Suggestions needed for a replacement camera for my Myanmar trip
 

Hi all,
I need to get a new camera for my Myanmar trip in Jan. For the last 4 or 5 years, I have used a Canon Power Shot SD850IS with 35-140 mm. I have gotten great results with this camera and would like to replace it with a similar camera. I have done some research and have not been able to come up with a satisfactory (to ,me) replacement. Any suggestions of what to look at as a replacement for my present camera would be appreciated.

I made the leap for the first time to a DSLR and really love it. I got a Nikon D3100. If I were buying now, I'd go with the 5100. The only downside is the size - definitely more weigh/bulk to carry around.
If I were going to get a point and shoot, I'd go with a Panasonic FZ40.

Further to what althom1122 has said - if you don't want the weight or bulk of a DSLR then perhaps a new "mirroless" camera. I don't own one but it does look very interesting. Here are some of the cameras in this category:

Nikon 1 series.
Sony NEX series.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2H.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2CK

Thanks for the replies, althom1122 and Hanuman. I do not want the weight of a bigger camera. I love having the camera on my belt. And I think the Canon took great photos in bright and low light. I will look into your suggestions. Hanuman, did you mean a 'mirrorless' camera. I am not familiar with that term, but I will investigate it. Any other recommendations for a good point and shoot camera?

Shelley, I'll ask Cheryl to give you some ideas. She loved Lumix she used before she went to her current SLR.

Yes Shelly a mirrorless camera. Supposedly the next break through in digital cameras.

Oh if you really want a belt carrying system for any type of cameras then this is a very good accessory: http://www.spiderholster.com/

Here's a slightly dated video review of a mirrorless camera but it describe it pretty well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3D1lf_lUwE

The Nikon 1 series, not on the video, looks very nice!

A few months ago I learned about the micro 4/3 (mirrorless) camera and did some research (Panasonic and Olympus both came out with one in 2009). If I hadn't recently bought my D90, I would have bought one of these right away and I probably still will in the near future. They're smaller than SLRs but you can use interchangeable lenses, and they shoot in RAW like an SLR.

The notes I have from my research and what I would have bought then (maybe March or April?) was the Panasonic GF2 and an Olympus 18-180mm lens (which you multiply by 2 and really get 36-360mm). I think this would be an exceptional travel camera combination.

The cool thing is that you don't have to by a Panasonic lens for the Panasonic camera and same with Olympus E-P2, you can use Panasonic lenses. I'm reading the review again and Olympus seems to be coming out on top with the new models.

I could also buy a micro 4/3 lens adapter and use my Nikon lenses, but I think that would just end up making the camera heavy.

I think I'm talking myself into buying one of these...

Thanks for the spider holster recommendation, Hanuman. Last year I bought a Black Rapid camera sling and I like it alot. It makes carrying my somewhat heavy D90 much easier and more comfortable (I got a woman's, it really makes a difference going over the boobs).

Hi Shelley,

You have already received great advice from very talented photographers and I so thought I’d add a voice from the other end of the spectrum: point & shoots.

I like to travel as lightly as possible. A camera that takes good photos without a lot of equipment or upkeep is my top priority. Please note, I am certainly not immune to larger sensor envy in the dslrs & mirrorless but these come with an accordingly larger price tag, too.

Perhaps you would like to stay with Canon if you are already comfortable with their menus & feel?

I can recommend the Canon G12, Olympus XZ-1 or smaller Canon S95 (*the S100 has been announced & will be out in November – if you can wait).

If you like a larger zoom, check out this compact travel zoom test:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q311...zoomgrouptest/

(This website is a good one for exploring current products and comparisons).

Whichever you choose I hope you’ll have enough time to get comfortable with it before your trip. It is hard to replace a favorite camera but good to stay current with the latest technology. Hope some of this is helpful.

Looking forward to your trip report - with gorgeous photos!

Mary

On our trip to SE Asia this year (5 mos) we had a Sony DSLR and a Nikon Coolpix P100. This Nikon is worth considering. It's one of the top recommendations in the August 2011 Consumer Reports. The weight is 18 oz, about half of a DSLR. One of the best features is 26X optical zoom (it's a super-zoom camera). This was the camera we carried with us every time we went, and really liked the results. Another feature is the tilt screen, which allows you to shoot photos unobtrusively at waist level, or with the camera held high over your head in a crowd.

shelly---what price range are you willing to spring for?

Why hasn't you found a camera that's satisfactory to your needs? What problems do the ones you've looked at has? If you like your Canon, why not the HS510 or the SX230?

Thank you all for your replies. I've investigated many of your recommendations and appreciate your input. In answer to some of the questions above:

rkkwan-I love my old Canon SD850 IS and was trying to find a similar model. The Canon SX 230 was the closest I could come , but what is unsatisfactory to me is that it has no view finder, as my old one has, and has a pop up flash which my old one does not have. BTW, I am not interested in video capabilities on any of the cameras, only clear photos in dim and bright light.

I have looked at the reviews on several Panasonic Lumix cameras, and there have been critical comments about photos taken in dim light.

I would like to spend $500 or less, but would spend more if it were exactly what I was looking for. I'd like to stick with Canon as I have been more than satisfied with my present camera.

I want a light weight compact camera that I can wear on a belt pouch, with a viewfinder and no pop up flash that takes clear photos in dim and bright light. I wonder if my "dream camera" exists.

On a seperate note, the reason I am replacing my beloved old Canon is that the spring in the on off slot is breaking. I think I can get it fixed for about $100-$150, but I was thinking it was not worth putting that into a five year old camera which cost $350 when purchased , where other components might start to break soon. I believe I have taken about 15-20 thousand photos with this camera, so I hesitate to put any money into this very used camera.

The new HS510 is a high-end one from Canon. Flash does not pop-up.

You can forget about a viewfinder. That feature has gone away in virtually all compact digital camera. Even my S95 or new S100 don't have it.

The Canon sx 230 and Nikon S9100 are highly recommended by both Consumerreports.com and Dpreview.com.

Dpreview has an extensive report about travel zoom cameras:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q311...zoomgrouptest/

The Sx 230 ans S9100 are very compact, are lightweight and have a nice long zoomlens.

I'll take my good old Canon SD880(=Ixus870) and a brand new Nikon S9100 on our trip to Burma in November.

shelly---i miss my viewfinder too but have adapted to looking at the screen....my key was to get the biggest screen that i could find on a pocket sized camera... i found that with sony.... good savings at the wrenthem outlet mall sony store...

It may be a bit heavy for you but have a look at the Canon G12. It has a viewfinder (essential in my opinion - especially in bright light). Gets good reviews and has good quality optics.

Now what I'd really like to recommend is the 5D Mk 2. (Just joking) Seriously its a great camera but not what you are looking for.

My wife the pro www.southernartgallery.com

swears by Olympus and Nikon series appropriate

to your price range Nikon Coolpix is awesome but

scale up for interchangeable lenses if needed.

She finds best deals on Amazon.com no tax free shipping

They even take my Amex FF points which I have a tonne of.

Happy Hunting,

I agree with silverwool--although I know that's not what you want. I never want to be without a viewfinder and the 5DMark 2 is great!

The other thing with a viewfinder as opposed to a digital screen is that you can hold the camera braced against your body which is a lot more stable than at arms length.

I definately agree that a viewfinder is ideal, but it seems as if I have to make a choiice between having a viewfinder or wearing the camera on my belt. I am still researching, but I think ultimately I will have to make a choice between one or the other. At this point, I am leaning toward keeping the camera on my belt. At least I've found several cameras to consider without a pop up flash.

I would get a Canon Powershot 100. I too like to travel light and leave my DSLR at home.

I noticed that the Canon Powershot 100 has a viewfinder at a much lower price point than the other cameras I was considering and many of the higher priced Canon cameras I am considering do not have a viewfinder. Go figure. In reading reviews of the Canon Powershot 100, people seemed to complain about the quality of the photos. What do you think of the photo quality? Good photo quality is a priority for me.

who cares about the photo quality if it has a viewfinder

Just want to add my 2 cents in there.
Take a look at the Nikon P7000 or Canon Powershot G12(and their reviews). They have all of what you are looking for,I think + features found on DSLR.
I used the Nikon last year in Burma and it never let me down (amazing low light shots in Bagan's temples)

cestgaston-Does the Nikon Coolpix 7000 have a pop up flash? One review I read said it does, and one said it did not. From the reviews, it appears that the Canon G12 and the Nikon 7000 are fairly similar. Do you know of any significant differences other than the flip and pivot LCD screen which the G12 has, but the Nikon 7000 does not. I am wondering how useful that tilt screen is?

The Canon S100 is a replacement for the S95 and is out sometime between now and November.
No reviews as of yet but if it is a improvement on the S95 it will be an excellent travel camera with a 24mm equiv wide angle lens and better videos as well as improved low light results.

shelly---have you gone to a good camera store and discussed your needs with them??

I have not as yet as I wanted to do some research to narrow things down a bit by myself. I have presently narrowed my choices to the following Canon cameras: Powershot ELPH 310 HS or 510 HS, Powershot SX40 HS , Powershot SX230 HS, and the Powershot G12. None of these are exactly what I want, so I know I will have to make some compromises. When I get back from my trip to Seattle in a few weeks, I will go to a camera store and take a look at them. I want to buy and use the camera for at least a month before taking it to Myanmar. If the photos don't come out, I might have to make a return trip , and I don't think DH would be happy sitting through another 32 hour flight. lol

jim will do as he is told as always...

I've finally had time to go to a camera store and I've taken a look at all the cameras I was considering. I've decided to go with the Canon G12. It has a viewfinder no pop up flash, and can be worn on my belt. so meets all of my criteria. It lists for $499, so I will see if it goes on sale anywhere between now and my return from SeAttle in Nov.

I want to thank everyone who responded to my request for advice, and I'm especially grateful to those that mentioned the G12. I'll let you know how it works out for me after my trip to Burma in Jan.

the last camera i bought i think i got on line from a group in portland, OR... big savings

G12 is of the size that it's best used with a traditional strap around your neck, as it is much larger than your SD850IS.

The 850's dimension is 90 x 57 x 26mm.
The G12 is 112 x 76 x 48mm.

The G12 is also more than twice the weight of your 850IS. Without battery, 351g vs 165g. With battery, it's about 400g vs 190g.

Although it is bigger and heavier than my SD850IS, I was able to find a camera case that fits on a belt that the G12 will fit into. I tried it in the store for a few minutes and it was comfortable. If in fact I would have to use an over the shoulder strap for the camera, I might choose the Canon PowershotSX40 HS, as I liked it as much as the G12, and it is less expensive by $100. However, it's worth the extra $100 to me to be able to wear the G12 on my belt.
rkkwan-If the G12 fits the camera case that can be used with a belt, is there any reason you see not to carry it that way?

You can carry it whatever way you want, but to me, it's too big and heavy to be hanging on my belt. But everybody's different.

qwovadis Your wife is very talented! Thanks for posting that.

The Canon G12 is almost identical to the S95 with identical sensor etc but has a slightly longer lens for telephoto, faster shutter, focuses closer and has a viewfinder, hotshoe, slightly slower lens and smaller tilt LCD. Will basically take the same photographs. The G12 is however almost twice as big and weighs twice as much as the S95. Since the S95 is being replaced it is highly likely that the G12 will be replaced soon so you should be able to get a good deal on it soon.

The deal breaker on the S95 is that it has no viewfinder which I would like to have. I wish Canon would design some smaller cameras with a view finder, which my small SD850IS has.

The viewfinder adds costs and takes up valuable real estate on small cameras. They are not coming back, and once you get used to using the LCD, it's no big deal. I am mainly a dSLR shooter, but I have no issue with my S95 lacking a viewfinder.