Travel Camera

[valhalla]

I think this question is more for JimP, but I'm tossing out to all.

My Sister-in-law is heading to Norway for a reunion with the cousins (no, Rich is staying put and working).  Wants a new camera, as her Nikon Cool-Pix (circe 2001) is acting up.

$500 or less
Good Zoom (changable small lens is an option - not a must).
Batteries, etc. your call.
GB/MegaPixals - everybody has them today, so not an important.

Stability, ease of use, good auto functions would be my best guess for her.

All suggestions are welcome and I know you guys will have plenty!      

[dale]

when I asked the same question before a trip several years ago, Jim P. suggested the Panasonic Lumix. I am happy with it.

[valhalla]

when I asked the same question before a trip several years ago, Jim P. suggested the Panasonic Lumix. I am happy with it.

Idiot proof or pretty close to it?

[dale]

excellent optics, 10x zoom (if you're an idiot like I am you won't understand that a 10x zoom is hard to use without wiggling it); it has an idiot setting, which I use, but if you're used to a fancy camera, it has a huge range of settings for different light, etc. conditions. Has video mode (which I have only ever used to record the song of a tui in the NZ rainforest - not for video). Small, compact, big screen. You have to take the picture using the screen - no way to look through the camera.

[valhalla]

excellent optics, 10x zoom (if you're an idiot like I am you won't understand that a 10x zoom is hard to use without wiggling it); it has an idiot setting, which I use, but if you're used to a fancy camera, it has a huge range of settings for different light, etc. conditions. Has video mode (which I have only ever used to record the song of a tui in the NZ rainforest - not for video). Small, compact, big screen. You have to take the picture using the screen - no way to look through the camera.

Thanks - already passed the info on to S-I-L, good info on the zoom, as that is an important feature for here (and the range settings, which should be helpful with the different light that they will be in).

[Lord G]

Not sure if I'm too late with this reply (I almost never check the OT forum), but the Panasonic Lumix TZ-3 is the one I have (and probably the one that Dale is referring to).  That camera is actually a few years old.  The latest version is the TZ-10.  They upped the zoom range to 12x, which includes a nice wide angle capability that you don't usually get on a "superzoom" digital camera.  It also has a built-in GPS receiver so your pictures can automatically be tagged with the location in which you took them.  The camera has optical image-stabilization which works in two modes.  One mode shows you the stablized image in the viewfinder; the other only engages at the moment the shutter button is released.  The latter mode is actually claimed to work better, but if you're shooting with the lens zoomed all the way in, having the stabilized image on the screen is better for framing IMO.

The other big advantage of the camera is that it can shoot Hi-def (720p) video.  They also added more manual controls (though the automatic mode or one of the presets works great for most shots).  There's a nice write-up of this camera at
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_TZ10_ZS7/index.shtml

The TZ-10 replaces the TZ-7 which is itself a very capable camera, which lacks only the GPS ans some other minor features.  If you don't need/want to geotag your images, the TZ-7 is probably selling at a discount now.

[valhalla]

Not sure if I'm too late with this reply (I almost never check the OT forum), but the Panasonic Lumix TZ-3 is the one I have (and probably the one that Dale is referring to).  That camera is actually a few years old.  The latest version is the TZ-10.  They upped the zoom range to 12x, which includes a nice wide angle capability that you don't usually get on a "superzoom" digital camera.  It also has a built-in GPS receiver so your pictures can automatically be tagged with the location in which you took them.  The camera has optical image-stabilization which works in two modes.  One mode shows you the stablized image in the viewfinder; the other only engages at the moment the shutter button is released.  The latter mode is actually claimed to work better, but if you're shooting with the lens zoomed all the way in, having the stabilized image on the screen is better for framing IMO.

The other big advantage of the camera is that it can shoot Hi-def (720p) video.  They also added more manual controls (though the automatic mode or one of the presets works great for most shots).  There's a nice write-up of this camera at
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_TZ10_ZS7/index.shtml

The TZ-10 replaces the TZ-7 which is itself a very capable camera, which lacks only the GPS ans some other minor features.  If you don't need/want to geotag your images, the TZ-7 is probably selling at a discount now.

Nope - not too late, Jim and the TZ-10 is the one that Marylyn is "zooming" in on.  Thanks for the additional infomation.  My sister-in-law almost fell over when I suggested something other than Nikon!   

[Lord G]

Well, I have nothing bad to say about Nikon, they make good cameras, as does Canon.  The Panasonic is the one I have experience with though, and it makes a great travel camera.  In fact, the "TZ" in the model name stands for "Travel Zoom".

[valhalla]

Well, I have nothing bad to say about Nikon, they make good cameras, as does Canon.  The Panasonic is the one I have experience with though, and it makes a great travel camera.  In fact, the "TZ" in the model name stands for "Travel Zoom".

I was fortunate to learn on a Nikon F-1 way back in the Dark Ages, hence the Nikon bias.   

[Lord G]

The Nikon F3 with a motor drive and a 250-shot bulk film back was the camera I lusted after when I was first cutting my photography teeth 30 years ago.  Never got one (it was way out of my price range), but I always wanted one.