Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

Recently I posted a query about a small, compact camera for landscapes when I can't or don't have my FF DSLR available. I received many excellent suggestions, thanks to all who replied.

I've tentatively narrowed the prospects to two, one of the Sony RX100 or Panasonic ZS series. I will have to buy used for because of monetary limitations. This probably means an RX 100 III and ZS100 as even used I can't afford the latest versions.

I do wish both of them, especially the RX100 (70mm) had more reach but hopefully the IQ would be good enough to allow some cropping. If anyone has experience with both cameras could they please give me their impressions of the comparative IQ of both? I get the impression from reviews I have read that the Sony is somewhat better in this regard. I like to do large prints and value sharpness.

And are there any other suggestions for a camera I may have missed? Requirements are RAW capability, a viewfinder (EVF ok), fixed zoom lens, pocketable size (at least fitting comfortably into a jacket pocket), and budget maximum around $400.

Thanks for any help.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I have an early RX100. My wife has a ZS100. Compared to me, she has amazing composition skills. Her work on several foreign trips is stunning. She relies more on automatic JPEG shooting than I do. That may be part of it. Once printed, and on the wall, her work measures up to anything.

The RX100 is smaller and truly fits a pocket. My wife shopped hard for a "travel purse" to fit only her camera, a couple credit cards, cash and couple "essentials".

If you value any telephoto at all, the ZS100 is the better choice. My wife has even done well with it shooting wildlife in Yellowstone NP. I don't think either camera has a noticeable image quality advantage.

B&H has the ZS100 at a dollar or two below your target price as I type. Brand new with warranty. There is even a "rebate" that extends the factory warranty to three years.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1244402-REG/panasonic_lumix_dmc_zs100_digital_camera.html

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

I have owned an early RX100, and recently acquired a used ZS100. I am still getting used to it, so i can not comment on IQ, but i like the feel of the Panasonic in my hands better than the Sony. The slightly larger size in my mind is a plus. YMMV.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

This is an interesting comparison site. Choose up to four cameras and compare them.

https://www.dpreview.com/articles/7774764205/fujifilm-x-t30-sony-a6400-added-to-studio-test-scene

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I have no experience with either camera but understand that a camera is simply a tool. The quality of the images will depend more on you than on the camera.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I personally own the Sony RX100 II because it is the only RX100 that has a hot shoe. I take a lot of flash shots and like putting the big Sony 60 flash unit on it for outstanding results.
The Zeiss lenses on the RX100 series are excellent, I commonly enlarge to 20X30 prints with no issues.

tomad Loc: North Carolina

I have both the Panasonic ZS100 and the Sony RX100 VI and the Sony seems to have a bit better resolution and color. For normal viewing or small prints I don't think you would notice a difference in the resolution but for large prints you might. When you decide on the Sony you can afford compare them in the dpreview tool that Jerry posted the link to above and you may see a difference. I would set the comparison to JPEG if that is what you use.

tomad Loc: North Carolina

Here's a screenshot of the two cameras I have (Sony rx10 vi and Panasonic zs100 using the tool Jerry mentioned. I think it's easy to see which one has better resolution and color... I added a comparison of the zs100 and the RX100 III because of your budget...

(Download)


(Download)

lloydl2 Loc: Gilbert, AZ

I've been using the sony rx100 m3 for a few years now and when the photos are put next to my fullframe 43 mp camera you are hard pressed to tell the difference. The menus are a bit difficult to master and set up, I bought Gary Friedman's Ebook (he has one for every sony camera and model). I shoot in raw and mostly manual exposure mode. The camera fits in a shirt pocket and is really easy to carry around. Recently I purchased the new sony rx100 m7 which extends the zoom to 200mm (what a difference). so now I have a great travel camera without carrying 10 or more pounds of equipment around. I do wish it had a hot shoe. I have used the pop up as an optical trigger along with an off camera flash and though I've only done it once or twice it seems to work fine. The m7 aside from the extra zoom range can also shoot 20 frames per second and has the amazing focus tracking of the sony a9.. I am going on a European cruise in the spring and plan on just bringing the rx 100. I highly recommend the sony rx 100...

PS in order to use off camera flash triggering with the pop up you need to set your flash to s2 (slave 2 mode) and can only use manual not ttl…..

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

I have and love the Sony RX100 III. Compact and best picture quality. It is with me at all times. Deep crops...no problem. Also good in low light.

crphoto8 Loc: Anaheim, California

I was in a similar situation, ended getting last week the ZS100 from my local store, Samy's, in Orange County. It's a zoom (25-250 in FF), not a fixed lens. They had it on sale for ~400, no sales tax. Somehow it rang for ~350. I didn't argue...
It's a nice, capable point and shoot, fits easily in my pocket. I took just a couple of shots and they look fine. I had a previous model, the ZS30, which was also nice but didn't have some of the features that the ZS100 has.

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

The Sony has always been a lot more expensive than the Panasonic here in NZ (at least the latest version) so I bought the Panasonic. It makes good videos which was part of the reason I bought it. BUT the thing does not allow use of an external microphone (and I hadn't even bothered to check for this). So in any further purchases for a small P&S this will be up there in things to look for.

Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

Thanks to all who responded. It's so helpful to hear from folks who have direct experience with both cameras but others info was also helpful.

If it's possible I think I would prefer the Sony RX 100 VI because of the combination of IQ and the 200 mm equivalent lens (as opposed to the 70mm of the earlier versions). The price is a problem so I'm not quite sure how I can manage it but I'm going to try.

Btw, in my original post I erroneously referred to a "fixed" lens as a necessary feature - I meant a non-interchangeable zoom lens but goofed when typing.

Thanks again to all who were so generous with their time in helping me.

tomad Loc: North Carolina

This is a reputable company that a lot of us on here buy used equipment from. They have several RX100 vi's, still above your budget, but maybe easier to swing than a new one.

https://www.mpb.com/en-us/used-equipment/used-photo-and-video/used-compact-system-cameras/used-sony-compact-system-cameras/sony-cyber-shot-rx100-mark-vi/

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Sometimes B&H has those as a refurb for a $100 less or more. I got one from them and it was like brand new in the box.


Even better. New for $998...used for $745

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1413824-REG/sony_dscrx100m6_b_cyber_shot_dsc_rx100_vi_digital.html