Time has come to change camera. Advice needed please.
Jan 30, 2019 13:16:42 #
RX10M4......it is a beautiful camera.....if you do buy the book by White on Amazon. Many keeper shots. Focus is awesome. 24fps burst stops a bird in flight. If you want a camera that does everything I need and does it well this is it. I always thought it was greener around the corner....not with this..this is it
Jan 30, 2019 13:26:40 #
My husband does joke that I would take everything including the kitchen sink with me when we travel, and I really have tried cutting down, but on the one occasion I was sure that I would not need my telephoto lens [the largest and heaviest lens of course and one which I use a great deal] and opted to leave it at home, I missed some excellent opportunities. Also my Pentax K still uses rechargable AA batteries and by the time I have three sets, plus charger, plus filters, lenses, flash[yet more batteries!], plus a couple of point & shoot spare cameras, etc. etc. I need a pack mule. Also we are finding ourselves flying more these days instead of driving and that is forcing me to rethink the camera options and simplify. At least for travelling.
I am still compiling my shortlist and hopefully will reach a decision soon. Thanks.
I am still compiling my shortlist and hopefully will reach a decision soon. Thanks.
Jan 30, 2019 14:11:28 #
tomad
Loc: North Carolina
jmss1950 wrote:
Thanks. This is one of the ones currently on my short list.
It would help if you click on "Quote Reply" underneath the post you are answering so that everyone knows which post you are referring to.
Jan 30, 2019 15:06:41 #
sailwiz
Loc: Santee, CA
I'm 74, and I own a Lumix FZ1000. Great bridge camera. Look it up. For the price it is hard to beat. If you have money to burn you should look at the Lumix FZ2500. Your question invariably gets everyone's favorite camera and after years of study I went to the FZ1000. Excellent 'old man's' camera.
Jan 30, 2019 15:22:23 #
Please help us narrow down the choices. Perhaps tell us what you considered.
Your camera is a pocketable one with a small (1/2.33") sensor. Do you prefer a camera with that form factor? Is the quality and low light sensitivity adequate or would a larger (1” or greater) sensor be preferred.
I wanted a pocketable camera with viewfinder and greater than 1.233” sensor and zoom lens. I wound up with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 (1" 20.1 MP sensor, 25-250mm (35mm Equivalent) lens, EVF) on sale at $547.99 (the DC-ZS200 has a greater zoom range but $200 more). So far I am quite happy with it.
The DMC-FZ1000 is larger (small but not pocketable), has a 20.1MP 1" sensor, 25-400mm f/2.8-4 (35mm Equivalent) lens, EVF. and is on sale at $497.99
Your camera is a pocketable one with a small (1/2.33") sensor. Do you prefer a camera with that form factor? Is the quality and low light sensitivity adequate or would a larger (1” or greater) sensor be preferred.
I wanted a pocketable camera with viewfinder and greater than 1.233” sensor and zoom lens. I wound up with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 (1" 20.1 MP sensor, 25-250mm (35mm Equivalent) lens, EVF) on sale at $547.99 (the DC-ZS200 has a greater zoom range but $200 more). So far I am quite happy with it.
The DMC-FZ1000 is larger (small but not pocketable), has a 20.1MP 1" sensor, 25-400mm f/2.8-4 (35mm Equivalent) lens, EVF. and is on sale at $497.99
Jan 30, 2019 16:48:33 #
If budget is an issue, another idea is a Panasonic LUMIX GX 85 with 12-32 and 45-150 lenses is $597 at B&H. The 12-32 on the camera is small enough to carry in a pocket. The sensor is only 16 MP but unless something a lot bigger than 11X14 is needed, it is ample. I can understand wanting to continue using the wonderful Pentax lenses, but they are heavy. You can sell the Pentax equipment and purchase the above, and potentially buy a longer 4/3 lens compatible from Panasonic or Olympus as well. The newer GX 9 with a 20 MP sensor and a 12-60 lens is $897. Anything much bigger and you may as well stick with the smaller Pentax.
For a point and shoot with zoom capabilities, look at the Sony’s and buy according to budget. I thought the Sony P&S were marvelous cameras when I looked at them in B&H on a New York visit last year.
For a point and shoot with zoom capabilities, look at the Sony’s and buy according to budget. I thought the Sony P&S were marvelous cameras when I looked at them in B&H on a New York visit last year.
Jan 30, 2019 17:12:39 #
StanMac
Loc: Tennessee
I personally would recommend a Fuji camera, primarily because that’s what I acquired (XE2S) for a smaller interchangeable lens camera. If you have a history of using smaller film cameras (like the ME) it will feel more natural in your hands. And, with an appropriate adapter, you can use your legacy Pentax lenses and get outstanding results. Using it is much like shooting with a vintage rangefinder camera.
Stan
Stan
Jan 30, 2019 17:27:03 #
Hi, Jmss: Welcome to the Hog. You have asked an interesting question and have received lots of good information. The answer to your question is in your hands and your pocketbook. If you want a lighter camera, I believe that looking into a mirrorless model will satisfy that need. If you want a smaller camera, look into the mirrorless models. If you want a relatively inexpensive camera, you have to look at cameras in whatever price range you feel is your comfort zone.
I solved the problem by looking at the Sony A6000. It is a great mirrorless camera. It is smaller and lighter than a DSLR and will give you very high quality images with the reasonably priced kit lenses. I use my Pentax K mount lenses and my Canon EOS mount lenses with their inexpensive adapters which are available on Ebay. Keep the cost down and get a previously owned A6000 on Ebay. I believe that you will be pleased with the A6000. If you are not, the resale market is strong and you will be able to turn it over with little or no difficulty. Good hunting!
I solved the problem by looking at the Sony A6000. It is a great mirrorless camera. It is smaller and lighter than a DSLR and will give you very high quality images with the reasonably priced kit lenses. I use my Pentax K mount lenses and my Canon EOS mount lenses with their inexpensive adapters which are available on Ebay. Keep the cost down and get a previously owned A6000 on Ebay. I believe that you will be pleased with the A6000. If you are not, the resale market is strong and you will be able to turn it over with little or no difficulty. Good hunting!
Jan 30, 2019 17:48:57 #
Dossile wrote:
If budget is an issue, another idea is a Panasonic... (show quote)
I find myself agreeing with this guy, “Ya might as well stay with the smaller Pentax, get the quite small body of the K-S2 and sell any Pentax gear you have that is BIG. I don’t think that all Pentax lenses are HEAVY. Keep the beauties that you have in Pentax, and buy some of the BEST-OF-PENTAX lenses that you don’t yet have . Like the Pentax 77mm & the Pentax 35mm, & there’s many more compact fabulous Pentax lenses. Do I appear to have a BIAS?? Lol.... I do, after68-69 in Vietnam, when I first got THE BEST JAPAN had then. RJM
Jan 30, 2019 18:50:17 #
I would echo the recommendation for the Panasonic ZS100. It's got a decent zoom lens (10X Leica), in-body stabilization (really nice to cut down on hand shake), a touch LCD, and Amazon has it discounted down to $547 -- great value.
Jan 30, 2019 18:59:10 #
Jan 30, 2019 19:00:20 #
tomad wrote:
It would help if you click on "Quote Reply" underneath the post you are answering so that everyone knows which post you are referring to.
Thanks I had not thought of that. Still learning the ropes.
Jan 30, 2019 19:02:14 #
tomad wrote:
It would help if you click on "Quote Reply" underneath the post you are answering so that everyone knows which post you are referring to.
The FZ1000 is also on my shortlist. Thanks.
Jan 30, 2019 19:12:44 #
Jan 30, 2019 19:36:41 #
I suggest looking into purchasing an Olympus OM-D-EM10MkII Micro 4/3 mirrorless camera. It's a great mid-level, compact, well built camera with a ton of capability and a slew of lenses available (both primes and zooms), and a great EVF. There is a MkIII, but many consider the MkII a better all around camera and it's still being sold brand new through dealers, or directly from Olympus from $499(body only) - $549(w/kit lens), or, you can look on eBay for used at around $300+.
The MkII was a big upgrade from the original EM10 and included their 5 axis image stabilization, some additional features and better ergonomics. A16MP M4/3 sensor with really good built-in processing for excellent image quality. If this is for traveling, I think it's the ticket. Also if you need to stick it in your jacket pocket, it can squeeze in there with the 14-42mm(35mm equiv. 28 - 84mm) EZ pancake zoom kit lens. I think this one will surprise you.
The MkII was a big upgrade from the original EM10 and included their 5 axis image stabilization, some additional features and better ergonomics. A16MP M4/3 sensor with really good built-in processing for excellent image quality. If this is for traveling, I think it's the ticket. Also if you need to stick it in your jacket pocket, it can squeeze in there with the 14-42mm(35mm equiv. 28 - 84mm) EZ pancake zoom kit lens. I think this one will surprise you.
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