Best Compact for £200

[ian in lancs]

Birthday present question! My BiL is to get a 'camera for about £200' and as I'm supposed to know cameras I'm in the hot seat! I've used CameraPriceBuster to extract the likely Canon / Nikon contenders so which is the one to go for? If theres a Panasonic or whatever thats considerably better at this price point I'd consider that too.

I'm guessing good picture quality out of the camera (minimal post processing demands), reasonable zoom range and compact for jacket pocket.

Nikon Coolpix S8200 £182.78
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS £182.81
Canon PowerShot SX220 HS £183.30
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS £185.00
Nikon Coolpix S8000 £195.00
Canon PowerShot D10 £199.00
Nikon Coolpix L310 £199.00
Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS £209.99
Canon Digital IXUS 125 HS £210.90
Nikon Coolpix AW100 £219.90
Nikon Coolpix P500 £219.95


Thanks peeps!

[Elderly]

Pay £29.99 more and get this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00400OK5...

[MartinP]

^^^ +1

[horacethefrog]

I'd agree that the S95 is great value for money but it only meets one of the criteria, i.e. it doesn't have much zoom range and it's one of the larger/heavier compacts out there. It's made for photographers and I'm guessing this guy is not a photographer. Mind you, having said all that I've no idea about any of the other options

[14-7]

horacethefrog said:

I'm guessing this guy is not a photographer.

You obviously haven't seen any of his shots then!

[Xaero]

Sony HX9v was the european compact camera of the year. I sell endless amounts at the camera shop I work at, a little over £200 on amazon (linked) atm. It is genuinely an excellent camera, even the HD video is good quality.

Although the S95 above would have better manual control.

I personally wouldn't bother with Nikon compacts.

Edited by Xaero on Tuesday 6th March 22:08

[NiceCupOfTea]

S95 really isn't very bulky - very configurable, but takes brilliant photos just set to auto!

Zoom is OK - if you want a superzoom you need to look specifically at them IMHO.

[ian in lancs]

14-7 said:

horacethefrog said:

I'm guessing this guy is not a photographer.

You obviously haven't seen any of his shots then!

although I think he meant my BiL!

[jimmy156]

14-7 said:

horacethefrog said:

I'm guessing this guy is not a photographer.

You obviously haven't seen any of his shots then!

I don't think he meant the OP, but his BIL,

I would recommend this panasonic tz1 as a good all round compact.

£30 over budget though

[K12beano]

Xaero said:

I personally wouldn't bother with Nikon compacts.

Well, I have a P7000 when not using a dSLR and I have to say results are good, but I agree they're not easy/quick to use. I might not go for another. But wouldn't necessarily write them off.

[Xaero]

I don't doubt they get good results. But I don't think they are up to the reliability of the Canon, Sony or Panasonic compacts. Nikon compacts don't seem to inherit their SLR brothers famous reliability and build quality.

[NiceCupOfTea]

I've not been a fan of Canon's reliability in compacts, having 3 or 4 die prematurely over the years. S95 was so heavily recommended that I went for it though - feels solid, but jury is still out!

[egor110]

Have a look at a panasonic tz10, pleased with mine, very good video function.

[K12beano]

Xaero said:

Nikon compacts don't seem to inherit their SLR brothers famous reliability and build quality.

Oh undoubtably - and not developed with the same eye to detail of use.

[GetCarter]

horacethefrog said:

S95 ... it's one of the larger/heavier compacts out there

NO! It's tiny.... the reason I bought it!

[Elderly]

GetCarter said:

NO! It's tiny compared to my newest camera, the reason I bought it!
http://camerasize.com/compact/#106,243.327,ha,t

I've fixed that for you

[GetCarter]

Ta... I woz foxed.

[Laplace]

Been looking into this myself and the S95 seems the only contender. It has rave reviews across the board and when the pro's talk about it being a great camera then it's difficult to argue.

[raptor600]

Xaero said:

Sony HX9V was the european compact camera of the year. I sell endless amounts at the camera shop I work at, a little over £200 on amazon (linked) atm. It is genuinely an excellent camera, even the HD video is good quality.

I personally wouldn't bother with Nikon compacts.

Edited by Xaero on Tuesday 6th March 22:08

+1000000.

I have used many cameras over the last few months and the Sony HX9V is by far and away the superior one.

There is a reason it has won so many awards! It is simply awesome!

[ian in lancs]

Thanks everyone.

I suggested the Canon IXUS 230, Sony DSCHX9VB and the S95.

I personally use a Nikon P7000 and although it takes great (inc RAW) pics its a pig to use! It used to be haunted with a mind of its own before I sent it to Nikon for a stern talking to. Seems to be on best behaviour at the moment.... I understand why Nikon were quick to bring out the P7100!