Best Compact Camera to Buy Less Than $250?

Lwau2 on 22/05/2014 - 23:05

Hi

I've been doing abit of research and want to buy a compact camera when I go europe. I already have a DSLR but it would be too heavy to lug around.

Im tied between the below cameras
Olympus XZ-10 ($199)
Sony W830 ($150)
Canon S120 or S110 ($400 and approx $250 for S110)

I know the Sony RX100 is the top of it all but I cant justify spending so much on a compact camera. I will be mainly using auto, and pretty much just pulling it out, snapping a shot and back into the pocket. Portability is a must. Alternatively, any other ones recommended?

Thanks in advance all.

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • Steptoe on 22/05/2014 - 23:52

    Also have a look at the Nikon and Panasonic offerings with 18x+ Zoom

    Coolpix S9500 or older models
    TZ40 or older models

  • stralya on 23/05/2014 - 00:02

    Try http://snapsort.com/compare for a comparison of the options:

    Olympus XZ-10 - Score: 45
    Sony W830 - Score 50
    Canon S120 - Score: 67
    Canon S110 - Score 60

  • Cheeper on 23/05/2014 - 00:36

    You can buy some smartphones that have very good cameras in them for around that price…
    When we go overseas now we just use our phones as cameras… one less thing to lug around :-)

  • Geewhizz on 23/05/2014 - 05:50

    Check your post office. A friend got a Fuji there recently for around $200. It has something like 30X optical zoom, and puts out some very respectable pics.

  • nevbuster on 23/05/2014 - 07:52

    If you're used to an SLR I recommend a Pentax Q. It has detachable lenses and full control like an SLR. I got mine with lens from Amazon UK for $250.

  • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2014 - 09:09

    Choice mag have a reasonably extensive inexpensive compacts test in their current issue. There may be a copy at your local library (I'd ring first to check) if you want to look at it for detail.

    The Canon Ixus 255HS ($226) came out as top recommendation with equal image quality to cameras costing almost twice as much, but only has slightly above average performance in video mode.

    It may depend on other features on offer for you, but I would personally buy the Canon S110 that is now in your budget. For stills and video, brilliant at that price, and actually avoids an apparently irritating microphone-placement issue on the S120.

    I never cease to be stunned by the quality of footage vloggers on Youtube capture when using either of those two inch-sensor cameras. Quite amazing.

  • wau2 on 23/05/2014 - 13:10

    Thanks all, I was looking at the Canon IXUS 255HS but it doesnt seem to be available anywhere? Jbhifi has the 265 but judging from reviews, the 255 is actually better. Any ideas where i can source these? (255HS or S1110)

  • Cheeper on 24/05/2014 - 10:10

    Ahhh… the wonders of Google… try here…
    https://www.google.com.au/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=&oq=b…

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