What compact for me?

[Mr. Freedom .45]

So,

I have been using Canon's EOS Rebel T1i/500D since 2010 and I have nothing to complain about that body or any of the lenses I've been using. It's just that I don't really like carrying the DSLR around and mostly take these everyday pictures with my phone and the quality could be better in those shots too so that's why I'm now asking for a good compact camera under 600e and sized to fit my pocket (G1 X does not fit in a pocket).

I have a couple of choices I found and I need to know your opinion and/or personal experience with compacts. The only problem is practically that I can't choose between a good image quality, video abilities (full hd 60p or 30p) and a long zoom.

It would be awesome to have a superzoom pocket sized camera like Canon Powershot SX260, but I think fitting the 25-500 in so small package it has to worsen the image(and video) quality, does it?

Canon Powershot S100 would probably be the best choice by it's image quality, aperture, RAW and small size, but it doesn't have a very much length in it's zoom. Zoom in S100 is kinda like 85mm in T1i/500D. And that can't reach anything.

Sony DSC-HX20V is also a super zoom with GPS and full hd 50p! How is the image and especially the video quality compared to SX260 which is also a super zoom pocket fitting compact.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ30 comes almost with same specs than the previous Sony DSC-HX20V, but without GPS and has 14mp (Sony 18mp). So, SX260, DSC-HX20V or DMC-TZ30 in the super zoom category? Nikon Coolpix S9300 is cheaper than these, but is it really an opponent?

One joker participant in this battle of mine is the just released little bit over my budget Sony DSC-RX100 with 28-100mm f1.8-4.9 20mp RAW 1080P 24/60p. Is this really worth the extra 300 compared to S100?

[eyalg]

Can't say anything yet about the RX100 - it looks like a winner,
but we'll have to wait in order to see if it justifies its price.

Between the S100 and the other compact zooms - it's entirely your call,
the differences are clear, and it's a matter of compromising this way or the other.

Among the compact zooms - you nailed the top three I would have recommended.
All of them are good cameras, taking into account the large zoom ranges those
little lens pack.

The TZ30 has a great imaging sensor compared to its predecessor, I'd say it's a bit
sharper than the SX260. However, I personally don't like Panasonic's menu system,
and feel much more comfortable with Canon's intuitive controls.

The HX20 is superior in terms of video, if that's high on your priority list.

I can't say which one I'd choose in your place.
If you want / need the zoom, I'd say take the Sony.
If you can live without the zoom, then the S100.

-eyalg

[Mr. Freedom .45]

I think I'll get the Sony DSC-HX20V because of it's zoom and video. Is there much difference between Canon S100's _video quality compared to Sony DSC-HX20V? I know the S100 overcomes the DSC-HX20V easily in image quality, but how about when taking video instead of still pictures? Sony has much better framerate in video, but that's only one part that builds the quality in video and only matters when dealing with moving targets. S100 has bigger sensor, but does it make any noticeable improvement to video?

[hnikesch]

Just a little note, the S100 zoom range is (35mm equivalent) 24 to 120 mm

Hans