How do I choose a pocketable compact or mirrorless camera with good image quality on a tight budget?

Question

I’m looking for a compact or mirrorless camera that I can carry in a jacket or coat pocket, with image quality closer to a DSLR in everyday shooting. My priorities are natural-looking colors, good sharpness without heavy processing artifacts, and acceptable noise around ISO 400–800. I’d also like minimal shutter lag when prefocused, decent autofocus speed, and a zoom range from wide to normal or moderate telephoto.

Nice-to-have features would be RAW support, flash, and image stabilization. My budget is around €200 / $260, so I realize I may need to buy used or refurbished.

How should I narrow down cameras with these requirements, and are there any models worth considering in this price range?

user6263 · Answer

That's quite a demanding spec for the money.
A used Sony NEX-3 probably does a good job of meeting most of it.
14 MP. APSC !!! The NEX-5 is slightly smaller, somewhat costlier and has 1080i video.
(NEX-3 has the still excellent 1280 x 720p 30 fps MP4 or 640 x 480 30 fps MP4)

NEX-3 body only on ebay UK start at GBP127 buy now for this one and GBP149 for this one both from sellers with excellent feedback and substantial sales.

The full APSC sensor in the NEX series cameras and SLR heritage (even though it isn't one) goes a long way towards addressing your needs.

No noticeable shutter lag with prefocused image

Excellent

decent focus speed (but i do not really shoot at eagles or pumas :D) so just something that works fine

Good

i want to carry it in my jacket or coat pockets

Good compared to almost any other equal performing alternative.
117 x 63 x 33mm, 297 gram.

Below - NEX-3 with pancake wide-angle fitted.

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NEX-5 with 16mm pancake lens.

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wideangle, I do not care for 10x super zoom

Pancake wideangle is very compact indeed.

RAW recording

Yes.

Flash. I guess with good ISO performance even indoor i can shot without flash

Compact add on flash is included in both the above offers.

image stabilization could be good to shoot indoor

They say: "Optical steadyshot on selected lenses.
Probably not on basic wide-angle I imagine BUT the APSC sensor will let you use this at far higher ISO for a given noise performance than any of the miniature sensor based toys.

Excellent review here (DPReview.com):

Worthwhile comment:

Where the NEXs really impress is the PASM modes where you can take full advantage of the large, very capable sensor. The feature sets are impressive, as are the NEX's portability and flexibility. They don't render the DSLR obsolete by any means, but they present one of the most compelling options for someone wanting DSLR image quality without the bulk.

How do I choose a pocketable compact or mirrorless camera with good image quality on a tight budget?

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