Camera Recommendations Please. Small, Light + Good Photos?

[Trail]

Hi all,

I am looking for some camera recommendations. I currently have a Cannon Powershot A610, which takes ok photos, but it is quite big and heavy compared to a lot of point and shoot cameras today. I am thinking i would like to get a nice small point and shoot to replace it. Small enough that I can put it in a pouch on the shoulder strap of my Camelbak.

Features I am looking for in a camera.
Small
Light
Good battery life
Ability to take good photos (for a point and shoot type camera). Most of the photos I take involve biking, so something that works well for high speed subjects in low light forest conditions would be great!
I would quite like a camera that is fairly weather/waterproof, but I would put photo quality before waterproofness.

What would you people recommend??

[danose]

can you live with 'only' a 5 power zoom - if so the olympus mju 840 might tick the boxes for you, fridge has one and it's tiny and takes great pics DSE and P&V both have them on clearance for a good price

or if you're feeling really rich there's the leica c-lux series

maybe the other one to look at would be the mju 'tough' 6000 - since it's snowproof as well

[ants06]

Im happy with my finepix j12 . it got a big lcd , slow ex poser mode , high speed for spots + more batt last ages and only cost me $169 at norm ross

[philstar]

can you live with 'only' a 5 power zoom - if so the olympus mju 840 might tick the boxes for you,

I find that my mju720 is quite heave for its size. but its still light enough to put in a pouch. the other thing i don't like about it is no viewfinder so if ther is a lot of light behind you its hard to see the screen.

[BrokenKonaRider]

Just about to head out and buy either a Sony W120 or Panasonic Lumix LZ8, based on this recommendation. Not sure about the weatherproofness of either though:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q408bud ... page15.asp

PS - once you've made your decision, use http://www.pricespy.co.nz to find the best price.

[danose]

the other thing i don't like about it is no viewfinder so if ther is a lot of light behind you its hard to see the screen.

I know what you mean - one of the reasons I bought a canon a570is is cos it still had a true optical viewfinder, think it was the last model that did though, everything in the compact size nowdays is rear LCD only

[lubie]

we got a sony 10.1m. has a wide angle lens massive 2.5inch screen, video, audio, and either 10 or 8 optical zoom, but I can't remember which. It's good! Light, easy to use and is pretty good for closeups.

[lubie]

http://www.kens.co.nz/product.php?item= ... ++DSC+W170 Here it is

[pedalingkiwi]

I've been looking at the Canon ixus 860is - has a 28mm equiv lens which I like for general photog'y - they are now superceded, but still available at approx $450.

Have has a superb run out of our now 5yr old Olympus mju 400 'weatherproof' - it even survived being well dunked in a river once when I was doing arty stuff with rocks and flowing water.

Let us know what you find / get.

[RJD]

maybe the other one to look at would be the mju 'tough' 6000 - since it's snowproof as well

Theres a tough 1030 mju which is water resistant (10m) and pertty solid, a lot cheaper than the 6000 too, its top of my list at the moment for a biking/snowboarding camera alternate to the slr.

[Trail]

Mmm a 28mm equivalent lens would be quite nice.

I will have a look at the suggestions you people have in more depth soon. Cheers for the suggestions!

[thorg]

I've been looking at the Canon ixus 860is - has a 28mm equiv lens which I like for general photog'y - they are now superceded, but still available at approx $450.

X2 for the Ixus, small and light, very good battery life, sport mode for fast stuff, manual as well if you like playing, view finder.

For point and shoot - I loves mine

[Spyder]

Mmm a 28mm equivalent lens would be quite nice.

I will have a look at the suggestions you people have in more depth soon. Cheers for the suggestions!

New Panasonic TZ7 is out now with 12x Optical (25-300). Maybe not as small and compact as you're after though. Does HD movies as well. Our TZ15 (28-300) was great, but we seem to have misplaced it It was a replacement for a TZ2 which we drowned in a backpack

[j2hyde]

Regarding the Olympus mju tough cameras: The are not tough. Mine died when using it in about 1m of salt water (they are supposed to be good to 10m). Upon trying to warranty it I discovered it's a very common problem. I know 2 other people who have also had the same problem. Also, they take pretty average photos. They are a great idea, just not very well exectued.

[Muzza]

Regarding the Olympus mju tough cameras: The are not tough. Mine died when using it in about 1m of salt water (they are supposed to be good to 10m). Upon trying to warranty it I discovered it's a very common problem. I know 2 other people who have also had the same problem. Also, they take pretty average photos. They are a great idea, just not very well exectued.

I have one of these and agree images are not that sharp. On the durability front I have had no issues. My kids have used and abused. It has spending long spells under water and so far all good.

I also have an old Canon. It takes great pictures, but battery life poor.

One thing that frustrates me with these cameras is the lag between pressing shutter and the photo being taken. This would be something I'd also be also looking at when selecting as new camera.