TPAYT

I also posted this on The Lounge.

I want a small, pocket sized camera that's 1-2-3 easy.
$200 or under

No settings to deal with---MDH will take care of that.

I just want to be able to snap some photos at random.

No, I'm not taking my phone.

mamcalice

Until we got our phones, we used a Canon Digital Elph (SD1200is). Smaller than a deck of cards, easy to use and takes great pictures.

adrienne

How small do you want the camera? You can get very thin ones but I like a pocket camera with some substance so I can hold on to it.

I have a Nikon Coolpix that I bought last year. The only setting I need to use is the zoom; everything else is automatic. It fits into the small outside pocket of my Sportsac bag so it's secure but easy to retrieve. This line comes in all prices and there are a couple under $200.

I had a Canon before and liked that camera also but wanted something newer and liked the features of the Nikon.

G_Hopper

Ken Rockwell does great reviews of cameras. Here's a section on pocket recommendations:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/reco...ras.htm#pocket

You might also consider getting an iPod touch. Great, simple camera and video capabilities AND you'd have a pocket computer & could connect to the Internet when WiFi is available.

" the iPod camera just goes: no menus and no BS, just great pictures a lot faster and more discreetly than any DSLR, mirrorless or compact camera."
http://www.kenrockwell.com/apple/ipod-touch-5g.htm

NewbE

I love my Nikon Coolpix, but the last time I brought it on a trip I ended up using my phone almost exclusively, because it was always nearby. Plus, my phone is a phone, my map, my calendar and my music player--one device is easier to keep track of when traveling. So, I recommend a newer model smartphone for what you want. Otherwise, Nikon Coolpix.

griz_fan

Just curious - why not take the phone?

The old saying that the best camera is the one you have with you, and with a smart phone, you have the advantage of being able to use it for other purposes (maps, email, etc...). Smart phones are great for portability and quick access to camera functionality.

If your phone is definitely off the table - I've had a lot of luck with Canon's Elph line. Checkout http://www.steves-digicams.com/ for reviews, I've found that site quite helpful. Just be sure to have at least 1 spare battery and plenty of memory cards.

NewbE

I have a Canon PowerShot, too, but I find the interface on the Nikon simpler.

<Just be sure to have at least 1 spare battery and plenty of memory cards.>
Another reason I favor just a phone--one cord, and the ability to store photos on the Cloud.

greg

If you just want to take pictures, just whatever that fits your budget and you can find key controls. However, there are few specs you might look for to make you life easier.

Focal length: This is expressed as 35mm equivalent. For your purpose, this determines how much scene you can capture in a shot. The lower the number, more area you can capture. This is very useful if you need to take picture of palaces, cathedrals, etc, in close proximity. You see others look at the view, then step back and back trying to capture the entire scene. Meanwhile other tourists get in the picture. If you get cameras with shorter focal length, 24mm or close to it like 28mm, you don't have to do step back and back.

F-stop: For your purpose, this is in one of the spec allowing you to take picture with less light. Lower the better. This is useful in dark places as well as in interiors of buildings where photos are allowed but no flash. Cheap cameras have F3.2 or some higher number. I use a camera with F1.4. It can see more things than my eyes. I can take many night shots without a tripod. With a F3.2 camera, the scenes will be dark and blurry without a tripod since it has to keep the shutter open longer.

MmePerdu

I, too, have been using a Canon Elph (PowerShot 1000) for ages and love it. Tiny but weighty enough to be solid in my hand, sturdy, small zoom. I see on Amazon there are lots of new models from which to choose. But I'd want to feel one in my hand before buying.

TPAYT

I will go shopping tomorrow and look at these suggested cameras:


Panasonic Lumix(suggested on Lounge)
Cannon Elph
Nikon Coolpix

Also I just found a Sony Cybershot in the drawer that hasn't been used for a long time. Any comments on this camera? MDH says it's fine but I'm willing to try something new.

MDH usually uses far more complicated cameras and gets great photos.
I just want something to do while he is setting up his shots. Plus with the GD along, she is going to want quick photos not posed.

NewbE

I don't have greg's knowledge of photography, but I do know that pixel count is one major factor in determining if your old Cybershot is too old to use. I would not want fewer than 8 megapixels, myself.

TPAYT

My Cybershot has 14.1 pixels so that sounds good. I'm going to play around with it. We just forgot about it because MDH usually takes the photos with his better equipment.

kja

I've been happy with my Panasonic Lumix, with one small exception: the "door" to the compartment that holds the memory stick and battery is not very secure and actually snapped off during my trip last year. I keep it in place with a rubber band -- literally! This is a very basic camera (or I should say -- my version is!), but it is easy to use and I've gotten what I consider some very good shots with it. Good luck!

Gretchen

Pentax Optio. Big megapixels. Set on automatic and snap away.

Gretchen

We just forgot about it because MDH usually takes the photos with his better equipment.

It's the "eye" behind the equipment that makes memorable photographs. Just a thought.

AlessandraZoe

TPAYT--I have a "drawer", too, of cameras. My girls owned the Coolpix among others; I have owned a lot of Canon Powershot Elphs (I tend to drop or drown them over time) and have a Sony Cybershot, too.

My favorites are the Canons.

But I must admit, I've been finding that I've been relying on my phone lately out of sheer laziness, and I'm getting around its limitations. I don't use it for calls in Europe, just for access to WiFi, and as others have said, darn it's been nice to have the photos right on phone to upload to the Cloud when I get back to the hotel.

IMDonehere

Panasonic Lumix 60X. The problem is that is $300.

This is spectacular substitute for SLR's. For years I schlepped multiple cameras and lenses but this makes life easy.

Below are some shots that I took last month.

Please note that there is a minimal of photoshopping on these shots. Everyone is cropped and some I may have tinkered slightly with the brightness, but in none did I play with the colors.

Many vacation shots are over shopped. You can tell by the unnatural colors especially the sky and the reds, they are overly sharp, and overly bright, and some even take on a 3D effect. So be careful when comparing results.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos

scotlib

IMDonehere, do you have a public URL? the Google plus link just brings up the login to Google. Thx!

IMDonehere

I am Internet ignoramus. Try this

Here are a few shots taken last month in Belgium and The Netherlands

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1...72452850268065

Here are pictures taken last December in Mexico, with the same caveat about photoshopping. The pictures with the reflections were taken at Celestun with red mangroves.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1...63130551633601

Gretchen

There was a LONG thread here by a young woman we at first suspected of being a troll, but eventually she took her trip and posted her Iphone pictures. They were spectacular!!