Thread: A good single lens camera recommendation required

I've been looking around with a view to a new camera, probably one of the compact, not-quite a digital SLR cameras that have been coming out from most of the makers (Olympus 'OM-10' retro look alike, Sony Nex series etc) that come with a fairly competent zoom lense with manual and auto/electric controls, but the option of adding extra lenses later if needed.

Initially I was looking at a Canon but checking on-line reviews I found that nearly all models suffer from enourmous lag in taking a picture, several seconds (or more!) between pushing the button and the image being fixed & recorded. I did my on-line research with this US based magazine: Digital Photography Review

I have had several Sony cameras over the years and have found them generally to be reliable & to give a decent image - at least to the limit of my skills. The latest models all have the 'panorama' feature, along with anti-shake, really good low light ability using multiple images that the in-camera electronics process to give a 'noiseless' image and some in-camera image processing. Only a few of them can do 'RAW' inage recording tho' - mainly the semi pro SLR-like ones. Most brands offer these features in some combination in various models.

The main problem I have with nearly all current digital cameras is that the body is too short top-to-bottom, making it very hard for my blokey hand to get a steady grip, I can only get a couple of fingers on the body - one reason I was looking at the Canon is good body size. You really need to get hands on with the camera to see if that will be a problem for you - try holding the camera out in awkward positions, like if you were trying to take photos around posts or over fences (or at hiding kids) and see how steady you can hold the camera. For instance the Olympus has a number of accessory bases that extend the body/grip, some also include an extra battery, and there are a few companies that make extension grips for other brands of camera but you may only find them on-line.