Suggest a camera

[johnbear]

I find myself the beneficiary of a stroke of good fortune, and am considering buying a new camera. What I would like is something that (operationally) resembles a 35mm SLR, in so much that it has interchangeable lenses (although I would settle for a good fixed zoom), and simple aperture/shutter priority exposure controls, rather than loads of menu accessed program modes. Obviously, I want it to be of very good quality. I don't really want a big clumpy DSLR ... something a little more discrete.

Being a bit out of touch with modern cameras, and I'm not familiar with what's available. I'm struggling because the sales blurb usually focuses on the features I don't want, rather than the old fashion things I do want.  A Leica M (?), despite being a rangefinder, seems to fit the bill, but I'm morally a touch uncomfortable with the notion of splashing-out that sort of money for a casual use camera.

Any suggestions?

[olddocfox]

Dear Johnbear,

I've had good luck with Panasonic mirrorless micro-four-thirds cameras, and suspect Olympus offerings would serve me as well. I particularly like bodies with in-body image stabilization as I enjoy using old film camera lenses on my modern digital bodies. You might consider buying a used camera to try the format and type. 

read "Hackers Love Zuikos" (PDF) here

[raybar]

I have a Canon SL-1 which is listed at the Canon site "as the world's smallest and lightest digital SLR camera." I got this for hiking because a little pocket camera really isn't good enough, and my 5D is too big and heavy to carry around for hours.
www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/details/cameras/dslr/eos-rebel-sl1-ef-s-18-55-is-stm-kit

It has the modes you want on top where a film camera would have the shutter speed dial - shutter priority and aperture priority - plus full manual, full auto, and a bunch of "basic" modes like portrait, landscape, sports. etc. that choose settings automatically.

[kodaker]

Of course each person has their own idea of what is the best camera for them. No one can tell you what you should buy but we can all let you know what we like. I have several digital cameras and each one has it's good and bad points. Presently my favorite of the bunch is my Panasonic GX85. I bought mine with the 12-32 zoom, but I already have a few other 4/3 lenses to use on it. It's not too expensive and has all the adjustments I would ever use and I am well pleased with it's and my output.

[John Farrell]

The camera I use most is a Canon G12. Unfortunately, it's not available new, and the latest models in the series don't have optical viewfinders.

[hansz]

I use a Canon G10, maybe not the best in the series, but it will do, has an optical viewfinder (and is very cheap to get:-)
Hans

[julio1fer]

Although it does not fit your requirements, I am also a fan of the Canon G12 - it is my only digital camera.

When I bought it, I did look hard at 4/3 bodies, especially Olympus. It was a hard decision. No regrets.

The G series is about on G16 now but I have lost track of it. Probably my next digital will be a mirrorless system digital, maybe a micro-4/3. I am waiting for somebody to launch a mirrorless system camera with a 4/3 sensor in Hassy format.

[johnbear]

Thanks for all your suggestions, but I think I'm going to go with ...

... a little Leica D-Lux 109.

I currently use an old Digilux 1, and am generally very happy with it. We've been together for about 15 years now. The D-Lux is, in many ways, the modern counterpart, so I'll be sticking with the familiar while not spending an obscene amount of money. I know I could probably get something with a similar specification for less money, but I kind of like that little red Leica badge.