Pocketable compact
Aug 17, 2018 13:04:12 #
Sony RX100 series. I use the mark 3
Grumpy wrote:
Thinking of buying a lightweight compact for those... (show quote)
Aug 17, 2018 13:09:18 #
jeffstone123 wrote:
love my lumix zs100. takes great pics. for something that small. also does raw
I have a Lumix ZS-100 and it produces excellent images. It has a small EVF viewfinder to supplement its LCD panel which can be used in bright sunlit conditions.
Aug 17, 2018 13:53:54 #
When I saw a relative' pocket camera, Canon A1200, I knew I needed a pocket camera. All I could find (on the Canon refurb page on their web site, was the PoweShot A1400 at less than $100. Its lens is a 5 - 25 mm zoom, f2.8 - 6.9, 16 MP. It may be one of the last optical view finder in the pocket format. Another plus is it uses AA batteries. Here is its picture.
Aug 17, 2018 13:56:22 #
Aug 17, 2018 15:10:41 #
I have had several rx100s. They have all been excellent and are very pocketable. I have rarely had any bad shots from any of them. My only complaint is that Sony updates them so often, I keep feeling like I need a new one (though have been buying every other one). The iq in all of them is excellent in many different conditions, though I have mostly used them in bright light hiking and mountain climbing. They (especially the newer editions) also do well as video cameras in concerts (though not so great with stills in really dark venues). The original is still a great little camera. I finally just sold it to get the vi (with its longer lens). I got the III for the viewfinder, which was good, but the V is better. I got the V for better autofocus and other features before I went on a long Middle Eastern trip, but I could have been fine with the III. I recently sold the V, too, to get the vi, but as I am not planning on traveling at the moment, I may wait for the vii to come out. For a small sensor camera, they have all been great!
Aug 17, 2018 16:02:41 #
Aug 17, 2018 16:26:29 #
I have a Canon ELPH 180 and I love how you can set the timer for 30 seconds this is when I want pictures of the 2 of us using a tripod --I hate those selfie sticks can't get the shot I want with the 2 of us together--it is really small and when I want to zoom in on something I use my Sony with 30x zoom--both fit in my pocket real nice --in fact I had them both in the same pocket today and my mirrorless in my other pocket because of the rain today--by the way it is a Panasonic GX85 with a 12 to 32 lens (kit lens)
Aug 17, 2018 17:19:51 #
Her are a few pairs of images SOOC for those interested to judge. These were hand-held so focus might not be perfect.
John_F wrote:
When I saw a relative' pocket camera, Canon A1200, I knew I needed a pocket camera. All I could find (on the Canon refurb page on their web site, was the PoweShot A1400 at less than $100. Its lens is a 5 - 25 mm zoom, f2.8 - 6.9, 16 MP. It may be one of the last optical view finder in the pocket format. Another plus is it uses AA batteries. Here is its picture.
Aug 17, 2018 18:17:43 #
I went thru several of the smaller cameras mentioned. Finally settled on a Sony Dsc Hx 90 v and have been totally satisfied. Definitely pocketable has a huge zoom range and a Zeis lens. Not the fastest aperture or sensor but for what it is I took many excellent photos while on vacation in Europe this Summer. So small you can carry it everywhere
Aug 17, 2018 19:47:02 #
I have had two Panasonic LUMIX cameras. The newest is the ZS100. A lot packed into a fairly small camera.
Aug 17, 2018 23:30:06 #
laf
Loc: Nordland
After long consideration and reading I settled on RX100iii. Great senson,
lens and size with EVF. This things goes everywhere with me and I get
results that remind me of my D7000.. used on Ebay around $350.
lens and size with EVF. This things goes everywhere with me and I get
results that remind me of my D7000.. used on Ebay around $350.
Aug 18, 2018 03:32:04 #
bsprague wrote:
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.
I appreciate you pointing this out....seems like every time a "pocket camera" topic comes up on UHH, we see all sorts of cameras and camera systems recommended that are anything but "pocketable" (unless one has might huge pockets). Could be quite confusing for someone who is really looking for a camera that fits in a shirt or pants pocket.
Aug 18, 2018 16:17:21 #
The new Sony RX100 vi has a much longer zoom than the previous 5 versions.
For me, that's an amazing combination of small package, great sensor, adequately fast lens, good reach, and good usability.
I also used the Lumix ZX200, even longer zoom, which you pay for with a bigger package.
But the controls are absolutely impenetrable. I design UXs for a living, and consider myself adept at adjusting to all kinds of poor UX, but this camera absolutely takes the prize for unusability.
Just a couple of examples:
* There's a "4k burst mode" button just below the right thumb rest, that silently switches the camera to a lesser quality mode
* In manual mode, you can't manually focus. It appears to be because the ring can only be toggled between two out of the four things it could adjust: A, S, I, F - pick two!
* To set exposure compensation, you press the down arrow. But if you accidentally press it twice, it switches on bracket mode, and you have to press it 6 more times to cycle through all the bracket settings back to off.
For me, that's an amazing combination of small package, great sensor, adequately fast lens, good reach, and good usability.
I also used the Lumix ZX200, even longer zoom, which you pay for with a bigger package.
But the controls are absolutely impenetrable. I design UXs for a living, and consider myself adept at adjusting to all kinds of poor UX, but this camera absolutely takes the prize for unusability.
Just a couple of examples:
* There's a "4k burst mode" button just below the right thumb rest, that silently switches the camera to a lesser quality mode
* In manual mode, you can't manually focus. It appears to be because the ring can only be toggled between two out of the four things it could adjust: A, S, I, F - pick two!
* To set exposure compensation, you press the down arrow. But if you accidentally press it twice, it switches on bracket mode, and you have to press it 6 more times to cycle through all the bracket settings back to off.
Aug 19, 2018 03:14:28 #
Grumpy
Loc: Hampshire, UK
Wow, thanks for that, the Lumix was one of the cameras on my list, those sort of shortcomings are rarely mentioned in reviews. I am going to a camera shop next week to try some models. I am also coming to the conclusion that long zoom in a small camera is almost useless in any case, due to the loss of sharpness, 200mm looks to be pretty much the longest usable zoom before IQ starts to suffer, due to the smaller aperture you can use. The new Sony is incredibly expensive but may be worth it, or I may have to forsake the long zoom and go for something with a faster lens but only shortish focal length. All the comments have been very useful but it appears you really cannot have your cake and eat it in this segment.
Aug 19, 2018 03:58:50 #
Grumpy
Loc: Hampshire, UK
What started me on this path were two lost opportunities where I needed a quick start up and by the time I had faffed about getting my camera out of it's bag the chance had gone. Not being, any longer, in the full flush of youth, I needed something I could just get out of my pocket, switch on, focus and fire. Lightness is also a factor of course. I find that in those circumstances a purely screen based composition does not suit my sometimes less than steady hands, hence the need for a viewfinder where i can steady everything with my arms pressed into my body. Either, I will have to go for medium IQ with one of the smaller (cheaper) point and shoots, not my preferred option by any means, or push the boat out and go for a one inch sensor camera. I won't know that until I try out some different models for useability next week. Although as one contributor has already pointed out, some of the shortcomings are not immediately apparent and only rear their ugly heads in real world useage.
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