[Dónal Ó Ceallaigh]

Apologies for returning to this topic, but after using the search tool on this DG, most of the threads I found on camera recommendations are from last year or earlier. With the continued advances in camera technology, last years recommendations, although helpful, are not surprisingly a little dated.

I've had a Pentax Optio A10 (3xOptical Zoom 8 Megapixels) since 2006, and I think it's time I bought something more up to date. When I compare my pictures to those posted here on the DG, mine are poor in comparison. I want something small like my Pentax that I can have in my pocket during a round. Any ideas 

Any cameras that are better than others in cloudy weather (the sun doesn't always shine in Sweden ) ?

[Scott Warren]

My Canon s95 is bulletproof. No complaints. Great quality in a small package.

Have a look at any of my pic threads to see what you think of the results. I just shoot on automatic. A lot more you can do with it.

[Charlie_Bell]

Do you have a price range?

The Canon s95 and s100 are very high-quality in a very small package, but quite expensive $350-$400. The quite new Canon SX 260HS is slightly larger (I'd call it traditional point-and-shoot size) for under $300.  Both of these fall on the high end, of course;  you can find good ones for much less, depending on your needs/wishes.  Most better cameras will allow you to set the "white balance" for different situations:  indoor, sunny, cloudy, shade...  That may be a feature you want to look for.  That said, cloudy skies make for "flat" low-contrast landscapes, though they can be excellent for classic portraits.

 I recommend a site called dpreview for their reviews and dozens of enthusiast forums for different brands and (for Canon, Nikon, and Sony) different categories within the brand.   Online stores that are highly regarded -- with countless user reviews -- are Adorama and B & H Photo. 

My apologies if you know all this stuff.  I actually don't have a good point-and-shoot, but for months I've been researching something to complement my high-end fancy camera.

[Howard Riefs]

I don't have a personal recommendation but will point you to a couple sources that I turn to. 

NY Times personal tech columnist David Pogue recently wrote about the new Sony RX100, which he calls the "best pocket camera ever made."  He does, however, shriek at its "nosebleed" price of US$ 650.  Pogue's previous favorite was the Canon S100 ($360).

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/28/technology/personaltech/a-pocket-camera-even-pro-photographers-can-love-state-of-the-art.html?pagewanted=all

Another source, Wirecutter, which is a new consumer tech review site that I turn to, also recommends these two cameras as the top two point-and-shoot cameras.

Sony RX100:  http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/sony-rx100-best-point-and-shoot-camera/
Canon S100:  http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/canon-s100/

For a lower price point ($130), the site recommends the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 as the "best cheap camera."

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-cheap-camera/

[William_G]

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH25 16.1 MP Digital Camera

comes in silver, black, red or blue

$130ish

[Tony Ristola]

Go to www.kenrockwell.com

I find his site excellent. Be sure to read his section: How to take better pictures. In short... he believes its the man behind the camera, not the camera.

He did an article based on the famous Soul Surfer essay. (Finding it humorous I began roughing one out for golf architecture many moons ago). Soul Surfer: http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/7surf.htm

Seven levels of photography based on Soul Surfer: http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/7.htm

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Thanks I am looking for a camera as well

[Dónal Ó Ceallaigh]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Very helpful indeed.

[Scott Weersing]

I would recommend a Canon G12, http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/CanonG12

My friend and fellow GCAer has one. I borrowed it to take some great photos on our trip to Ballyneal in July.

It is compact and yet sturdy and strong.

[Ulrich Mayring]

Does anyone make cameras, that take standard AA batteries, anymore? I have a Canon 720 IS that does, but it is getting on in years. The new cameras apparently all have proprietary rechargeable batteries, so what do you do if you run out of power in the field?

Ulrich

[Richard Choi]

This is one KILLER deal for a very high quality point and shoot.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11766047&search=673121&cm_mmc=BCEmail_772-_-Focus-_-26-_-MarketingItemName

[Jeff Taylor]

Does anyone make cameras, that take standard AA batteries, anymore? I have a Canon 720 IS that does, but it is getting on in years. The new cameras apparently all have proprietary rechargeable batteries, so what do you do if you run out of power in the field?

Ulrich

Cameras are like llaptops. You buy them. Use them for a time. Then throw them away.
Buy something new. Use it. Take great pictures with it. Then buy another one.

[Ulrich Mayring]

The problem I've had with proprietary batteries is that they lose power very quickly, when lying around unused. So the spare battery I've always carried invariably was almost out of power, when I needed it.

AA batteries from Eneloop, however, retain most of their charge for a long time (measured in years, not weeks). I've never had a problem running out of power in the field with those.

Ulrich

[Sean_A]

Ulrich

I have never properly tested my camera, but for sure it will last three days taking say 100 pix.  It may last much longer, I just don't know as I tend to charge it before a round or once during holidays.  It has never run out of juice for me.  Maybe you need to treat the camera like your phone, charge it every few days if you are using it - tee hee.

Ciao

[Ulrich Mayring]

Well, my current camera (with the Eneloop batteries) lasts me many, many rounds. I do not charge more often than three or four times a year and would hate if I had to remember to do that after every round!

About the phone, well it usually has no power when I need it. Currently I have lost it. Both things should not happen to my camera, it is way more important to me

Ulrich

[Sean_A]

Hang on, you only charge the camera three times a year and you are not satisfied?  Remind me never to try and sell you anything - tee hee.

Ciao

[Dónal Ó Ceallaigh]

Ulrich

I have never properly tested my camera, but for sure it will last three days taking say 100 pix.  It may last much longer, I just don't know as I tend to charge it before a round or once during holidays.  It has never run out of juice for me.  Maybe you need to treat the camera like your phone, charge it every few days if you are using it - tee hee.

Ciao

The battery on my 6 year old Pentax barely lasts a full round (200 pix). I've even tried switching it to "browse gallery mode" in between taking pictures, as I thought it might be less draining than switching it on and off 3-4 times per hole.

Sean, do you switch off your camera in between shots, or leave it on?

[Ulrich Mayring]

Sean,

obviously I am very satisfied with my current camera as far as power management goes. But it is getting on in years and at one point I'll have to replace it, that's why I'm on the lookout for comparable models. I was hoping I could continue to use the Eneloop batteries, but alas, modern cameras apparently all use proprietary batteries

Ulrich

[Dan Moore]

If you are not totally limted by budget I would highly recommend getting a camera that shoots raw images.  You'll need a processing program like light room or photoshop but this will give you much more control and allow for better shots under less than ideal conditions.  I've had a Canon G9 for a few years and its still quite good though the current GX1 version (replaced the G 12) is probably better.  Both the Canon s100 and Sony rx11 shoot raw and sound like they would be ideal in the pocket cameras.  On the pricier side I have a friend who raves about his quite small Sony Nex camera.  I have a hign end dslr but don't like using it while i'm playing, its too big and not worth the wear and tear.  Besides its better to just play and shoot later anyway.  Iphones are killing the low end point and shoot market so we are going to see massive tech improvements in that category of camera in the next few years. 

[Joe Bausch]

Thanks for some of the links, as I'm considering retiring and/or adding to my trusty 5 years old Canon PowerShot SD800 IS.

Regarding batteries:  the battery that came with my Canon is still in use.  After about 40k photos now, I still get about 500 pics per charge.  Not bad at all.

[C. Squier]

I use a Canon G9, which is at the top end of what can fit in your pocket.

That previously mentioned Sony camera looks awfully good and may be a near term upgrade. I also recommend Apple's Aperture program for picture editing and management.

[Ulrich Mayring]

modern cameras apparently all use proprietary batteries

The entry-level Fuji Finepix cameras still use AA batteries.

Ulrich

[Chris_Hufnagel]

I don't have a personal recommendation but will point you to a couple sources that I turn to. 

NY Times personal tech columnist David Pogue recently wrote about the new Sony RX100, which he calls the "best pocket camera ever made."  He does, however, shriek at its "nosebleed" price of US$ 650.  Pogue's previous favorite was the Canon S100 ($360).

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/28/technology/personaltech/a-pocket-camera-even-pro-photographers-can-love-state-of-the-art.html?pagewanted=all

Another source, Wirecutter, which is a new consumer tech review site that I turn to, also recommends these two cameras as the top two point-and-shoot cameras.

Sony RX100:  http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/sony-rx100-best-point-and-shoot-camera/
Canon S100:  http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/canon-s100/

For a lower price point ($130), the site recommends the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 as the "best cheap camera."

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-cheap-camera/

I recently purchased the RX100 based on Howard's post and the attached reviews – I have been really happy with it.  Very light, easy to use, great image quality.  Below is a panorama I took from my recent trip to Ballyneal...

[Joe Bausch]

I don't have a personal recommendation but will point you to a couple sources that I turn to. 

NY Times personal tech columnist David Pogue recently wrote about the new Sony RX100, which he calls the "best pocket camera ever made."  He does, however, shriek at its "nosebleed" price of US$ 650.  Pogue's previous favorite was the Canon S100 ($360).

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/28/technology/personaltech/a-pocket-camera-even-pro-photographers-can-love-state-of-the-art.html?pagewanted=all

Another source, Wirecutter, which is a new consumer tech review site that I turn to, also recommends these two cameras as the top two point-and-shoot cameras.

Sony RX100:  http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/sony-rx100-best-point-and-shoot-camera/
Canon S100:  http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/canon-s100/

For a lower price point ($130), the site recommends the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 as the "best cheap camera."

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-cheap-camera/

I recently purchased the RX100 based on Howard's post and the attached reviews – I have been really happy with it.  Very light, easy to use, great image quality.  Below is a panorama I took from my recent trip to Ballyneal...

Very nice Chris.  I recently went and looked at this camera as I wanted to see if it truly fits in a pocket, and it appears to.

My trusty 5 year old Canon IS 800 might be retired soon after 45k pics.

[Jeff Taylor]

5 years and 46k pics should be enough to retire that camera. Too many improvements have been made, especially mirrorless, to not consider a new device.

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