Compact, digital SLR that's robust and easy to use?

Liter · Mar 23, 2017

I'm looking to buy a new compact digital SLR camera for my wife - she currently has an Olympus SP-820UZ which has developed a few faults over the years but it's been a great camera.

I'd like something similar but Olympus don't seem to have anything like that model in their current range.

Besides being an SLR the camera must be easy to use and robust.

It must also have a compact built-in zoom lens (as is the case with the Olympus SP-820Z) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Camera-Photo/Olympus-SP-820UZ-Compact-Digital-Camera/B0090E0QNS

I've had a look at the Nikon B500 but it looks a bit cheap and cheerful and doesn't look like it will take many knocks.

Maybe there's a suitable alternative from Canon, Sony, etc that matches my requirements?

Preferably costing less than £500.

Any ideas please?

Cato1040 · Mar 23, 2017

Well, why a DSLR? An Olympus OM-D E-M5 with a Panasonic 14-42mm lens would produce similar images to a DSLR at a much smaller size while still being quite robust. If you get the Olympus 12-50mm lens, you'd have a fully weather-sealed system. The OM-D E-M5 + 12-50mm kit lens can be found in your budget used and would be more durable and compact than any DSLR combo.

Sheacash · Mar 23, 2017

A camera with built in zoom is not a dslr.

You may be thinking of bridge cameras - dslr styled fixed lens cameras. If this is the case, have a look at the Panasonic FZ series.

kli · Mar 23, 2017

Liter said:
I'm looking to buy a new compact digital SLR camera...

dSLRs are not compacts.

Liter said:
Besides being an SLR the camera must be easy to use and robust.

Most folks buy SLRs to get something that lets them control the shot, not for ease of use. And the ability to swap lenses.

Liter said:
It must also have a compact built-in zoom lens

So.... while there are some rare dSLRs with fixed lenses, I am now assuming what you want is a bridge camera ... that is a super-zoom fixed lens on a digital camera with a deep grip and an SLR-style shape.

These days, maybe over your budget, but there are 1"-sensored bridge cameras with fast lenses (f/2.8 and wider) which overcome the traditional weakness of bridge cameras: low-light capability. You may want to consider whether it may be worth increasing the budget to be able to shoot handheld indoors with the camera.

photosen · Mar 23, 2017

So there are two roads:

1. Get another super zoom if that's what she's used to.

2. See if there are specific subjects and focal lengths she uses more, with a bit of luck she could use a couple of primes. Once she frames her shot with a fast prime it's unlikely she'll go back.

I have to mid size DSLRs which have been holding up really well, I'm sure if it's not knocked about even a Canon SL1 (very compact DSL) could work.

Tim Reidy Productions · Mar 23, 2017

try a panasonic fz300 you are interested in a bridge camera.

Bruce McL · Mar 23, 2017

Liter said:
I'm looking to buy a new compact digital SLR camera for my wife - she currently has an Olympus SP-820UZ which has developed a few faults over the years but it's been a great camera.

I'd like something similar but Olympus don't seem to have anything like that model in their current range.

Besides being an SLR the camera must be easy to use and robust.

It must also have a compact built-in zoom lens (as is the case with the Olympus SP-820Z) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Camera-Photo/Olympus-SP-820UZ-Compact-Digital-Camera/B0090E0QNS

I've had a look at the Nikon B500 but it looks a bit cheap and cheerful and doesn't look like it will take many knocks.

Maybe there's a suitable alternative from Canon, Sony, etc that matches my requirements?

Preferably costing less than £500.

Any ideas please?

Does she really zoom in all the way in with her current camera?

If not, there is a nice Olympus Stylus 1 or 1s that doesn't zoom as much, but still a lot by most people's standards. They haven't been made for a while, but they are good cameras if you can find one.

If you must have all of that zoom range then the Panasonic FZ80 or 82 is an alternative to the Nikon B500.

Liter · Mar 24, 2017

Thanks to everyone for their replies, there's some good suggestions (and corrections of my poor understanding and use of terminology which is great). I'll study the suggestions over the weekend and reply here if there are any more questions.

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Compact, digital SLR that's robust and easy to use?

Liter

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Cato1040

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Sheacash

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kli

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photosen

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Tim Reidy Productions

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Bruce McL

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Liter

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