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What’s your choice for a camera in your pocket?


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It might help to know WHY specifically these cameras work for you. What features they have (or what ergonomics they have) which makes you enjoy using them...

 

Because:

> it is small enough to fit into a jacket pocket

> it is light weight

> it appears like a 'film camera' - that has been (anecdotally) a less intrusive/obvious tool to use for Street Photography - I don't know why, it is just a thought, not a theory, but quite a few people have mentioned phrases like "old school photography" and have encouraged me to take their photograph.

> it is silent

> it is really cute

> it has a Leaf Shutter (Flash as Fill in daylight)

> it has a Prime Lens (I have to think more)

 

WW

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Since I could get soaked on my motor scooter, I am happy to have a Pentax WG 2 as shown above too. - While it is made to stand abuse I am not really blown away by it's photographic results, if we are talking in "serious" terms. - What I really like about that little camera it is ability to illuminate a thumbnail sized area of a printed sheet with the LEDs around it's lens and snap a modest but sufficient resolution picture of it, while resting on a "not really deep lens hood" -like spacer. - I am a press man, doing late shifts and that feature allows me to bring any issue I am spotting on my boss' smartphone screen. Achieving the same with a hand held SLR would be quite a challenge. Beyond "sketching" things for the Internet and telecommunicating something like the view through my linen tester, the Optio feels limited. The AF is Pentax usual not spectacular, there is no IBIS, the lens gets dim towards its long end and the small sensor isn't low light capable. I appreciate the dedicated orange neoprene wrapper for it that makes it easy to spot and apparently offers some protection for it when it dangles from my backpack strap.

I've looked up some of these and it's sometimes hard to determine if they have an aperture priority mode (for instance the Canon G9X mk II doesn't list it under exposure controls)
Sorry, does aperture priority mode matter at all with a tiny sensor? Minox cassette cameras had apertureless 15mm/ 3.5 standard lenses, providing DOF 2m to infinity, equaling f16 on 50mm. i-Phones have faster and shorter apertureless lenses, maybe even tinier sensors and also provide infinite DOF. Towards the long end of a pocket-P&S's zoom the lens gets dim, the optical lever nastier and aperture settings become an absolute nobrainer; you simply hope for a miracle while hand holding, don't you? - There is no room for thoughts like: "I'll shoot a few 1st frames of that portrait at f8, before I 'll try wide open, to make sure I'll bring something home". The camera is focusing via it's sensor, so any DSLR / RF usual alignment issue is unthinkable. As a former classic film camera shooter I do not understand why tiny sensor cameras vex us with sluggish unreliable contrast AF at all. I wish they had a mechanical zone focusing interface and an optical finder, to feel responsive.

 

Upon your use cases: What kind of shots will you be after? - Leica M is the classic "I am too *whatever* to bring a huge (D)SLR" choice. I like mine but honestly: They aren't as competitive as they used to be anymore.

I haven't handled them but Olympus & MFT cameras in general seem have some appeal to SLR kit abandoners.

The last time I tried to do this (in the film days) I tried a lot of things (like Minox 35GTs and Rolleis and Contax T2, and Minolta 7sIIs, etc.). Ultimately they were great machines but just too fiddly to use.
Why do you expect anything P&S, especially Sony, to be better? - They aren't any bigger so how could they be easier to use; especially when their design policy goes against a bunch of direct access buttons dials and similar even in the Nex series? - I might be off, my latest Sony is 13 years old, but still: I suspect current ones to work pretty well in "auto everything" and cause hair loss over anything else.

 

MILCs and heritage glass: We have them, they weigh not much and might be good for something closer to the static end of the rainbow getting along with rather wide open apertures in good light. When my EVF's frame rate drops due to low light or a needed small aperture on the heritage lens, I am getting vexed, curse my idea to try shooting the X-E1 pack up and continue another time with Leica or DSLR.

Sony might be better, later Fujis too but I am in for my shooting experience. - If I perceive myself limping behind action without any real chance to hit it's peaks in focus, I'll sacrifice money, payload or whatever it takes and get serious. - Clarifying: I don't claim to manually focus the Leicas faster than a Pentax AF. I am simply stating: I feel much better passing my time doing so, than waiting for a machine to do the job.

Canon AF speed (5D IV) seems comparably amazing to me. If a latest Sony 1" sensor P&S punches in that league: Fine! - Maybe get one? But look it's results up, before you spend money. I pondered the waterproof Nikon 1. I had a 4K screen running at that time and wasn't really impressed by results. I worried about coming home with sketches of images I would have liked to take and the related frustration. I am more comfortable blaming myself than a bad but still somewhat expensive camera choice for such.

My Fujis work very well for the "touristic" P(wait...)&S use case for me. Consumer zooms are acceptable for 4K viewing, the JPEGs look usually so great that I am tempted to keep them and bin my RAW files. I just failed to spot a significant difference / advantage, that could convince me to give up my Leica kit and replace it with Fuji counterparts. Fuji radiate "we are working on it; we are constantly improving". So when to buy something of their latest and greatest? Right now they have the X-H1 with IBIS and an X-T3 with better AF? So if I buy one, I 'll better continue saving up to buy a future version that tosses both highlights together?

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I use a Ricoh GR (first version) APS-C sensor or else just my $300-400US price Android phone. The Ricoh is smaller than the Fuji X100 I was deciding on and because it is LCD only, no viewfinder it makes you look very point and shoot.

 

I find a 35mm better for streets and it's a classical FL. 28mm equiv FF that the Ricoh has to me is better when I am out and about with non photography people, ie inside cafes where the sitting space is tighter and cramped, inside the plane or train with family and friends going away for that family "vacation". Family snapshots, photograph what meal I am having on the plane etc.

 

If I was after something with less compromise maybe a second hand Fuji XT1 which fantastic camera for still images and personal shooting, not blow ups. Then a 23mm and a 35mm F2 WR; so FF equiv they are 35mm and 50mm. Often with travel even myself I seldom go longer than 50mm. Esp with walkabout photography. If I was deliberate looking maybe ...

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...Sorry, does aperture priority mode matter at all with a tiny sensor? Minox cassette cameras had apertureless 15mm/ 3.5 standard lenses, providing DOF 2m to infinity, equaling f16 on 50mm. i-Phones have faster and shorter apertureless lenses, maybe even tinier sensors and also provide infinite DOF. ...

Upon your use cases: What kind of shots will you be after? - Leica M is the classic "I am too *whatever* to bring a huge (D)SLR" choice. I like mine but honestly: They aren't as competitive as they used to be anymore.

I haven't handled them but Olympus & MFT cameras in general seem have some appeal to SLR kit abandoners.

Why do you expect anything P&S, especially Sony, to be better? - They aren't any bigger so how could they be easier to use; especially when their design policy goes against a bunch of direct access buttons dials and similar even in the Nex series? - I might be off, my latest Sony is 13 years old, but still: I suspect current ones to work pretty well in "auto everything" and cause hair loss over anything else.

.../QUOTE]

 

Aperture priority is the way I like to work in order to control the depth of field, and from what I can research, it DOES have an effect even with small cameras. Or maybe it's just the way I learned to work. My first self purchased camera was a Minolta XE-5 which offered aperture priority. My friend bought an Olympus I think and he had shutter priority. It'd be interesting to see what he's using now. So maybe a bit of habit but I like working that way.

 

I don't expect other cameras to be better. I just don't always want to carry a large camera, and for ME these days, the Leica Ms are large cameras. I really did like the Canon 5D but I just can't carry it anymore unless I'm operating close to my car. No tripods either, so eventually maybe good IBIS might be the answer eventually. As a main camera I'll probably stick with Leica until or unless I can't carry it anymore.

 

RaymondC the Ricoh GR has a pretty good reputation. Watched a video on it and the reviewer really liked it.

 

I guess in some sense, as I said initially, a small pocketable camera is designed to fill a niche that no longer exists because smart phones are such good point and shoot cameras. So the ones that survive are MORE than simply point and shoots. They are quality cameras with superior user interfaces (to phones) which can "replace" bigger cameras, at least in certain circumstances. That is a very hard niche for camera makers to hit. To put enough in them to make them worthwhile, they tend to be expensive and larger. But that takes them out of the niche of a pocketable camera. It's interesting to look at the RX100s because they truly are pocketable where so many of their competitors are JUST a little too big or have awkward SLR like viewfinder humps or lens that extend too far.

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  • 2 weeks later...
I’ve gotten some wacky ideas here and there. One is the old Pentax Q which is a cool little package with interchangeable lenses but a tiny sensor. Another is the Sigma DP1 and 2 cameras. Quirky but with a great sensor or so it is said (foveon). I’ve had the Fuji X100 recommended too, but it might be a bit big for a pocket type camera.
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  • 2 weeks later...
The new model RX100vi comes with a bigger zoom.

It’s “bigger” (35mm equivalents of 24-200 vs 24-70), but it’s also slower (2.8-4.5 vs 1.8-2.8). This does impact low light work, so I prefer the faster lens to the longer one. Also, the VI no longer has the integral ND filter that’s integral in the III, IV & V. I still carry my original 2012 RX100 & love it. If it ever dies, I’ll get a Mk Va.

 

Jochen, you can program the ring around the lens mount to do a fair amount of work. I use it to control shutter speed, aperture, or ISO as needed - it’s a real workhorse once you learn how to optimize the controls (which is admittedly not simple - but it’s well worth the effort).

Edited by otislynch
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Not too many years ago, I went to Great Wolf Lodge with a Canon WP-1.

 

It fit in the pocket of my swimsuit, went down many waterslides, and other wet situations.

 

I suspect that now a GoPro would be a better choice.

 

GWL00703.thumb.JPG.af6080729df31d6965fe2015e8cbf75a.JPG

 

I think that is my foot.

-- glen

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I love my Canon G9X, which I believe was mentioned earlier in this string. One thing I'd point out ... a lot of cameras in this category don't have viewfinders . The G9X has a nice, crisp LCD touch panel. However, it still can't compete against glare on a bright, sunny day. Next time, I'm looking into a version that offers an electronic viewfinder. The price goes up but you might find the extra cost justified.
David H
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I admit I have a prejudice against LCD only cameras, but maybe that’s because they often have pretty poor screens. I use my iPhone 6sPlus like that though without TOO many issues. A lot would depend on the brightness and resolution of the screen. My Nex-7 doesn’t have what I call a great rear LCD OR a great EVF really. I wonder how good Sony has the 6500 working in that regard these days?
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I didn't do much looking through viewfinders while going down water slides.

 

An LCD screen would be even harder to look at.

 

I am sure I got that camera used for a low price, just in case I someday needed a waterproof camera.

 

I did use a disposable waterproof camera on some whitewater rafting trips in earlier years.

 

And, as for the subject, it did fit into the pocket of my swimsuit.

-- glen

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How very true.

Suspenders may be even better. There seems to be a relative tendency in old(er) age to loose your butt or grow your gut.

 

Suspenders for us old fogies with back problems.

Pulling a belt tight is bad for one with a bad lower back.

 

And if you have too much belly fat, you don't have a hip for your belt to hold your pants up.

 

ELASTIC waist pants :D

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Currently an old Canon A3300 IS.

It replaced an older P&S that did not have IS.

 

BUT as has been mentioned, I really miss the optical viewfinder on my even older A series P&S.

The back LCD on the new cameras is or is practically useless in the bright sun. Same as the back LCD on my dSLR.

 

However, I have been surprised at the low light performance of some of the new smartphones. Where my P&S needs to use a flash, the smartphones get the shot without a flash, and its associated flash issues. I may have to update my P&S.

 

BTW, I don't like relying on a camera phone for something like a vacation. Cuz with everything using the battery (phone calls, texting, camera, playing games, surfing the web, etc.), you drain the battery faster. Then you have to get into battery management and, did you bring the power stick to charge the phone from? I was on vacation, and someone was taking a pix of a couple with her phone, and he stopped and said "your battery is empty." :( That was the end of that couple taking pictures, until they could get some charge into the phone. With a P&S, I just swap batteries and keep going.

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I use inexpensive but solid Pentax K-50 with a tiny metal 40/2.8 SMC limited. Not so pocket, but delivers stunning results. I would hate to take pictures without VF so I do not use smartphones at all (they give so crappy results also).

P.S. I do believe that it is the fast focusing combo in the world (several nano-seconds in the street daylight :confused:) and the lens is very sharp.

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