Best, Most Reliable P&S Camera

Arthurwg · Nov 24, 2021

I've been thinking of buying a high-end point and shoot camera to replace my Contax TVS. I loved that camera and used it for travel with great success. But one day it went haywire and stopped working. I've thought about getting another as they are not too expensive, but I'm worrying about that camera's longevity. So now I'm thinking about the (very expensive) Contax T2 or perhaps something else, maybe a Nikon. Any thoughts or suggestions?

madNbad · Nov 24, 2021

Olympus Stylus zoom. The last one I had came from Goodwill and it was five dollars. The zooms never get the love of the Mju but still produce good images. In 2004 my wife and I spent nearly a month wandering around Europe with just carry on luggage. I wanted a camera that if it was lost or stolen wouldn't be a great loss. Bought a new 38-70, at the time there were still plenty of one hour photo kiosk. Always worked and wasn't disappointed by the images.

Paul Howell · Nov 24, 2021

There are no reliable high end point and shoots, reason is that all are now over 30 years old without replacement parts. My current fav is a Chinon CEaf, 35mm 2.8, manual set ISO, uses AA batteries. Down side is that it takes 46mm filters, I found and bought a lens hood, although I've seen a few filters on Ebay, too expensive. I also have a Konica Zup wide with 28 to 50 zoom, slow, no manual ISO override, takes sharp pictures. No a true point and shoot, my latest buy is a Vivitar 35ES, has shutter preferred exposure, other wise manual including film advance, rangefinder with a 40mm 1.7 lens. Takes 2 batteries, I use hearing aid zinc air.

Huss · Nov 24, 2021

The only reliable Contax T is the original T! i.e. the one that does not have AF. T2, T3, TVS etc are a really risky buy now.

Most probably the most reliable fancy P&S is the Fujifilm Klasse S or W (not the original) just because they are the newest. And the Rollei QZ35 cameras which are also relatively new, the most awesome P&S out there (check the specs) and because of that I own two...

Craig75 · Nov 25, 2021

This guy might be able to fix Yr tvs

I think he posts on here too occasionally.

I used to think oh these posh p&s are too risky but Asia seems to be knocking out new replacement parts for a lot of nice compacts and there does seem to be a few people able to fix them nowadays so it's probably less risk buying one today as opposed to say 5 years ago.

Not posh but olympus xa2 is the most easy to take apart and repair imo. I'd buy a jammed one for a few $ and learn how to fix it whilst seeing if you can get tvs fixed. That way you always have something small to hand which you can keep in running order yrself

Auer · Nov 25, 2021

Olympus Infinity Stylus. Great lens and fits so well in just about any pocket.
Almost perfect design.

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmWuBB4x

Huss · Nov 26, 2021

Rollei QZ35

mehguy · Nov 26, 2021

Maybe get an Olympus XA and get it serviced by John Hermanson? You’re effectively getting a camera brought to factory spec and will be much more reliable than anything else that hasn’t been touched in decades.

Swordman · Nov 26, 2021

If you’re ok with hyperfocal distance and focus by guesswork, then the Rollei 35 is an excellent buy. Sharp lens, manual controls, small size and very reasonably priced.

Some people find the ergonomics a bit odd, though, and it doesn’t have a built in flash (although it does have a hot shoe).

Patrick Robert James · Nov 26, 2021

The problem with all the high end point and shoots is the ribbon cable that connects the body to the lens. There are people fixing that now so if I were you and I liked the TVS (I have one too) then I'd find someone to fix it. If it went haywire that is probably the issue. If you buy another then you will eventually have the same problem. Get it fixed and if it is done right it will last another couple decades probably.

If you just want a new camera without messing around and want something decent, the original Olympus Stylus/Mju is a great little camera and they aren't outrageously priced yet. I have two of those.

Arthurwg · Nov 26, 2021

The problem is that my broken TVS is somewhere in the house but I can't find it. I will look again when I get home next week.

Huss · Nov 26, 2021

Yeah, if I already had a broken TVS I'd just get it fixed. There are two people doing this - one in Portugal, one in the Ukraine. And I think both advertise on ebay.

Huss · Nov 26, 2021

Swordman said:
If you’re ok with hyperfocal distance and focus by guesswork, then the Rollei 35 is an excellent buy. Sharp lens, manual controls, small size and very reasonably priced.

Some people find the ergonomics a bit odd, though, and it doesn’t have a built in flash (although it does have a hot shoe).

I dunno, they are really expensive now, plus every single one I've tried out had sticky shutters beneath 1/60 sec. Even one that was advertised on this site that I made the trip to go and see. The seller acted 'shocked' that it wasn't working properly....And super hard to get one that has not been dropped/dented, which I think speaks volumes as to it's ergos!

Auer · Nov 26, 2021

IMO pocketability and a "good" lens the two main factors in a P&S, and few are as good for that as the Olympus Infinity Stylus.
The right shape and size, fits in jean pockets.

To me it doesnt have to be manual anything. I want to carry the one I can forget I'm carrying.

macfred · Nov 26, 2021

If your interested in a rugged and reliable P and S camera have a look on the Konica Genba Kantoku series cameras (aka Workman or Construction Site cameras) - there models with 28mm and 35mm fixed focal length, 40mm-60mm switchable dual lens and a 28-56mm zoom lens.
They are waterproof (JIS protection grade 4-8), dust, sand proof and anti-shock impact resistant. The lenses are reported to be quite decent. The lady of the house has one (35mm lens) for about 25 years - no problems so far. A good choice for cross-country skiing and hiking.
Here's a nice review on the Genba Kantuko 28mm :
https://www.35mmc.com/05/08/2016/konica-genba-kantoku-28wb-review/

Paul Howell · Nov 26, 2021

I have a Konica Off Road, 28mm, 3.5, really nice 8 element lens, top shutter speed of 1/500. No ISO override, so your stuck with box speed. And it is rugged, very rugged as a matter of fact. Not on the pocketable side.

Arthurwg · Nov 26, 2021

I did have the Rollei 35S at one time. I took great pictures with it but it did get a dent when it was dropped. That is one light top cover. So I gave it away.

G1DRP · Nov 29, 2021

How about the Olympus XA or XA2? I've had mine for years and they are still going strong.

throneking · Nov 29, 2021

G1DRP said:
How about the Olympus XA or XA2? I've had mine for years and they are still going strong.

Absolutely!
A friend of mine is still making use of his own. according to him, they are really fun to shoot with and it one of the most beautiful camera he has ever used.

Chan Tran · Nov 29, 2021

Huss said:
The only reliable Contax T is the original T! i.e. the one that does not have AF. T2, T3, TVS etc are a really risky buy now.

Most probably the most reliable fancy P&S is the Fujifilm Klasse S or W (not the original) just because they are the newest. And the Rollei QZ35 cameras which are also relatively new, the most awesome P&S out there (check the specs) and because of that I own two...

But being not AF can you call it P&S?

Chan Tran · Nov 29, 2021

G1DRP said:
How about the Olympus XA or XA2? I've had mine for years and they are still going strong.

I have both and they are fine but can you call them P&S because you have to focus via the rangefinder on the XA and zone focus on the XA2?

macfred · Nov 29, 2021

Chan Tran said:
But being not AF can you call it P&S?

Nope !

--
What about the Konica Hexar AF ? I used to have a total of four of them.
One I sold, another one was a ''divorce victim''; the third oneI lost in a cable car station... #4 stays with me.
None of these four has ever given me any trouble.

Konica Hexar AF on Kodak Ektachrome Elite 100 (5045)

flavio81 · Nov 29, 2021

I'd say the Olympus Trip 35. And i consider it a point and shoot of course.

flavio81 · Nov 29, 2021

G1DRP said:
How about the Olympus XA or XA2? I've had mine for years and they are still going strong.

They're a bit fragile... If you care for them of course they should be just fine.

Chan Tran · Nov 29, 2021

macfred said:
Nope !

--
What about the Konica Hexar AF ? I used to have a total of four of them.
One I sold, another one was a ''divorce victim''; the third oneI lost in a cable car station... #4 stays with me.
None of these four has ever given me any trouble.

View attachment 292029 View attachment 292030
Konica Hexar AF on Kodak Ektachrome Elite 100 (5045)

People use the term P&S a lot of time when they meant compact. So yes the Konica Hexar AF is point and shoot but also the Nikon F5 but they don't call them P&S just because they are too big. So really we need a good definition of P&S.

Best, Most Reliable P&S Camera

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency