Looking for good advice from people who know cameras/photography (we don't).
We need a compact camera for travel and shots of wildlife (so decent zoom and pocket size helps). Im replacing a Panasonic Lumix FH20.
It's not about price it's more about value.
Im hoping to use the cyber deal to finally upgrade - however I can wait for a good camera if eBay cant supply a deal right now.
Any clues appreciated.
This would be my suggestion too, the Olympus is a great camera. If the lens kit is too bulky for you get the EZ lens to keep it low profile http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Olympus-OM-D-E-M10-Mark-II-14…
Compact enough to go in my (big) pocket
Mirrorless cameras have a lot of good points, but a bit bigger (not pocketable) and usually substantially heavier than good compact cameras.
For compact cameras, the leaders are the Canon G7X Mark 2 (Mark 1 is pretty good too) and the Sony DSC-RX100 models III, IV or V. The Panasonic Lumix TZ110 (marketed as model TZ100 in some other countries) is also a contender but has a smaller sensor so not so good in low light.
Good advice!
Just wondering, why not DSC-RX100 models I or II?
III is the most bang for buck
has viewfinder and flip up screen
Correction to something I posted: The Panasonic Lumix TZ110 has got the same size sensor as the contenders (1"), but the disadvantage of it is that it's got a smaller aperture.
I knew there was a disadvantage with that one but was writing from memory :)
You want something similar to the Panasonic you had?
Sony rx100 hasn't got much of a zoom so scratch that.
Panasonic has a few, Sony also.
http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/roundup/camera-roundups/bes… gives you an idea.
No the Sony RX100 doesn't have a big zoom, but it's got a good, large sensor and good quality optics which go a long way towards making up for that as you can use digital magnification or crop the photo instead of having a large optical zoom.
From what I can tell the Sony RX 100 has a 3.6x optical zoom, which to see seems small, but does the large sensor provide an equivalent to 8x optical or more?
There is a current deal but again this isn't the deciding factor
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/296921
Depends what you measure it against. In practise, the effective zoom factor is a combination of lens, sensor size and pixel density. Quality is a separate issue that is partly related / partly independent to those factors.
Thanks for the reply.
Size wise yes similar to the Panasonic I now have.
Thanks for the link
like Dacs suggested. tz110 for the size. but not sure if 10x zoom is enough for wild life, maybe using izoom.
edit: if you need the zoom and pocket size then panasonic tz80 or sony hx90v is the way to go.
How large of a zoom do you need? The LH7 has a focal range of 28-224mm. Would you envision yourself using a greater zoom? There are plenty of options for ultrazooms (Canon SX720HS/Sony HX90V/Panasonic TZ80 - all around $500 stocked locally with max zoom of 700mm+.) The cameras listed before however only have a 1/2.3" sensor - nothing bad with that, but it also means low light images wouldn't be as good as with a larger sensor. The Panasonic TZ110 has the best of both worlds, with a 1" large sensor for a compact and a range of 25-250mm. Unfortunately, it may not be the best value ($1000 at JB) as it was just released last year, but it would be very like your old camera with similar range, but with much higher image quality.
In terms of best value - maybe look for a used but in great condition 2013 Nikon P7800. Unfortunately they've discontinued production, but if you can find one it's still a very capable camera. The Panasonic FZ1000 is a bridge camera, has been out for a few years, prices have remained at around 800-900 for a new one, but refurbished ones for $500 do pop up now and then, has a 1" sensor and 24-400mm.
How compact does it need to be? Did you consider mirrorless? The image quality will likely be better, and you might enjoy it more long term because you have more control and can upgrade lenses as you see fit. This kit is pretty good value and both the kit lenses will have you covered for most usage cases (you would want longer zoom for safari for example).
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/296869