Help choosing a camera - not lazy, just a bit overwhelmed

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Kookoo

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#122106 24-Jun-2013 22:50

Hi all
Time to get a new camera. I'm not really into photography, I don't need a DSLR, I'm not planning to shoot fantastic flower close ups or tremendous landscapes from a tripod. I just need a decent point-and-shoot to capture the occasional family photos and videos.
We currently own two cameras:
1) Some low end Canon, the cheapest in their range at the time (but with an optical view finder which I love, but is not really a must).

Like: cycle time
Don't like: limited zoom, picture quality, AA batteries

2) Samsung WB600.

Like: Picture quality (awesome), 15x optical zoom, rechargeable battery
Don't like: Flaky face recognition, way too many options for what I need, very long cycle time

Now, the last time I relied on reviews when buying a camera I ended up with Samsung WB600. It's an AWESOME camera, make no mistake, but it has way too many options for me, and really wasn't what I needed. This time I tried relying on reviews again, and it looks like Samsung WB100 is a great choice. I've been here before though, so I decided to ask for an advice.
Requirements:

Up to $250
Any form factor
Quick cycle time
Preferably optical zoom of x8 or more
Preferably rechargeable battery (for some reason I don't like AA)
HD video (720p is good enough)
Idiot-proof - in other words, the "auto" option produces good enough photos

Would appreciate any thoughts, ideas, and suggestions. Actually, even comments along the lines of "get off your bum and learn how to use a camera" will be appreciated.

Hello, Ground!

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Webhead
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#843707 24-Jun-2013 22:54

Not to be a drag, but for $250 you are not going to get all you are asking for and good picture quality.

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Kookoo

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#843716 24-Jun-2013 23:03

jarledb: Not to be a drag, but for $250 you are not going to get all you are asking for and good picture quality.

I realise that. That's the reason I chose the $250 - to force myself to compromise on things.
For example, the WB600 produces fantastic picture quality for a point-and-shoot camera, but it was about $450 at the time if I am not mistaken, and I wouldn't have bought it again - it's just not worth that much to me.

Hello, Ground!

jarledb

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#843720 24-Jun-2013 23:24

One thing you might want to consider is to look at used cameras. Especially with DSLRs (but I suspect with regular point and shoots as well), as soon as a new camera is out the price of the old drops like an anchor.

jarledb

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#843721 24-Jun-2013 23:29

Did not find a lot on Trademe.co.nz. Anyone know of any good places to buy used cameras online in NZ?

I took a look at Ebay, and its not a superzoom but it takes really good pictures: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5360.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.Xcanon+s95&_nkw=canon+s95&_sacat=0&_from=R40

The Canon Powershot S95. You could also look at the Canon S100 that is the second to latest of this Powershot range: http://www.ebay.com/ctg/Canon-PowerShot-S100-12-1-MP-Digital-Camera-Black-/109883351 - thats my current point and shoot that I am very happy with. Its got a CMOS sensor so it works better in low light than the previous ones.

Latest one out is Canon Powershot S110, main difference between S100 and S110 is that S110 has Wifi.

dickytim

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#843753 25-Jun-2013 06:53

A friend of mine had a Canon SX200 IS when we were in Vegas, it was a truly excellent camera, the photo's were on par with my Canon DSLR

I think DSE had the SX200 for around $279

If I didn't have 2 DSLR's and a Sony point and shoot already I would have bought one at that!

jeffnz

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#843762 25-Jun-2013 07:50

apart from the optical zoom you can get a smartphone to do all that and more, if you were after a better camera then sure a separate camera would be the go but with how the phones are now going the picture quality for the point and shoot brigade is very good.

I took my point & shoot away to Vanuatu at the beginning of the year, admittedly its 4 years old but was just under $500 and my S3 actually took better shots for what I was using it for.

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vexxxboy

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#843786 25-Jun-2013 08:55

have a look at the Panasonic lumix range of cameras for the price they get really good reviews for ease of use and picture quality, they use leica lenses, i have one i gave my son mainly because you just point it at the subject and the camera does the rest .

http://www.panasonic.co.nz/products/cameras/lumix-digital-cameras/

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timmmay

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#843793 25-Jun-2013 09:08

The bigger the optical zoom the worse the image quality. Go for lower mega pixels. Panasonic are good.

Goosey

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#843801 25-Jun-2013 09:12

Nikon?

All my samsungs have gone to the big tech heaven in the sky.... seems they dont like tropical conditions.

alasta

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#843811 25-Jun-2013 09:33

When you say 'any form factor' you might want to give a bit more thought to how you feel about the compromises between the nice looking ultra slim bodies, versus the chunkier alternatives that will provide you with more comfortable handling.

I am loyal to Nikon, but any of the major Japanese manufacturers will give you good value for money at any given price point.

Kookoo

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#845296 25-Jun-2013 21:49

jarledb: Did not find a lot on Trademe.co.nz. Anyone know of any good places to buy used cameras online in NZ?

I took a look at Ebay, and its not a superzoom but it takes really good pictures: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5360.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.Xcanon+s95&_nkw=canon+s95&_sacat=0&_from=R40

The Canon Powershot S95. You could also look at the Canon S100 that is the second to latest of this Powershot range: http://www.ebay.com/ctg/Canon-PowerShot-S100-12-1-MP-Digital-Camera-Black-/109883351 - thats my current point and shoot that I am very happy with. Its got a CMOS sensor so it works better in low light than the previous ones.

Latest one out is Canon Powershot S110, main difference between S100 and S110 is that S110 has Wifi.

Very good cameras, but way way above my budget limits for this purchase.
Thanks!

Hello, Ground!

Kookoo

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#845297 25-Jun-2013 21:53

dickytim: A friend of mine had a Canon SX200 IS when we were in Vegas, it was a truly excellent camera, the photo's were on par with my Canon DSLR

I think DSE had the SX200 for around $279

If I didn't have 2 DSLR's and a Sony point and shoot already I would have bought one at that!

Thanks. The current version seems to be the SX260, which is about $350. $100 over the budget, but worth a look.

Hello, Ground!

vexxxboy

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#845310 25-Jun-2013 22:03

This panasonic is within your price range and has good reviews.

http://www.panasonic.co.nz/products/cameras/lumix-digital-cameras/dmc-tz35/

Common sense is not as common as you think.

Kookoo

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#845315 25-Jun-2013 22:06

jeffnz: apart from the optical zoom you can get a smartphone to do all that and more, if you were after a better camera then sure a separate camera would be the go but with how the phones are now going the picture quality for the point and shoot brigade is very good.

I took my point & shoot away to Vanuatu at the beginning of the year, admittedly its 4 years old but was just under $500 and my S3 actually took better shots for what I was using it for.

The flash, the lens, the zoom... I don't really like using smartphone cameras and they are not a consideration when buying one. I currently have a Lumia 520 and only use it take photos when there are no other options available.

Hello, Ground!

Kookoo

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#845324 25-Jun-2013 22:16

vexxxboy: have a look at the Panasonic lumix range of cameras for the price they get really good reviews for ease of use and picture quality, they use leica lenses, i have one i gave my son mainly because you just point it at the subject and the camera does the rest .

http://www.panasonic.co.nz/products/cameras/lumix-digital-cameras/

They are great, but I can't seem to find more than one stockist for the majority of the listed models. Weird.

Hello, Ground!

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