Compact Camera Recommendations

[Hobi]

Hello, I'm looking into getting a 'backup' compact camera that I can take out hiking, running or snowshoeing (-10C to -30C), but also something that might have just general use during trips. I would like something with at least a bit of ruggedness (against weather, temperature or falls) with decent still imagery (RAW capable). Video capability is not totally necessary, but it would be a nice bonus.

I hope to stay below $750 CDN, but if it's worth it I can go beyond.

I've mainly been looking at options like the OM TG7 or GoPro (and GoPro alternatives), but I would welcome other options as well.

In short: if you guys have any thoughts on the matter or suggestions to make, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

 

[Jeff15]

Hello and welcome. Take a look at Panasonics compact cameras ...

 

[AlanKlein]

I use a Sony RX100iv. It;s an older model but you can get it for around US$700. It;s equivalent of 24-70mm but comes with a neutral density auto filter for correction when shooting video. It shoots 1080 or 4K video and 20mb stills in RAW and jpeg that are wonderful. It fits in a shirt pocket. It has a eyelevel viewfinder and an articulating screen.

RX100iv ad:

Amazon.com

Here is a short video slide show of photos and short 4K video I shot with it.

 

[cgw]

Check out the Pentax WG series.

 

[Ozzie_Traveller]

G'day Hobi

Here's a second recommendation for the Panasonic range - for several good reasons
Also have a sqwiz at "DPReview.com" for specs and reviews on many cameras

You give us some info for your needs, and as well as temperature range (in those temps I presume the camera will be in your pocket when not in use) suggests that a small body but with a good zoom lens will come to the fore. Also consider the value of a separate viewfinder as well as the traditional digital LCD screen ... often the daylight is so bright you struggle to accurately see the image on the LCD screen - so a viewfinder becomes critical at times

From personal use as I bushwalk in the great land Downunder (AU if you're not sure) I use the Panny Lumix FZ-300 - a traditionally shaped camera with a 24x zoom lens that can easily bring up animals from a hundred yards/metres away such that you can see their whiskers - while the lens can also show a full landscape if you want to get it all in the image

However if you want something with a smaller body but still with all the extras, maybe consider the Lumix DC-ZS80 with all the stuff you list above

Each has a small sensor - not to worry here about image quality as each will easily print an image to a decent size. I do 24" wide prints for the lounge room wall

Hope this helps
Phil

 

[RAZKY]

Hello, I'm looking into getting a 'backup' compact camera that I can take out hiking, running or snowshoeing (-10C to -30C), but also something that might have just general use during trips. I would like something with at least a bit of ruggedness (against weather, temperature or falls) with decent still imagery (RAW capable). Video capability is not totally necessary, but it would be a nice bonus.

I hope to stay below $750 CDN, but if it's worth it I can go beyond.

I've mainly been looking at options like the OM TG7 or GoPro (and GoPro alternatives), but I would welcome other options as well.

In short: if you guys have any thoughts on the matter or suggestions to make, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

I won't pretend to be qualified to say what anyone else ought to choose, but when I had a similar issue, I checked the specifications of most of the type I wanted, chose the one that best suited my needs, and have been well satisfied ever since.

 

[Don Fischer]

I have a panasonic ZS 100 and it goes everywhere I go. Got a belt pouch for it when I bought it. Lens is 25-250 I think it is, can't remember. Got it used but looked new. Had a hard time getting it going but guy on another forum told me how to reset it and problem ended. But I'm not much working camera's and all I shoot it on is "P". Have a Nikon 7000 and a 118-200 lens on it and that Panasonic get's just as good of photo's. How rugged it is I can't say but looks really solid and feels that way also. To charge the battery I plug it into an outlet with a wire provided just for that. built in battery charger.

Got the camera, a spare battery, and the belt pouch, think that was all, for right at $500. B&H Photo in NYC.

 

[Rickbb]

I like my little Cannon PowerShot. fits in my pocket, Cannon quality glass, software, etc.

As you see if you ask 10 photographers a question and you will get 15 different answers, and none will be wrong.

 

[Hobi]

Thanks for the recommendations and thoughts everyone. Just got some food for thought.

 

[Hobi]

Does anyone have any experience with GoPros for still imagery?

 

[VidThreeNorth]

Does anyone have any experience with GoPros for still imagery?

It's hard to say because it depends on your personal standards of what is "acceptable" and what is not. Few of the opinions I've seen are by people I have even seen before let alone people with substantial reputations. Note that there is not going to be much difference between the look between stills and video images.

The following is a reasonably good comparison. Jump to around the 10 min mark to see side by side videos:

"DJI vs. GoPro: who has the better cam this year?", posted Sep 19, 2024 by "Becca Farsace". Length about 11 min, 45 sec.

""​

 

[mvetrano2]

I use the Canon G7X Mark III as my go-to camera for trips and as a backup to my Canon R6 Mark II. Light-weight, easy to carry and great all-around.

 

[lenspeeper]

I use a Sony RX100iv. It;s an older model but you can get it for around US$700. It;s equivalent of 24-70mm but comes with a neutral density auto filter for correction when shooting video. It shoots 1080 or 4K video and 20mb stills in RAW and jpeg that are wonderful. It fits in a shirt pocket. It has a eyelevel viewfinder and an articulating screen.

RX100iv ad:

Amazon.com

Here is a short video slide show of photos and short 4K video I shot with it.

I SECOND THE SONY 100V. IT IS SMAll reliable and produces excellent images.

 

[Hobi]

So I've ended my hunt for a camera, and went with the OM TG7. It's not the greatest camera-camera (if you know what I mean), but it's meant to be something I can take out on my least 'safe' journeys (I would be taking it with me on trail runs in light bags where I've recently learned I'm likely to be falling on my face from time to time, so the extra durability is warranted).

A lot of the other options tended to be a bit more expensive than I liked, or didn't have capabilities to make up for the lack of durability. That being said, I do appreciate everyone's input here. It gave me a lot of food for thought and extra options to consider, and that's never a bad thing when shopping for relatively expensive equipment like this.

I guess I'll see in a bit whether I made the right decision.