Recommended used compact point and shoot

[JohnUK]

Hello

First I'd like to praise this site. Some great reading. Ive rekindled a love of photography after many years. Ive bought a DSLR im very happy with but its not practical to be carrying all the time.

I wondered if you good people had any recommendations for a compact 'point and shoot' that I can easily carry in my coat pocket. My budget is limited so Im looking at second hand. I should add that my phone isnt the most modern either!

Thanks again all and to Steve for some of the most informative and entertaining videos and resources out there,

 

[Ado Wolf]

I have the "old" Sony RX100 iii (the latest model is the vii) and I love it.
I has a great range 24-70mm with a bright f1.8 to f2.8.
I takes good photos as well as videos, and it literally fits in the pocket.
It's build like a tank (metal) and has both an EVF (although quite small), built in flash and LCD.

 

[BillW]

Second the suggestion of a Sony RX100. There are a number of models out there. I have the earliest model and still think the optical quality is quite good when I want something pocketable.

While I don’t have one, I hear the Nikon Z50 is quite small with its kit lens. Bigger than an RX100 with a DX sensor rather than a 1” sensor. I think it might fit in a coat pocket and would have better IQ in low light. And some flexibility to add another lens if you wanted to do so.

 

[Ado Wolf]

I tried the Z50 and it does not have better low light IQ than the Sony, since the kit lens is a 16-50 mm F3.5-6.3 variable aperture, where as the Sony is a F1.8-2.8.
Additionally the Sony is very strong in low light due to multi-shot stacking (i.e. it takes 3 to 5 photos and stacks them to make a sharp image / even in very dark moments)

The Z50 is definitely compact, but will not fit in a pocket (the reason why I returned it).

 

[Calson]

Sony RX100 or the Lumix DC-LX 100 II or one of the Canon G5 MK II are good cameras. In terms of a used one it should be easiest to find a used G5 for sale on fredmiranda or similar places. The Sony, Lumix, and Canon, all have 1" sensors and reasonably fast zoom lenses. Canon G5 hasa 24-120mm f/1.8~2.8 zoom lens.

I would spend some time reading the customer reviews for any camera you are considering. For example the DC-LX 100 I model is prone to suching in dust through the lens and onto the sensor. The "II" version is supposed to be improved and this may not be a problem. All has Shutter Priority and Raw capture which is important to me even with a P&S camera. I have the RX100, a Lumix, and the Nikon AW120, and overall my favorite is the Nikon with its built-in GPS and digital compass, waterproof to 59', Raw capture, and 24-120mm FX equivalent zoom lens.

Even though you may save some money buying used cameras, there are also deep discounts on models being discontinued or with rebates being offered on new ones. Sony DSC-HX80 18MP camera sells new for only $370 at Best Buy.

 

[Steve W]

Depending how big your pockets are, I like the Nikon P7800. It’s what I describe as a proper camera. Full auto with scene modes right through to full manual.

 

[euanmax]

If you can live with a fixed focal length (18mm APSC, 28mm FF equiv), the Ricoh GR is a great option. I have the GRiii and it always comes with me if I’m just out for a walk without my main gear or on my bike. Very pocketable and the IQ is excellent. The lens is razor sharp too and the fact it has IBIS, as well as a pretty decent macro function make it quite a versatile little camera.

 

[Steve W]

Best compact camera I ever has was an Olympus XA 35 mm. Went everywhere, batteries lasted for ever. Would kill for a digital version of that.

 

[JohnUK]

Great replys. Thank you

 

[BrianBirch]

I agree that the Sony RX100 is a great choice, as I have one. I also have a 16x20 print hanging on the wall from it that is niceenough to hang on anyon else’s wall. Very nice quality camera and lens. It also easily fits in any packet.

 

[Spelzar]

I use the Fuji X100. A few years old but returns high quality RAW images, DX size sensor with fixed 23mm lens gives 35mm view, fixed lens with good macro.

 

[jer]

I have the "old" Sony RX100 iii (the latest model is the vii) and I love it.
I has a great range 24-70mm with a bright f1.8 to f2.8.
I takes good photos as well as videos, and it literally fits in the pocket.
It's build like a tank (metal) and has both an EVF (although quite small), built in flash and LCD.

Ditto the "old" Sony RX100 iii (or Mark 3, as you will often see it listed). I bought it a year ago after much research and found I like it even better as time goes on. I ignore all the Sony software this-and-that which is flakey at best. I simply direct-connect it to my PC and post-process RAW or JPG the same as my D7500. The image quality is superb and the camera is often superior in low-light and other situations that would have me trying to figure out some settings for the D7500.

 

[jhallettbc]

I will also vouch for the Sony RX100 line up. I had the original one and loved it but upgraded to the RX100v. Built like a tank and so small. I dropped one of them out of my coat pocket onto pavement; left a dent but didn't affect anything else. However when I got my iPhone Pro 11 it became obvious to me that I would hardly ever use the Sony again. The iPhone is far better in low light, the video quality it much higher, it's much smaller and best of all, I always have it with me. Admittedly the focal range isn't as big but with 3 distances on the iPhone it is sufficient for me. When I went on a round the world trip in 2019, I only took my iPhone and never once thought I wished I'd had my Sony. So something for you to consider instead of buying a compact point and shoot. Here are a couple of samples.

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[wthomson]

Take a look at the Olympus TG-5 or TG-6. Extremely compact, 25-100 (35mm equiv), extendable with accessory lenses to 19mm and 170mm. Has a lot of the bells and whistles of the more advanced Oly cameras like internal focus stacking and micro modes. Can be used underwater, 9 oz., 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches, used & reconditioned around $260.

 

[DaveyDitzer]

Depending how big your pockets are, I like the Nikon P7800. It’s what I describe as a proper camera. Full auto with scene modes right through to full manual.

Ditto. Love my P7800 despite having 3 DSLRs. Sometimes I just don't want to carry all that firepower. Especially like articulating screen and video capability.

 

[Ken Miracle]

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/compact-digital-cameras/coolpix-w300.html ... Nikon Coopix W300 suprisingly good image quality Nikon has new and refurbished on their webpage ... a true tough pocket camera, and waterproof, dust proof and quite shock proof ... I seldom have a need for one and my iphone 11 pro camera is good so I use seldom use it. A friend bought one to shoot White Sharks from an underwater cage in South Africa and said it was great for that and just walking around town.