This is a bit like a recent post (http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/211380-camera-advise/) but not quite the same.

 

We need a new camera to replace a Canon Ixus 60 which has done sterling service for over 5yr but the view screen is starting to break up.

 

I don't want to set a budget because I'm aware you get what you pay for. I don't want an SLR simply because it's more than we'll ever need.

 

We don't need touch screen, wifi, bluetooth, Facebook integration or other fluff.

 

I'm after a camera that will take decent pictures in most conditions on auto. In door pictures seem to be a struggle for most budget cameras. Manual options are a bonus. Something reasonably robust would be good. The old Canon was a little metal brick and it's survived a lot of slips and drops.

 

Not sure what to look out for really particularly in terms of the sensors.

Edited 1 December, 201312 yr by Aspman

I got Swmbo an ixus powershot last Christmas. Got a silver one rrp £160 for £80+ topcashback last year from currys. Think it's a 110?

Nice pics, decent zoom, effects and manual settings and can easily fit in a pocket.

Panasonic's DMC-TZ40 has all those features that you don't require -however it's a good all round camera and is very versatile.

 

Fujifilm XF1 is a very good little camera, if a little quirky -my other half has one.

I have a couple of compacts, a DSLR and a smart phone and TBH the smartphone (iPhone5 in my case, but most will be similar) takes a perfectly acceptable photo when I do not want to dig the DSLR out, the compacts only tend to be used on holiday (so therefore I am not carrying the phone).

 

Just a thought... 

I carry a fuji Z900 EXR it's great little camera for the money. The LCD screen is not the best but it's a large touch screen and very intuitive. It's just not the sharpest of displays.

I got Swmbo an ixus powershot last Christmas. Got a silver one rrp £160 for £80+ topcashback last year from currys. Think it's a 110?

Nice pics, decent zoom, effects and manual settings and can easily fit in a pocket.

 

I agree with this, choose a Canon Ixus and you can't go wrong.

I like the Panasonic DMC-TZ series as mentioned above - very good zoom range but I deliberately bought last year's model to avoid the touch screen, etc.

 

If you don't need the large optical zoom, why not another Ixus of some sort since you know the controls?

 

But don't be influenced by the number of megapixels - more is not always better. There is a tiny sensor in these compact cameras so cramming megapixels doesn't always improve the final picture ("digital noise"). And if the onboard software does a bad job of compressing that large number of pixels to save it to the memory card, that doesn't help.

 

You might want to have a look at these:

 

http://www.cameralabs.com/buyers_guide/compacts/best_compact_digital_camera.shtml

 

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/0241211347/buyers-guide-compact-digital-cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

 

Ignore the technical details and read the summaries/scores. You will probably identify what is of interest to you . Then you can read more from a Google search.

Just checked and it's an A3400 IS that I got Swmbo.

Pentax optio WG 3 or any of the WG cameras are very good and are also rugged/waterproof etc.

I have had mine for a couple of years and it has worked in all conditions.

Nice easy point and shoot, with good quality pictures.

The camera I've been using for the past year is a Panasonic DMC-FS35 , I'm happy with how its performed. 

I'm happy to link or email you some pictures for you to look at

 

Matthew

I've got a DMC-TZ30 (now superseded in the shops with the TZ40).

Handy pocket size (but does need a case if only to stop dust & grit getting in the lens mechanism)

very versatile - sometimes takes multiple exposures to combine (automatically) if subject is backlit etc

Does have GPS (can be switched off) but handy if you want to geotag pictures with place taken ... seems to take ages to find satellites though

Like most nowadays, capable of HD video recording.

Cheers chaps I'll look into them.

Probably too late, but any Canon compact with 'HS' in the name will take decent pictures indoors, with or without the flash as they're pretty good in low light for a compact due to the design of the sensor.

 

Taking that into consideration, just choose based on the specs you need/want (zoom, manual controls etc)and you can't really go wrong (ignoring the pixel count, as this really means nothing for most people). The Canon Outlet refurbished store on ebay is pretty good for some bargainous prices too... that's where I point family and friends when they ask the same question, and I'm yet to cause a disappointment.

What did you go for in the end?