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Need Help Picking Out Camera for Traveling

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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
I'm a college student and am going to be studying abroad in Europe all next semester. I used to have an Olympus camera (tough series) but im giving it to my brother who does a lot of fishing and I'm getting a new one. I don't want to waste any of your time, so here is 1337's guide to help you pick me out a camera


1) What is your budget? How much money can you spend right away, and do you think you can get more money to invest in the future?
ANSWER: Probably under $400. I'm not looking for a professional camera, but I want something portable, good zoom, high quality, but want to stay away from the bulky large ones.

2) What experience do you already have with cameras? Have you ever even used one before? Have you helped your friend out with his camera? Have you owned your own?
ANSWER: My mom has a Nikon D70 and I love it, but frankly its too big. I will be traveling all over Europe and want something I can throw into my bookbag when I'm not sight seeing

2) What gear, if any, do you currently have? (tripod, old camera lenses, mics, etc)
ANSWER: None. Again, I'm not looking for too much here. I'd prefer more of an autofocus instead of having to use a tripod.

4) What are you planning to shoot and how do you want to use your camera? Are you going to use this with the sole purpose of shooting skiing? or do you think you might try other stuff as well (movies, documentaries, short films, etc)
ANSWER: Like stated above, I'm traveling abroad, which will include pictures of friends, lanscape, monuments etc. Also, I WANT A CAMERA WITH A VIDEO SETTING. The higher quality the better. I hope I'm not asking for too much on this budget, but I'll see what you guys come up with.

5) Do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming?
ANSWER: Probably one I can hand to friends.

6) When filming skiing, how do you tend to shoot? (follow cams, leave it on record on a tripod and hike, film from a tripod, etc)
ANSWER: Follow cams.

7) What computer do you currently have/use to edit (if not currently editing, what would you most likely use)? If you can provide specifics, such as hard drive space, RAM, processor size, that would be great.
ANSWER: I have a dell latitude which is upgraded pretty heavily. On a different computer now but it will be fine.


7) What program do you currently edit on? How familiar are you with it (1- just learning; 10- I can make tutorials and know the keyboard layout)
ANSWER: I use Adobe Photoshop alot doing random shit for NS and just for fun. So for that maybe (6?). Never used a video editing program though.



I know this is a lot on here, but I hope this helps. 10/10 karma for those who take the time to read and post a helpful response.
Jun 16 2011 8:20PM
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Brock.
Posts: 5698 - Karma: 1,332
I think you should steer clear of DSLR's for now as it seems you want something that puts out a good image with little hassle. What you need is a good point-and-shoot, something that can be achieved for well under 400$ which is the good news. As for the specific model/brand I'm not very familiar with those types of cameras, but I hope you found this somewhat helpful.
Jun 16 2011 8:27PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
little expensive but canon g12. rugged point and shoot good quality and 720p video.
Jun 16 2011 8:45PM
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schism
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 389
canon s90/s95, great point and shoot.
Jun 16 2011 8:46PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
Are you looking for something point and shoot size, or would you be willing to go a littel larger?

The P500 is larger, but it shoots 1080p video, it's right at the top of your price range. It doesn't shoot RAW though, which is always nice if you can't get your shot just the way you want it in camera. (RAW is basically a digital negative, you can do a lot more with it than a .jpeg or .tif)

http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Compact-Digital-Cameras/26256/COOLPIX-P500.html#tab-ProductDetail.ProductTabs.TechSpecs

If you want to go a little pricier, the P7000 is a pretty awesome little camera. It's pricier and only shoots 720p but It's smaller, it takes some great pictures, and can shoot RAW.

http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Compact-Digital-Cameras/26233/COOLPIX-P7000.html

If you don't want to spend the extra, and you are looking for a point and shoot that will do everything you want well, I would suggest Canon. I've always liked their point and shoot cams better than Nikon's. I dont know anything about their line, but I would suggest comparing cameras online and getting one that is close to the ends of your budget for a cam / has all the features you are looking for.
Jun 16 2011 8:47PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
^ the canon g12 is a pretty sweet camera. I've played with one of those and I really liked it.
Jun 16 2011 8:49PM
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michelle
Posts: 6290 - Karma: 428
Definitely the G12. And steer clear of DSLRs like someone else had said.
Jun 16 2011 8:57PM
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chipkalback
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 30
I'd probably go with the Canon S95 over the G12, seems like you're really only paying extra for the hotshoe and swiveling screen with the G!2, plus the S95 is $100 cheaper and less bulky
Jun 16 2011 10:18PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
i agree with the s95/g12, both are great cams, but I was wondering if maybe you wanted something that was more of a compact superzoom. I went around europe last summer with my sony hx1, and it was great, i really liked having the range. Another thing, you may want to look into low light ability, because if you pla on taking pictures of anything inside, like churches/castles etc, you will need to use a very high iso (flash is also useless if you are zooomed in too far). I have also heard some pretty good things about the sony hx9v, i would suggest at least looking into it, thought I admit i don't know a ton about it
Jun 17 2011 10:45AM
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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
I looked into it and it looks great if not perfect for what I would need. Anyone know more about the Sony HX9V or HX7V?

Here's the website: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666290110#specifications
Jun 17 2011 4:03PM
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K-Dubs
Posts: 334 - Karma: 454
I hear the Lumix DMC-FZ40 is good. You might just want to stick with a canon or nikon though
Jun 17 2011 9:16PM
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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
BUMP Anyone know about these cameras?
Jun 18 2011 4:07PM
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Ski..4..Life
Posts: 1347 - Karma: 97
Where about in Europe you studying?
im doing the same thing, going to Austria for 5 months, plan to travel all over, as much as possible. i'm so stoked

As for cameras though if you want something small, just a point and shoot? or whatever has been suggested above ^^
Jun 18 2011 9:12PM
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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
Luxembourg. Austria would be sick though. I hope you're bringing skis if your going to Austria
Jun 18 2011 10:12PM
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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
Bump! Any recommendations on the sony camera
Jun 19 2011 6:10PM
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Static
Posts: 8553 - Karma: 4,087
I've had a Casio EX-H20G with gps for awhile it's pretty fun to travel with. You can see where you've been on a map, and where your photos are. The widest is really wide, 24mm and it zooms to 10x. It shoots stills up to 14 Megapixels and movies at 720p. The auto settings are nice too, just point and shoot. The image quality is not the best, but that's the trade off.
Jun 19 2011 6:42PM
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Keyjibbs
Posts: 1542 - Karma: 96
Definitely get the s95. Such an awesome little camera. Fast, portable, shoots RAW and HD video. Plus you can snag a refurbished one from Canon for $320. One of the best point and shoots ever.
Jun 19 2011 11:06PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
This. Awesome camera.

Jun 20 2011 6:39AM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
S95. If you want a compact camera, get a compact camera, meaning something you can put in any pocket of any clothing. I really don't see the point of owning anything in between a true compact camera and a full on SLR. A friend of mine got a G12 last winter and it's too big for most pockets, so he didn't shoot with it much on the hill. Get an S95 and it's always with you, good quality, enough manual controls even if there's not a direct dial for some of them.
Jun 20 2011 8:09AM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
i've heard nothing but great things about the s95
Jun 20 2011 12:34PM
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hollygrove
Posts: 7845 - Karma: 93
I got a camera for my South East Asia trip that I just got back from, and I ended up getting the Lumix DMC-LX5. I usually shoot with an SLR so I was skeptical using a point and shoot, but I honestly loved using it.Rarely did I find myself missing my SLR, this things fills the void completely for traveling. The Canon S95 is in the same category, and from everything Ive heard thats a great camera too.
Jun 20 2011 6:43PM
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