Fuji If I need a not so serious compact...

Susan Sande

Veteran
Location
Upper left USA
I'll be traveling next month and I want to get my pack weight down by a couple more pounds. I swear the heaviest thing in my pack is my X100s and its charger. So I thought ok, I'll bring my Canon G12. Well that didn't save me anything.

So what are some suggestions for a camera, point and shoot (gag sorry), that 1) has pretty decent IQ, 2) nice low price, 3) nice low weight (less than say 250g) and without either of us doing a massive internet search. Real life you own it reviews welcome!! And the camera being a Fuji would be just fine.

Thanks
 
If you can pick one up maybe look at a Fuji F770/800/900

with no time to learn set it on P mode at M image size
 
Thinking about it, you might also consider the Pentax Q. You can find the original Q with the 8.5 mm prime (about 47 equiv) for within your price range and it has a marvelous array of explicit physical controls. If you like the X100s, the Q will feel very comfortable.
 
Once you need to get smaller than most of the cameras that are serious enough to discuss IQ, I'd just save the money and buy a disposable film camera. They are very lightweight and they have a very large "sensor".
 
My short list would be: Olympus XZ-10, Canon Powershot S110, and FujiFilm XF-1.

With careful shopping, these can all be gotten for under $200 and they are the best in class among the really small but high quality point and shoots - other than if you step up to the $400 price point and get a Sony RX-100. The three cameras I mentioned all weigh between 198g (Canon S110) and 255g (Fuji XF-1), with the Olympus about midway between. The Olympus has a faster lens than the other two, but the other two have larger sensors. In terms of IQ, those two factors basically wash out. I personally bought the Olympus XZ-10 because I got a deal on it (I paid less than $140 for a manufacturer's refurbished model direct from Olympus USA), and I like it's ergonomics, but for my take anywhere really small camera, any of those listed above would suffice.
 
S110 and Pixma 100 combos are under $200 if you can deal with a $400 rebate. The s110 is about as small as they come. Great camera too.
 
Pentax Q with 02 zoom fits your criteria for weight and is less than $200

Amazon.com : Pentax Q10 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 3-Inch LCD zoom lens kit 12.4MP (RED) (OLD MODEL) : Compact System Digital Cameras : Camera & Photo

Shoots RAW and IQ is pretty good:

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Bushwacking for Raspberries by john m flores, on Flickr

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A Prickly Proposition by john m flores, on Flickr

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Tickets in Time Square by john m flores, on Flickr




If you are heading into the woods, bring extra batteries or a means of charging.
 
The problem with the XQ1, is, similarly to the Sony RX100 and the Canon S120, is that they fail on the OP's requirement of a "nice low price" as befitting a "non-serious compact". Whereas the XF1, the Canon S110, and Olympus XZ-10 I previously mentioned, because they are prior generation cameras, can now be gotten for around $200. Actually, the Sony RX100 is also a prior generation camera, but it was originally a $700 camera that is now selling for under $400. The others are all $500 cameras that are now selling for $200.
 
Last price on the XF1 was £110 in the UK - not sure if its still readily available

The prices on the F series F660 770 800 are now rising a bit
 
Last price on the XF1 was £110 in the UK - not sure if its still readily available

The prices on the F series F660 770 800 are now rising a bit

The Fujifilm refurb store in the UK has the XF1 at £109.98 but they are out of stock. Currys/PC World doing them for £129.99 is the next cheapest.
I would agree that the RX100 is worth a mention here at a UK price of £349. It's possibly my favourite camera ever for its quality to size ratio, and 90% of the time you can just leave it in full auto mode and it does the job.
 
The OP is located on the west coast of the U.S. All of these cameras are easily available through various U.S. channels, including Amazon and any number of ebay sellers.
 
All of my suggestions have been mentioned already. But I throw my support behind - in no particular order - the Fuji XF1, the Olympus XZ10 and the original Pentax Q. The OP can't go wrong with any of these and her final choice will be determined only the camera's individual features and handling. All are highly competent in their class. The Fuji has the largest sensor (and access to EXR technology), the Pentax offers interchangeable lenses and great handling, and the Olympus offers great control features and handling. The Fuji and Olympus will slide into a pocket easily but the Pentax is still pretty compact and won't be an issue in a backpack. Image processing with all three is just fine and all will take a decent picture. Again, you can't go wrong with any of these. Prices are right, too.
 
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