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01-09-2022, 09:51 PM   #1
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New camera for my wife

My wife has always had an eye for a good composition. In the film days, when I shot with the SFX and SFXn, she used a Z-10. Then, once we've moved into the digital era, me with the K-5 first, and later the K-1ii, she's never really taken to it, other than shooting pretty neat shots with her phone.

So, these last holidays, she's been talking about getting back into photography. But, there's a catch: She does not want anything as large as a K-3 / KP / K-1ii and she's set a strict budget of "No more than NZ$800." I suppose I'll be able to nudge that upward to NZ$1,000 as the upper limit, but I can't see us going anywhere North of the $1,000 mark.

So, I've been looking at what's available locally. (But, am, of course, open to other options, otherwise why would I be posting here!)

Firstly, like me, it will be largely stills. Video will almost never happen. Other than that, while she's not worried whether it's an interchangeable lens system or not, I think that would make for easier sensor cleaning, so there's that. She would, ideally, like something that won't die if it gets the odd raindrop on it.
Lastly, as we all know, a mirrorless camera can provide quite a poor viewfinder experience. So, looking for something that's not going to irritate too much in terms of looking through the viewfinder. I realize budget does not help for that.

Here's options I can find locally for the right money: (But, not necessarily ticking the other boxes, other than for size.) There are, of course, sadly, no Pentax options.

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...-16-50mm-lens/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...mm-silver-kit/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...15-45mm-black/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...-16-50mm-lens/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...-f3-5-5-6-oss/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...0-12-32mm-kit/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...m-lens-silver/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...s-15-45mm-kit/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...-42-ez-silver/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...mm-lens-black/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...-230-twin-kit/ (Too expensive, but maybe I can convince her with the two lens kit.)

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...mm-kit-silver/ (Also too expensive.)

Please help!!!


Last edited by MarkJerling; 01-09-2022 at 10:15 PM.
01-09-2022, 10:40 PM - 1 Like   #2
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QuoteOriginally posted by MarkJerling Quote
My wife has always had an eye for a good composition. In the film days, when I shot with the SFX and SFXn, she used a Z-10. Then, once we've moved into the digital era, me with the K-5 first, and later the K-1ii, she's never really taken to it, other than shooting pretty neat shots with her phone.

So, these last holidays, she's been talking about getting back into photography. But, there's a catch: She does not want anything as large as a K-3 / KP / K-1ii and she's set a strict budget of "No more than NZ$800." I suppose I'll be able to nudge that upward to NZ$1,000 as the upper limit, but I can't see us going anywhere North of the $1,000 mark.

So, I've been looking at what's available locally. (But, am, of course, open to other options, otherwise why would I be posting here!)

Firstly, like me, it will be largely stills. Video will almost never happen. Other than that, while she's not worried whether it's an interchangeable lens system or not, I think that would make for easier sensor cleaning, so there's that. She would, ideally, like something that won't die if it gets the odd raindrop on it.
Lastly, as we all know, a mirrorless camera can provide quite a poor viewfinder experience. So, looking for something that's not going to irritate too much in terms of looking through the viewfinder. I realize budget does not help for that.

Here's options I can find locally for the right money: (But, not necessarily ticking the other boxes, other than for size.) There are, of course, sadly, no Pentax options.

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...-16-50mm-lens/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...mm-silver-kit/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...15-45mm-black/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...-16-50mm-lens/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...-f3-5-5-6-oss/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...0-12-32mm-kit/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...m-lens-silver/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...s-15-45mm-kit/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...-42-ez-silver/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...mm-lens-black/

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...-230-twin-kit/ (Too expensive, but maybe I can convince her with the two lens kit.)

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...mm-kit-silver/ (Also too expensive.)

Please help!!!
I own around half of what you have listed.

The best 2 cameras are the XA7 and XT200.They are the same camera, its just one has a EVF.The screen is easily viewable in the brightest of sunlight.

If your Mrs has been using her phone then the XA7 with both lenses is the best option.The 15-45 is very good in the 15-30 range and ok beyond.The 50-230 is a plastic fantastic, punches well above its weight.Plenty of other very good glass for specific tasks.

The old Olympus has an old processor, the Canon system hasn't enough glass(but some is good and that 15-45 has lots of sample variation).

The Panasonics are Ok,but the better M43s cost more.

There isn't a wrong decision amongst all the choices, just depends what fits her hands.IF,she could go to a camera shop and hold them, then that would help her.

Last edited by surfar; 01-09-2022 at 11:10 PM.
01-10-2022, 01:03 AM   #3
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Hey Mark, have you considered a bridge camera?
They have changed (for the better) over the last couple of years, and have some quite impressive specs now with much better features. A little digging has thrown up what looks to be a versatile little Canon. It meets your budget, and it's in stock at the store you have used above. Your wife may enjoy its feel and functionality.
A day trip to the store for her to get her hands on all the choices could be the go.

Below is a link to the camera and a review....................Good luck, mate.

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/point-...igital-camera/

Canon PowerShot SX70 HS - Photo Review
01-10-2022, 01:51 AM   #4
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How about a Ricoh GR III ?

Tiny and capable. You should be able to find a good used one under the price limit? Or wait for a sale.
But then - a viewfinder will add a bit of extra cost.

01-10-2022, 01:52 AM - 1 Like   #5
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Thank you both @surfar and @pjv

The goal posts have (already) moved. We have today become the proud owners of a large chipper / mulcher at a steal. Normally, the model we got sells for around $3,400 and we got this one almost brand new from a friend who's moving house for $2,000. That has, unfortunately, impacted the camera budget!

So, my wife's now looking at this: https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/mirror...-16-50mm-lens/

It seems this model is about 4.5 years old so certainly not the latest tech but she absolutely refuses that I spend $1,000 or anywhere near it.
Thoughts?
01-10-2022, 01:55 AM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Stefan Jr Quote
How about a Ricoh GR III ?

Tiny and capable. You should be able to find a good used one under the price limit? Or wait for a sale.
But then - a viewfinder will add a bit of extra cost.
Thanks, but unfortunately those sell (new) for $1,700 in NZ. And I don't fancy buying secondhand as a gift.
01-10-2022, 02:39 AM - 1 Like   #7
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I'm actually going to agree with @pjv and suggest you at least consider a bridge camera. The current Panasonic DMC-FZ82 offers a 21 - 1260mm equivalent lens (so no more glass to buy ever ), PASM shooting modes and raw support. I have the much older DMC-FZ62, and it's a cracking little camera with surprisingly good image quality at sensible reproduction sizes. Sadly, it doesn't support raw like its more recent sibling, but the JPEG images are excellent.

The FZ82 would fit your budget and do pretty much anything the missus is likely to need. If she subsequently wants more, you'll always be glad to have it as a backup in your kit. There are times when I use the FZ62 in preference to my DSLRs...


Last edited by BigMackCam; 01-10-2022 at 02:56 AM.
01-10-2022, 06:12 AM   #8
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Having been down a similar road with my dad I can say there are good options out there but pitfalls are everywhere too.

Of the factors, it is important to have her decide if the size and ease of carry is more important than the lens selection/adaptability. Something small and self contained may get more use than a more capable body +lens combo. My dad downsized to m43, them to a Sony RX100, and bounced back up to a Sony A7RII… which may sound like he doesn’t have a clue what he wants which may be true. But the truth is his goals in photography drove his decisions. M43 worked really well for him on paper, but he found he wasn’t taking it with him to family functions etc (pre-pandemic). That’s why he downsized to the rx100. Then even that wasn’t really fitting his needs and he upgraded his phone to an iPhone pro max 12. That got a lot of use until pandemic pressures made it less used. Then his interest in documenting barns and an opportunity to use a hand me down Sony (when mine was upgraded) gave him the push to go larger with gear that he saw as more specialized at this stage than before. The iPhone is still the Family camera, The Sony is the barn camera.

So what does this mean? If your wife i has been shooting her phone but still wants a camera, and the k-5iis isn’t working; narrowing down clearly what the goal is would be really important. It wouldn’t be fun to buy a nice capable camera and then find she didn’t take it places and it was sitting unused.

---------- Post added 01-10-22 at 08:20 AM ----------

Oh and while phones have improved, even the long in the tooth Panasonic lx7 is far easier for me to get great results from than my iPhone 11. But the easy access to photos on the go with WiFi is missing from the lx7; and it is is a big feature that I wouldn’t overlook asking if she needs. I’d also suggest good jpg processing is probably very important as it seems unlikely that raw processing will be her cup of tea.

Last edited by UncleVanya; 01-10-2022 at 06:37 AM.
01-10-2022, 06:23 AM   #9
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hard dilemma

My immediate thought was Fuji X100V , superb small camera , and then I looked at NZ$ price , no good.
Any bridge camera would be too big , from my point of view.
The X-A10 looks like very good deal but no VF and , + is it really that much better than iPhone 11 or 12 ( don't have iPhone 13 hence can not comment).
My last European trip ( before Covid ) I actually took ~ 30% of all photos with my iPhone 11 Pro , it was always in my pocked , and yes i was very surprised.
Perhaps Lumix DMC-LX100 , I heard good vibes , although I personally never used it.
The bottom line is , your Wife needs to like it from ergonomic and usefulness point of view , you need to talk to her.
Good luck.
01-10-2022, 06:36 AM - 2 Likes   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by BigMackCam Quote
I'm actually going to agree with @pjv
Carefully does it, Mike, as I have it on good authority that doing that doesn't work out so well sometimes..................................









Thanks, mate.
01-10-2022, 06:41 AM   #11
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You can do amazing things with a Sony RX100 and it will never get in the way.

Worth checking out.
01-10-2022, 06:54 AM - 1 Like   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by BigMackCam Quote
Panasonic DMC-FZ82 offers a 21 - 1260mm
My choice would (obviously) be my ZS100 (with it's 1 inch sensor.) Based on what I've learned with my ZS100, my choice would be the ZS1000. The reason being, small sensor cameras are more susceptible to diffraction because of their high aperture values in the long end and small pixel size. The ZS 1000 is ƒ2.8-ƒ/4 so it not only gets you 25mm-400mm equivalent, it gets you ƒ4 at the long end to avoid diffraction. (My ZS100 suffers from visible diffraction in the long end, and try and shoot it a ƒ/2.8, and even moving from 25mm equivalent to 40mm equivalent can mean the ƒ/3.1suffers from diffraction, and by ƒ5.6 it's like a Photoshop water colour filter.) However, the ZS1000 is not a small camera. It doesn't fit in a purse. And if you're used to Pentax's it feels flimsy. But were I buying today, that would be my choice.

But, it doesn't fit in my pocket like the ZS100. There are times when that is really important. I would still want my ZS100 even if I got the 1000. I'd try a ZS100 first, because if it meets your criteria, as in you shoot more wide angle than telephoto, it might work for you.

Of the people I know there are 3 Lumix users who are similar to myself, and one Canon shooter. But I haven't been able to figure out how to effectively use the Lumix, and it at times it gets stuck in settings I have no idea how to undue. If you are used to the simplicity of a phone maybe not a good choice. Recently a friend's wife told me how she didn't really understand her camera and suggested I might be better being more of a camera person. My response was, "hell no, I can't figure the dam thing out." My buddy the rocket scientist bought one based on superior specs.. but he isn't any further along deciphering the menu system as I am. Seriously, when I'm stuck in the field, I just do a system reset to defaults and use default settings. The menu system is impenetrable without some serious study. I'm hoping my rocket scientist buddy will figure it out for me. But if you want to use it like phone with a 16:1 zoom, and ignore the other functions, it's a great camera. Switching into 4k video is about the only thing I do competently.

Last edited by normhead; 01-10-2022 at 09:31 AM.
01-10-2022, 10:08 AM   #13
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I consider budget the second most important parameter. The first is the abstract “what will I shoot?” concept, that no one is sure about. So, although some excellent suggestions have been made above, the best being a high-zoom bride imho, I’d rather comment on your choices. The xt200 is a wonderful camera. I’d certainly prefer it. The xa10 isn’t that bad either.
XT-200 for me.
01-10-2022, 11:45 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by MarkJerling Quote
Thoughts?
That Fuji will do the job,the lens is quite good in GOOD light.Optically excellent, the basic Fuji lenses are superior to the basic Pentax lenses which are ok too.

Camera is dated and basic but still capable of nice shots.Its a Bayer censored models if PP comes into the equation Lightroom works and Fuji offers a free CaptureOne lite version as well.

A big bonus is that the ClassicChrome film simulation is included with the other basic offerings.You can bracket 3 different simulations with the one shot.There are 6 simulations in total.

A $5 Ebay loupe will be essential accessory, the screen is weak in strong sunlight.

Last edited by surfar; 01-10-2022 at 12:16 PM.
01-10-2022, 02:52 PM - 3 Likes   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
My choice would (obviously) be my ZS100 (with it's 1 inch sensor.) Based on what I've learned with my ZS100, my choice would be the ZS1000. The reason being, small sensor cameras are more susceptible to diffraction because of their high aperture values in the long end and small pixel size. The ZS 1000 is ƒ2.8-ƒ/4 so it not only gets you 25mm-400mm equivalent, it gets you ƒ4 at the long end to avoid diffraction. (My ZS100 suffers from visible diffraction in the long end, and try and shoot it a ƒ/2.8, and even moving from 25mm equivalent to 40mm equivalent can mean the ƒ/3.1suffers from diffraction, and by ƒ5.6 it's like a Photoshop water colour filter.) However, the ZS1000 is not a small camera. It doesn't fit in a purse. And if you're used to Pentax's it feels flimsy. But were I buying today, that would be my choice.

But, it doesn't fit in my pocket like the ZS100. There are times when that is really important. I would still want my ZS100 even if I got the 1000. I'd try a ZS100 first, because if it meets your criteria, as in you shoot more wide angle than telephoto, it might work for you.

Of the people I know there are 3 Lumix users who are similar to myself, and one Canon shooter. But I haven't been able to figure out how to effectively use the Lumix, and it at times it gets stuck in settings I have no idea how to undue. If you are used to the simplicity of a phone maybe not a good choice. Recently a friend's wife told me how she didn't really understand her camera and suggested I might be better being more of a camera person. My response was, "hell no, I can't figure the dam thing out." My buddy the rocket scientist bought one based on superior specs.. but he isn't any further along deciphering the menu system as I am. Seriously, when I'm stuck in the field, I just do a system reset to defaults and use default settings. The menu system is impenetrable without some serious study. I'm hoping my rocket scientist buddy will figure it out for me. But if you want to use it like phone with a 16:1 zoom, and ignore the other functions, it's a great camera. Switching into 4k video is about the only thing I do competently.
QuoteOriginally posted by BigMackCam Quote
I'm actually going to agree with @pjv and suggest you at least consider a bridge camera. The current Panasonic DMC-FZ82 offers a 21 - 1260mm equivalent lens (so no more glass to buy ever ), PASM shooting modes and raw support. I have the much older DMC-FZ62, and it's a cracking little camera with surprisingly good image quality at sensible reproduction sizes. Sadly, it doesn't support raw like its more recent sibling, but the JPEG images are excellent.

The FZ82 would fit your budget and do pretty much anything the missus is likely to need. If she subsequently wants more, you'll always be glad to have it as a backup in your kit. There are times when I use the FZ62 in preference to my DSLRs...

Thank you all, and thank you specifically @Normhead and @BigMackCam Norm and Mike.
Your suggestions set off a discussion and with the ZS100 (TZ100 in our market) not being available and the TZ110 well over budget, the TZ90 ticked all the boxes.
Annie feels she'll never have the need to change lenses, so really a natural progression to consider an integral lens option, which I had not previously considered.

Here's the specs:

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/point-...BoCnl0QAvD_BwE

Thanks again everyone for your helpful input. As I knew it would be, our Pentax crowd is good for suggesting other makes too. Pity the GR3 is so eye-wateringly expensive.
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