Brian, I think it's a personal choice thing really as canon user I am more than happy with my 7D but a Nikon user will say they are happy as will a Pentax user. Just keep in mind the bigger you go the heavier they become.

I chose Canon as I already had accessaries from my film camera.

I still think a good old film camera takes the best pics anyway but hey, they are old school now.

Hello Brian, what ever you choose I would suggest you ONLY consider a camera with a view finder rather than trying to look at a screen! This type of camera (view finder) will be larger but trying to see in sunny weather can be very frustrating. Regards Russ

There are plenty of camera buffs who can recommend all manner of superb, complicated stuff that suits them.

First set a budget, say up to $100, to $160, or up to $400. At $400+ you should already be a camera buff and you'd know what you want anyhow.

Up to $400, it is hard to beat an Olympus Stylus SH-50. At $249 it is cheaper than many, easier to use and reasonably compact. See here, random supplier googled for example,

gerrygibbscamerawarehouse.com.au/digital-cameras/olympus-cameras/olympus-stylus-traveller-sh-50-with-advanced-om-d

For the smaller, cheaper, point and shoot cameras Canon is usually a good deal.

If you buy cheaper there is less pain when the new models keep coming and at discounts.

Terra Domus wrote:

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Hello Brian, what ever you choose I would suggest you ONLY consider a camera with a view finder rather than trying to look at a screen! This type of camera (view finder) will be larger but trying to see in sunny weather can be very frustrating. Regards Russ

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Russ, I completely agree with you about the view finder. I know that they are usually a bit more expensive but I will never buy another camera that doesn't have one. 

Cheers. Pam.

Bab600

I use a Canon G12 Super pro. A great point and shoot and has enough setting to blow you away if you need to or just set it on auto.

Has plenty of fixtures to improve your photography, you can stick it down your shirt being compact when you don't need to look like a tourist which is very useful when touring overseas in and round Europe.

My photo success rate with the G12 has been very high, battery life is very good, of the point and shoot type cameras it is at top end for price but I have had it now for over 4 years and is proving to be a very strong camera "I am not known for being the most generalist with cameras" I have it ready to use all the time.

My G12 was about $650 mark but shopping around may find there is a up dated version at better price.

I believe this is the some camera which is permanently fixed on top and out in all weathers in a glass case of Brisbane Storey Bridge and the Sydney Harbour Bridge for taken photos of the Bridge walkers, no I have not been up there to check but friends went a few of years back and reported that what they were using mainly for it's reliability. I have had my camera in Austria 2300 metres above sea level in freezing temperature and captured some very good photos.

My wife uses a Panasonic with a selection of lens, by the time she gets it out of the bag I ready to move on or the subject has had enough and moved on. That is another reason I like my super pro G12, grab it off the floor of car, jump out take the photo, most times a keeper. back in the car and move on. Has a good usable zoom lens was good for taking photos of my son snow boarding on the mountain.

Nearly forgot it has a view finder, real good idea.

I hope this helps in your choice of camera for your travels. Ralph

-- Edited by Radar on Thursday 4th of September 2014 09:56:56 PM

I agree about the viewfinder - very important in bright conditions. As to compact versus DSLR, I have both... one for serious stuff and the other for quickies.

I must be different to ever one else , I have a Fuji Finepix 5700 , great little camera with one of the best lenses around , view finder and screen if you want .

A camera is only really as good as its operator ,

I use a couple of Nikon DSLR's with a bag full of lenses several flash's that I can use off camera , filters , couple of tripods , pano head and a heap of other junk coz that's what I like to do

I never use auto or any of the semi-auto scene modes , mostly manual or maybe aperture priority mode , I like to get the exposure right but I edit pretty much all my photos with photoshop .

Even the most expensive SLR has not got anywhere near the dynamic range to handle difficult lighting ,

A camera that might look very complicated to a lot of ppl is usually the easiest to use , the more buttons the quicker it is to adjust and use .

I can understand why a lot of ppl cant be bothered with all that and just use a PnS on auto , I just find the cheaper PnS cameras a PITA having to sort through the menu to make adjustments

Megapixels don't really matter , I have plenty of A4 size prints taken with a 4mp camera years ago that look just as good as prints from my Nikon cameras .

It really depends on what the user wants , you can spend a little or a lot (a bloody lot ) on camera gear

I like the G series canons which are light that produce excellent quality pictures due to the large "Light" sensor...

I often carry it in preference to my large Sony Alpha..

for a Power Zoom, look at the Sony H series...