Small camera gear for small person (Page 4): Do I dare say "smartphone?" Small, almost always instantly available, now with multiple lenses and image quality that is tough to...

cyclespeed Loc: Calgary, Alberta Canada

Do I dare say "smartphone?"
Small, almost always instantly available, now with multiple lenses and image quality that is tough to differentiate from the ones mentioned above.

radiojohn

Lumix G100. Small, light, 20 MP, 4K video, uses Micro 4/3 lenses, affordable.
Aimed at "V-loggers" but really a full fledged mirrorless camera WITH EVF and flipable screen.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

andymac wrote:

I have a friend who is petite. She is ready to buy... (show quote)

Without knowing her location, I would suggest B&H in NYC. This is my favorite store in the world. Their sales staff are remarkable and after all these years, I have never had a problem.
Since she is a Canon user, I remain vehement on the muscle memory this company maintains. Beside learning how to use another brand’s camera can take some time.
First there is a Canon EOS Rebel 2000. This is unbelievably light and quite versatile. Granted, it is a film camera but the results are very impressive. Developing film can be a pain but it is not insurmountable.
Second there is the Canon SL3. This isn’t a far cry from the first and is quite affordable for a digital camera.
Third there is the Canon M50. While it is light and affordable , I hope others may offer more insight. I have yet to go mirrorless at this time.
Finally, before selling any equipment, see if any is compatible with you new choice.

Good Luck!

jpd

Simply use your camera phone...good pics and easy solution.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

andymac wrote:

I have used some of the responses to query my frie... (show quote)

There is no getting around the fact that, in general, full frame is larger and heavier than APS-C, which is heavier than M4/3. The 7D mk II is APS-C. While mirrorless can be smaller and lighter, using an adapter on one to accommodate DSLR lenses often negates that advantage. I am currently using the R7 (APS-C) with an EF-S lens and adapter. I also have a strobe and bracket on it which makes it anything but light. However, I'm very happy with the combo. If an RF-S lens comes out to lighten the load, I may consider it.

IQ and low light performance can be at odds. Low light suggests wide open lenses (heavier) and large pixels (lower MP). IQ to many means great detail which begs high MP and top lenses.

Also, keep in mind that technology has advanced since the 7D mk II was designed and low light performance has improved across the board. Comparing noise results of tests on different models can indicate relative performance.

Keep in mind, using an APS-C lens on a full frame (if it mounts) putting it in crop mode loses more than 1/2 the pixel count of the resulting image.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Olympus! I have both the m5 III and the m1 III. I traded in all my heavy Nikon gear and never looked back. The image stabilization — 5 axis — lets me hand hold the equivalent of a 24-200 at night. Smaller and lighter gear has meant I use all my lenses and my cameras more often.

Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

The first question would be how big her budget is. What she shoots is varied and will take different lens (macro vs wildlife). Does she have good Canon glass already? If so why change boats - get a good R camera - anywhere from the RP up..

hj Loc: Florida

BebuLamar wrote:

That is IF she can go to a camera shop.
Or
She can order 5 systems and see which one has the best ergonomics in her own home and then return the rest. That would help increase the refurb inventory for us all to enjoy.

I totally disagree with the concept of ordering multiple cameras and then returning all but one. That's selfish and immediately diminishes the value of cameras that were returned, working against the best interests of Photographic equipment sellers.

BebuLamar

hj wrote:

I totally disagree with the concept of ordering multiple cameras and then returning all but one. That's selfish and immediately diminishes the value of cameras that were returned, working against the best interests of Photographic equipment sellers.

I would never do that but it's a common practice. But it's becoming the only way as you can't buy anything local any more. You can't never be sure if something is right for you if you have to buy it without even see it or handle it in person. That is the problem of ecomerce.

RolandDieter

The m4/3 option is one good option, but I have found the Canon M-mount APS cameras to be excellent with little bulk and little weight. Not a great lens selection, but having lots of lenses would defeat the lightweight, less bulk goal. Two M lenses will cover about everything she will ever need and three will probably be more than needed. I use two M bodies with the lenses permanently attached. I have a Sony RX10iv and find it too bulky and its 1" sensor is awfully small. With that small a sensor I prefer the RX100vi.

Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada

joer wrote:

Suggest I-Phone 4, Galaxy S22 Ultra and Pixel 6. Top end phone cameras are unbeatable for travel once you grasp how best to use them.

I'm guessing, Joer you meant iPhone 14. I have an old iPhone 4 and the camera is crap by today's standards!

RWeisz

I too am a “petite” woman. Five feet tall with children’s sized hands. I never expected the size of my hands to determine which camera I choose, but it did. I agree with all of those who encourage her to go to a camera store to try them. I actually have two systems. I have an Olympus system. OMD EM1 mark ii. It was my first one. I have the Pro lenses. It was a great first step and the optics are great. That said, I was frustrated with the noise in low light and the smaller sensor was a problem in some situations. I also own a full frame Sony A7 R III with a trinity of lenses. I am able to reach the buttons on both easily. I wanted to get the new Canon before I got the Sony system and it was just too big. I found the Fuji uncomfortable. There are many excellent camera systems. I am loving the full frame Sony because I can crop in on an image and end up with a great image that can still be enlarged. Test drive them and evaluate need. Then go with what feels comfortable. It makes a difference. Good luck!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

RolandDieter wrote:

The m4/3 option is one good option, but I have fou... (show quote)

Is Canon even making M system gear any longer?

stevemdr

I have similar problems because I'm 80 and use a Drive Medical Rollator many times when I shoot. At the same time, I'm a "serious photographer" who sometimes exhibits in galleries. The best combo I've found is a Fujifilm X-T5 with a Fujinon 16-80 zoom, a 10-24 zoom, and a 23mm f2 lens. I also carry a Sony RX100 M7 for instances where the Fujifilm camera is too large or conspicuous. Everything fits into a camera bag that weighs 6.5 pounds with this gear. The camera bag goes into my rolling carry-on I take onboard along with meds for a 2-3 week cruise.

stevemdr

I have similar problems because I'm 80 and use a Drive Medical Rollator many times when I shoot. At the same time, I'm a "serious photographer" who sometimes exhibits in galleries. The best combo I've found is a Fujifilm X-T5 with a Fujinon 16-80 zoom, a 10-24 zoom, and a 23mm f2 lens. I also carry a Sony RX100 M7 for instances where the Fujifilm camera is too large or conspicuous. Everything fits into a camera bag that weighs 6.5 pounds with this gear. The camera bag goes into my rolling carry-on I take onboard along with meds for a 2-3 week cruise.