Travel Camera Dilemma (Page 2): The HX99 was preceded by the HX9V awhile (?) ago. It was the first P&S that would shoot 1920x1080p "HD" video. I had one and took a couple cruises with...

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

The HX99 was preceded by the HX9V awhile (?) ago. It was the first P&S that would shoot 1920x1080p "HD" video. I had one and took a couple cruises with that set to video and my RX100 set for RAW stills. They were almost the exact same size. At the time, I thought it was a perfect set up. Sadly, the HX9V died from salt spray on a sailboat.

Truth is that small sensor cameras (and phones!) keep getting better. They only fall short when pixel peeping or printing extra large. For travel, small cameras let you be stealthy where large cameras don't. For me, that leads to better travel photography.

le boecere

Strodav wrote:

The camera to take with you is the one you best know how to use. If you are going to buy a new camera, do it now, then study every control and get out there and use it, use it, use it, long before your cruise so you are comfortable picking it up and taking good shots is 2nd nature to you.

GREG:

Stroday's advice (here) is exactly why I'd question renting an unfamiliar brand for a week. It'd probably take me more than a week to adapt to its menu and other intricacies and oddities. I'd rent or buy the camera-system-brand that is the most familiar.

le boecere

Wingpilot wrote:

I know I've posted before that we're going on a cr... (show quote)

Greg:

I've never been on a cruise, or a cruise ship; however, were I to ever contemplate doing so, Bill Sprague's first advisory point, would be my first consideration:

"I have a strong bias toward anything that will fit in a pocket or belt pouch. If you have to carry it on a strap it gets in the way of the travel experience and journey. Its also important that it fits in the cruise ship safe."

For me, all other points of debate (in my mind) would be subject to his first point, and that is why my beloved a6000 system would stay home.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Wingpilot wrote:

I know I've posted before that we're going on a cr... (show quote)

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Gene's suggestion is very good unless you prefer "pocket sized". The RX10 is not that small. It is big enough that you'll need to find a place for it when you do things like stop for lunch and it will be a tight fit in the safe. Other than that, it certainly would be one of my short list choices.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

le boecere wrote:

GREG:

Stroday's advice (here) is exactly why I'd question renting an unfamiliar brand for a week. It'd probably take me more than a week to adapt to its menu and other intricacies and oddities. I'd rent or buy the camera-system-brand that is the most familiar.

Well, and I wouldn't rent the same kind of camera I don't want to take with me in the first place. That's why I specified that I'm looking at compact cameras, not mirrorless or DSLR's.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

bsprague wrote:

Gene's suggestion is very good unless you prefer "pocket sized". The RX10 is not that small. It is big enough that you'll need to find a place for it when you do things like stop for lunch and it will be a tight fit in the safe. Other than that, it certainly would be one of my short list choices.

Yeah, I agree, but that one is way out of my budget, unfortunately. I'd love to have that camera, though.

jcboy3

Wingpilot wrote:

I know I've posted before that we're going on a cr... (show quote)

I bring the good stuff whenever I travel. I see no point in having good gear if I'm not going to use it.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

The point I try to make while on my soap box is that "good gear" for shooting Yellowstone on a tripod is different than "good gear" for foreign travel. The exception is if the foreign travel is really a photography purposed expedition.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

bsprague wrote:

The point I try to make while on my soap box is that "good gear" for shooting Yellowstone on a tripod is different than "good gear" for foreign travel. The exception is if the foreign travel is really a photography purposed expedition.

Yup, my thoughts exactly. My whole point is to take something that is convenient to use. It's not a photography cruise, so no need for special gear and all that. Besides, when we're ashore, we'll be constantly moving around, seeing things. I don't want to have to deal with a bunch of stuff. Takes away the spontenaity of a moment. Besides, there are some places that don't allow "big" cameras inside. So at the end of the day, it appears that my choice is narrowed down to one of the pocket cameras. The question is, which one, and I'm thinking either the Sony HX99 or the Lumix ZS80, neither of which has quite hit the market yet. I think the Sony will be available next month.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I don't disagree, but why the Sony HX99 or the Lumix ZS80 over the Lumix ZS 100 or 200?

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

bsprague wrote:

I don't disagree, but why the Sony HX99 or the Lumix ZS80 over the Lumix ZS 100 or 200?

The zoom range, mostly. But i haven't made up my mind yet. If I go with the 1" sensor camera, it would most likely be the ZS200.

Flash Falasca Loc: Beverly Hills, Florida

leave the camera home, just buy some post cards !!

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

Wingpilot wrote:

I know I've posted before that we're going on a cr... (show quote)

On any trip it's my pocket Sony HX99V which now offers RAW. Has a Ziess (very sharp) 24-750 mm lens and a pop up viewfinder that is great for outside. I put it in a belt pouch so I am hands free. And, I can make 20X30 enlargements from it. Below is a sample shot and photo of my pouch.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Wingpilot wrote:

I know I've posted before that we're going on a cr... (show quote)

My travel camera is an A6000, but I never considered it luggable. Sony makes some very small decent cameras. I have a WX9 that fits into a belt case. Canon has several nice compacts - the Elph series.