Camera Suggestions for a Lazy Photographer

sparkanum on 15/10/2016 - 09:34

I'm considering getting a digital camera, but am not particularly informed / interested in photography. Hoping that someone could point me in the right direction.

I don't take a lot of photos, but with my first child only a few days away I'm wondering whether I should start caring a bit more. It would mainly be so I have decent photos of him to send to the grandparents more than wanting snaps for us.

I've been fairly happy with just taking snaps on my Nexus 5, but swapped to a Yotaphone 2 when they popped up on Ozbargain a few weeks ago. While I love the phone the camera is pretty horrendous.

I've got an old Fuji that might do the trick, but if there's something better that's reasonably priced (say $200-$300) I might consider it. I'd be looking for a camera that's:

  • Small enough to fit in my pocket,
  • Takes good photos quickly and without any mucking around (it'll be in auto focus almost exclusively), and;
  • Preferably has wifi backup but that isn't essential.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • lesterfreamon on 15/10/2016 - 10:36
    +1

    Pick up a Sony RX100. Best compact point and shoot out there.

    • [Deactivated] on 15/10/2016 - 11:22

      Hands down. Bang for buck you can't miss

      • sparkanum on 15/10/2016 - 12:39

        Thanks for the tip! It looks pretty good, but a bit on the pricey side for what I'm after.

  • NancyCat on 15/10/2016 - 12:34
    +5

    Given the main purpose of this camera is to take & share photos of baby/kid, I would suggest you spend your money to upgrade your phone. Most of the time, the best photos of kids are when you are least expected. You want something handy to capture the moment, and you don't want to carry a camera with you all the time. You will the phone with you/close by all time. You can send photos to grandparents at anytime (email/Whatspp/MMS)…no need computer access/mucking around with downloading…
    We have a digital camera as well…but to be honest, it's in the drawer most of the time. And when we wanted to use it, the battery was always flat and we put it back in the drawer. 90% of our kids photos are taken with our phones.

    I'd be looking for a camera that's:

    Small enough to fit in my pocket,
Takes good photos quickly and without any mucking around (it'll be in auto focus almost exclusively), and;
Preferably has wifi backup but that isn't essential.

    Well…a decent phone ticks all the boxes.

    • sparkanum on 15/10/2016 - 12:47

      Thanks for the tip, but have already considered that option / those points.

      My wife has a decent camera in her phone, so we're covered there if it comes to it. That said, we're both of the view that if something great and spontaneous is happening that we should just enjoy it rather than reaching for our camera / phone. So having a separate camera that floats around in the pram / nappy bag that doesn't get used all that often is kind of the point here.

  • [Deactivated] on 15/10/2016 - 14:15

    I used to use phone for photos of kids. While to photos were acceptable, you just don't get same outcome as real camera. Once I moved to nikon 1, so much better. I just leave aperture fully open in auto mode, so pics of kids emphasise them rather than blending in background. Also rate it takes pics mean you capture better expressions.

  • [Deactivated] on 18/10/2016 - 09:44

    Camera Suggestions for a Lazy Photographer - Google images !

  • PAOK11 on 18/10/2016 - 15:57

    I love my Canos EOS M10 probably not exactly what your after but I think Canon are the best for cameras.

  • johnn on 21/10/2016 - 21:17
    +1

    Not many people giving options within your price range.

    The Nikon S7000 is a good compact option with built in WiFi & NFC. Offers Full HD 1080p video too which will be good to record any precious family memories.

    If you don't mind refurbished, you can get it for ~$180 from Ryda on eBay. It's also available for click-and-collect from woolies/big w, so you can take advantage of this deal and get a $50 eBay voucher too

    • sparkanum on 21/10/2016 - 23:15

      Thanks so much! This is exactly what I was looking for.

      I knew there'd be a way to nab that ebay voucher somehow… Hahaha.

  • pencilman on 21/10/2016 - 21:31

    Completely agree with NancyCat re a good mobile phone camera, say iPhone 6 or SE.

    "we're both of the view that if something great and spontaneous is happening that we should just enjoy it rather than reaching for our camera / phone. So having a separate camera that floats around in the pram / nappy bag that doesn't get used all that often is kind of the point here."

    Believe me, it'll be easier to reach for your phone.
    The camera bouncing around your pram/nappy bag will be probably be bulky and out of battery when you pull it out for that spontaneous moment.

    Then it requires effort to upload to a computer and email to family. It's not hard, but you admit to being a lazy photographer (something many people are but don't admit to).

    If do want to capture some treasures moments in good quality, then the Sony RX100 will definitely take fabulous pics. It does however need some photography effort to get the best out of it.

    • sparkanum on 21/10/2016 - 23:12

      You lost me at "iphone". :-P

      That said, the bub arrived a couple of days ago and it turns out my phone's camera isn't nearly as horrendous as I thought. Low light is the only struggle, but from what I've read that's something no smartphone camera on the market can beat even a subpar standalone camera on anyway.

      If I do bother with something, the r 100 does look like a winner. Just not sure I can justify the price tag given how little I intend to use it.

      Thanks for taking the time for a detailed response!

  • alikazi on 06/11/2016 - 17:39

    Phone. Don't buy a camera. Pixel is supposed to have the best camera but in my opinion for your purpose literally any smartphone will be good enough. I have Sony Xperia Z5 and camera is awesome, even in low light. No surprise, since so many smartphone camera sensors are actually Sony. It's even got fun AR software that's something useful with kids.

  • Vampyr on 29/11/2016 - 18:38

    Tips for taking photos..

    1) Get close

    2) Get on the same level

    3) Don't use on camera flash (find good natural lighting).

    4) Profit

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