Camera choice for bike trip?

[Winder]

I got really annoyed last year when in America as my crappy camera wouldn't capture the beautiful scenery around me. The camera was a nikon coolpix little compact thing that would fit in my pocket but was only good for close up shots, outdoors, in day light. Scenery shots never looked great and anything in low light didn't come out at all. I did play about with the setting for about 3 days and got some very average shots in low light but still not ideal.

I want a camera that
>Will excel at scenery shots day and night without lots of fiddling around with settings
>Will be able to capture shots of moving people, bikes etc
>Is relatively idiot proof
>Is quite compact (Could squeeze into a jacket pocket for walking around or in the boss' handbag )
>Has a good zoom without changing lenses
>Will hold its battery charge for a full days sight seeing
>Costs £200 max

If anyone has the knowledge or experience then please pass on your info.

Cheers

Mark

[markc123]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Powershot-SX240-Digital-Camera/dp/B0074K1JUE/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1365435355&sr=1-3&keywords=canon+powershot

This kind of thing?

20x zoom should cover most things that you want to do, 25mm at the wide end will work well for landscapes. Should be OK for moving people and bikes etc as well, depends how demanding you are. Far better than an old compact anyway.

Idiot proof dial on the back, select mode which sounds most like what you want to do.

Battery wise, buy a spare.

Other options that i might suggest are physically larger.

[dyzio]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Powershot-SX240-Digital-Camera/dp/B0074K1JUE/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1365435355&sr=1-3&keywords=canon+powershot

This kind of thing?


Canon are releasing the sx270 later this month, prices are supposed to be around £270 for the base model.

A bit more than you want, but might be worth looking into.

[Winder]

Thanks guys, Marc, I was thinking about it and I could easily go larger than the one in the link. For what I will use it for the camera will either be around my neck for the NW200 or will be in my tank bag ready for scene shots in the Irish mountains, so a bit bigger is fine. Sorry for the confusion, I just don't want one of those big bird watcher/pervert cameras with a different lense for every minute of the day.

[Bluepete]

I always recommend Panasonic TZ cameras. At the moment, the TZ30 is available for just under your budget. I have had a TZ10 for years and it's still a brilliant camera, the updated models (currently at TZ40 at £300 plus) are even better.

They are very robust, a decent size and have excellent glass. I often take the TZ out instead of my very expensive Canon digital SLR, it's that good.

Pete ;)

[Beetrootkiller]

Act quick as its HUKD..

But http://www.qvcuk.com/CatalogSearch?langId=-2&storeId=10252&catalogId=10152&keyword=Tz25&x=27&y=1
Should fit the bill well :)

[SIII]

Just bought a Panasonic compact for the wife, not the same price level as you are after - but very impressed with ease of use (Inteligent Auto actually works), metering and build quality. Always had Canon uptil now - but think I am moving over to Panasonic Lumix as my favoured camera brand.

Tempted by the TZ25 on offer above.

[Beetrootkiller]

Anyone with a iPhone (possibly android) download the Hot UK Deals app. Get some great bargains on there :)

[Winder]

That TZ30 looks very nice and has excellent reviews, ticks almost every box on the list too, thanks. I will, go get hands on one on my days off.

[otaylor38]

Iv got a sony hx20 and love it. Small enough to carry around on the bike and not take up much space, yet takes brilliant pictures and has 20x optical zoom, 18 megapixel etc etc.

I had a sony nex 3 before this. You cant beat the bigger sensors on the bigger cameras, but they are just that - bigger.

I think a superzoom compact it plenty good enough for most people, maybe a bridge camera if your abit more serious. They can have 30x zooms and bigger dslr sized sensors. However they are alot more bulky to carry around

[dyzio]

A few people recommend TZ's here, but in the reviews they are placed (just) below the Canon SX.

Anyone had a chance to play with both?

[metalmonkey]

The lecia lens are pretty good, so I go for a camera with those as the glass.

Buy a camera for the purpose you need, don't get hung up on resolution. Zooming is great, just aware of the comprise of using zoom lens. I'd buy second hand you will get more for money.

Here is the other option;

Though if you can I'd go for a bridge camera with interchangeable lens, then you choose the lens yourself. I'm not sure why people don't like lens changing but it will produce far better results, a big sensor is also the best option don't buy it casue its says it has xxxxx million mega pixles as that will make the senor aka the camera lens sesntive to light as the pixel size will be reduced thus less senstive to light is easiest way to explain it.

Though zoom lens are great, a prime lens is much better as they have less glass in them. Also when choosing lens ensure that the lens mount sits the correct depth from the sensor otherwise it will throw off focal points.

[Sir Trev]

Have not tried the Pany alternative but I do have the SX130 from about three years ago. Takes great shots and works very well at low light without the flash as it has image stabilisation. It is limited by the sensor size and glass in terms of comparable clarity just like all compacts but for a carry around (in the tank bag) it's a good size.

Most of the compacts at the same price break are likely to be as good as each other. The ergonomics and controls of one may work better for you however (eg, I don't like the very small cameras you have to operate with your fingertips). If you are lucky enough to have a decent camera shop near you ask to try some and chat about your needs.

[Winder]

Cheers guys, will be doing some reseach tonight so i can understand what's what. Given your info above and knowing what i really want my camera for now i will find a camera shop and see what they recomend.

I wouldn't be confident buying second hand as i know nothing about cameras, i might end up buying a microwave.