Recommend a P&S

[randomguy]

Hey folks, i've been asked for a recommendation. But since I'm not really familiar with P&S developments I thought i'd ask you guys for help.

Requirements:
- great image quality
- relatively well built (to take out tramping)
- good battery life
- small in size (not keen on a bridge camera)
- view finder (a nice to have)
- $500 or less

Thanks!

[mesodan]

- view finder (a nice to have)

Do they still exist on P&S's?

[randomguy]

The purpose is so they can see what they are shooting in bright conditions...

[Arthurhh]

A little above your price range, but the Canon Powershot G12 looks dam good, 10mp, optical veiwfinder manual and automatic jpeg and RAW, basically a camera you can use as a point and shoot, but if your interest expands you use more advanced features.

$ between 650-800 depending on where you buy.

[rjd]

G12 is about the cheapest thing with a viewfinder?

S95 is < $500 and superb IMO.

[Jos]

G12, fold out large view screen as well as viewfinder, Canon quality...

[Arthurhh]

G12, fold out large view screen as well as viewfinder, Canon quality...

Well it appears the G12 leads the votes at the moment. I considered one for the Wife, but instead got myself a 60D and gave her my 400D, bout the only thing lacking in the G12 is changeable lens and I believe that there are some aftermarket add ons to help there.

[rjd]

Canon will be bringing out a G1x with lens mount sometime later in the yeah I thing but it will be expensive (tho cheaper than the fuji xpro1)

[randomguy]

I've had a play with the G1x. Nice and solid.

How well built are he G 12's? It will be taken tramping a lot....

[Arthurhh]

Heres a G12 on TM, little on the pricey side for 2nd Hand

http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics...-456653456.htm

[mrfinster]

Olympus epl1 micro 4/3 with a kit lens is $515 new. Way better quality than a p & s and not much in it regarding size. No viewfinder but one can be added.

[rjd]

Or you can pick mrfin's old epl1 up in a pub somewhere near mermaids Wellington for half that...

Honestly the epl1 is a great option.

[randomguy]

Thanks for the suggestion so far.

G12 and EPL-1 may be a little too large/bulky for tramping purposes. S95 looks good and priced just right (around $500) but would it be 'rugged' enough for extreme conditions?

Their initial option was the Olympus 'Tough' 8010, any feedback on that?

[smix]

I had a friend buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT3 http://wps.net.nz/store/panasonic/di...x-dmc-ft3.html and she's very happy with it.

It's definitely waterproof given that she took it snorkling in Australia a couple of months ago. She's never dropped it so can't comment on that. The built in GPS could be a nice-to-have?

Unsure how it compares to the Olympus 8010 in terms of IQ but that could be a possible option?

[SteveB]

One of the guys in the caving club uses a DMC-FT3 and the results a pretty impressive. He does a lot of canyoning too so it's fair to say it's well tested.

[mrfinster]

I bought mrsfinster a FT3 panny for christmas.

Great little camera, and been surprised by the quality of the pictures that it takes. She loves it.

I've taken it surfing and fishing, and it's held up really well to getting knocked about and going in the water.

The GPS thing on it is good too, and I would think would be nice to have for knowing where shots were taken if it's for tramping, but it does thrash the battery a bit, so maybe worth getting a spare.

I think I paid just over $500 for it, and got a leather case, silicon sleeve, and 8gig card thrown in.

[rjd]

I had a play with a G1x earlier.

Nice camera, sold and relatively small, viewfinder is terrible but you wont use it most of the time.
Fuji x pro 1 had a glorious viewfinder but for $2500 it should!

[randomguy]

Thanks for the feedback re the FT3, seems to be the option that best meet the requirements.

[mrfinster]

I cant see the point of the g1x.

[rjd]

I cant see the point of the g1x.

Similar to the ep1 without the 'hassle' of interchangeable lenses. A good second camera for an SLR user I think.

[mrfinster]

how much is it?

[rjd]

About $1100 I think? Bigger sensor than mtf more similar to the x100 which is about $1600.

$1100 is shiney new price tho it'll be $800 soon i think.\


Edit , $980 on pricespy already

[randomguy]

was at $950 when it first came out at WPS a few weeks ago.