GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

I loaned my granddaughter my Sony RX100 iii for a trip to Europe. She, like most of her age group, just use their phones for pictures. She really appreciated having a better camera for their trip. Her husband had a GO-PRO.

They were afraid of pickpockets and didn’t use either camera that much. However, I recently found out that she is pregnant and I want to get her a camera that is better than her cell phone. I researched and narrowed it down to these four:

Canon EOS M100-$399
Canon GX9-$399
Olympus Tough TG-5-$399
Used Sony RX 100 iii-$350-400

I searched the internet and this site and found plenty of information on three of the cameras but very little about the Canon M100, making me think that it isn’t a very good choice, although the specs look good. It doesn’t have a viewfinder, which would be a deal breaker for me but probably not to the phone-photo takers. Also, it seemed a little simpler.

Anyone who owns this camera, can you tell me if you like it or is it a waste of money?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I have a GX9. It's the size of a deck of cards so it fits in your pocket / purse just the same as a phone. Unless you think she wants a camera with detachable lens because she / husband have other M or EF / EF-S lenses, this might be the better idea.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

Look again.

The Olympus does not have a viewfinder either.

There isn't a Canon Powershot GX9. There WAS a G9. Now there is a G9 X Mark II, no viewfinder.

Look at the new G series.... G3 X, G7 X Mark II, G9 X Mark II, G1 X, G5 X.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

I'd stay with the Sony RX-100, but the M4 version, which has a pop-up EVF and flash. Takes amazing images, I carry one with me all the time.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Thank you for that opinion. Version 3 has a pop-up EVF and flash as well. My other thought was to give her MY Sony RX100 M3 and buy the M6 for myself. I wasn’t tempted to upgrade to M4 or M5; but the M6 is tempting. Lol

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Oh yeah, I reversed that. It is a G9X. I think the G9X Mark II is $50 more. I did look at some of the others in the G series. I’ll do another comparison.

I didn’t mention that those other two are lacking a viewfinder because I don’t think that will matter to her. I was most interested in feedback from someone who HAS the Canon EOS M100.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Well, that is the question. I thought that there might be a little growing room with the Canon M100. They do not have any lenses, just the GO-PRO.

How do you like the GX9? Is it WAY better than a phone, especially for printing pictures? I know that I’ve experienced poor quality when printing pictures taken with a phone.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

For more money you might consider the M50, smaller, lighter, has a viewfinder - best selling mirror-less in Japan and in the Canon line-up.
The camera with a 200 mm lens will fit in the cargo pocket of my old jungle fatigue jacket.
I almost got one for my wife but I found a T6s with 4 lenses and some other accessories + original boxes and papers (almost unused) in a private sale for the same price as the M50 body. Seems the guy bought it and then no one in the family used it. They all stuck with their phones and pocket size point and shoots.
When I went into my local camera store to get lens hoods a Canon rep I am acquainted with was there. When I told him I paid $600 for the whole thing he pointed at one of the 4 lenses and said "That alone retails for more than $600."

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

You got a helluva good deal!! I can see a trip to the camera store is in order. I’ll have to see and handle these cameras myself before I decide! Thanks for your input!

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

A friend who is a part time photographer and part time software consultant just got one for his travel camera. For that matter the Canon Rep told me he has one not only for travel but it and a few lenses often live in his center counsel for "in case".
As with all the m-series they use EF-M-mount lenses but with an adapter you can use EF and EF-S lenses on them. The M lenses are small and light like the camera. They only make 8 EF-M lenses but they cover 11 to 200 mm. Then you put on the adapter and it will use any EF or EF-S lens made for the bigger EOS bodies.
Right now on the Canon Store the camera with a 15-45 lens is $649.99. Camera comes in black or white, the lens comes in black or silver. The 55-200 (longest EF-M lens Canon makes) is $349.99 black or silver. So the body and two lens covering 15 mm to 200 mm (10 mm gap 45-55 mm) come to $1000.00. You might be able to save some from the Canon Refurbished Dept. They have the same warranty as new in box - 1 year.
As I said the body with the 55-200 lenses mounted would fit in the cargo pockets of my old jungle fatigues. The camera is tiny compared to my three bodies.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Just checked Canon Refurbished they have the M50 ($502.99) in stock now body only or the kit with one lens 15-45($518.99)

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-interchangeable-lens-cameras#facet:-81036979833277&productBeginIndex:0&orderBy:&pageView:grid&pageSize:&

When they get it in stock the two lens 15-45 & 55-200 kit is $719.20.

They have some EF-M lenses refurbished in stock and the adapter for EF and EF-S lenses instock.
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/SearchDisplay?categoryId=&storeId=10051&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&sType=SimpleSearch&resultCatEntryType=2&showResultsPage=true&searchSource=Q&pageView=&beginIndex=0&pageSize=18&searchTerm=refurbished+EF-M+lens

As I said the same warranty as new. I have purchased two cameras from Canon Refurbished and except for a different box they looked right off the factory line and worked perfectly.

Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

These are all excellent choices.

ELNikkor

You came up with and excellent suggestion for a win/win, just give her your RX 100, and get the M6 for yourself, then you'll both have what you want/need.

rusty66

Do yourself and your granddaughter a favor and get her an iPhone 10. The telling part of your description was that she didn't use your camera much on her trip. The iPhone 10 takes great pictures for its intended purpose. She will use it many times a day and will be able to share images with her friends with the press of a button or two.. We of the older set need to realize that most of the younger set just want to record what's going on in their lives and easily share it with their friends. They are not interested in creating art to sit on a table or hang on a wall. They don't want to have to take a card out off a camera and insert it into computer to share a picture. She will love the iPhone because she understands it and knows it will do what SHE wants. You'll enjoy getting family pictures from her often.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

She has the iPhone 10. Everything you said is true EXCEPT that she will want to PRINT pictures of their new baby for scrapbooks.

I have the iPhone XS and the pictures seem just OK to me. I think a printed 4x6 MAY be decent, but no larger.

Also, she said they didn’t use the camera much because they were concerned about pickpockets. I’m sure she was more worried about the camera because it wasn’t hers.

I may be wrong, but I thought that if she had a REAL camera to record her baby, she would see the difference and appreciate a decent camera (plus no pickpockets in her home!). The Canon M50 or M100 is small but there’s room to grow with it, because she would have the option to change lenses on it.

I’ll have to think about my options!!