Please could someone recommend a compact?

[Chris]

My OH is going to Antarctica in December, and wants a camera that's compact, better than a phone camera, and easy to use. Obviously I've been tasked with researching for her.

I know the Ricoh GR is well thought-of here, but does anyone here have experience of any cheaper alternatives that are still good?

Max budget about £300.

Many thanks for any thoughts - I know nothing about compacts.

[dpmiller]

what phone does she have?

[aliengrove]

The Sony RX100 series are pretty good. My wife has one that I covet.... . It has a 1 inch sensor, not as good as the sensor on a GR, but better than the majority of compacts. It also has the advantage of a zoom lens. A VII can be picked up for less than 300 quid; this looks a very good price on the VIII http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-Cyber-sh ... SwXYtYzUJO

[Chris]

what phone does she have?

Galaxy S4 mini, so pretty old now.

[Gravelrash]

Take a look at the Olympus Tough 870 and/or TG 4. Both can be got within your budget, seem pretty bulletproof and have wifi and gps. The 870 even has a flippy screen for selfies.

[Dr Orloff]

When you say going to Antarctica - I imagine this will be mostly photographing from a boat. In which case I think the Ricoh GR would be too wide.

[richandfleur]

The Sony RX100 series are pretty good. My wife has one that I covet.... . It has a 1 inch sensor, not as good as the sensor on a GR, but better than the majority of compacts. It also has the advantage of a zoom lens. A VII can be picked up for less than 300 quid; this looks a very good price on the VIII http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-Cyber-sh ... SwXYtYzUJO

I must say I've never heard a bad thing about these cameras. I know of professional photographers who take this on travelling holidays, rather than a backpack full of DSLR gear.

I visited Milford Sound (lower West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand) for the first time recently and found myself jumping between the weather proof kit lens for wide shots and the 55-300mm for closer stuff. I genuinely think on that day a compact with a nicely paired lens would have been more useful. Add to that better video (higher bitrate) would have been appealing also.

Weather sealing might be a consideration though? Agree on the unsuitability of a fixed focal length option.

[Judderman62]

I hate my Sony RX 100 MK 11. I find nothing to like about it and wish I'd never bought the darned thing.






** Legal Disclaimer - I appreciate I'm in an incredibly minute minority in disliking the loathsome piece of crap

[Steve.Ledger]

I hate my Sony RX 100 MK 11.....
loathsome piece of crap

PM me for my postal address, I'll relieve you of your regret and anguish, for free

[punkrockemo]

I would have thought that a camera with telephoto zoom would have been more usfull on trip like this than one with the a limeted zoom. Hopefully alot of the photos will be taken in good light so the smaller sensor wont be such a limitation. Something like the Panasonic TZ80 would be my choice if it had to be compact.

If she had more money to spend something like a used FZ1000 or TZ100 would have been my first recomendation, but i think they are to expensive

My big concern with all these options would be the cold conditions experienced, i think spare batterys would be advisable as the cold can affect their ability to sustain power.

[Judderman62]

A most generous offer Mr. L. I shall give it due consideration

[Matty]

Just a couple of more options, I use the Panasonic LX100 and my wife and daughter use a Canon G7X II as apparently it's a awesome vloging camera??? We did have the Sony RX100 but changed it to the Canon via a insurance claim.
The only problem with the above mentioned cameras is I'm wondering if the zoom is going to be long enough for your wife's needs, if not, I can highly recommend the Panasonic TZ range as this is what I used before buying the LX100.

[Judderman62]

maybe a second hand Nikon P7700 - 200mm zoom range and it's a lovely camera and has a fully articulating screen - I love mine