Linda S.

It is so interesting how we all differ with almost the same experiences! No one approach is right or wrong - just different!

I just returned from 2 weeks in Italy - Florence, Rome, and the Tuscany region. I brought my Canon P+S long zoom G3X - 600 mm. Boy oh boy, did I ever wish I had brought my Canon 5DM4, 16mm-35mm, 24mm-105mm, and my G3X for long 600mm shots - and a tripod! I also wish I hadn't traded my 24mm tilt-shift for a 180 macro mm. Buildings were so slanted downward! The piazzas are so vast, I feel a wide angle was necessary. it is so dark in the churches that the 5dm4 low-light ability would have been appreciated. All the street scenes would have benefited from the 24-105. And of course the expansive land in Tuscany was made for the 16mm-35mm.

Would the G3X covered most of that? (not the buildings). Yes, except for the low light images. The f-stop range was much less and the glass, while good, was not "L" quality.

So, upon my return to home, trying to do some post-processing - the buildings, churches all suffered the most. For me, although I am somewhat an out-of-shape 70 year old female, I would have carried the equipment had I known.

Next year, I am hopefully going to Iceland for the Northern Lights and ice caves. Definitely taking my 5d4 and lenses. Renting the tilt-shift too. I guess i will have to go to the gym and start do resistance training!

No right nor wrong . . . some people like chocolate ice cream, some vanilla and some one of the many many other flavors that exist today.

HTH!

le boecere

Very informative post, Linda. Question:

You stated; "Would the G3X covered most of that? (not the buildings). Yes, except for the low light images. The f-stop range was much less and the glass, while good, was not "L" quality."

Would one of the newer pocket cameras or mirrorless compacts, with f/1.8 been adequate?

317tman Loc: Indianapolis, In

I was looking for a good P&S and purchased a Sony A6400 with the kit lens 16-55mm. My daughter took it to Chicago and made same street shots with it and a iPhone 8. I printed the shot 8 1/2x11 and could not tell much different looking at them with a magnifying glass. I returned the $1000. investment. For people and street shots I think a new phone does about as well. If you want to shoot more long range than perhaps a P&S would do better. I plan to still carry my DSLR with iPhone.

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

Canon G7X Mark ll. I purchased this camera for when I go hiking. This camera is great. 24-100mm f/1.8 - f/2.8. Also, you can shoot raw.

Stan W. Loc: Tampa, Fl

I have the ZS70. It is lousy in low light and any ISO over 400 will give you plenty of noise. It won't be much use in those dark churches or art galleries.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

My Sony A65 + 70-300mm Zoom weighs 2.5 pounds... that is a big justification for a pocket super zoom, mine weighs in at 10 Oz.

Any of the pocket superzooms with a 1" sensor would be a good choice. I chose the Panasonic TZ100 because the price dropped with the intro of the TZ200 and the reach was longer than the Sony. All the 1" sensor pocket zooms are good choices depending on your preferences. Last years model is always less costly Sony has changed models many times. Canon is new to the game.

davidb1879

Re: Jules 76: A panasonic Lumix FZ300 has an excellent lens. It is f2.8 throughout the length of the lens. It has raw and JPEG. Its lens extends to the apparent 35mm equivalent of 600mm. The camera is light (slightly over a pound). Davidb

lyndacast

I have the same dilemma....I am traveling this summer and again in the fall...I am taking a Canon G5X which is quite small, but has all the capabilities of a DSLR...I plan to use this camera in places where there are massive crowds and the need for a compact camera is imperative..It is a bit more than your budget, but you might be able to buy one that is refurbished or used. I also just purchased a Canon EOS M5 (mirrorless) with an 18-150 lens which is quite small and very light.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Very good idea! Travel light and enjoy the trip. Below are links to compact cameras.

https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2401971,00.asp
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/2017-roundup-compact-enthusiast-zoom-cameras
https://www.techradar.com/news/best-compact-camera

$500 range - I know you said $300, but $500 is what I have.
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-point-and-shoot-under-500/
http://www.bestproducts.com/tech/gadgets/g706/point-and-shoot-digital-cameras/

Viewfinder, raw -
https://www.lifewire.com/best-viewfinder-cameras-493677
http://www.compactcamerawithviewfinder.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/compact-cameras-with-viewfinders

lsaguy Loc: Udall, KS, USA

I'm not sure if Fuji's nice little bridge cameras qualify but they make a bunch from which you can choose the features you want. Most are under $300 and many are under $200. I have an S1500 that was my first really modern camera. Still have it. Also many use AA batteries rather than a rechargeable so you won't forget to charge it.

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

Linda I am interested in your experience. Have you ever carried all that gear on a long trip? You are talking about a lot of gear. At 57 and in fairly good shape. I was able to carry the dslr and 3 lenses but it just became a pain. But here is where my real question comes from. What was your objective? Was it a photo expedition or sight seeing vacation. If I were going to specifically get images then I would definately carry the appropriate gear. But I was there sight seeing, and the added gear made it less enjoyable for me. So I guess part of the answer to what works is what is your objective of the trip. If it is a photo trip by all means gear up. But I think if you are going on a vacation and want to capture moments and memories from the trip that is a different objective. I also found it interesting that you said most of what you took was fine except for the architectural shots. With that in mind do you think if someone is not as particular about the architectural shots than the P&S is just fine? I am not trying to debate this issue I am interested in your experience so that I can be better prepared next time. The problem is once you are over there you can’t run home and get different gear if you aren’t happy with what you have. I also think an important thing is knowing your gears limitations and capabilities before you go. If your P&S won’t do what you want it to do than it definitely is wrong. My mistake was I knew my gears capabilities I did not estimate the fact that I did not need all that capability for what I wanted to capture.

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

AMEN BROTHER

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

If you have a recent cell phone with one of the really good updated cameras you might consider that. It would have wifi, zoom, video, portrait mode, some zoom ability, panoramic and be right at your fingertips. Especially worth considering if you mainly plan to share on social media although you could get some decent 8x10 prints.

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

If you can stretch your budget just a little, the Canon SX740 would be perfect for you. It has all your requirements plus it will fit in a pocket. Check it out from Canon. Also, since you're not going until August, keep checking Canon's refurbished Powershot cameras to see if this SX740 might show up to save you a little money. Many of us here on UHH buy refurbs and, in my opinion, Canon is the best camera manufacturer in the refurb business because it truly does set itself apart from all the others by offering a 1-year warranty on ANYTHING refurbished.
https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/details/cameras/point-and-shoot/long-zoom-cameras/powershot-sx740-hs

n4jee Loc: New Bern, NC

I bought my wife a Sony RX100 for an upcoming Med cruise. Today I think i'd get the Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS70 because of the view finder.