Recommend a compact camera ?

[jx1]

<p>Hi, I am looking for a compact camera, some thing like that nex-5 or the olympus pen one, I know Panasonic, nikon, canon also make some, but I am too tied up to search every individual one for their features so here I am looking for quick advices</p>

<p><br /> Budget is $400 - 600<br /> <br /> the main feature I am looking for in it is <br /> <br /> * the ability to shoot manually(for myself) as well as auto mode(for other family members) <br /> <br /> * wide angle (as wide as possible on 35mm equivalent)<br /> <br /> * water proof (or splash proof, i have damaged 3 compact cameras, 2 lenses because of water splash)<br /> <br /> * ability to shoot micro<br /> <br /> * pixel count doesn't matter as long as its equal to or more than 8Mega<br /> <br /> * Must have tripod mount socket (so far i havn't seen any camera without a tripod mount but who knows what they would do to cut down the price)<br /> <br /> <br /> Features that is nice to have but not a deal breaker without <br /> <br /> * long exposure (as long as there are enough battery, i can expose more than 30mins on the 20D or 1D mark ii, so I expect something similar or close)<br /> * built in flash <br /> * HD videos<br /> * Sound recording<br /> * Raw is a big plus<br /> * takes AA (or AAA) batteries (hate those unique shaped batteries with a passion)</p>

[larrydressler]

<p>No such critter... prove me wrong. May be a See&Sea model made on the Canon or Nikon sensor that fits that. Not sure so as I say prove me wrong...</p>

[andylynn]

<p>Ummmm... an S90 in an underwater housing? The other obvious option would be a Pentax Optio W series for the water resistance. A W90 is 28mm equiv on the wide end and goes underwater but it doesn't have all the features you want.</p>

[larrydressler]

<p>I think he wanted an all in one without the housing.</p>

[frank_skomial]

<p>Consider Panasonic with Leica lens, underwater, shock/drop proof.<br />There were few models introduced, and usually sold out. The latest model should be on the market...<br />I have an older model that meets most of your requirements except the AA/AAA battery. Fast focus and no lag time, much faster than Canon's and Olympus that I also have. AVCHD Lite video.</p>

[jx1]

<p>Any particular models from Panasonic ?</p>

[deirdre_saoirse_moen]

<p>There's a waterproof housing for the Panasonic DMC-ZS7. It has proprietary batteries and doesn't shoot raw, but I believe it meets all your other criteria, even budget if you shop carefully for the camera plus the housing.</p>

[lachaine]

<p>You could have researched it yourself in the time it took to type of your list of essential features. However, I can sit here and tell you there is no camera that matches that list.</p>

[nik_r]

<p>I think you can have a look at <a href="http://amzn.to/akKeCi">Canon SX20IS</a> really a good one with manual controls and also supports HD video recording. One more is Canon S95 which performs well in low lights and but uses Lithium-ion Battery. With these camera you can buy underwater housing.</p>

[noah_pardee]

<p>I don't think you can have all of those in a waterproof body. For a non waterproof camera I would suggest the Canon SX1is, a 10MP digital camera with a cmos sensor. </p>

[rogerjporter]

<p>Olympus makes an underwater housing for the EPL1, but it sort of negates the whole compactness of the camera. Sweet housing though, if i did any serious snorkeling that would be on my xmas list instantly. </p>