ADvice for Compact camera

[jorker1237]

Hi all,

I am looking for a compact camera used for travelling around, not looking for DSLR, would like your advice based on my requirement below:

1. Able to take multiple shots, without using the Burst mode, it is like just hold on to the shutter button, and the camera just take the pictures continuously (that is something, which I experience with DSLR, so thought it will be useful to take my hyperactive baby boy who cant keep still).
2. Focus: Quick auto focus.
3. Budget: less than SGD800
4. User-friendliness: easy to use, most likely will only use the "Auto" mode.
5. Good Zoom, preferably up to at least 20 times. Mainly for overseas trip.
6. Compact camera (lazy, or no intention to change lens)
7. hope to have good low-light capturing
8. Not going for RAW image

Do not know if any falls within this range, I am actually looking at the Sony HX50V, its 30X zoom and compact caught me, but read review that its LCD is hard to see under the sun, and I tried the camera, is not able to fulfill the first requirement, it require to use "Burst" mode. Otherwise the rest are fine with me.

I also heard Lumix and Canon are good as well.

Do anyone have any recommendation???

 

[sandywong]

bridge cameras like the hx50V or other brands equivalent tend to have small sensors which result in poor low light performance. You can try high end compacts like lumix lx7, canon s110, sony rx100 etc. But you will have limited zoom. You have to decide which is more important and which to let go. 1 thing to note is that a long zoom require a lot of stabilization unless you are using a tripod, it is difficult to get a sharp image. If you wanna capture your active baby boy, you just need to use a faster shuttle speed to freeze the action. Hope it helps

 

[jorker1237]

bridge cameras like the hx50V or other brands equivalent tend to have small sensors which result in poor low light performance. You can try high end compacts like lumix lx7, canon s110, sony rx100 etc. But you will have limited zoom. You have to decide which is more important and which to let go. 1 thing to note is that a long zoom require a lot of stabilization unless you are using a tripod, it is difficult to get a sharp image. If you wanna capture your active baby boy, you just need to use a faster shuttle speed to freeze the action. Hope it helps

Thanks Sandy, would want to also ask if you have a faster shuttle, are you able to take multiple shots by holding on to the shuttle? Something like the burst mode, but because that mode have limitation such as 10 pics for a sec, but something i just need the extra 2 more second, but do not really need that much as in 10 pics/sec as the HX50V. Viewing of pics after all will be done later.

Do that 3 models (LX7/RX100/S110) do that?

THanks in advance

 

[sandywong]

faster shutter is affected by both your camera's max shutter speed and also lighting and aperture. if the light is strong, your camera need less time to expose also a larger aperture or smaller f-stop will let more light in so you can snap faster.
For continuous shooting I do not remember clearly for each camera, just google for the specs. The camera's continuous fps rate has nothing to do with the shuttle speed, it is different for each camera. Do note that the continuous fps does not go on for ever, after certain limit the camera will buffer for a few seconds depending on the camera model. Hope it helps

 

[jorker1237]

so can i say that actually what i need is that the camera should equipped with the mode like "continuous shooting", where it can take multiple shots by holding on to the shuttle, and viewing of pics will be done later.

And that is not the burst mode, right?

If it is the continuous mode, then should be easier to narrow down my search liao.

 

[sandywong]

From what i see most camera got both, but continuous shooting usually have lower fps than burst. Most advance camera have this, just that the rate is different. What you have to consider is your budget, which camera looks nice to you and narrow down. Also look for reviews online or youtube. Finally if possible get some hands-on from shops, you can bring your own memory card and snap a few pics to compare at home.

Since a high end camera is quite costly i suggest you do enough research on the model you are interested especially on the functions you need before making the actual purchase. You do not want to regret your decision!

 

[xonix]

I haven't used many compacts but Panasonic and Sony have fairly quick AF and burst mode for the travel zooms series from my past experience.

Check out the specs for their current models and see which has the higher FPS burst rate.

 

[intrance]

so can i say that actually what i need is that the camera should equipped with the mode like "continuous shooting", where it can take multiple shots by holding on to the shuttle, and viewing of pics will be done later.

And that is not the burst mode, right?

If it is the continuous mode, then should be easier to narrow down my search liao.

For continuous shooting, as sandywong mentioned, it will be depend on your exposure but since you will be mainly using 'Auto' then as xonix said.. you should go for the highest burst mode.

For burst mode, eg 10 fps meant.. when u hit the shutter button and keep your finger there, it will shoot up to 10 fps and it will still be shooting but at slower rate and gradually stop after filling the camera buffer or fill up your memory card or battery runs out.
higher memory card speed are recommended..

Above is my experience using Sony SLT..
compact camera function might different although i would like to think, somehow they are the same..

For baby/toddler's shoot, a camera that have tilted screen such as Pany LX7 and Oly XZ2 is great..