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Xmas gift pocket camera?

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by Cynthia Crawford on Thu Dec 01, 2016 3:16 pm

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Looking for something for my daughter-has to be pocket-able, probably moderate zoom, $400 or under, and durable.

Have been considering Olympus TG4 "tough"
http://www.adorama.com/IOMTG4BK.html?ut ... aign=email

Or Panasonic ZS60.
http://www.adorama.com/ipcdmczs60b.html ... uctOptions

Both are back-ordered. Oly is , as it says, supposed to be tough- waterproof, though I've read that some have failed. Panny has a long zoom ,but not sure it's going to be pleasing. Panny is touch sensitive- might be a problem in a pocket. Daughter is not especially asking for long zoom either.
Want it to be relatively simple to use. Movable LCD would be a nice option, but probably not too practical. She'd probably enjoy having connectability to her phone (not iphone), but again, not prime.

Any thoughts/other ideas?

Thanks!!

Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come" Chinese Proverb

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by E.J. Peiker on Thu Dec 01, 2016 3:47 pm

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Both use really awful tiny sensors. Try this instead - it has a sensor that is much bigger and results in much higher quality pictures - priced right at $400

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... amera.html

E.J. Peiker http://www.EJPhoto.com
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by ricardo00 on Thu Dec 01, 2016 4:19 pm

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Although it is not a "tough" camera, bought one in July, 2012 (for $650) and a few years later replaced it with version 3. Gave the older one to our daughter who uses it (in a waterproof casing) on her dive trips so it has not been "coddled" and it is still going strong and taking great pics! The only thing I would add is that although it is "pocketable" it is definitely heavier than other pocket cameras.

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by Cynthia Crawford on Thu Dec 01, 2016 4:49 pm

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ricardo00 wrote:Although it is not a "tough" camera, bought one in July, 2012 (for $650) and a few years later replaced it with version 3. Gave the older one to our daughter who uses it (in a waterproof casing) on her dive trips so it has not been "coddled" and it is still going strong and taking great pics! The only thing I would add is that although it is "pocketable" it is definitely heavier than other pocket cameras.

Hi Ricardo

Um...what camera are you referring to?

Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come" Chinese Proverb

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by Cynthia Crawford on Thu Dec 01, 2016 5:08 pm

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E.J. Peiker wrote:Both use really awful tiny sensors. Try this instead - it has a sensor that is much bigger and results in much higher quality pictures - priced right at $400
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... amera.html

Thanks EJ. Noticed this one after I posted my query. Looks great. There were some bad reviews on Amazon concerning mal-function in humid climates and poor warranty service from Sony.....
Hard to tell with Amazon what is what. Would definitely buy from B&H but Amazon usually has the most reviews for comparison...

I see there are 3 versions of this camera- interesting.

Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come" Chinese Proverb

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by E.J. Peiker on Thu Dec 01, 2016 5:46 pm

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I've had one since the day it came out - never a problem in all sorts of climates. Sony service has been improving, the problem is that it is all done by a third party in the US but like I said, it is definitely on the upswing. There are 5 versions of the camera, each a little newer than the last but the only one that met your needs is the original. They all use a 1" 20mp sensor, the newer models being backside illuminated and the newest one having on-sensor phase detect but you pay an outsized premium for some of those features. The original goes to about 100mm effective focal length while the newer ones don't come close to that.

E.J. Peiker http://www.EJPhoto.com
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by ricardo00 on Thu Dec 01, 2016 6:46 pm

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Cynthia Crawford wrote:
ricardo00 wrote:Although it is not a "tough" camera, bought one in July, 2012 (for $650) and a few years later replaced it with version 3. Gave the older one to our daughter who uses it (in a waterproof casing) on her dive trips so it has not been "coddled" and it is still going strong and taking great pics! The only thing I would add is that although it is "pocketable" it is definitely heavier than other pocket cameras.
Hi Ricardo

Um...what camera are you referring to?

The Sony RX100 (model 1), the same one that EJ is referring to. Luckily I haven't had to use Sony repair service. We had a point and shoot Canon before and had a terrible experience with Canon service on that one (one of the reasons we switched). Amazingly Canon had "silent recall" on exactly the problem we had after we bought our Sony. Guess these companies view these as "disposable", not worth fixing.

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by Cynthia Crawford on Thu Dec 01, 2016 7:37 pm

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Thanks E.J. and Ricardo-good info. on the Sony. I don't see any pictures of it with the lens covered- I assume no lens cap? Would it be OK to put in a pocket? Maybe a little case would be appropriate....

Does it have a separate charger? I saw some complaint that it has to be plugged in to recharge the battery.

Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come" Chinese Proverb

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by E.J. Peiker on Thu Dec 01, 2016 8:24 pm

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The lens closes itself when you power it off. No problem for most pockets. You charge it like most devices these days - via micro USB.

E.J. Peiker http://www.EJPhoto.com
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by ricardo00 on Thu Dec 01, 2016 8:36 pm

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Cynthia Crawford wrote: Does it have a separate charger? I saw some complaint that it has to be plugged in to recharge the battery.

I bought a spare battery with a charger and then charge my battery with the charger (guess I am old fashioned). That allows me to use the camera while one battery is charging or carry a spare battery when I take it to family events, etc.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... r_kit.html

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by Cynthia Crawford on Thu Dec 01, 2016 9:05 pm

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ricardo00 wrote:
Cynthia Crawford wrote: Does it have a separate charger? I saw some complaint that it has to be plugged in to recharge the battery.
I bought a spare battery with a charger and then charge my battery with the charger (guess I am old fashioned). That allows me to use the camera while one battery is charging or carry a spare battery when I take it to family events, etc.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... r_kit.html

Yeah, that's what I'm used to also- thanks. (But my daughter might be fine with the USB deal, being a Millennial...)

Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come" Chinese Proverb

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by SantaFeJoe on Thu Dec 01, 2016 9:26 pm

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I think that you can also use a portable power bank (like the ones being marketed primarily to phone users) to charge the camera. Many of them hold a large power supply and they are relatively inexpensive. Many young people now carry them to recharge or power their phones, etc., by USB.

Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist. -Pablo Picasso

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by Cynthia Crawford on Thu Dec 01, 2016 10:41 pm

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Hmmm

Looks like DSC-RX100 II has a movable LCD, wifi, hot shoe, and still 28-100.....for +$150. So easy to start itching for more.....
Looks like "Mom" is getting interested. Whoa!! (I have a pretty decent Lumix LX7 10mp though....20-70...

But that lens probably doesn't come close to the Sonys. For myself I'd actually prefer an even longer lens. Oh, sure, and something for birds while I'm at it. LOL! Back to my daughter!

Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come" Chinese Proverb

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by E.J. Peiker on Thu Dec 01, 2016 11:02 pm

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SantaFeJoe wrote:I think that you can also use a portable power bank (like the ones being marketed primarily to phone users) to charge the camera. Many of them hold a large power supply and they are relatively inexpensive. Many young people now carry them to recharge or power their phones, etc., by USB.

Yes, that works well with any USB chargeable device. I even charge my a6300 and a7R Mk II that way sometimes.

E.J. Peiker http://www.EJPhoto.com
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by E.J. Peiker on Thu Dec 01, 2016 11:04 pm

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Cynthia Crawford wrote:Hmmm

Looks like DSC-RX100 II has a movable LCD, wifi, hot shoe, and still 28-100.....for +$150. So easy to start itching for more.....
Looks like "Mom" is getting interested. Whoa!! (I have a pretty decent Lumix LX7 10mp though....20-70... :) But that lens probably doesn't come close to the Sonys. For myself I'd actually prefer an even longer lens. Oh, sure, and something for birds while I'm at it. LOL! Back to my daughter!

It's actually only $70 more at B&H:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... amera.html

E.J. Peiker http://www.EJPhoto.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/EJ-Peiker-Nature-Photographer/

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by ricardo00 on Thu Dec 01, 2016 11:14 pm

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Cynthia Crawford wrote:Hmmm

Looks like DSC-RX100 II has a movable LCD, wifi, hot shoe, and still 28-100.....for +$150. So easy to start itching for more.....
Looks like "Mom" is getting interested. Whoa!! (I have a pretty decent Lumix LX7 10mp though....20-70... :) But that lens probably doesn't come close to the Sonys. For myself I'd actually prefer an even longer lens. Oh, sure, and something for birds while I'm at it. LOL! Back to my daughter!

Since you said your "limit" was $400, didn't mention the improvements in the more recent models which pushed me to upgrade. The tilting LCD screen was one of these, allowing me to easily get photos from the ground view (below). Another is the pop up electronic viewfinder so that you can see when it is bright out. However as noted by EJ it can't zoom as much as the original (though it is slightly wider than the I).

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by Cynthia Crawford on Fri Dec 02, 2016 5:52 am

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ricardo00 wrote:
Cynthia Crawford wrote:Hmmm

Looks like DSC-RX100 II has a movable LCD, wifi, hot shoe, and still 28-100.....for +$150. So easy to start itching for more.....
Looks like "Mom" is getting interested. Whoa!! (I have a pretty decent Lumix LX7 10mp though....20-70... :) But that lens probably doesn't come close to the Sonys. For myself I'd actually prefer an even longer lens. Oh, sure, and something for birds while I'm at it. LOL! Back to my daughter!
Since you said your "limit" was $400, didn't mention the improvements in the more recent models which pushed me to upgrade. The tilting LCD screen was one of these, allowing me to easily get photos from the ground view (below). Another is the pop up electronic viewfinder so that you can see when it is bright out. However as noted by EJ it can't zoom as much as the original (though it is slightly wider than the I).

Fun photo! Which one did you get, Ricardo? Looks like II has the same zoom as I plus all those improvements. Wow- the viewfinder is a whopping $448! That's more than the camera costs!

[font="Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,sans-serif]Save[/font]

Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come" Chinese Proverb

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by E.J. Peiker on Fri Dec 02, 2016 7:52 am

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Millennials don't use the viewfinder even if the camera has one. it's a complete non-issue for that generation.

E.J. Peiker http://www.EJPhoto.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/EJ-Peiker-Nature-Photographer/

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by Cynthia Crawford on Fri Dec 02, 2016 8:00 am

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E.J. Peiker wrote:Millennials don't use the viewfinder even if the camera has one. it's a complete non-issue for that generation.

Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come" Chinese Proverb

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by Mike in O on Fri Dec 02, 2016 10:28 am

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Cynthia Crawford wrote:Hmmm

Looks like DSC-RX100 II has a movable LCD, wifi, hot shoe, and still 28-100.....for +$150. So easy to start itching for more.....
Looks like "Mom" is getting interested. Whoa!! (I have a pretty decent Lumix LX7 10mp though....20-70... :) But that lens probably doesn't come close to the Sonys. For myself I'd actually prefer an even longer lens. Oh, sure, and something for birds while I'm at it. LOL! Back to my daughter!

For you, a RX10 III will fill the bill, not pocketable nor under $400 but great for birds.

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