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Best travel camera for low light photos
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Apr 19, 2017 11:08:59   #
caljr Loc: Indiana
 
I have a Fuji XE1 and like the camera but it has a hard time focusing in low light. I'm looking to upgrade to a camera for travel that will take nice low light photos and use APS-C-sensor? Any suggestion.

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Apr 19, 2017 11:15:11   #
CO
 
The Nikon D5 and D500 have the best autofocus system that has ever been put in a DSLR camera. They are the first two Nikons to have a processor dedicated to just the autofocus system. They are rated to autofocus down to -4EV. I have a d500. It focuses in dim light very well.

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Apr 19, 2017 11:40:08   #
Haydon
 
CO wrote:
The Nikon D5 and D500 have the best autofocus system that has ever been put in a DSLR camera. They are the first two Nikons to have a processor dedicated to just the autofocus system. They are rated to autofocus down to -4EV. I have a d500. It focuses in dim light very well.


But neither of them are travel cameras which the OP asked for.

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Apr 19, 2017 11:50:05   #
caljr Loc: Indiana
 
I'm a big fan of Nikon and have a D700 and a D300 but both are not travel cameras. I'm going to Disney in June and need something much smaller.

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Apr 19, 2017 11:51:22   #
BebuLamar
 
Well I bring my Nikon Df with me when I travel. It's not small but unless I can put the camera in my pocket then size doesn't matter.

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Apr 19, 2017 11:54:59   #
caljr Loc: Indiana
 
Do you take it on rollercoasters

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Apr 19, 2017 15:14:12   #
CO
 
Haydon wrote:
But neither of them are travel cameras which the OP asked for.


The OP specified an APS-C sensor. Point and shoot cameras usually have smaller sensors. What is the definition of a travel camera?

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Apr 19, 2017 15:41:11   #
DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX
 
The D500 coupled with the 24-120 is a great travel combination.

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Apr 19, 2017 16:01:40   #
GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City
 
caljr wrote:
I have a Fuji XE1 and like the camera but it has a hard time focusing in low light. I'm looking to upgrade to a camera for travel that will take nice low light photos and use APS-C-sensor? Any suggestion.


Have you upgraded the firmware ( I think that's the right term) for the latest version?
Fuji's great about updates.
I moved up to the X-E2 which has added phase detect to the system along with the contrast detect of the X-E1.
It should be better, I haven't noticed many out of focus shots.
I think it's hard to beat for a travel camera.


From https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilm-x-e2/8

"AF System & Performance

The X-Trans II sensor used by the X-E2 (and several other recent Fujifilm cameras) boasts on-chip phase detection, which promises increased focus speeds and better subject tracking. In terms of single AF acquisition speed, we didn't find that the camera performed any better than the X-E1 (running the latest firmware), but with one of the faster focusing lenses, such as the 18-55mm zoom, the X-E2 starts to show some of the tracking advantages it promised. Obviously, AF speeds depend on your choice of lens, but on most of Fujifilm's recent lenses, it's still very quick. In low light, the X-E2 still performs quite well, which is often the Achilles' Heel of some mirrorless system."


Here's one listed on Fred Miranda's Buy & Sell site: LINK.
(I like the WiFi feature to transfer image to my phone.)

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Apr 19, 2017 17:02:23   #
JPL
 
caljr wrote:
I have a Fuji XE1 and like the camera but it has a hard time focusing in low light. I'm looking to upgrade to a camera for travel that will take nice low light photos and use APS-C-sensor? Any suggestion.


Ricoh GR II is probably a good choice for you. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1159252-REG/ricoh_175843_gr_ii_digital_camera.html#customerReview
Read the reviews on BH. I have often seen online that this camera is a wolf in a sheepskin. With very good image quality and accurate focusing in low light.

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Apr 19, 2017 17:33:19   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
Haydon wrote:
But neither of them are travel cameras which the OP asked for.


Hmm... I just got back from a 2 week trip to CA - I hit Morro Bay for the sea otters, Antelope Valley for the spring bloom, Joshua Tree for the desert bloom, Sonoma and Napa for the bucolic wine country, Half Moon Bay for the beach scenes, and Yosemite for the crazy snow and water scene (Tioga Pass, one of my hoped for destinations - was closed due to 30-50ft of snow on the road), and Yolo wildlife preserve near Davis for local birds, including the quite comical Burrowing Owl. I traveled with a pair of D800s, a Sigma 150-600 sport, 24,45 and 85 PC-E, 14-24, 24-70 and 80-200, and a 150 macro. I think I used all of my gear. The definition of a travel camera is essentially defined by what result you are after and how big your camera bag is and what your personal load carrying capacity and level of endurance is.

For the record, all that fit into a LowePro Trekker 450AW II along with a Feisol CT3442 tripod and ball head. It fit in the United Airlines overhead compartments with room to spare.

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Apr 19, 2017 17:35:31   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
caljr wrote:
I have a Fuji XE1 and like the camera but it has a hard time focusing in low light. I'm looking to upgrade to a camera for travel that will take nice low light photos and use APS-C-sensor? Any suggestion.


If you want great low light performance, it is hard to argue with Nikon's latest offerings, with the prize going to the D750/D810/D500 - as far as noise with high ISOs, the D750 and D810 are excellent, and the D500 ain't bad. This is from personal experience with each, not from reading other people's reviews.

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Apr 19, 2017 17:41:40   #
GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City
 
Gene51 wrote:
...The definition of a travel camera is essentially defined by what result you are after and how big your camera bag is and what your personal load carrying capacity and level of endurance is.



Absolutely!

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Apr 19, 2017 18:55:26   #
caljr Loc: Indiana
 
Thank you all for the input. I will be carrying plenty of baby diapers and bottles and will not be hauling a LowePro camera bag with all that other stuff at Disney. I have 2 Nikon cameras that I could bring with a tripod a flash a light meter and 4 lenses but I still feel this is not a travel package unless I am going by myself. I have an old nikonos 3 and a 15mm wide-angle lens and 2 strobes and base-plate with strobe arms so I know about carrying photo gear and that is not what i'm looking for. I also have plantar fascia so I want to travel light.

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Apr 19, 2017 19:13:47   #
JohnnyMac
 
For travel, a compact outfit -- Rebel with 18-200 -- works for me. I am on the go and seldom stop long enuf to use a tripod.

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