Point and Shoot vs. Various iPhones for Disney Vacation?

I am going on a Disney vacation this summer with my family and I am looking for a good photography solution for the trip. I will have my hands full with my kids and I am simply not going to lug around my DSLR all day long. I'm therefore considering the best option for a camera that fits in my pocket. I currently have an iPhone 6+, and that just isn't going to cut it; low light pictures are poor and any kind of zoom ends up with quite a bit of graininess.

 

Therefore, I am considering two possibilities. The first is to get a new iPhone, which, obviously, I will be using for more than just photography. I'd be considering the newer 8 or X models.

 

The second is to a a medium-range point and click camera. I'm not going to waste my time or money on a $100 camera that can't do anything my phone can't already do, but I was considering the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II. I'm not 100% sold on this model and am open to recommendations, but I'm not looking for a point and shoot much more expensive.

 

So my question is, how do the newer iPhones stack up against the middle of the road point and clicks? I imagine that at Disney, my time will be split between good lighting, and dark/indoor lighting.

 

Any recommendations or personal experiences are greatly appreciated.

I would expect that an Iphone 8 (or any of the latest premium smartphones) has a better camera than a 6+, with software, like enhanced HDR modes, providing the bulk of the improvements. The sensors are still tiny compared with the 1" sensor in the Canon G9, so smartphones will be at a disadvantage in low light. I would expect any modern smartphone to take really good photos in daylight or a bright room and struggle in low light. If you can spring for a 1" compact camera with a faster lens, like the Canon G7, or the latest Panasonic or Sony offerings, that would provide a better solution, though at a higher price. Having a splash proof model may be helpful on some of the wetter Disney rides.

I have both the iPhone X and iPhone 6+ - there's a world of difference between their cameras. If you like taking photos with your 6+, you'll like using the X even more (a slightly smaller phone factor). Now, I happen to hate taking photos with any iPhone, so I only use the X as a camera at social gatherings. If I am going somewhere, then I bring a camera, whether it's a DSLR, mirrorless or digi P&S. The Panasonic ZS100 looks like its got great specs.

 

One more thing - don't know if it applies to you and I don't know if you're aware, but selfie-sticks are not allowed at any Disney-owned park.

My sister-in-laws iPhone trounced my basic/low-end P&S for available light indoor shooting.

The image looked much better.

If the only reason you would spring $800-1000 for a new phone is to get a better camera, a good point-n-shoot will be a more economical way to go, and considering the cost of going to Disney parks nowadays, that may be a consideration.

You'll probably have your phone with most of the time, making it convenient for taking pictures which are easily posted online to social media or for viewing on your monitor. Current model iphones do great for these uses, as well as video. I don't have one, but my daughter sends me lots of shots taken with hers and I'm very impressed. Never blown any shots up to exhibition size though, so I can't comment there. The P&S seems like a duplication since you'll have your phone with you anyway, so I'd go for a phone upgrade, which you'll end up doing anyway down the road. Check around for good deals though.

Having a splash proof model may be helpful on some of the wetter Disney rides.

Is surely an important point. - I'm not familiar with Disney but at another theme park I skipped the wet ride worried about the Leica in my backpack. Bring at least something to store whatever device you are choosing splash or short term dunk proof!

Sorry, I am out of the mid range +x tiny cam market and phones wise limping way behind you. I'd screen reviews for something with swift AF and also look for a chance to shoot at arms length &/ from the hip, especially around little ones. Having a device with strap lug to attach to at least a lanyard would make me more comfortable than carrying just a phone and with iPhones I'd worry about running out of battery or memory. No real experience yet though.

IDK if I am clumsier than an average bear but my last P&S, with just a wrist strap, dropped at least 3 times out of my pockets. I am glad I could trade it in for a Canon 5D IV last year.

Having a device with strap lug to attach to at least a lanyard would make me more comfortable than carrying just a phone and with iPhones I'd worry about running out of battery or memory.

 

I think you are right to think about straps for a phonecam. I’m a bit like you, butterfingers, so if I was going to invest in an iphone X, i’d get a case made with photography in mind.

 

Not sure if this link works, but Moment make a nice case to which a strap can be added.

 

Shop Cases: iPhone, Pixel, and Galaxy battery and photo cases | Moment

This brings up a point.

I wonder how many phones are lost from flying out the hands on some of these "exciting" rides.

Here's a good analysis on the Canon Power Shot G9 you mentioned and some competitors. Good luck and have fun.

Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II Review

Thank you all for the advice. I'm actually eyeing the G7 mark II now.

Been a good while, but took the kids to both Disney and Universal - the latter was far superior IMO (and theirs). Can't say about now, might be worth checking online.

You won’t be disappointed.

I have the G9X MK II and love it. Great movies, great in low light.

Yours is the next model better than mine.

I got a clear pelican 1010 case for knock around protection, and it fits perfectly, when not in your shirt pocket.

Recommend a spare battery or two.

In the transition from film, I got a Powershot to be the digital equivalent of my Rollei 35:SLR.

Worked great,

but the iPhone has the advantage of always being there.

 

The phone quality is not up to my dSLR, but it's great for snapshots and short movies.

I did what you don't want to do - I got a $150 P&S for our Disneyland outing earlier this month, and I came away with sensational memories of how thrilled my granddaughter was by her Disney experience, and almost no usable photos. I didn't want to carry a DSLR, and I still believe that was a good choice. But my old arthritic hands couldn't do a very good job of holding and manipulating a small P&S, so my efforts produced poor results. I should have known better. I would have done just as well with my phone.

 

Wet rides - this is a big issue, with an easy solution. First, plan on wearing cargo shorts that have Velcro-type closure on the large pockets. Second, take a sandwich-size ZipLoc bag in one of those pockets. If you are going on a ride that threatens to splash you, put the camera inside the bag and zip it closed, and then put the bagged camera in one of the Velcro pockets and close it. There will be no risk of the camera falling out of the pocket, and splashing won't cause any harm.

The Ziploc bag idea is right -- that's what I did with my Rollei 35 back in film days.