New Camera for Parents

[Blayney]

Hi all,

My parents are looking for a new camera. Now I have a working understanding of optics and the electronics behind cameras (I work with broadcast video camera manufacture) but I am not a photographer. Ideally we would like a Sony as I can get a good discount. My Dad has said about a bridge camera but I am trying to get out of him why he thinks he wants that.

I originally suggested an RX100 after hearing such good reports about them, but they are a lot more than my Dad wanted to pay. He was looking more around £250.

So I would say any Sony that has an RRP of around £400 or a competitor (I know in TV you pay a premium for the Sony badge whereas you can get rivals with equivalent performance for a significant saving) that is around £200.

I am trying to find out off him how much zoom he is interested in etc. Or any particular features he would like.

Any recommendations?

[GetCarter]

RX100 Mk1 ihttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-Cybershot-DSC-RX100-Digital-Optical/dp/B008CNMZDW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1440168885&sr=1-1&keywords=rx100

Same sensor and results as the Mk 3 - Go buy!

[Blayney]

Just checked my discount and I can get that model for £247 so it makes my short list. I'll have a chat with Dad and see if he's adamant about the bridge.

Cheers!

[sgrimshaw]

Bridge cameras often get a slating on here, in my view unfairly so.

I've got a large selection of Sony cameras including several DSLRs, an RX100M3, HX100V bridge, HX20V superzoom compact.

Sony HX-100V bridge probably gets used the most.

In your price range, there are three worth a good look:

RX100 M1 - RRP £399 http://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/cyber-shot-compa...
HX400V - RRP £359 http://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/cyber-shot-compa...
HX90V - RRP £339 http://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/cyber-shot-compa...

The HX90V has been voted best European Travel Compact 2015-16 by EISA

[Blayney]

Thanks. Some food for thought. The HX90V works out at £210 for me.

[sgrimshaw]

Blayney said:

The HX90V works out at £210 for me.

That's a bloody good employee discount scheme you've got there

... amazing how easy it is to go off some people

Go on then, make my week .... how much would you get the RX10M2 for?

[schmunk]

Blayney said:

Just checked my discount and I can get that model for £247 so it makes my short list. I'll have a chat with Dad and see if he's adamant about the bridge.

Cheers!

N.B. on Amazon the RX100 Mk1 is showing as £279, with £60 cashback (only when purchased from Amazon, not marketplace!), so £219 overall - might make it cheaper than your discount route?

[Rosscow]

schmunk said:

Blayney said:

Just checked my discount and I can get that model for £247 so it makes my short list. I'll have a chat with Dad and see if he's adamant about the bridge.

Cheers!

N.B. on Amazon the RX100 Mk1 is showing as £279, with £60 cashback (only when purchased from Amazon, not marketplace!), so £219 overall - might make it cheaper than your discount route?

I got the Mk2 for less than £250 from Amazon - Prime Day lightning deal plus £40 cash back from Sony. Worth keeping an eye open for....

[Blayney]

sgrimshaw said:

Blayney said:

The HX90V works out at £210 for me.

That's a bloody good employee discount scheme you've got there

... amazing how easy it is to go off some people

Go on then, make my week .... how much would you get the RX10M2 for?

http://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/cyber-shot-compact-cameras/dsc-rx10m2

This?

£798.

Not that I should really be advertising it ha ha.

Thanks for the hints on the cash back deals too guys.

[sgrimshaw]

Blayney said:

http://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/cyber-shot-compa...

This?

£798.

Yup, that's the one ....