My husband is a camera buff and likes taking photos. For our cross country trip this year, he took his Nikon D7000 and all his lenses in a backpack. We had a rental car and he carried the bag on the plane as his second item so it wasn't so bad. He does not want to drag all the stuff around or have a heavy camera around his neck all day. He has a pocket Olympus as well but he doesn't think that is going to work for the Europe trip either. He wants to get a new camera for this trip. A cell phone camera will work for me but not him. Any suggestions for a camera you used that took decent pictures during your trip that might meet his needs? I appreciate your feedback.
Posted by
West Coast
400 posts
The Sony RX100 series is point-and-shoot sized, although heavy compared to cheaper ones if this type, but has lots of customizable options for people who are photography types (or aspire to be, like me). I have the iii version but I think they’re up to 6 or 7. Not sure what’s different but the 3 is fine for me.
Posted by
CA, USA
1093 posts
tell him to work into the micro 4/3rds cameras. They have a much larger sensor than a point-and-shoot so can take decent pictures in darker places like churches. Because they don't have an internal mirror they are jacket-pocket size compared to a regular DSLR camera. I travel with the stock zoom lens attached, but these cameras do have interchangeable lens available.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11154 posts
I have not done the BOE tour but for Italy and Greece I used this
https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Sensitivity-Digital-Camera-Optical/dp/B00728ZBA2
and never felt I needed more.
This looks to be a current version
These may be the equivalent of the Olympus he has?
Posted by
Fairfax, VA
763 posts
I am, by no means, a photographer, but I love my Nikon Coolpix B500. It's an under $300 point and shoot, but has great zoom and other features that make it easy for a novice to take good photos. It also takes videos. Imagine what he could do with it! There are a number of models in the Coolpix series, so maybe there would be something there for him.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7025 posts
Loved my Panasonic Lumix for my travel photos. Did a great job.
Posted by
Rhode Island, USA
225 posts
We use a Panasonic Lumix ZS25 and as others have mentioned, are very happy with the photos it takes. It is the only camera we have and we use it during travel at home and in Europe. It is comfortable for one handed picture taking and fits easily in the front or cargo pocket of my pants. It can also be used in manual setting modes.
Posted by
Boise, Idaho
1259 posts
Travel shooting is distinct from many other styles by the need to get very close, very far away, and to respond quickly to opportunities as they blossom, often without warning. That’s why pros have two or more cameras around their necks.
I am a retired professional photographer. That’s how I made my living for decades.
“Camera buffs” are different from photographers. The difference is the visceral and instantaneous connection between the eye and creative heart of the photographer and the camera’s several controls and settings. If one leaves the camera in full auto modes all the time, one is, by definition, a snapshooter and snapshooters only need a tightly limited set of specific camera functions to get their jobs done. The D7000 and its associated accessories is a fine machine. If your dear husband understands clearly his creative tools well enough to use them without thinking about them, you must research this topic very carefully. The brands and models listed here by our well-meaning forum members have no relevance to your DH’s desires or skills.
When I was required to recommend cameras to my associates, I made sure they could read the controls and settings and manipulate them with their own particular fingers. Those turned out to be far more important features than a long list of capabilities or specifications that were largely incomprehensible or of no use for their particular needs.
If you find the chore of making a good choice a bit of a challenge, take a trip to one of the few remaining camera shops in your town and then, of course, you should buy your camera from them. You can save only about 10-15% online. Having a relationship with a shop is worth much more than that.
Here are few places to start your research. It is a difficult task because there are so many excellent cameras on the market these days.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/lists/travel-gear/top-10-compact-cameras-travel/
https://expertvagabond.com/best-travel-camera/
https://ordinarytraveler.com/best-travel-camera
https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/best-camera-for-travel-photography/
https://www.nomadasaurus.com/best-camera-for-travel-ultimate-photography-series/
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8124 posts
We too use a Panasonic Lumix with a zoom lens. It's about the same size and weight as one of the old SLR film cameras with a 50 mm "normal" lens. But the magnification is simply incredible.
There are a surprising number of European travelers still using electronic cameras.
Posted by
1221 posts
My photography professor husband is a big fan of the Sony RX100 series if you don't want to go full throttle DSLR.
Having said that, he still goes with his Nikon D800 on trips- he just goes with a small cross body camera bag that holds a camera body and one big lens and his 'nifty 50' lens (and you can also stash small items like museum and subway tickets in the pocket of the bag)
Maybe look into a new lens purchase for something that provides both versatility and a more compact size?
Posted by
OP
Florida, USA
97 posts
Thank you all for your advice and recommendations.
Posted by
Houston, TX, USA
153 posts
I have carried my Nikon SLR with lenses and/or big zoom for the last time to Europe (said by one who has carried SLR cameras with lenses on a mule down the grand canyon, in Saint Petersburg, and Versailles). During my last trip to Italy, a friend introduced me to the Panasonic Lumix ZX200 which I recently purchased and took on a trip to DisneyWorld. In addition to the screen, it has a viewfinder which I need and has a good zoom. The lens isn’t the fastest in the world by adequate for most things. The video is good except in low light when I use my iPhone. It fits nicely in a purse or a belt loop holder. The big thing is, it small enough not to lug me down all the time and still takes very good people and travel photos and allows some control when desired.
Posted by
Westland, MI
715 posts
My travel camera for the past 3 years is the size of a pack of cigarettes and can fit in my pocket. I've yet to find a more convenient camera than the Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II that performs as well. Review of the Canon Powershot G9 X mark II
Posted by
Happy Valley, PA
672 posts
Leica C-Lux. Took about 2,000 photos in 10 days in France this past May. I am very happy with this 20 MP camera. Small but very high quality photos and a great zoom (24-360 mm). You get a few months of Adobe LightRoom free and then need to purchase a subscription. The software is needed to open photos shot in "raw" mode.