Looking for a new camera

[Por_sha911]

My Fujifilm S7000 is old and is starting to have some issues.
I loved it for what it was: compact lens 35-210 zoom, auto focus, built in popup flash, small, light, easy to carry and easy to use. I loved the 35-210 versatility: didn't need to change lens.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujifilm_FinePix_S7000

I was looking at the Canon EOS Rebel T7 but would mean carrying the zoom lens around to swap out.

So any suggestions on something for this unskilled guy to get some decent shots without carrying a kit around? I don't have a smart phone (and don't want one).

[Scott Douglas]

Joe, you don't state what your budget is, but, I don't think you'd be disappointed by what you'd get out of a Sony RX100 VI or VII. I'd recommend you look at what MPB dot com has to offer in the way of used ones.

[Cajundaddy]

These days a camera choice really depends on what you like to shoot. For travel, family, dogs, portraits, street photography, and landscape, modern hi res phone cameras are so good they defy physics. I got an iphone 15 Pro last year and that is all I take for 90% of my casual shooting. For sports, wildlife, and occasional SpaceX launch shots, there is no substitute for large glass and that is where my Sony mirrorless shines.

Your old one is called a superzoom with nice optics, relatively small sensor. The Panasonic has a nice version of this with 1" sensor and pretty long glass that does what it does well.

https://shop.panasonic.com/products/fz2500-digital-camera-f2-8-4-5-lens

The Sony RX100 offers smaller size with excellent resolution and optics, less zoom range.

[flatbutt]

I'll be watching this thread.

[Steve Carlton]

Take a screenshot.

[Por_sha911]

Thanks for info.
I want to spend under $1k with zoom and flash. The Cannon is about $700 + tax
I am old school and prefer holding a camera up like a traditional camera.
I noticed a lot of cameras tout video ability - not needed for me.

The Panasonic LUMIX FZ2500 is a possibility but on the bleeding edge of my budget. I can't tell if it has a built in flash. I really like the image stabilization.

The Sony is cool for size but not in the budget.

I also saw a Nikon COOLPIX P950 - a larger camera but with the built in zoom and the traditional viewfinder it is a possibility.

Does anyone own the Panasonic or Nikon above?

[fanaudical]

I have an older Nikon Coolpix L340. Not quite the same class as the P950, but it's been a good camera.

[berettafan]

nikon refurb sale z50ii two lens kit. just got one for my daughter and it's pretty darned impressive. You can leave it in auto (program) mode OR explore a bit with aperture or shutter priority or full manual. Has built in flash.

basically the latest mirrorless tech in a very compact body with a crop sensor. Both kit lenses are excellent. I paid about $950 and the one we got was indistinguishable from new. Nikon does the refurb sale every month around about the 20th. 10% off already less than new refurb prices.

[Por_sha911]

Well I'm learning a bunch as I search but here's a dumb question: since the traditional "camera store" is gone. Where do I buy a new camera? I've heard the best deals are places in NYC but there are some really dicey stories out there. I see Amazon but is there anyplace else?

[berettafan]

B&H online is the best but my suggestion of a refurb Z50ii would be directly from Nikon.

[Por_sha911]

OK why the refurb Z50ii ? What makes it a better choice for my needs?

[berettafan]

Refurb to get the price under $1k.

Z50ii uses a very good sensor (good images), very good autofocus with subject id (focuses on eyes of people, birds, critters, etc.) and the latest Nikon processing chip. The kit lenses that come with it while not fast (low # aperture) produce better images than they should for the $$ and the entire package is light & compact.

if you watch the Hudson Henry video I linked you can get an idea just how flexible it is.

As to changing lenses I would say it's less problematic than you might think. you use the 16-50mm lens for people/travel stuff and can swap to the 50-250mm zoom for things like wildlife, sports, motorsports, etc. if you want to wow folks with really good portraits you can get a $180 Viltrox 35mm 1.7 lens for it and step into a new world of photography.

[Por_sha911]

Well, the FZ2500 on Amazon is used. Not wanting to take the chance.
The Z50ii is prolly more camera than I need and refurb is not offered on the Nikon site.
The Nikon Coolpix 950 is under a grand new. Has image stabilization and a great zoom.

Any other ideas? I'm open.

[Por_sha911]

Other questions: do I need factory batteries and charger or can I use ones like these with whatever camera I get?
https://www.amazon.com/EN-EL20-EN-EL20a-Battery-Compatible-DL24-500/dp/B07TVBTBNN/ref=pd_bxgy_d_sccl_2/141-0129910-2391601?pd_rd_w=jggu6&content-id=amzn1.sym.9bef5913-5870-4504-8883-3ba89d7f8e39&pf_rd_p=9bef5913-5870-4504-8883-3ba89d7f8e39&pf_rd_r=9DNKH8FRK0AMH39Y4VCV&pd_rd_wg=meGDj&pd_rd_r=52c02ffa-12fb-44e5-92d5-985a31f9eabd&pd_rd_i=B07TVBTBNN&psc=1

[flatbutt]

What do you guys think of this?

https://www.nikonusa.com/p/z-30-refurbished/1737Q/overview

[john70t]

(layman here)
Mirror-less seems to be better tech. Everything moving breaks faster.

35mm have bigger body but can hold a variety of big lens.
(manual can be cheap but the powered OEM can increase price very quickly)

My older Canon Rebel thing was cheap $300 (I verified legit not stolen) but takes half a second to snap, makes loud noises, eats batteries when not used, and is slow to focus, etc.
Nikon and others seems to be a better brand from what I've read.

Honestly phone cameras seem to be better.

[Scott Douglas]

Joe - Your amazon link doesn't work, at least it didn't for me.

I bought my last camera at Best Buy. The one before that from B&H. I figured I wanted to spend the tax money in town rather than across the country.

Any brand of new, entry level, mirrorless camera is going to blow the doors off any of the cameras being asked about, IMO.

[Scott Douglas]

@flatbutt - I don't shoot Nikon any more, but that's a lot of camera for less than $500, IMO.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Joe - Your amazon link doesn't work, at least it didn't for me.

I bought my last camera at Best Buy. The one before that from B&H. I figured I wanted to spend the tax money in town rather than across the country.

Any brand of new, entry level, mirrorless camera is going to blow the doors off any of the cameras being asked about, IMO.

Didn't work for me either. I put it in Gemini AI and got this(works):

Here is the cleaned-up, shortened link with all the unnecessary tracking parameters removed. It will take you to the exact same Amazon product page:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TVBTBNN

[Por_sha911]

The Z30 is a lot of camera for the money but not with the features I want.
I understand that most smart phones can take awesome pics and yes, mirrorless cameras are excellent as well but, as stated I am looking for viewfinder, variable zoom, built in flash, and really want stabilization. That limits my choices but...

Still open to other thoughts so fire away