Pocketable compact
Aug 16, 2018 07:44:39 #
Grumpy
Loc: Hampshire, UK
Thinking of buying a lightweight compact for those days when I don't want to lug my full kit around. I have read the reviews of the latest Panasonic and Sony offerings but there is no substitute for actual field experience. So I wondered if the good people on UH had any first hand suggestions? I would like a reasonable zoom range and good IQ, I realise that there will always be trade offs when looking at these type of cameras but am prepared to sacrifice some lens speed and control for convenience. I should also say that some sort of viewfinder is a must, I find LCD screens difficult to read on bright days.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Aug 16, 2018 08:00:35 #
Grumpy wrote:
Thinking of buying a lightweight compact for those... (show quote)
I haven't used as many cameras as the reviewers have used, but I like my little Sony A6000.
Aug 16, 2018 08:01:26 #
Grumpy wrote:
Thinking of buying a lightweight compact for those... (show quote)
Yes, a quality "Panasonic Lumix" camera would be a excellent choice, some models offer a quality "Leica Lens". I had one and sold it, wish I still had it today, took excellent images.
Aug 16, 2018 08:01:31 #
Aug 16, 2018 08:04:45 #
allan catt
Loc: gillingham,kent,uk
Lumix tz60 30x zoom 18 mp. Electronic viewfinder.shoots raw.everthing you need.all I use on holidays and general photos.+ of course a Leica lens.
Aug 16, 2018 08:32:43 #
I use the Panasonic GX-8 for a lightweight travel kit. I like that it has a viewfinder and an articulated rear LCD. It is MFT and you can get really nice lenses instead of the kit lens. The 20mm is f1.7, the 12-35 and 35-100 f2.8 and the tele zoom is f4. The better lenses are not inexpensive but compared to the cost of full frame or medium format lenses you almost get my for the cost of one MF lens. Everything fits in the sholder bag along with an iPad mini. It doesn't scream out "look here for camera equipment. What I like about the Panasonic is you can shop other MFT lenses say from Olympus.
Aug 16, 2018 09:41:15 #
The title of this topic is "Pocketable compact". The GX8 and A6000 need pretty big pockets.
The Sony RX100 series and the Panasonic ZS100 or ZS200 all have one inch sensors and lenses that retract to pocket sizes.
I have personal experience with the first RX100 and the ZS100. I like them both a lot.
The Sony RX100 series and the Panasonic ZS100 or ZS200 all have one inch sensors and lenses that retract to pocket sizes.
I have personal experience with the first RX100 and the ZS100. I like them both a lot.
Aug 16, 2018 10:19:48 #
Grumpy wrote:
Thinking of buying a lightweight compact for those... (show quote)
I had read your post earlier and then came across this article. I do not know anything about this camera so I am not advocating it, just bringing it to your attention.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottkramer/2018/08/15/sonys-new-pocket-sized-camera-is-huge-in-features/#13881e08103e
Aug 16, 2018 11:17:18 #
If you truly are looking for a camera to slip in your pocket not a bad choice. I have an earlier version of this and it was a 20mp camera with Ziess lens just not the tele this one has.
Aug 16, 2018 11:27:57 #
Aug 16, 2018 15:33:13 #
Grumpy
Loc: Hampshire, UK
Thanks everyone for your replies. As always it is a matter of which features you need and those shiny ones you will probably never use. In the end I think it is down to IQ with slightly less zoom. I think it is between the
Sony RX100 series and Panasonic TZ200, a bit of a pity about maximum aperture on both but they look pretty impressive for real world use.
Thanks again for all your feedback.
Sony RX100 series and Panasonic TZ200, a bit of a pity about maximum aperture on both but they look pretty impressive for real world use.
Thanks again for all your feedback.
Aug 16, 2018 17:03:04 #
Grumpy wrote:
Thinking of buying a lightweight compact for those... (show quote)
Sony RX100M4 gets you the pop up viewfinder and flash with a 24-70 lens. Quite a versatile camera, I carry it with me all the time.
Aug 16, 2018 17:24:34 #
If you want a camera with reasonable zoom range, then it will likely not be able to fit in your pocket.
My Canon Powershot A1400 has an optical viewfinder and is small enough to easily fit into any pants pocket, but its limited zoom range (3x) is for most people's expectations probably not sufficient.
My Canon Powershot A1400 has an optical viewfinder and is small enough to easily fit into any pants pocket, but its limited zoom range (3x) is for most people's expectations probably not sufficient.
Aug 16, 2018 20:50:35 #
Grumpy wrote:
Thanks everyone for your replies. As always it is a matter of which features you need and those shiny ones you will probably never use. In the end I think it is down to IQ with slightly less zoom. I think it is between the
Sony RX100 series and Panasonic TZ200, a bit of a pity about maximum aperture on both but they look pretty impressive for real world use.
Thanks again for all your feedback.
Sony RX100 series and Panasonic TZ200, a bit of a pity about maximum aperture on both but they look pretty impressive for real world use.
Thanks again for all your feedback.
"I think it is between the Sony RX100 series and Panasonic TZ200"
That's about what I wrote above. The ZS100 has less zoom, but a faster lens lens than the newer ZS200. ("TZ" and "ZS" change, depending on where you live!)
Based on results, not features, I think if I was spending money on a pocket camera right now it would be the ZS100. That said, one of the later versions in the Sony series would not be disappointing!
Aug 17, 2018 06:31:40 #
j.l.h wrote:
I use the Panasonic GX-8 for a lightweight travel ... (show quote)
Nice outfit....but doesn't look like a "pocketable camera?" (Unless you are the banana man on Captain Kangaroo)
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