Looking for compacts to compare

Bythesea

Bythesea

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Brian
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I currently have a reasonable DSLR setup which I am happy with, and will keep. My wife has also recently got interested and has her own DSLR with a walkabout zoom but also has access to all my lenses.

However, sometimes we just want to take snaps. We currently have a mirrorless camera with a couple of lenses but even that is bigger than we want for having with us at all times. I know there are a number of good compacts out there, but we have some specific requirements which are:

Needs to be able to fit into a (largish) pocket - most of the bridge cameras are too big for what we want.
Full manual control.
Decent sensor.
4 to 5x optical zoom - doesn't need to be a superzoom.
Eye level viewfinder - don't like looking at the back of the camera which is why we will be selling the mirrorless camera.

So far my choice seems to be between the Canon G16 and the Fuji X20. Surely they can't be my only options?
 
In the past I had a Panasonic LX2 and now have a LX5 but I don't use it much as it doesn't have a VF I don't like shooting with the back screen only. Ignoring that for a moment... These cameras have Manual and the usual semi auto modes like Aperture and Shutter Priority etc... and if you set them up manually you can use them just like the cameras of yesteryear :D and...

There's a new LX8 coming out and it'll have (so they say...) a VF and a 24-90mm equiv. f2-2.8 lens and a build in ND. The LX cameras have always been amongst the best of the top end compacts so depending upon when the LX8 will hit the shops, when you want to buy and how much it'll cost - it may be worth a look.
 
Cue a million Fuji XF1 recommendations. :D

The x20 is a fine camera, but it doesn't really fit in a pocket, especially in the summer where as the XF1 is a true compact and will slip into any pocket so there is no excuse for never having it on you. Comes with the same size sensor as the x20 and a f1.8-4.9 lens that runs through 25mm-100mm equivalent. The best bit is that the price is just £130 at Currys. There's a massive x10/x20/xf1 thread running here, take a look and see what you think.

Sales pitch done. :D
 
The new Sony DSC-RX100 mk III has a pop-up electronic viewfinder and the Nikon P7800 has an electronic viewfinder although it's possibly even less compact than the G16...
 
Thanks for those responses, we are away at the moment and the local wifi wasn't working till this morning!

Haven't tried an electronic viewfinder yet but have looked through an X20, so will look out for the Sony and Nikon. XF1 sounds good but the lack of a viewfinder rules it out I'm afraid, but will take a look at that thread.
 
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