Is it worth keeping around an older point and shoot?

[davidg4781]

Gosh, maybe 8 years ago, I bought a Sony DSC-W220 to take pretty good pictures with. I thought I would like that but never got into it.

Through the years, as iPhone cameras improved, I started taking more and more pictures with my iPhone.

I’m cleaning up and just came across the old Sony. Is it worth keeping it around, regarding photo quality? Obviously, iPhone is a lot more convenient. But should I keep this for special events or anything like that?

 

[kenoh]

Gosh, maybe 8 years ago, I bought a Sony DSC-W220 to take pretty good pictures with. I thought I would like that but never got into it.

Through the years, as iPhone cameras improved, I started taking more and more pictures with my iPhone.

I’m cleaning up and just came across the old Sony. Is it worth keeping it around, regarding photo quality? Obviously, iPhone is a lot more convenient. But should I keep this for special events or anything like that?

IMHO - take this as you wish.

I think that while the W220 was well regarded, it unfortunately wasn't a stand out model. It has a small sensor and as you say, the iPhone pretty much has it beat now.

I wouldn't make an effort to hold on to it but if it isnt taking up space and you are not in need of the cash, then just chuck it in a cupboard - one day it may become a collectible.

 

[mollyc]

Film point and shoots can fetch a bit of money now, but I wouldn't hold on to an older digital (of course everyone said that about film cameras 20 years ago, so who knows. 😉).

The only thing I'd keep it for is if you ever have little people come round who might want to use it, nieces/nephews, grandchildren.....if it's destined for the trash heap, you wouldn't have to worry about a little one breaking it. But if you have no little people, then do as Ken suggests.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Film point and shoots can fetch a bit of money now, but I wouldn't hold on to an older digital (of course everyone said that about film cameras 20 years ago, so who knows. 😉).

The only thing I'd keep it for is if you ever have little people come round who might want to use it, nieces/nephews, grandchildren.....if it's destined for the trash heap, you wouldn't have to worry about a little one breaking it. But if you have no little people, then do as Ken suggests.

Agreed about the kids for sure. It’s a fine plan.

 

[someoldguy]

I keep an old point and shoot in my workshop . Use it to document disasembly of things I'm working on . Real nice to have if you're pulling something apart . Got one in the roll around in my garage , too . I don't need a million megapixels for this kind of stuff, plus if it gets damaged ..... Oh well .

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

The first camera I bought for my 8 year old daughter was a PnS Lumix for $25 off eBay. They make "kid" versions of digital cameras, but they are mostly clunky, ghastly things. These older PnS's are great starter cameras for kids, and it's "just a camera" which means you don't have the concerns/distractions of a smartphone/touchscreen device.

 

[robgendreau]

Can it still be useful? perhaps. If the battery still holds a charge it can still take decent photos, so it could find a use somewhere somehow. Maybe a scenario where you don't want to put your phone at risk. Basically a camera that can be sacrificed.

 

[tizeye]

My grandson "inherited" the old digital P&S last year when he was five and really brought out a photographic vision. At that age, still needs help with basics like charged battery and transferring to computer, but definitely sets "picture taking" fun quotient. A year prior got him a kids digital camera that was trash that even I had trouble with and a battery that would last about 10 shots if forgot to turn off between shots. It is not like back in the day when his mother had an indestructible Fisher Price 110 film camera. They don't make digitals like that.

If you don't have a younger generation to pass on to, consider giving to friends or co-worker for their children.

 

[ericgtr12]

Gosh, maybe 8 years ago, I bought a Sony DSC-W220 to take pretty good pictures with. I thought I would like that but never got into it.

Through the years, as iPhone cameras improved, I started taking more and more pictures with my iPhone.

I’m cleaning up and just came across the old Sony. Is it worth keeping it around, regarding photo quality? Obviously, iPhone is a lot more convenient. But should I keep this for special events or anything like that?

The way technology jumps by leaps and bounds every few years it's hard to justify going backwards, at least in terms of megapixels and updated sensors. The biggest benefit is the lens, something no iPhone can replace/simulate even on older camera models. Short of that the latest model iPhones will out perform any of them that are several years old now.

 

[mofunk]

I have the same SONY camera. It took great photos. I was thinking of using it on vacations when I don't want to carry my DSLR. On one vacation trip I walked around the city, took photos with my iPhone. I think I might do the same with the SONY W220.

 

[cthompson94]

As everyone else has stated, if you have a kid(s) of your own or family then a older point and shoot could be a great starter camera to unlock a possible passion even if it isn't necessarily photography, but maybe art itself or something creative that isn't just drawing or doodling (not that these are bad by any means, but I would think majority of kids are given crayons and paper and told to just be creative without being given other creative outlets).

If there is no one close to gift it to, maybe take advantage of the used market lately and make a little money back, or just hold on to it as a display piece (if you care for that kind of stuff).

 

[ian87w]

Regular point-n-shoot's main advantage usually would be higher optical zoom. Problem is, most of them use ancient ISP and their end result JPEG is usually not that much better from a modern smartphone. And most of them don't actually have true manual mode for learning purposes.

The last point-n-shoot digital camera I used was a waterproof Olympus. I mainly bought it for the waterproof feature. But today with IP67/IP68 phones, I don't really use it anymore. Add on that with a smartphone, I can share and backup my photos easily using OneDrive (while I have to do it manually on a regular digicam). To me, standalone point-n-shoot digicam is dead.

 

[jwolf6589]

Gosh, maybe 8 years ago, I bought a Sony DSC-W220 to take pretty good pictures with. I thought I would like that but never got into it.

Through the years, as iPhone cameras improved, I started taking more and more pictures with my iPhone.

I’m cleaning up and just came across the old Sony. Is it worth keeping it around, regarding photo quality? Obviously, iPhone is a lot more convenient. But should I keep this for special events or anything like that?

Depends on the P&S. I know my Powershot SX740HS is better at pictures than any phone and I will keep it around till it breaks.

 

[jwolf6589]

Film point and shoots can fetch a bit of money now, but I wouldn't hold on to an older digital (of course everyone said that about film cameras 20 years ago, so who knows. 😉).

The only thing I'd keep it for is if you ever have little people come round who might want to use it, nieces/nephews, grandchildren.....if it's destined for the trash heap, you wouldn't have to worry about a little one breaking it. But if you have no little people, then do as Ken suggests.

When I moved a year ago I had 2 older P&S cameras that got left behind. One a Nikon and another a old 2009 Canon Powershot.

 

[GooseInTheCaboose]

Haha, well besides perhaps an optical zoom they really cant compete with even basic smartphone cams these days. The iphone 13 pro is really a P&S killer IMO. If you'd like to *upgrade* your P&S you still can upgrade it to a modern *premium* P&S like the Panny LX100 or the Sony RX100, both very good cams and have their place. Olympus makes a waterproof point and shoot too, the TG6, a great camera.

But your original question: I have 2 old cruddy P&S cams, one from about 20 years ago, the other from 12 years ago. I recently rediscovered them in a drawer, and when I decided to recharge them and turn them on I felt transported back to those days in my youth. I remembered the trips I took with them and some of the feelings I had when shooting with them. That kind of thing can be priceless. So for that reason alone I recommend keeping them!

The can really be time machines!

 

[davidg4781]

Those sound like good memories. I bought mine back around 2011ish I think and I was using a Palm Prê or iPhone to take pictures. Back then, I think the Sony took better pictures but I didn't take near as many.