have HDR modes built in, GPS for geotagging, acceptable macro capabilities etc

Are there any other alternatives that I should consider in the £300 and under price range?

[S47]

I had this problem 18months ago after 2 canon 'G' series compacts died just after the 12month Canon warranty expired, I solved it by buying a decent cameraphone - Samsung Galaxy S2, and I leave an older DSLR body - Canon 40D and a coupla older lenses in my car.
I carry the phone everywhere, and have the 40D whenever I need it on those occassions when I'm not carrying my main Camerakit.
Hope this helps

[The_Jackal]

Sounds like a camera phone is all you actually need for "ok" photos. Remember a compact camera will still be an extra surplus device to carry.

[littleredrooster]

Mrs Rooster has a Canon SX220 HS which matches most of the requirements, IMO. Takes good snaps too - full manual control as well as good auto. Small, light, everlasting battery etc.

[strummerville]

I've got a Sony RX100 as its such good image quality. The idea is that is has to be substantially better than a phone or its not worth bothering.

[GetCarter]

Unfortunately you missed the £293 RX100 deal on amazon on the so called 'black Friday'. That would have answered all your issues.

[rottie102]

GetCarter said:

Unfortunately you missed the £293 RX100 deal on amazon on the so called 'black Friday'. That would have answered all your issues.

...not the zoom though

[GetCarter]

rottie102 said:

GetCarter said:

Unfortunately you missed the £293 RX100 deal on amazon on the so called 'black Friday'. That would have answered all your issues.

...not the zoom though

True.

(Though one can crop big time, which helps)