Going from DSLR to Point-and-shoot

[D Pentney]

I realise I'm clutching at straws here, but recently I've got it into my head I always want a camera to hand... every day and every situation. This entails a pretty small camera. I realise there are some high-end compacts but I can't justify the cost (my partner is going to go nuts at the thought of a second camera anyway).

So, does anyone know of a compact that is cheap (£200 or so), with a half decent optical zoom (x5 at least), that has full manual control? Things like a relatively large sensor would be nice, along with Raw capability, and image stabilisation would be a real bonus - then I could get pictures of flying pigs right?!

I'd gladly bin all the bells and whistles these things normally come with just for a bit of quality and control, but I can't find anything that doesn't have 50 scene selections but only two aperture settings!

Massive thanks for any suggestions.

[Rosie]

Check out the Panasonic Lumix TZ10 http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/P ... index.html

You can pick this up for around £160 and is a cracking little compact with full manual control, 12x optical zoom and built-in GPS.

[D Pentney]

Thanks Rosie, that one was on my list of potentials. £160 seems a bit optomistic though!

I really think it's such a shame manufacturers don't put a manual mode on their cameras - the adjustments must be in the software for all the different scene modes, but the user isn't allowed to access them.. seems daft to me.

Now if I can just convince the boss to let me part with the cash!

[Rosie]

Prices change daily - today you can get it from Comet for £179 http://www.comet.co.uk/p/Digital-Camera ... 9f7d1ea526

Do it!

[ballinlea]

Hi
Does anyone have any thoughts on the Panasonic Lumix TZ20 as a camera for every day situations?
The video is NTSC instead of PAL. I know that NTSC is the standard for the USA where PAL is the standard for the UK.

Thank You

Seamus

[Grant Stringer]

All the main players are making really good point and shoot in this price range. I have heard some good reviews of the mid range lumix.

[Troy]

Hi
Does anyone have any thoughts on the Panasonic Lumix TZ20 as a camera for every day situations?
The video is NTSC instead of PAL. I know that NTSC is the standard for the USA where PAL is the standard for the UK.

Thank You

Seamus

The TZ20 has been the benchmark for which all travel zoom compacts have been measured, so it is among the best in its class. Can't comment on the video though.