i bought a panasonic a couple of years ago and it has loads of features on it that i have still not got round to using, sepia pictures!
as i am one who seems to be about 5 years behind everyone else when it comes to technology i would not be concerned about buying last years model, i would concentrate on the lens only, rather than the more/newer/upgraded features, and get the best lens you can afford.
i found the panasonic was good to use in spanish sunshine as i do not seem to have any problems in viewing either the scene or the playback outdoors
dont know about using a sim card in them, or did you mean a memory card?
only advice i would give you is to get a memory card 1 size up from what you think you may need and even then you need to be diligent in removing unwanted pictures before you run out of space. it is very easy to keep snapping away

Hi Jim.

" did you mean a memory card"

Oops, yes memory card
Sanji x

Have a look at he new Gro Pro Sanji - great piece of kit 😊

I now tend to use my phone camera and video more than my camers most modern phones have excellent cameras.

I have a new Sony WX350 that I'm yet to try out. I like been able to zoom so feel restricted on my camera phone.

I use a Samsung Galaxy S4Zoom phone. It is a true phone with all the normal features but has a 10x optical zoom lens which is excellent quality. Unfortunately it didn't sell well because it is a little bulkier and heavier than a convention mobile phone so Samsung discontinued it. But you can still find these phones around as old stock or second hand. I would not be without it, in fact I'm looking to buy another as a spare now just in case I break it!

Cannot go wrong with the Panasonic Lumix range. I've had several over the years, starting with the very first model, and they are fantastic compact cameras.

Thanks for your replies....
I don't want a phone.. I have a bog standard one that just phones and receives text, because I hardly use it, it's PAYG and I don't want a contract.

I don't really need a camera with video capabilities because I've got a dinky Sony, but apparently adding video to cameras now seems part and parcel of modern cameras, and manufacturers don't gain or lose anything by adding video capabilities.

I think I've more or less settled for a Panasonic Lumix, either the tz 70 or tz 80.
I do want a camera with a view finder as well as a screen, and after reading loads of reviews, I'm not alone because people are finding it very handy when you can't see the screen when the sun is behind you.

Sanji x

I like a viewfinder too Sanji and that is why I'm still happily using my Canon Ixus. For the size of the camera it does have a decent sized screen but I habitually use the viewfinder for exactly that reason - it is impossible to see what it is being displayed on the screen because of the glare if the sun is behind you.

Just to update...
I bought the Panasonic/Lumix TZ70 and I used it last week in Spain. I've got it set up onto 'auto' and haven't gone any further with it yet.

Oldest lad has been down today and set it up to put the photos onto my tablet via Wi-Fi......I knew how to put them onto my computer via the cable/lead, but I wanted to transfer photos from camera to tablet and share a couple on FB whilst I was in Spain....I read and re-read the instructions, but it was far too complicated for me to do....so, I had to wait until I got home.

I shouldn't have a problem in future, I've written it down how to do it, and after a couple of goes it will become second nature. If I can master video editing, I'm sure I can get my head around cameras if I put my mind to it.

It's a nice sized pocket camera with lots of features that I personally will never use, it feels sturdy not 'plasticky', without being heavy.
Here are some photos that I took....I'm very pleased with my purchase....I just need to 'get into it' more ready for the Christmas lights in Malaga.



Swan and cockerel in Paloma Park, Benalmadena.





Ceramics on market stall.





Torremolinos.



Fuengirola.



Hotel Pez Espada & part of Residencial Dali apartments....taken from my sunbed. lol



A cruise ship miles out at sea coming into Malaga, Photo taken from hotel balcony with the zoom not quite fully on.....I love the shimmer of the sea.




Finally..... Mr Robin who comes to sit on my fence every morning...... but you have to be quick to catch a photo.



Sanji x

Wow 👍

So clear Sanji. Looks like a good choice 👍

Hi Sanji - I could not agree more. I got one on the way out at Dixons Duty Free in Glasgow airport and only paid 214 quid. And it is BRILLIANT. It does everything - AND it has a Leica lens - reputed to be one of the best lenses ever. So far I've mainly used the camera with the Idiot switch setting - but I know this magic box has amazing capabilities.
I was at the Feira de San Miguel in Torremolinos last month - just shooting everything and anything on that fun colourful day - and somehow the camera simply "knows" precisely what it is you want to focus on and gets the shot perfectly.
I aim to actually study the full camera manual and get expert in the capabilities - but unfortunately it's 305 pages supplied on DVD - which I find horrible to study. But I've just found on eBay a third party source for printed full manuals - your choice of A4 or A5 for as little as 6 quid!
My bedtime reading for the next few weeks.

Hi Bill.

"I was at the Feira de San Miguel in Torremolinos last month"

So was I.
"But I've just found on eBay a third party source for printed full manuals - your choice of A4 or A5 for as little as 6 quid!"

I downloaded the full manual onto my tablet, the 'table of contents ' page enables quick reference to to page you want.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/980390/Panasonic-Lumix-Dmc-Tz70.html#manual

HTH's
Sanji x

Unfortunately, since I grew ancient, I found that lengthy reading on my tablet or my kindle, or even my latest mobile phone, isn't as appealing as printed paper.
So I buy my holiday paperbacks in the Works Bookshop where they only cost a couple of quid (compare to outrageous Kindle prices!) and I know that if I drop my book in the swimming pool, I'll probably still be able to finish reading it.
And technical manuals for anything I study in bed - till I get so bored I fall asleep.

Back on the topic of the TZ70 lens - I went to the Feria alone - so had no pics of myself there. Sob. Until yesterday while I was editing the (250 !!) pics I took. I found I'd snapped a couple with their child in the crowd which looked quite cute. I enlarged it. And, in the reflection in the guys sunglasses - there I am, taking the picture! The Leica lens and this camera auto- focussing capabilities, and the super zoom are really amazing.

PS :
I know what you mean about instructions on a CD. I put them onto my tablet for that very same reason and I was able to 'study' them when I had time in the hotel room . I didn't have time between buying the camera and flying out to Spain.

You have to install the Lumix photo app to see photos on your tablet.
It doesn't actually download the photos onto your tablet ( I'm guessing it's the same for phones)
It's a kind of display application allowing you to view your photos on a bigger screen until you manually select the photo (s) you want and you copy them onto your device.....so it's not throwing all these photos onto your device and taking up space/memory/ storage or whatever you call it.

A word of warning....don't browse through your photos on your tablet (phone) via wifi connection and hit the delete button on your device, because it permanently deletes the photos from your camera too.

Apologies if you know all this.....I really do not understand teckie jargon, I'm much better if someone shows me how to do something once..... and if I think I'm going to get confused, I write it down until I get used to it.

Sanji x

Sanji said "...I really do not understand teckie jargon, I'm much better if someone shows me how to do something once..... and if I think I'm going to get confused, I write it down until I get used to it."

I'm exactly the same! Except I can't cope with any written instructions, my mind just won't take it in. I grasp things much quicker & easier if I'm shown 👍