[Cyclopath]

I have a Canon 5D iii and a 24 mm f/1.4 ii that I use for "real" pictures, but I need a point and shoot. My requirements are: * 24 mm field of view * Good 8x12 inch prints * Able to frame the shot in 2x3 mode * Comfortable in a side pocket Some tele zoom is nice to have, too, and dynamic range will not go unappreciated. This will be used on hikes where I don't expect great pics and leave the SLR behind, or don't want to risk damaging it. It'll also be used on bike rides, where the SLR is cumbersome and potentially dangerous to carry. That means size and form factor are important. My budget is up to $300 but less is better. My last P&S died swimming (but I treasure the pics!), the one before that died rock climbing, the one before that at Sahale Camp in NCNP, wind blew some sand into the lens mechanism and it couldn't open. So I'm not expecting this one to last forever, and don't want to spend on something too fancy. The good news is I'm spoiled for choice, the bad news is it's kind of overwhelming. Can anybody recommend any specific models?

[RichP]

Size was important for me too and this camera is smaller than a cigarette pack. Not sure if it meets all of your requirements, but it fits nicely in a pocket. I've been using it since last year and am happy with it. http://www.sony.com/electronics/cyber-shot-compact-cameras/dsc-wx220

[Malachai Constant]

I usually use a small waterproof camera, currently a Fuji about $150 from Costco. Not as much zoom as some but pretty immune to weather, sand, and dropping. Image quality not near as good as SLR but fulfilled most of IP wishes.

[boot up]

If you want something bullet proof with OK results, the Oly TG series seems to consistently get a lot of good reviews. If you are into replacing regularly, go the Best Buy and play around with a few, and buy whatever is on sale and you think you can use. I am guessing all the small sensor, pocketable cameras in that price range are pretty close to the same results these days, and will give you at least give you something fairly decent to email and 8x10.

[boot up]

Or stick with Canon. This one seems to meet all of your criteria. The Canon D30 waterproof camera looks intriguing and gets a fair amount of decent reviews. A few complaints about picture quality and a rare leak flaw, but that seems a bit of a crap shoot with any durable camera. I will say I was a big fan of Canon cameras, until my last 3 died due to the main sensor blacking out and bricking the camera. And then I noticed a lot more reviews for Canon quality fading in recent years.

[Cyclopath]

Thanks for the recommendations! Any thoughts on Canon's S110 or S120, or a refurbished Panasonic Lumix ZS35 for $140? The D30 sounds very nice, and I've enjoyed Canons so far (although I haven't kept up to date on the latest). Sadly it only goes down to 28 mm for a wide angle, so it won't do. The Sony gets to 25 mm which is very close to what I need. I've had Sonys before and really liked their panorama function though.

[Chief Joseph]

I bought an as new Fugifilm Finepixax camera on ebay for $25 and free shipping and am pretty happy with it. Here is a similar one, but mine is 15 mp and 5x zoom and the panorama feature works pretty well. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fujifilm-FinePix-JZ300-Digital-Camera-12-MP-10x-Wide-/182049096525?hash=item2a62f8c34d:g:PQgAAOSwGotWlXY4

[mike]

This new Nikon looks sweet but in the RX100 price ranges

[MikeBeebe]

[the Zachster]

I've been using a Lumix DMC LX7 as my pocket camera and have been pleased with the quality and the pocket-ability. Excellent macro feature for flowers and such. My only complaint is that it requires a lens cap and due to the small size, it's really hard to keep from smudging the lens. After 3 years of abuse (I'm pretty hard on the pocket cameras) I just started getting a "lens error" problem so I'm on the market for a new one as well. Based on this report ( http://point-and-shoot-camera-review.toptenreviews.com/) and some other reviews, I'm leaning toward a Canon Powershot G16 (no lens cap...). I know it's "old" but it seems to have what I need. It's that or another Lumix (they're under $300 now).

[mike]

@ Zachster LX7 is a nice little camera. My wife has an LX5. I picked up an auto-open lenscap for it which solves that problem.

[the Zachster]

Now I know... In case I ever go back to Lumix...

[bobbi]

Sony hx80 http://www.sony.com/electronics/cyber-shot-compact-cameras/dsc-hx80 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/news/unveiled-sony-compact-30x-optical-zoom-dsc-hx80-point-and-shoot?utm_medium=Email%201608682&utm_campaign=NewAnnouncement&utm_source=MultiBrands%20160223&utm_content=Explora&utm_term=sony-dsc-hx80-point-and-shoot-article

[fairweather friend]

I've been using an LX7 for four or five years now, and the more I use it, the more I've come to like it. And I use my camera HARD! Right now, I'm down in the SW on a three month road trip, including 7 weeks of river trips (Grand Canyon, San Juan River, plus the Owyhee & Bruneau on the way home) and many hikes (The Wave! Paria Canyon, etc.). I'm only two thirds done with this trip and I've already shot over 6,000 images with this camera. My LX7 has survived dust storms, getting dropped on the trail, handling with dripping wet hands, etc., and it's still going strong. (knock on wood.) It's so small, I don't mind backpacking with it and when I'm traveling by kayak, it rides in a small waterproof case. I actually bought a Sony A6000, but a day before I left on this trip I came to my senses and realized that I am far too rough on cameras to be changing lenses on the fly. But while playing around with the A6000 for a month, I realized that I like the software/programming of the LX7 way better. For example, panoramas and in-camera HDR are much better on the LX7 than the A6000. I actually like playing around with the LX7's presets, but I realize most people just edit on Lightroom or Photoshop. For me, always on the run, it's often just easier to use the presets. I can live without a big telephoto, but my biggest complaint with this camera is that the small sensor does not allow for night shots. And that's a biggie for me, so I am considering replacing it with a Sony RX 100 M4. Panasonic keeps promising an LX8, but from the pre-release info I've seen, it will still have a smallish sensor. I also carry an Olympus TG-4, which I keep in my PFD when I'm paddling. Great camera for the river, but the image quality does not come close to the LX7. Okay, that my one post on NWHikers this quarter. I'll check back in May or June to see if anyone responded! The river (or trail) is calling!

[kweb]