Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: FrankG on January 20, 2012, 12:41:48 pm
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This may be a well worn topic but I didn't immediately see the answer glancing at the forum, & besides things change so fast with new models coming out all the time.
I am looking for a small camera to take with me everywhere and also be an emerg backup to my 5D MKII
*It must do RAW files (& preferably be supported by a good RAW converter like ACR).
* A tilting screen for waist-level viewing.
* An eye level viewfinder (or optional accessory)
The Fuji X 10 seemed like a good proposition but after reading the review on Luminous Landscape I'm no longer so sure (no tilt screen & poor RAW converter).
What other models can you highly recommend (the bigger the sensor the better) ?
Not interested in video particularly
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How big are your pockets? Physically and economically.
Eduardo
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:-) Good Question :-)
Financially, I am strained so I'd say shallow pockets but I realise that you get what you pay for and therefore if I can't have the ideal now I'm prepared to wait until I can buy the right thing.
Physically, I have large hands and dont want something too small. It doesnt have to fit a shirt pocket but at least a jacket pocket
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Simple.
Canon G1X
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Frank: Your answer has G1X painted on each word. :D Actually your answer could well be used for an infomercial :D
Eduardo
Simple.
Canon G1X
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Thank you for the G1 X recommendation.
I was not familiar with it & it may well prove to be the answer.
In my original post I guess I omitted to say 'with a fast lens' :-)
I did a quick search just now & couldn't help gulping at the f5.8 lens (on the long end).
Yikes! That is ridiculously slow for any low light level shooting.
I realise that you cant have it all but....I wonder if this is workable at such a slow stop
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Simple.
Canon G1X
Just get something with as many Gs and Xs in it's name as possible. That seems to be the mark of quality these days.
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... I wonder if this is workable at such a slow stop
It goes to 12,800 ISO, and appears to be at least usable at that speed. But as you said, you can't have it all. Choose a trade-off that suits your needs.
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Yup.
Any other camera models to consider comparing with this one ?
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Panasonic GH2 or GX1 with the 20mm f/1.7 lens. Add the Olympus 45/1.8 as a second lens. Will fit in a largish jacket pocket. This combo works for 90% of my personal and travel photo needs (i.e., when I don't need the big cameras.)
That said, I carried a Canon G7 for personal/travel for years and got good photos with it. That G1X would provide vastly superior image quality, especially in low light. If I had to have an all-in-one solution that would be it.
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Frank, we live in great times. There is a plethora of high quality pocket cameras available on todays market which fit a variety of shooting styles and needs. They are not all made in the same mold where it then comes down to which one does the best job. Instead they're all trying to find their little niche that appeals to what they hope will be the most photographers.
What this means is you'll need to know and examine your shooting style and needs more carefully than you'll need to study the choice in cameras. This is hard for some people, most seem stuck in the "but I want it all" rut. If you could further detail your needs and style I think we could take a better stab at what would suit you best.
Based on what you've stated so far I can tell you I really like my Fuji x100 with it's APS-C sensor, wonderful raw files, and fast F2 35mm equiv lens. It's not the best camera for everybody, but I find myself taking it and leaving my NEX cameras and others behind. And I really like looking at it and holding it and manipulating it's controls, not a feature you normally look for but the x100 is set way apart from it's competition in this category so it's worth mentioning.
Good luck for what must be the most popular hunt for a camera.
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Is the Canon G1 X available anywhere yet ?
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From Amazon: "Available for Pre-order. This item will be released on March 31, 2012."
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I've got the Nex 5n with a Nex 7 w/Zeiss lens or order.
Am quite surprised these have been barely mentioned.
The 5n is a fantastic little piece and even with the kit lens puts out some really clean files.
When I get the 7 I may just unload some of my old heavy dslr equipment.
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If you're looking at the Panasonic GX1 check out the G3 also. Virtually identical sensor, just a bit bigger, but has a built in EVF, tilt/fold out LCD, and is cheaper to boot.
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the lumix gf2 is at a really low price now and still a great camera, I was able to get mine recently with the 14mm 2.5, although If the intention is not to change lenses and still got a good camera I guess I'd wait for the G1X or go for the x100.
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A NEX 5n would seem to cover all of your needs. It has fantastic image quality, it has a tiltable screen, and it has an optional viewfinder. And it's about as pocketable as you can make an APS-C camera.
As a bonus, you can use just about any lens ever made with it. Most notably, with the recently released EF electronic adapter from Conurus, you can use all of your Canon lenses on it with aperture control. Admittedly the adapter is not cheap at $400 but, if your intent is to use it as a backup to a 5dii (as I do) it certainly has some appeal.
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I just rented the Canon G1X for a week and have some very nice files to show for it. It's almost spot on but I'd prefer the possibility of longer reach (tele). And a better viewfinder, and a tilting screen that that doesnt twist out to the side making the camera 2x width, Love to hear more about the Sony and the Olympus & any others that have a large sensor and great image quality
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Panasonic G1+20mm f1.7?
It's a coat pocket camera rather than trouser or shirt. The G1 can be had for about £100 and the 20mm f1.7 will cost you more... although you may be able to get a legacy manual lens and adapter at a more reasonable price. I think that the G1 is astonishing value at the price they go for.
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I recently did a fair amount of looking for a small camera with
- serious quality
- lens at least 24-100 (35mm equivalent), fixed or interchangeable
- good viewfinder
My conclusion was it doesn't currently exist. Even eliminating serious quality from the list didn't help. The m43 cameras, such as the Panasonic G3, are the closest I could come. They're a bit bigger than I'd like, but met the other criteria.
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Small for shirt pockets? Raw? Reasonable price? Good enough files? What about the Canon S100?
Stu
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Is the Canon G1 X available anywhere yet ?
I tried one out several weeks ago at a Best Buy.
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Thanks all - I've settled on the Nex 5n (or maybe the 7 :-)