need a recommendation please!

loco · 08-19-2015, 05:21 AM

I have a friend who is asking me for a recommendation for a point and shoot camera to shoot her son playing football and basketball. I figure she needs something with at least a 20x zoom, more would be better, that's also good in low light.

Here's the thing -- she doesn't want to spend much. So the cheaper the better.

I don't know a lot about the current point and shoots or superzooms. I was hoping someone here could help out. If it was a model that's a couple years old that might be available cheaper, or used, that would work. I've been looking around and it's just hard to find something decent that's not over $500. You might as well go ahead and get a DSLR for that, but I know she doesn't want something "complicated".

Any ideas? Thanks!!

Giklab · 08-19-2015, 05:34 AM - **1 Like**

The XG-1 is pretty damn nice for the price, I'd get that. The VF will be especially helpful.

**TER-OR** · 08-19-2015, 06:15 AM - **1 Like**

The Fuji and Panasonic superzooms/ bridge cameras are pretty well regarded.

Craigslist is a good place to look for used gear, too.

loco · 08-19-2015, 06:20 AM

Thanks guys. Yeah, I'm seeing a lot of Panasonic Lumix reviews that look good. Can't find much on the Pentax. Great thought on Craigslist!

severalsnakes · 08-19-2015, 10:25 AM - **1 Like**

The Fuji superzooms are super sweet! I just recommended a girlfriend get the S9400w and she is very happy with it for general snaps and what she calls "nature" shots (far away birds, critters, etc).

"Last year's model" of the Fuji superzooms are usually around $2-300, but the new models hang around $4-500 for a while.

loco · 08-19-2015, 11:14 AM

I'll add the Fujis to the list! Thanks. This will give her several options to choose from. I appreciate all the help, folks!

6BQ5 · 08-19-2015, 12:49 PM - **1 Like**

One thing to consider also is the response time of the camera. How fast will it react to a shutter button press? Sports scenes can change pretty quick.

loco · 08-19-2015, 12:58 PM

Yes, that's true, thanks Boris. I have gotten so used to DSLR that I had forgotten about shutter lag in point and shoots....

08-19-2015, 05:21 AM	#1
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846	need a recommendation please! I have a friend who is asking me for a recommendation for a point and shoot camera to shoot her son playing football and basketball. I figure she needs something with at least a 20x zoom, more would be better, that's also good in low light. Here's the thing -- she doesn't want to spend much. So the cheaper the better. I don't know a lot about the current point and shoots or superzooms. I was hoping someone here could help out. If it was a model that's a couple years old that might be available cheaper, or used, that would work. I've been looking around and it's just hard to find something decent that's not over $500. You might as well go ahead and get a DSLR for that, but I know she doesn't want something "complicated". Any ideas? Thanks!!

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08-19-2015, 05:34 AM - 1 Like	#2
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	The XG-1 is pretty damn nice for the price, I'd get that. The VF will be especially helpful.

08-19-2015, 06:15 AM - 1 Like	#3
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	The Fuji and Panasonic superzooms/ bridge cameras are pretty well regarded. Craigslist is a good place to look for used gear, too.

08-19-2015, 06:20 AM	#4
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846 Original Poster	Thanks guys. Yeah, I'm seeing a lot of Panasonic Lumix reviews that look good. Can't find much on the Pentax. Great thought on Craigslist!

08-19-2015, 10:25 AM - 1 Like	#5
severalsnakes Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Kansas City, KS Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,612	The Fuji superzooms are super sweet! I just recommended a girlfriend get the S9400w and she is very happy with it for general snaps and what she calls "nature" shots (far away birds, critters, etc). "Last year's model" of the Fuji superzooms are usually around $2-300, but the new models hang around $4-500 for a while.

08-19-2015, 11:14 AM	#6
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846 Original Poster	I'll add the Fujis to the list! Thanks. This will give her several options to choose from. I appreciate all the help, folks!

08-19-2015, 12:49 PM - 1 Like	#7
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	One thing to consider also is the response time of the camera. How fast will it react to a shutter button press? Sports scenes can change pretty quick.

08-19-2015, 12:58 PM	#8
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846 Original Poster	Yes, that's true, thanks Boris. I have gotten so used to DSLR that I had forgotten about shutter lag in point and shoots....