new, improved point & shoot

<p>I have been planning to buy a new point & shoot for some time now. I currently have a Canon G10, but it is a brick (too heavy, too large) and I would like better image quality (15 Mpixels is nice, but it is grainy). Admittedly comparing a G10 to a D3 is unfair, but when I get the G10 photos in photoshop, I am disappointed at their sharpness and it is grainy, even in sunny f16.</p>

<p>My main application will be for bicycle vacations where I will carry the camera in my jersey pocket. Therefore, it must have an automatic lens cover and it can't be too large. I think this forces me to a point & shoot.</p>

<p>My main considerations are:</p>

<ul>

<li>I want a big sensor</li>

<li>I would like a good stitch mode</li>

<li>I need the lens to retract into the body when not used... a removable-lens camera with lens caps is not acceptable</li>

<li>I would like a wide angle of 28 mm, preferably 24 mm.</li>

<li>I would like fast shutter delay.</li>

</ul>

<p>I was at a mall earlier today and saw a Sony RX100 II. It seems like a really good choice. It claims to have a large sensor (13.2 mm x 8.8 mm), an automatic "wave-around" stitch mode, image stabilization, and good shutter response time.</p>

<p>This seems to be the right choice for me. What else should I consider? Any thoughts on this camera compared to others?</p>

<p>I gave up waiting for a larger sensored bridge camera and have gone to MFT.<br>

Because one has an ILC doesn't mean one has to change lenses and I don't.<br>

A UV will protect the camera lens as well as a lenscap in your pocket.</p>

<p>Allan, the graininess from the G10 isn't due to the resolution in megapixels. It's due to the lack of dynamic range of the sensor. If you want the go-to compact cameras today, the RX100 that you saw is the first go-to point and shoot for serious photography. The RX10 is the same image quality, but gives you a 24-200mm equivalent f/2.8 lens. They are both a class above everything else you'd be considering in terms of image quality. The other point and shoots are the Fuji cameras (X10, X20, XQ1), newest Canons (S120 and G16), Olympus (XZ-2 and Stylus 1), and Panasonic LX7. For truly pocketable, really the RX100 and Canon S120 are your best options.</p>

<p>JC, if the G10 is too large for the OP, then what do you think he'd make of something like a GH2 with 14-140mm? Or are you just confused about what a jersey pocket is? Plus, if you aren't changing lenses, then you'd probably be better served by a camera like the Olympus Stylus 1, whose smaller sensor is offset by having a constant f/2.8 lens across the same range as your superzoom, and the whole camera is the same price is just your compromised-image-quality glass, not to mention your $1,000 camera body. You seem adamant about imposing your own prejudices onto others, even when their needs are completely different from your own.</p>

That Sony is quite good and a definite step up from your Canon in terms of sensor quality and portability. That's what I'd

take.

<p>Cool. Sounds like a Sony camera is it. What's the tradeoff between a RX100 and RX10? And I presume I need the type II for BSI to get better sensitivity. I think the Sony lit says it improves sensitivity by 1 stop.</p>

<p>JC, I need a retractable lens. I cannot accept a lens cap. A G10 size is tolerable but not preferable.</p>

<p>[[What's the tradeoff between a RX100 and RX10?]]</p>

<p>The RX10 is a bridge camera and will not fit in any sort of jersey pocket. </p>

<p>If you mean to ask what the difference is between the RX100 and the RX100 II, then the sensor is it. </p>

The RX10 is the world's fastest superzoom all purpose travel lens, with a

pretty darned good camera attached. I'd happily swap my Nikon V1 kit and

most of my dSLR stuff for the RX10. But the RX100 would better suit your

preferences. There is still nothing like it from any other manufacturer.

<p>I too, want much the same as Allan. Nikon system 1 appeals in many ways (good auto focus is a must), but the protruding lens is a problem. Sony RX 100 too expensive, came across Panasonic LF1 in a store, and sorta tempted. Does anybody have any experience with this cam?</p>

<p>Aerial S .... your snide comments are completely unjustified because in addition to the GH2 and 14-140 .... which is my preference and not for Allan's needs ....I also have a e-pl1 which I know could be fitted with a compact lens for those with that desire .... mine ccurrently has a 920mm AoV rig on it which would need a large pocket and would be tricky to operate standing with a bike held between one's legs :-)<br>

Allan ...I have assumed that the compact lens is just that and doesn't need to retract ... obviously not a lens for me as I went for the 14-140 but certainly popular with others.<br>

The Olympus 'bodycap' lens looks designed to slip into a pocket without retracting.<br>

<a href="http://www.dpreview.com/products/olympus/lenses/oly_m_15_8">http://www.dpreview.com/products/olympus/lenses/oly_m_15_8</a> <br>

or Panasonic have this.<br>

<a href="http://www.dpreview.com/products/panasonic/lenses/panasonic_14_2p5/specifications">http://www.dpreview.com/products/panasonic/lenses/panasonic_14_2p5/specifications</a><br>

I think your pre-occupation with a retracting lens is limiting your options Allan.<br>

Back in the days when I used a Canon s20 I also used a bumbag/bellybag. The GH2 has a camera case with provision for a belt or strap.<br>

For years I have been a strong advocate of the bridge camera but in recent times I realised the advantages of the ILC even if one doesn't use that aspect ... as lots of other features incorporated in the modern camera designed to try and suit everybody. </p>

<p>Aerial S. Your assumptions as to my needs are way off the mark. I finally decided that MFT was a partial answer to getting an appreciably larger sensor and the 14-140 is similar to my first Nikon bridge camera with its 35-280 zoom so I knew I could live with it ...I have a couple of telephoto adaptors [ and recently a telephoto converter which has resulted in the 920mm rig ]<br>

I would very much like a Lumix x24 f/2.8 constant zoom adjusted for MFT as currently in the FZ200 but it probably will not eventuate and more likely I would not buy it having learnt to live with f/4-f/5.8. So your Olympus suggestion falls on deaf ears ... the smaller sensor prohibits the use of higher ISO .. the eternal photographic swings and roundabouts. </p>

<p>i would just get the sony.</p>

<p>I got the Sony rx100Mk2 for a similar situation, except to pocket it on a motorcycle. I have a D700 in the back, but often it is too much hassle to stop, safely, remove helmet, get off , open trunk and shoot. I do that but there are many many situations in which I just don't. I carried the RX100/2 on a recent trip to Big Bend and it was a wonderful addition. I could just pull it out while the engine was still running.<br>

From the saddle<br>

<img src="http://jld2.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Big-Bend-January-2014/i-Nt3zLmG/0/L/Big%20Bend%20012014-232-L.jpg" alt="" /></p>