Relatively modest P&S for spouse?

[jay moussy]

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]

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.

ABOUT | JEFFREY GLASSER

HOME | SCULPTURE and PHOTOGRAPHY

 

[Chan Tran]

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]

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?

 

[Chan Tran]

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?

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

 

[jay moussy]

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]

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]

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.

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

 

[MattKing]

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

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

 

[MattKing]

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]

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?

 

[Willy T]

Canon S95, S100, S110. Mebbe. Nice little shooters.

 

[benjiboy]

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.

 

[Paul Howell]

Olympus Tough TG

 

[Sirius Glass]

Olympus Tough TG

View attachment 308359

The color is right. Making it easy to find.

 

[Chan Tran]

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

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]

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!"

 

[jay moussy]

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]

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]

Try the thrift stores in your area.

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

This site has a lot of information on affordable compact digital cameras:

https://35hunter.blog/

In particular, click on the "Digital Classics" link at the top of the page.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Take a look at KEH.com. They have a great return policy and will fix at no cost any defective camera that they sold.

 

[jay moussy]

Try the thrift stores in your area.

Funny you said that. spouse found a thrift three-dollar 2012 Samsung, and it makes you appreciate the Canon P&S design and performance!