Replacement for Sony DSC V1

[Rudi.K]

I presently own a Sony DSC V1, which has been taking very satisfactory pictures for several years.When making photobooks I am getting increasingly low resolution warnings because the software of the vendors is used to more recent models with a higher megapixel setting. The DSC V1 has a number of unusual features which I value very highly. I now want to replace it with something a bit more advanced, but seem to be unable to find a camera which offers the features of the DSC V1 in a small package. Can any of the forum members point me towards a camera with the following features (in order of priority):

1. Optical viewfinder
2. Optical image stabilization
3. Night framing and night shoot
4. Active focusing beam (laser hologram)
5. At least 4X optical zoom
6. Good quality lens
7. Good quality video (30 fps HD)
8. 8 MP or more
9. About the same size as the DSC V1 or smaller
10. Robust, with good build quality

Many thanks for taking the time to respond! I have done Internet searches for a considerable time now and don't seem to be able to find what I am searching. It seems there is no present model that has those functions, but maybe somebody can point me to a past model which I could purchase used, or knows something about upcoming future camera models that might fit the description?

[aisthima]

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/dsi-body/nex-5a

[stone69 · Accepted solution]

Hi Rudi.K

If an optical view finder is your top priority then I guess it's going to be difficult with compact cameras these days. The proposed NEX-5 by aisthima does not have an optical view finder in the camera itself, but can be added as an accessory.

Eventhough the NEX-5 is a great camera, looking at your wishlist, I guess you should rather look into a DSC-HX7V or DSC-HX9V. No optical view finder though, not even as accessories, but for the rest it should be a pretty good match.

Tech. details:

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/dsc-h-series/dsc-hx7v#pageType=TechnicalSpecs

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/dsc-h-series/dsc-hx9v#pageType=TechnicalSpecs

[benste]

only the HX9 does have 50fps 1080p Video

- the HX7 only has 25fps or so

[Rudi.K]

Thanks for your reply which was very helpful. I guess I need to wait with the replacement until a camera is available that offers what I want. A camera without optical viewfinder is useless in my opinion.

[Rudi.K]

A camera without optical viewfinder is useless in bright sunlight, and having to hold it at some distance it is also much more difficult to keep steady. I will not spend money on a camera without optical viewfinder, and I don't understand Sony's reasoning from omitting this essential feature from their compact cameras.