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My wife and I are going on an Alaskan cruise for our 30th anniversary and I don't really want to lug around my DSLR but want to be able to still take some quality pictures of the scenery and wildlife both from the ship and on several excursions. I am looking at one of the pocket sized cameras and have it narrowed down to the Panasonic zs70 or a Canon SX730 or upgrade to the Panasonic zs80 and a Canon equivalent. All the numbers blend after a while. I will be using it to carry hunting with me after the trip so it wont sit around dormant. What do the experts think?

Going to buy a new camera myself , waiting for Doug to chime in. I am interested in the Sony A6000+ series of cameras. One thing for certain is I am not using my Iphone 8+ for it

If you are wanting image quality, you might consider a larger 1" sensor rather than 1/2.3" Possibly the Panasonic ZS200 ; you should get better IQ but less zoom at 360mm

I am now leaning toward the Sony HX99

Nothing you can put in your pocket will have enough zoom for wildlife shots in Alaska. So you either put up with the bulk and weight of a bigger camera or choose the convince of a pocket model. I chose a Nikon a few years ago a pocket model that I can always have with me. But honestly my iPhone works about as good.

Doug's brother Joel here. I run the photo side of the business.
You have all given me a few questions to respond to

Keep in mind a point and shoot with the smaller sensor and even a 1" sensor will never equal a DSLR, HOWEVER the images will enable you to make images up to 11x14 that will be fantastic and give you the ability to have the camera with you all the time due to it's compact size.
If you want a GREAT small camera that will take photos you can easily blow up to 11x14 then look at either the Sony DSC-HX80. 30x zoom, Zeiss lens, viewfinder or the new Canon SX740, 40x Optical zoom, 4K video, no viewfinder. Both of these are fantastic options with zooms equal to a 720mm lens on the Sony and a 960MM lens on the Canon. You are not getting that on a DSLR with a full frame sensor and on a cropped sensor the lens will be VERY big. These both would be perfect for your trip for any situation you encounter

In response to the question about the Sony A6000, it's a great system. Plenty of glass options and after the instant rebates, priced right. I would also look at the Canon M50 camera. With IS lenses you have 5 axis image stabilization and 4 K video plus you can add any microphone with the standard jack. Sony can add a Sony mic that slides into the flash shoes. Great deals on both on top of the Instant savings from the manufacturers
Give me a call or e-mail me at joelcameralandny.com.

I have seen some pretty good photos of wildlife taken with the Sony RX10 Mk IV. I have no personal experience with the Sony cameras, however

Critter pics with a P&S will provide you with a dot to claim is a (insert critter name here).

How often will you do this trip? Take a camera intended for the pictures you want/expect.

Any update or photos from the cruise?