point & shoot for bicycle touring

<p>I'm interested in getting a new point-and-shoot for bicycle touring.</p>

<p>Over the years I have used a variety of point-and-shoots, starting in the film days with the venerable Olympus stylus and more recently Nikon Coolpix 2500, Nikon Coolpix S7c, and Canon G10.</p>

<p>I'd like a camera that has better resolution than the G10 (less grain, not more pixels) and better usability for on-the-bike situations.</p>

<p>I would use it for bicycle vacations. Off the bike I have a DSLR setup (D3, f2.8 zooms, f1.4 primes). On the bike, it must fit in my back jersey pocket (size same as G10 or less) and I want a larger sensor. The G10 has lots of pixels (15 M), but the images look a bit sandy to me even in full sun, let alone in low light.</p>

<p>So what's I'd like is:</p>

<ul>

<li>bigger sensor for less noise,</li>

<li>fast shutter delay,</li>

<li>very easy UI, and</li>

<li>smaller than the G10 if possible.</li>

</ul>

<p>I'll be using it for on-the-bike shots, some while moving. I'd like to be able to do panoramas... I heard the Fuji cameras have a "wave it around automatic stitch" mode, but I'll be using photoshop for my stitches anyway.</p>

<p>I know there are new point-and-shoots from Canon (G1X), Nikon, and others with 18x24 sensors. These sound like a good solution. I'd like one with fast shutter delay and the ability to easily turn fill flash on and off.</p>

<p>I also know there are removable lens cameras, too. These are probably more expensive, and for me, less convenient. I'm not sure what advantage they bring.</p>

<p>A wide angle lens would be nice. My existing P&S have had:</p>

<ul>

<li>Nikon E2500 37 mm equivalent (amazingly good images at only 2 Mpixels)</li>

<li>Nikon S7c 35 mm equivalent (7 Mpixels)</li>

<li>Canon G10 28 mm equivalent (15 Mpixels)</li>

</ul>

<p>Wider would be nicer. I believe some cameras have a 24mm equivalent these days.</p>

<p>Suggestions?</p>

<p>I was previously a Canon s95 user and had the same desires as you. I bought a Sony RX-100 eight months ago and I am still very satisfied with it. I always used to feel under-equipped if I brought the s95 with me instead of the DSLR. I no longer feel under-equipped with the RX-100. In fact, unless I need the ultra-wide angle or long-telephoto lens I don't even think about bringing along my Canon DSLR any more.<br /> <br /> The RX-100 has much better image quality much better low light performance than the G-10.<br /> Three times larger sensor then the G-10 and s95.<br /> Essentially no shutter lag.<br /> Focuses way faster than the G-10. I can see the screen even in sunlight. Barely bigger than my s95.<br>

28-105 equivalent lens.<br>

Useful in camera HDR and Panorama features.<br>

<br /> There are many great camera out there now. Try a bunch out and find one you love to use. For me, it is the RX-100.</p>

Maybe a wee bit tiny (RX100) for

grasping while cycling imo

<p>Allan - ordinarily, I would agree with Douglas on the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DSC-RX100-Sensor-Digital-Camera/dp/B00889ST2G?tag=battleforthew-20">RX100</a>, but, since you already have Nikon lenses, I suggest you look at the Nikon 1 J2. You can get a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-Camera-10-30mm-Black/dp/B008V0IWEC?tag=battleforthew-20">black one for $459 with the 10-30mm</a>, or, if you're willing to go with a red camera body and lens, you can get the<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-Camera-10-30mm-30-110mm/dp/B005OGR1Z2?tag=battleforthew-20"> camera body, the 10-30 and a 30-110 for $497</a>. This camera is smaller than your G10, <a href="http://camerasize.com/compare/#332,124">about the same size</a> as the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DSC-RX100-Sensor-Digital-Camera/dp/B00889ST2G?tag=battleforthew-20">RX100</a> (even with the 10-30 on it) and costs less.<br /> And with a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-3613-FT-1-F-Mount-Adapter/dp/B005TMSN4E?tag=battleforthew-20">$189 Nikon FT-1 adapter</a>, it is fully compatible with your existing Nikon lenses.<br /> Here are a few example stills from the J2: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/nikon1j2/pool/">http://www.flickr.com/groups/nikon1j2/pool/</a><br /> Hope this is helpful,<br /> Bill<br /> <a href="http://hybridcamerarevolution.blogspot.com">Hybrid Camera Revolution</a></p>

However, a J2 will not fit in a back

jersey pocket with a lens attached and

has the same size sensor as the RX100.

The camera that matches most of the

criteria, unless you are concerned with

weather-proofing, is the RX100

RX100. <a href= "http://citysnaps.net/2011%20photos/RX100%20sample%20gallery/">Some pix</a>

from mine...

<blockquote>

<p>So what's I'd like is:</p>

<ul>

<li>bigger sensor for less noise,</li>

<li>fast shutter delay,</li>

<li>very easy UI, and</li>

<li>smaller than the G10 if possible.</li>

</ul>

</blockquote>

<p>If those are your only requirements, there are quite a few choices. The G10 is quite chubby and slower for a p&s and UI is highly personalized. Other choices beside the sony...LX7, X10/20, EX2F, G1X , Nikon A and various MILC with pancakes. Same size sensor but a faster aperture could also yield lower noise. The S110 and G15 would also fit as they have a faster aperture and work a bit faster than the G10...</p>

<p> </p>

<p>yeah, the G10 is a brick. that's the max size/weight I would tolerate.<br>

and I think I prefer a point-and-shoot vs. a removable lens camera. I take some photos while I am on the bike -- of other riders -- and cannot stop to remove the lens cap.<br>

the sony RX-100 sounds very good... but i'd prefer a APS-C sensor if possible.<br>

and the reason I want a 24 mm lens... when I take a photo of another rider in motion, the road width limits how much space I have to work with. 28 mm is workable. 35 mm is not. 24 mm would be better.<br>

yes, I have a strange set of needs!</p>

<p> </p>

<p>You have a set of needs that does not correspond with any camera available today.</p>

 

I will suggest the Nikon 1 series cameras - not a compact but as small as the Canon G series bodies (although the lenses

are bigger) and quite a good performer. You can get the very small J1 for a low price these days. I won a Nikon 1

system in a competition and while it does not perform like my Leicas and full frame DSLRs it is very impressive for its

size. The AF is fast, the handling not too bad (better than a Canon G10) and the IQ is pretty good so long as you stay at

ISO400 or below and shoot RAW

<p>Allan, I know it's much better to have a 24 than a 28 or 35 while on a bike, I bike all the time!</p>

<blockquote>

<p>think I prefer a point-and-shoot vs. a removable lens camera. I take some photos while I am on the bike -- of other riders -- and cannot stop to remove the lens cap.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>This is where you are wrong. You can just add a lens cap, <a href="http://www.rakuten.com/prod/eforcity-auto-retractable-lens-cap-lens-pen-for-olympus-xz-1-xz1-camera/245998904.html?listingId=255883773">like this</a>, and be done.</p>

<p>nevermind...</p>

<p>Seriously consider the G15. Its lens is an f/1.8-2.8 28-140mm, so even zoomed out to 140mm you're still at f/2.8. It is significantly slimmer than previous G-models (no articulated monitor) and while not designed to be 'pocketable' is much more pocketable than your G10 or the G12 I had before buying the G15. The image quality is quite good in my opinion and the AF is significantly faster than previous G-models too. Read some of the reviews on different sites and I'll think you'll be impressed.</p>