Compact camara?

[eldar]

I'd like to buy a compact camera, pocket sized. Top be used instead of a phone as I really need a reasonable zoom capability. It would also need to have a gps/location tagging function. Budget around £250 or so.

I've seen a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60, which seems to fit the bill, is this a reasonable choice?

[sgrimshaw]

For what you are looking for, I doubt you'll be disappointed with the Panasonic.

Good review here:

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camco...

Also worth a look, and the similar price is the Sony HX60V:

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camco...

They've both been around for a good few years, so are quite heavily discounted from their launch prices ... with either, you get a lot of camera for the money.

The Sony is slightly cheaper, Currys have it @ £199 v £229 for the Panny in JL

[Derek Smith]

eldar said:

I'd like to buy a compact camera, pocket sized. Top be used instead of a phone as I really need a reasonable zoom capability. It would also need to have a gps/location tagging function. Budget around £250 or so.

I've seen a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60, which seems to fit the bill, is this a reasonable choice?

I've had a TZ-25 for years. I carry it with me all the time.

I thoroughly recommend it. However, I'd suggest trying one before buying and the interface and controls might not suit.

[LuS1fer]

The Panasonic TZ has had a long history and the TZ60 is a good camera. In fact, they reduced the MAP on the 70 before restoring it on the 80.
I have had a TZ30 for years and it has been a very good camera and I have also had a Canon SX700HS with the 30x zoom which takes good photos but lacks the Panasonic's menu for things like sunsets plus it's panoramic view.
I now have a TZ100 but that only has a 10 X zoom which isn't really enough. However, I don't need the variable focus or 4000 k nonsense.
In short, the TZ is a great choice.

However, I should note that, on my bargain scouring, the older cameras tend to be more expensive than the newer ones, I've seen TZ80s for less than the TZ60 so it goes without saying that the newer ones are generally going to be superior to the older ones.

Edited by LuS1fer on Sunday 11th February 15:32

[eldar]

Thanks for the advice, all good. The Panasonic is the one, ticks all the boxes and within Budget. Ordered from John Lewis.

Cheers.

[Narcisus]

eldar said:

Thanks for the advice, all good. The Panasonic is the one, ticks all the boxes and within Budget. Ordered from John Lewis.

Cheers.

I have a 60. Great little camera. Have a look to see if Panasonic are doing a rebate on it. I've just had £100 off my FZ2000. No rebate when I purchased my 60 but they were doing a 5 year warranty instead which was good.

[Derek Smith]

LuS1fer said:

The Panasonic TZ has had a long history and the TZ60 is a good camera. In fact, they reduced the MAP on the 70 before restoring it on the 80.
I have had a TZ30 for years and it has been a very good camera and I have also had a Canon SX700HS with the 30x zoom which takes good photos but lacks the Panasonic's menu for things like sunsets plus it's panoramic view.
I now have a TZ100 but that only has a 10 X zoom which isn't really enough. However, I don't need the variable focus or 4000 k nonsense.
In short, the TZ is a great choice.

However, I should note that, on my bargain scouring, the older cameras tend to be more expensive than the newer ones, I've seen TZ80s for less than the TZ60 so it goes without saying that the newer ones are generally going to be superior to the older ones.

Edited by LuS1fer on Sunday 11th February 15:32

I've got a Panasonic G7. The 4k 'nonsense' is a terrific feature. There's ways to use it which I haven't yet discovered, and I've discovered enough to know that I will never buy a camera without it again.

The Panasonic menu is a good point. It's daunting at first but you'll eventually crack it as it is simple enough. Once you do, the resources it provides are superb.

[Derek Smith]

I've just received a marketing email from Jessops. The new TZ200 is £729. It's nice but at that price it needs something more.

[Narcisus]

Derek Smith said:

LuS1fer said:

The Panasonic TZ has had a long history and the TZ60 is a good camera. In fact, they reduced the MAP on the 70 before restoring it on the 80.
I have had a TZ30 for years and it has been a very good camera and I have also had a Canon SX700HS with the 30x zoom which takes good photos but lacks the Panasonic's menu for things like sunsets plus it's panoramic view.
I now have a TZ100 but that only has a 10 X zoom which isn't really enough. However, I don't need the variable focus or 4000 k nonsense.
In short, the TZ is a great choice.

However, I should note that, on my bargain scouring, the older cameras tend to be more expensive than the newer ones, I've seen TZ80s for less than the TZ60 so it goes without saying that the newer ones are generally going to be superior to the older ones.

Edited by LuS1fer on Sunday 11th February 15:32

I've got a Panasonic G7. The 4k 'nonsense' is a terrific feature. There's ways to use it which I haven't yet discovered, and I've discovered enough to know that I will never buy a camera without it again.

The Panasonic menu is a good point. It's daunting at first but you'll eventually crack it as it is simple enough. Once you do, the resources it provides are superb.

Agreed. 4K was a big draw for me on the FZ2000. Allows me to retire my old dedicated video cam.

Edited by Narcisus on Wednesday 14th February 08:46

[eldar]

eldar said:

Thanks for the advice, all good. The Panasonic is the one, ticks all the boxes and within Budget. Ordered from John Lewis.

Cheers.

It arrived. It's complicated Does exactly what I want and much, much more, a most impressive device.

[Narcisus]

eldar said:

It arrived. It's complicated Does exactly what I want and much, much more, a most impressive device.

Great thing about this cam is that yes it can be complicated but leave it in auto and it will still take great pictures.

[Derek Smith]

eldar said:

It arrived. It's complicated Does exactly what I want and much, much more, a most impressive device.

I found with my TZ, and my G7, that I'll use certain features, crack them and think that I've got all I need. I then find or read up on another one and it becomes a must have.

You'll find it great for candid shots as, like the other poster said, on auto it provides good quality images. When you are in a difficult situation: speed, weather, lighting, there is normally something you can get on the camera to mitigate the problems.

I was chatting to someone who also had a G7 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last year and we were swopping favourite routines.

However, at least on the TZ, I take most of my pictures in auto.

[eldar]

Narcisus said:

Great thing about this cam is that yes it can be complicated but leave it in auto and it will still take great pictures.

Sounds about right for me I am hugely impressed by the zoom, almost unbelievably good for such a small camera.

[Narcisus]

eldar said:

Sounds about right for me I am hugely impressed by the zoom, almost unbelievably good for such a small camera.

Yeah it is ! I use it almost like a spotting scope !

[LuS1fer]

eldar said:

eldar said:

Thanks for the advice, all good. The Panasonic is the one, ticks all the boxes and within Budget. Ordered from John Lewis.

Cheers.

It arrived. It's complicated Does exactly what I want and much, much more, a most impressive device.

Indeed and this is exactly what I meant when referring to 4000k. For 90% of camera users, they just aren't going to be interested in such complications, most want a camera they can point and shoot without setting up a professional shot.

[eldar]

Narcisus said:

Yeah it is ! I use it almost like a spotting scope !

A pheasant from 36 metres, through a double glazed window. Max zoom.

[Narcisus]

LuS1fer said:

eldar said:

eldar said:

Thanks for the advice, all good. The Panasonic is the one, ticks all the boxes and within Budget. Ordered from John Lewis.

Cheers.

It arrived. It's complicated Does exactly what I want and much, much more, a most impressive device.

Indeed and this is exactly what I meant when referring to 4000k. For 90% of camera users, they just aren't going to be interested in such complications, most want a camera they can point and shoot without setting up a professional shot.

What's complicated about 4k ? Are we talking about the same thing here. Select 4k. Point. Shoot. Just as with 1080, 720 or indeed any other video format.

[Narcisus]

Finally ! Managed to take some pics with the 2000 on Friday. Had a play with a few modes but basically treated the day as a camera handling excercise.

Let the camera do all the hard work shooting in Ai+.



[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/HcOQyv2u[/url

]

[Derek Smith]

Narcisus said:

Finally ! Managed to take some pics with the 2000 on Friday. Had a play with a few modes but basically treated the day as a camera handling excercise.

Let the camera do all the hard work shooting in Ai+.

Real nice pictures. I'm glad you like the camera.

If it is easy to use on auto and has every mode you want, then it's perfect.

[Narcisus]

Thanks Derek. Yes I was a bit nervous after hearing stories of soft lens but it seems fine. I've pulled those pics straight off Facebook so don't really do the cam justice as they are low res to begin with.

Quality isn't as good as decent dslr with nice glass but then its not fair really to compare.

It has filled a gap between my pocket TZ60 and lugging all the kit which is exactly what I wanted.

The zoom is pretty amazing. Used as a spotter at 2000mm equivalent is impressive.

Looking forward to getting my teeth into it !