New p&s camera

My Samsung TL 350 seems to be showing some problems from a line across the top right of the image to being unresponsive controls. I love the camera, but it is a 1/2.3 sensor size and I would like to upgrade to a larger sensor. I looked at the Sony DSCWX80/wm camera that has a 2/3 inch sensor which is about double the size. Would it be better to jump up to the 1 inch sensor of the Sony RX 100 series for a big jump in price?

The line on the image seems to move around so it can't be a cracked sensor or lens. I may try the dreaded vacuum cleaner hose suck as a last resort to clear it up. I have better images that show the line better, but I could not find them very fast.

DaveOl said:

My Samsung TL 350 seems to be showing some problems from a line across the top right of the image to being unresponsive controls. I love the camera, but it is a 1/2.3 sensor size and I would like to upgrade to a larger sensor. I looked at the Sony DSCWX80/wm camera that has a 2/3 inch sensor which is about double the size. Would it be better to jump up to the 1 inch sensor of the Sony RX 100 series for a big jump in price?

The line on the image seems to move around so it can't be a cracked sensor or lens. I may try the dreaded vacuum cleaner hose suck as a last resort to clear it up. I have better images that show the line better, but I could not find them very fast.

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I cannot see any line accross the top of this image, but what I can see is that it looks like two images stitched together, the left part is completely blurry from the left side over to the L on the white building, then from the N it is sharper, as well as there being a big V bend in the same spot in the image.

Its not a very good image to demonstrate a fault.

Brian

I must have grabbed a panorama by mistake. I'll look at other images to find a better one. The second one shows how it has moved more into the frame. It looks like a hair or a thread. It is not on the outside of the lens.

I think you are mistaken, the Sony DSCWX80 has a 1/2.3 sensor as well, not a 2/3 sensor.

DaveOl said:

I must have grabbed a panorama by mistake. I'll look at other images to find a better one. The second one shows how it has moved more into the frame. It looks like a hair or a thread. It is not on the outside of the lens.

Click to expand...

It looks like a thread or hair inside the lens assembly, sometimes such debris can be removed with a vacuum cleaner, the method is being shown here:


Brian

ggf31416 said:

I think you are mistaken, the Sony DSCWX80 has a 1/2.3 sensor as well, not a 2/3 sensor.

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You're right, I must have had a senior moment!

There are trade-offs. With a 1 inch sensor you get better image quality and better performance at high iso's. The trade-off is a higher price and a shorter zoom. Only you can decide which is best for you.

I have two compact cameras that I use regularly. One is a Nikon P7800. The other is a Panasonic LF-1. Both have a 28-200 mm lens, an electronic viewfinder, and a 1/1.7 inch sensor. The P7800 is a bigger, has a better EVF, a faster lens (f/2-4 compared to f/2-5.9), and a hot shoe which the LF-1 doesn't have. I have a tiny Nikon SB-300 flash that I use with the P7800 for bounce flash. The LF-1 fits in a shirt or pants pocket. The P7800 needs a jacket pocket or a large pants pocket like in cargo pants. Both have very good image quality in my opinion, but what is good image quality is subjective.

I passed on the RX100 cameras because the original one lacked a viewfinder and a hot shoe and it only went to 100mm, the II also only went to 100mm and needed an accessory hot shoe which was inconvenient and added a lot to the cost, and the III only goes to 70mm and costs way more than I want to spend.

I'm very happy with the P7800 and LF-1, but what's good for me may or may not be good for you. Other compacts worth considering include the Canon G15 and 16, Panasonic LX7, Fuji X20, and the Nikon 1 J cameras.

The LF 1 has been discontinued as has the Fujifilm X 10, X 20 series which had the 2/3 inch sensor. Maybe Fuji is bringing out a replacement at this year's September Camera show.

DaveOl said:

The LF 1 has been discontinued as has the Fujifilm X 10, X 20 series which had the 2/3 inch sensor. Maybe Fuji is bringing out a replacement at this year's September Camera show.

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B&H still has the LF-1 and doesn't mention that it's discontinued. It's also still listed on Panasonic's website. Are you sure that it's discontinued?