What's a good cheap durable P&S?

RioRico · 10-29-2011, 08:40 PM

My other has expressed great discontent, unsatisfied with the old high-impact deep-diving 7mpx Olympus SW-770. Too many scenes, too small print in the manual, too much confusion. I have been assigned the task of finding a replacement. The desired specifications:

* Small; cheap (US$150 max); 10mpx is fine; sturdy/WR is nice; and BASIC controls
* EDIT: I forgot to mention: decent low-light performance ie not noisy at higher ISO

EDIT: I should also mention that the Oly replaced a much-beloved Sony DSC-W7 -- great design, lousy manufacture; it crapped-out too soon.

My other used to shoot pro portraits with a Bronica but that was long ago and now wants only something to document life. Any suggestions?

Last edited by RioRico; 10-30-2011 at 02:33 AM.

**GregK8** · 10-29-2011, 09:00 PM

Pentax Optio WG-1 / WG-1 GPS - Compact Digital Cameras - Pentax Camera Database and Reviews - DSLR, Digital, and Legacy Cameras

RioRico · 10-30-2011, 12:53 AM

Originally posted by GregK8

Pentax Optio WG-1 / WG-1 GPS - Compact Digital Cameras - Pentax Camera Database and Reviews - DSLR, Digital, and Legacy Cameras

Thanks, good idea, but price at B&H is about twice the available budget. I would need to be *very* persuasive -- or sell a bunch of stuff on eBay to pay for the Optio.

Peter Anson · 10-30-2011, 01:28 AM

I might be hung, drawn and quartered for this, but the Canon cameras, at the price you have indicated, are surprisingly good. A friend is using an IXUS 105, (which in this country costs $150.00) documenting the progress of his child in both still and motion pictures with good results.

jolepp · 10-30-2011, 01:50 AM

This current Panasonic offering would seem to fit the bill (?).

ivoire · 10-30-2011, 07:11 AM

The wg1 at $201 seems like a good choice to me

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MKNJEI?ie=UTF8&tag=gosale-20&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

**GregK8** · 10-30-2011, 06:54 PM

B&H is advertising a $50 instant rebate right now, so it is a lot closer to your budget than you might think. Just drink one less can of soda each week for a year and it is paid for.

RioRico · 11-01-2011, 02:34 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll research those, see what the budget director likes. More suggestions are more than welcome!

ivoire · 11-24-2011, 11:32 AM

I've been looking at inexpensive pns cameras also. you might be interested in the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS10. I'm waiting til after midnite to see if prices drop.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS10 Digital Camera (Blue) DMC-TS10A B&H

I think i'd go for one of these if it goes under $200

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/752212-REG/Panasonic_DMC_TS3D_LUMIX_DM...al_Camera.html

RioRico · 11-24-2011, 12:49 PM

My other already decided on a Nikon S4100, just US$130 at CostCo -- and easily returned if it doesn't do the trick. Just in time for a NYC holiday visit.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Fl_Gulfer · 11-25-2011, 09:04 PM

I picked up a Nikon S 6100 today at Radio Shack for $118.00. It seems to be a real nice P&S.

unixrevolution · 11-29-2011, 09:11 AM

Good, Cheap, Durable.

Choose two.

I'd pop the extra coin for the WG-1. A used WS-80 may work too. My Fiancee has one and loves it.

cscurrier · 11-29-2011, 09:22 PM

Did you find one, yet, RioRico? My "other" insisted on getting a Nikon Coolpix, which seems to take decent photos at a good price. Seems to be on sale all the time wherever.

RioRico · 11-29-2011, 10:42 PM

Originally posted by cscurrier

Did you find one, yet, RioRico? My "other" insisted on getting a Nikon Coolpix, which seems to take decent photos at a good price. Seems to be on sale all the time wherever.

Coolpix is the Nikon line of P&S cams, not any specific model. Yeah, my other chose a Nikon Coolpix S4100. Seems happy with it. Leaves in a few hours for a week in NYC, waving the camera around. We'll see.

cscurrier · 11-29-2011, 11:14 PM

Originally posted by RioRico

Coolpix is the Nikon line of P&S cams, not any specific model.

Sorry, didn't realize you were looking for a specific model... But like I said, the "others" like them.

10-29-2011, 08:40 PM	#1
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	What's a good cheap durable P&S? My other has expressed great discontent, unsatisfied with the old high-impact deep-diving 7mpx Olympus SW-770. Too many scenes, too small print in the manual, too much confusion. I have been assigned the task of finding a replacement. The desired specifications: * Small; cheap (US$150 max); 10mpx is fine; sturdy/WR is nice; and BASIC controls * EDIT: I forgot to mention: decent low-light performance ie not noisy at higher ISO EDIT: I should also mention that the Oly replaced a much-beloved Sony DSC-W7 -- great design, lousy manufacture; it crapped-out too soon. My other used to shoot pro portraits with a Bronica but that was long ago and now wants only something to document life. Any suggestions? Last edited by RioRico; 10-30-2011 at 02:33 AM.

10-30-2011, 01:50 AM	#5
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	This current Panasonic offering would seem to fit the bill (?). Last edited by jolepp; 10-30-2011 at 02:04 AM.

10-30-2011, 07:11 AM	#6
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	The wg1 at $201 seems like a good choice to me http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MKNJEI?ie=UTF8&tag=gosale-20&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER Last edited by ivoire; 10-30-2011 at 07:16 AM.

11-01-2011, 02:34 PM	#8
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263 Original Poster	Thanks for the suggestions. I'll research those, see what the budget director likes. More suggestions are more than welcome! Last edited by RioRico; 11-01-2011 at 02:45 PM.

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10-29-2011, 09:00 PM	#2
GregK8 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Western New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 614	Pentax Optio WG-1 / WG-1 GPS - Compact Digital Cameras - Pentax Camera Database and Reviews - DSLR, Digital, and Legacy Cameras

10-30-2011, 12:53 AM	#3
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263 Original Poster	Originally posted by GregK8 Pentax Optio WG-1 / WG-1 GPS - Compact Digital Cameras - Pentax Camera Database and Reviews - DSLR, Digital, and Legacy Cameras Thanks, good idea, but price at B&H is about twice the available budget. I would need to be very persuasive -- or sell a bunch of stuff on eBay to pay for the Optio.

10-30-2011, 01:28 AM	#4
Peter Anson Inactive Account Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 211	I might be hung, drawn and quartered for this, but the Canon cameras, at the price you have indicated, are surprisingly good. A friend is using an IXUS 105, (which in this country costs $150.00) documenting the progress of his child in both still and motion pictures with good results.

10-30-2011, 06:54 PM	#7
GregK8 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Western New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 614	B&H is advertising a $50 instant rebate right now, so it is a lot closer to your budget than you might think. Just drink one less can of soda each week for a year and it is paid for.

11-24-2011, 11:32 AM	#9
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	I've been looking at inexpensive pns cameras also. you might be interested in the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS10. I'm waiting til after midnite to see if prices drop. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS10 Digital Camera (Blue) DMC-TS10A B&H I think i'd go for one of these if it goes under $200 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/752212-REG/Panasonic_DMC_TS3D_LUMIX_DM...al_Camera.html

11-24-2011, 12:49 PM	#10
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263 Original Poster	My other already decided on a Nikon S4100, just US$130 at CostCo -- and easily returned if it doesn't do the trick. Just in time for a NYC holiday visit. Thanks for all the suggestions!

11-25-2011, 09:04 PM	#11
Fl_Gulfer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Gulfer Photos: Albums Posts: 3,054	I picked up a Nikon S 6100 today at Radio Shack for $118.00. It seems to be a real nice P&S.

11-29-2011, 09:11 AM	#12
unixrevolution Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waldorf, MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,861	Good, Cheap, Durable. Choose two. I'd pop the extra coin for the WG-1. A used WS-80 may work too. My Fiancee has one and loves it.

11-29-2011, 09:22 PM	#13
cscurrier Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bellingham, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 280	Did you find one, yet, RioRico? My "other" insisted on getting a Nikon Coolpix, which seems to take decent photos at a good price. Seems to be on sale all the time wherever.

11-29-2011, 10:42 PM	#14
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263 Original Poster	Originally posted by cscurrier Did you find one, yet, RioRico? My "other" insisted on getting a Nikon Coolpix, which seems to take decent photos at a good price. Seems to be on sale all the time wherever. Coolpix is the Nikon line of P&S cams, not any specific model. Yeah, my other chose a Nikon Coolpix S4100. Seems happy with it. Leaves in a few hours for a week in NYC, waving the camera around. We'll see.

11-29-2011, 11:14 PM	#15
cscurrier Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bellingham, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 280	Originally posted by RioRico Coolpix is the Nikon line of P&S cams, not any specific model. Sorry, didn't realize you were looking for a specific model... But like I said, the "others" like them.