Noah,
I’ve used several cameras, most are digital point and shoot. Over the past 21 years they’ve obviously chaged a lot. The mid range digital point and shoot camera market when poof. Idk all the reasons why. But there is a strong secondary market for these type cameras and I’m hoping the major players bring them back. I have used phone cameras but I don’t like them for inspecting. My newest phone is a Samsung S25 Ultra. Nice phone, camera for inspecting purposes is meh. My older phones actually had better cameras overall imo. I do not like phone camera inspecting because most often you gotta use 2 hands to snap a pic, or 2 hands to adjust the functions/specs to get a decent pic. I like having my other hand to hold a roof ridge, chimney, crawling on the ground, under the deck, or on a rafter in the attic. I can walk and snap pics on the go. If I drop my phone its like $1200. My phone doesnt slip in the pant pocket super easy. I don’t like getting my phone/case dirty. I usually hold onto my phones for 2/3 years. My phone has an 4 optical zoom. I like larger optical zoom capabilities. Especially for the far away shots.
I currently use 2 cameras. My favorites are Cannon SX620 with 25 optical zoom and SX740 with 40 optical zoom. Slight issue is they are not currently in manufacture production. You can still get the SX740 new for about $1000. I just picked up a never opened used SX620 on ebay for $400. JJ mentioned another good camera Nikon Coolpix A900 and a 35 optical zoom for $650 is pretty good deal imo. BTW, its not just about the optical zoom. You can google what are important functions and features for a camera.
S25 Ultra!
