Relatively modest P&S for spouse?

jay moussy

Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2019
Messages
1,314
Location
Eastern MA, USA
Format
Hybrid
Spouse's mechanically aging P&S Canon SX260HS needs a replacement.
Nothing fancy needed here, casual use, with good zoom. Probably a dozen good candidates, exceeding user's aspirations
(I keep pointing out the virtues of her phone camera, but...)

Suggestions?

(I noticed a lot of grey-market Canons in that category)
 

jeffreyg

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 12, 2008
Messages
2,640
Location
florida
Format
Medium Format
The nice thing about the phone depending a on its features is the GPS can record the location and date the photo was taken. If you might be inclined to share on occasion consider the Panasonic Lumix ZS100. I have one that I carry along with medium format to use when the other is not practical and a pocket camera will come in handy. I have made prints 11x14 + that were of exhibition quality with it.


 
Last edited:

Chan Tran

Subscriber
Joined
May 10, 2006
Messages
6,815
Location
Sachse, TX
Format
35mm
So the camera has to be compact? and it has to have decent zoom? and it doesn't cost much? Are those what you're thinking? I think the phone is a good candiate. Most of the phone is somewhat short on the zoom but otherwise it's compact and while the phone can be quite expensive but it's something she has to have anyway. Some of the phones have several lenses that can make up for the lack of true zoom.
 

faberryman

Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2016
Messages
6,048
Location
Wherever
Format
Multi Format
The first question I would ask is does your wife even want a camera, much less a film camera. Here is something to think about: What are the odds that a wife somewhere is online on a sewing machine forum asking everyone what kind of sewing machine she should get for her husband?
 
Last edited:

Chan Tran

Subscriber
Joined
May 10, 2006
Messages
6,815
Location
Sachse, TX
Format
35mm

I think the OP meant a digital camera not film camera. The camera his wife has now is a digital one.
 
OP
OP

jay moussy

Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2019
Messages
1,314
Location
Eastern MA, USA
Format
Hybrid
In reply to above:
Yes, she wants a camera, or more exactly, replace her (digital) aging one
She does want, or need to do any research, I am the tech guy in the family.
Her current one was bought on a whim at a camera store, on the way to a favorite restaurant in Harvard Square, after her last day at work before retirement!
 

Bronson Dugnutt

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2018
Messages
982
Location
USA
Format
Traditional
Since you're going out of the way to get an actual camera instead of using a smartphone, take the opportunity to upgrade to a sensor larger than the 1/2.3" in the SX260HS.

If staying with a Canon model isn't a requirement, I'd opt for the best example of a Sony RX100 series camera that suits your budget. I've never owned one, but by all accounts they're pretty badass performers.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,359
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format

The OP specified that his wife requested a film camera so exactly which kind of detector are you pushing?
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
52,893
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
Sirius Glass said:
The OP specified that his wife requested a film camera so exactly which kind of detector are you pushing?
Click to expand...

Actually, the OP's camera that needs replacing with something similar is a digital camera - otherwise the moderators would have moved the thread
 
Last edited by a moderator:

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
52,893
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
I'm guessing that what is needed is a camera with the same small form factor. It would probably be good if the menu structure and operation is at least similar to the old one.
 

mgb74

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 24, 2005
Messages
4,774
Location
MN and MA US
Format
Multi Format
Two questions:
  1. Does size matter? Do you want something small enough to fit in a purse or is larger OK?
  2. Are you planning to print the photos or just share online? If printed, to what size?
 

benjiboy

Subscriber
Joined
Apr 18, 2005
Messages
11,970
Location
U.K.
Format
35mm
When someone came into my camera shop and said "I want a camera for my my wife", I used to think to myself, "is it part exchange ?"., although I never said it, that would have been rude.
 

Chan Tran

Subscriber
Joined
May 10, 2006
Messages
6,815
Location
Sachse, TX
Format
35mm
Sirius Glass said:
The OP specified that his wife requested a film camera so exactly which kind of detector are you pushing?
Click to expand...

Where did the OP specified a film camera????
Does this post sound like he specified a film camera?
"
In reply to above:
Yes, she wants a camera, or more exactly, replace her (digital) aging one
She does want, or need to do any research, I am the tech guy in the family.
Her current one was bought on a whim at a camera store, on the way to a favorite restaurant in Harvard Square, after her last day at work before retirement!"
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,359
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format

 
OP
OP

jay moussy

Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2019
Messages
1,314
Location
Eastern MA, USA
Format
Hybrid
Well, the search is not going well, as I do not seem to find the smallish feature set she only needs in the smaller body size.
Everything has gone up in size (and features).
Unavailable (manufacturing bottlenecks) or abandoned segment

Next would be to learn about camera phone add-ons.
She can/should have that anyway. I, too, may try that. I should start another thread about that?
 

Disappointed_Horse

Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2009
Messages
168
Location
Florida
Format
35mm
Yes, the compact point-and-shoot is mostly an abandoned market segment, except for the Ricoh GR, Sony RX100, and Olympus Tough models.

Curious what you mean by camera phone add-ons. I've never found add-on lenses, grips, etc., appealing because at that point the phone is no longer pocketable and you might as well go find yourself a real camera.
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
52,893
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
Try the thrift stores in your area.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,359
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
Take a look at KEH.com. They have a great return policy and will fix at no cost any defective camera that they sold.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…