What cheap P&S gives best image quality

[lxmike]

A lot of internet is dedicated to high end point and shoots from the likes of Nikon, Leica etc, but what cheap low end P&S do you use, (if any) and recommend. Personally I recommend a Pentax Espio Mini, very compact and in the right conditions a good camera.

 

[gekopaca]

I love Canon G7 results : any light anywhere, they're good.

 

[januaryman]

The Oly E-P2 is a winner. For a digital. Film? The Hexar AF is my WAY favorite with the best 35mm lens I own, next to an old Canon 35/2.0.

 

[Peter S]

Canon S90 and hopefully in the near future fuji x100 although it will not really be cheap.

 

[monochromejrnl]

Define cheap

 

[Arvay]

The Oly E-P2 is a winner. For a digital. Film? The Hexar AF is my WAY favorite with the best 35mm lens I own, next to an old Canon 35/2.0.

Are they really cheap at your place?

 

[lxmike]

I was thinking none digital,

 

[Arvay]

Olympus Mju 2 then

 

[gavinlg]

Olympus mju2/stylus epic for IQ for value ratio.

Genuinely a good camera. I left mine in someone else's car by mistake. I will buy another one.

 

[muf]

None zoom: Pentax Espio Mini (as already mentioned)
Also consider Nikon AF600(ffordes have a couple of new ones), the Nikon L35AF(noisy but great picture taker and can be had for less than £10 on you know where!). The Olympus mjuII(Stylus epic in USA) is also very good bang for buck. But the Espio Mini is something else. Love it!

Zoom: I find it hard to look past the Rollei Prego 90 although the pictures from my Leica Mini Zoom have just arrived and I'm well impressed. Both camera's can be had for peanuts on (again) you know where!

Paul

 

[lxmike]

I must admit I love the Espio mini too

 

[Edward C. Zimmermann]

Our standard P&S are Leica Minis--- fixed focal length (NOT Zoom). The current variant is the Mini-II. Quite good and extremely cheap to get on the used market--- I think we paid 10 EUROs for II including fresh battery and leather case. The kids can take the camera with them and there is little to worry about. The original Mini we had--- was even cheaper-- broke, perhaps through abuse.. who knows.. but it had maybe 150 rolls of film run through it.. at least.. before it broke.. and the II we've had already for some years.. great little plastic motor cameras.. results are excellent!

 

[Greyscale]

Non zoom: Olympus Stylus and Stylus Epic, Nikon L35AF and L35AF2, Canon AF35MII and AF35ML. If only the AF35ML had a "flash off" feature to really be able to take advantage of it's 1.9 lens, it is the only thing keeping the camera from true cult status. I have a Pentax PC35 waiting its turn, and it may supersede many of these. I am also awaiting delivery on a Ricoh FF90D, which is reputedly an excellent camera.

Short zoom: Konica Lexio 70W and Leica Mini Zoom. The Lexio edges out the Leica here for me, due to its compactness, 28mm focal length, and user interface. But I am anticipating delivery on a Samsung Evoca 70S that looks very intriguing, it has the same lens and specifications as the Rollei Prego 70.

Long zoom: Samsung ECX1 and Canon Z135. The Samsung is probably not for everyone due to its rather immense size, but it is a fantastic picture-taker. It is a great camera for portraits. The Z135 has very nice macro for a compact camera, and very good build quality. Its shortcomings are a small viewfinder, and no diopter adjustment.

 

[dmr]

I've used the Olympus Stylus Zoom for many years. I love it, and picked up another on close out a while back.

 

[xayraa33]

The Oly XA 1 is my favorite low priced point and shoot camera.

 

[nosmok]

Ricoh R1

Ricoh R1

Cheap enough, great images, and I actually like the "panoramic" mode.


--nosmok

 

[scarletfawth]

Mju 2 and Yashica T4. The T4 has better image quality, but you can't beat the Mju for compactness and it's ability to stand general abuse.

 

[pvdhaar]

I'm using an Olympus XA2 as a film P&S now. The one thing that's a bit of a distraction is the close focus distance.. 1.2m for a 35mm lens is somewhat confining. But when it comes to having fun, the XA2 delivers in *****s. It is compactness, responsiveness and simplicity combined. It's also entirely un-intimidating (is that a word?).. Excellent street camera..

 

[rphenning]

stylus epic non zoom

 

[Krosya]

Most Olympus, most Pentax, most Canon, (all - zoom and non zoom) - really there are many cheap film P&S cameras out there that deliver good results. MOst can be had for a $1 or two at second hand shops.