920wilson

My wife and I are taking a trip to Israel and are considering a new camera. In addition to use on this trip, I also want a camera that I can use as a new retiree...looking forward to having time to pursue this more seriously than in the past.

I am considering a Sony RX 100 VI (VII?) or Fuji X T30. Obviously the Sony will travel better and the Fuji offers more potential as I develop my skills. Seems I am less likely to "outgrow" the RX 100.

Sure, this is comparing apples and oranges, but I would still appreciate your input if only one camera is in the budget. BTW since I will also need a new phone, I will try to get one with best camera available (Pixel phone 4?). Maybe this will suffice for the travel camera?

Thanks!

reindeer Loc: London U.K.

For phone, try Huawe P 30 Pro. For travel camera Sony Rs 100 V1 should be ok although the reach is modest.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

The Sony is certainly convenient, but the larger APC sensor and the outstanding lenses in the Fuji line would cause me to move in that direction. It is more expensive and heavier, but the Fuji is so light anyway that I can’t see that being much of a factor. You will likely need two lenses for the Fuji to cover the same range as the Sony, and the Zeiss lenses of the Sony are no slouch, but when it comes to the best IQ, low light performance and the ability to choose additional lenses, the larger sensor and limited zoom range of the Fuji lenses win, but it depends on YOUR priorities.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Most people keep two cameras. A compact like the Sony (that 24-200 equiv. lens makes it a fantastic travel camera), and a larger XT30 for more serious photography.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I love Fuji, but I would handle both cameras. Fuji is easy to learn most setting are on the camera itself.
Give ourself time to learn the camera before traveling. Creative Live has excellent fast start courses for all cameras you own forever.

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

I use the Sony HX99v because of it's zoom range. Zeiss 24-750 mm lens, with a pop up viewfinder (very nice for outside shooting).
The RX100 VI and VII are very nice, their zoom is limited to 200 mm. I own the RX100 II because I has a flash shoe so I can use my flash units on it.

rfreudenheim

I don’t think you can go wrong with the Sony RX100. I bought the Mark 4 version prior to going on a trip to France and it performed very well. I strongly endorse the prior comment that suggested you purchase whatever you are going to buy well in advance of your departure. Go and shoot a couple of thousand frames to get used to it beforehand.
BTW, if you do go with the Sony, I also recommend buying the hard case for it. It offers good protection for the inevitable bumps.

BJW

I have traveled to Israel many times with a variety of cameras. I just returned from a trip to Iceland using for the first time the Sony RX 100 m6. (The day I returned hime the m7 was announced). The Sony is small and can fit into your pocket. It is an EXCELLENT compact. Image quality is superb. Autofocus outstanding. It is by far the best travel camera I have used. Some of my best photos were taken through the window of the tour bus zipping along a road at 45-60 mph. Its auto focus is nothing short of INCREDIBLE. It is smaller than any other camera I have used but I got used to it. I would recommend that you get the Sony leather-like case for whatever minimal protection from dust, sand and moisture it can offer. For a day of touring bring at least 2 spare batteries. Take a small portable battery pack with you to charge on the road. Be careful because it it neither rainproof nor dustproof. Nevertheless, it is my favorite lightweight compact travel camera. I am not familiar with Fuji,but
in the alternative, I have gotten excellent images with my Lumix G85 with a Leica lens. The Lumix 35-100 f2.8 is also excellent. It’s a M4/3 sensor, very light and travel friendly and purportedly weatherproof. Great value.
Finally, the Sony is a bridge camera that has very good telescopic range. The Lumix is an ILC, interchangeable lens camera, like the Fuji. With a bridge camera you won’t be bothered with carrying and switching lenses, which is a real pain. The Sony RX10 is larger than the Rx100, also a bridge camera, if you want something a little bigger than a pocket size compact. It’s gotten great reviews but have not had as much hands on experience as i have had with the RX100. BTW, get the Alexander White manual on the RX100 because the menu can be daunting. Or take a video tutorial on Creative Live. Once you understand the menu, the rewards will flow abundantly—like the biblical promise of a land flowing with milk and honey.
Shalom!

BJW

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's a tough call. The new RX100 has a longer reach (200mm). I had several of the RX100 series, and I sold all of them. Now I have a Fuji X-T30 as my compact camera. It's small and convenient with the 18-55mm lens, and with the Tamron 18-200mm, it's bigger but it has more reach. I've always like that focal length.

This is a good site for ISO comparisons.

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

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

What ever you take with you, get it soon and use it till you are comfortable with it. You don't want mistakes when you are on the trip. Those mistakes can't be fixed .

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Some good advice given here.
I use a Fuji X-E2 for travel and love it.
So intuitive, I used for about 3 weeks without opening the manual.

My old boss was contemplating the Sony, but for about the same price, decided on the Apple iPhoneX as his carry-around to supplement his Nikon D800. (He travels heavier than I do) The iPhone has worked out very well for him.

One more piece of advice for next time: be more specific with your title next time.
Just about everyone is asking for advice here.
“Advice for a travel camera” would have been a better start.
The search function here uses the title for its parameters.

Silverrails

Sorry, can not be of assistance, I am a advanced amateur photographer using the Nikon D3300 Crop sensor camera, which I am still trying to perfect to the best of my limited ability, now at 68 years old and retired since 2008, still attempting to grasp all the many aspects of Digital Photography.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

While it is heavier and larger, you might also consider the Sony RX10 IV Long reach (24 - 600) and fabulous image quality. I purchased mine for a Danube river cruise in July 2017. I love it!
Mark

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

A mirrorless camera could be your answer. They are small, lighter than a dSLR, use interchangeable lenses and they offer excellent quality. If the Fuji has opened your eyes go with Fuji. I bet you will not regret your decision then learn basic photography if you want to grow with the camera.
Enjoy your trip to Israel and bring back many beautiful shots.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

I’ve searched for the Sony HX99v and can only find a HX99 OR a HX90v. I was considering returning the RX100vi and either purchasing the HX99 OR the RX10iv because of the reach. I already have a RX100iii and a Sony a7iii, so I am used to the Sony menu system.

Can you please tell me where you got your Sony HX99v?