Downsizing

PatrickO

PatrickO

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Sorry to start yet another "which camera?" thread. But having done a fair bit of research I'm genuinely stumped.

I've decided to down size all my kit (including D90, lights, lenses etc). This is partly for changed financial circumstances but also because I just wasn't using all that expensive kit. I previously used a Canon G5 (which I still own) , and I actually had more enjoyment with that than when I went to DSLRs. The original main factor which pushed me towards a DSLR was sensor size to have some control over DOF.

What I really want is a camera that will go in a jacket pocket, but still have a good sized sensor.

My options are:
1. Stick with the Canon G5 and accept little/no DOF control.
2. Upgrade to a newer bridge (Canon G11 and Panasonic DMC-LX3 appeal)
3. Micro 4/3 - (GF1 with pancake lens?)
4. Small DSLR with small lens

I'm not asking you to do my research for me, but your suggestions/opinions are much appreciated.
 
i've been where you are a couple of times, sold up and bought a bridge or a lesser DSLR, within 6 months when the money improved I was back where I started.

my advice would be if at all possible stick with what you have because you'll be disappointed with the results from a compact after owning a DSLR, my only caveat is I haven't tried a GF1 with the 20mm but then that's one lens which is pretty limiting.

I had a D300 and a D40 if you must downsize the d40 is well worth considering, small,light and excellent quality pictures from it
 
What about a D80 and a 50mm f/1.8? Should make a few quid on your D90 and Tamron and still be have a very good set up (while saving yourself a few hundred quid). Using a single prime for a year made me really love my camera and photography.
 
I've been going through the same debate. Of course you can do so much more with an SLR but because of its bulk I only take mine out specifically to take photos. Some of my favourite shots are ones where I just happened to have a compact with me at the time.
 
i have my D60 with me most of the time, with 18-55 on its almost like a compact but with decent IQ..........only take the s5 or D90 when I know its going to be needed...............
 
Every option from the pocketable compact to the fullest DSLR kit bag is a compromise of some sort. The trick is to hone that compromise to best fit your area of photography.

If you like to take pics of kids, dogs, family, sports or anything rapid then no Canon G or Pany LX is going to be of any use to you at all.

The GF1 will be useable in those cases. It's not going to be quite as responsive as a DSLR but it wont just fail every time either. The Oly pen is much the same and will be just a blink behind the GF

If you shoot mostly static things and scenes that you travel through and past, with the odd "everyone stand there while I take a picture" the modern compacts are just amazing.

The new LX5 out in a couple pof weeks is going to be th camera the LX3 should have been but it will start at about £440 and that's a hefty hike for the right zoom range. Samsung have the EX1 with it's f1.8 lens that looks interesting too.
 
I've just done exactly what you're thinking of doing. I sold up my D90, 18-105, 70-300 and flash and got a Panasonic G2 with 20mm Pancake. I chose the G2 as although i wanted to downsize i still wanted enough controls so i didn't have to wade through menus and the G2 has buttons aplenty!

I also have the 14-140 coming for more versatility but I don't think it'll get much use. The 20mm is an excellent lens. I haven't regretted my decision at all, the results are fantastic and difficult to tell from the D90, you'd know if you were pixel peeping at 200% but for normal viewing and printing i was amazed at how good it has been.

I love this combo and it has made taking photo's so much more fun again, I have a very active toddler and it has never failed to get clear, blur free pictures and even indoors and in low light I find the focus very fast. I guess it might be a different story with the kit lens but the 20mm is a superb choice.
 
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I've just been through this cycle, I was forced to downsize as I couldn't handle the weight of my old DSLR (heavy one).

First I got a canon G11 and though it hit the spot quality wise, it was still lacking in several respects, not least of which was limited telephoto range (up to 140mm only).

I then decided to try the Panasonic G series and got a G1, now don't get me wrong their a fine camera, but if you shoot in low light as I do most of the time then they suck. Even with updated firmware for both the body and the lenses focus was at best sluggish in really low light, such as room lights it hunted a lot.
IQ on as a whole wasn't up to DSLR standards, even with the expensive Leica lens (45mm macro) and soft at the long end of the telephoto's.

I ended up where I started, except this time I kept a close eye on weight so got a canon eos 500D (520 grm all up weight) a nifty fifty, an 85mm 1.8 and for now a tamron 55 -200.

The difference in IQ between the 500D and the panny is staggering.
So whilst I would consider a panny or olympus M43 camera for bright holiday stuff I wouldn't recommend it as a replacement for a DSLR.

So get a smaller lighter DSLR, a couple of lenses that cover your requirements and leave it at that.
 
Dave Pickett said:
i have my D60 with me most of the time, with 18-55 on its almost like a compact but with decent IQ..........only take the s5 or D90 when I know its going to be needed...............
Click to expand...

I'm in the same situation. My D60 with the 18-55, and ultimately the 55-200 is the 'travel kit' where I don't stress when taking pictures.
The D90 comes out with 2.8 lenses and tripod etc etc when I'm looking for a pic that might get printed in a large size and put on a wall.

But even the D60 is somtimes a little big for simple walking around.
 
Just to let you know...in the end I went for an Olympus E-420 which is available at very good prices now they've been superceded.

Only a little bigger/heavier than a GF1, but it's an SLR, has an optical viewfinder and is a lot cheaper. With a pancake lens it should make a great jacket pocket camera.
 
Downsized last year from D80 to GF1 & 20mm.
Love it. got me back into taking pics again as i carry it everywhere.
Image quality is brilliant plus it shoots RAW and its good at IR unlike my D80.

Out of camera jpg with a couple of minor adjustments in LR.


B&W IR.



Well worth trying the GF1, it may not be every ones cup of tea but it works.
 
zoidberg said:
Downsized last year from D80 to GF1 & 20mm.
Love it. got me back into taking pics again as i carry it everywhere.
Image quality is brilliant plus it shoots RAW and its good at IR unlike my D80.

Out of camera jpg with a couple of minor adjustments in LR.

Well worth trying the GF1, it may not be every ones cup of tea but it works.
Click to expand...

Very striking. You've certainly got an eye architectural images. And GF1 has done you proud.
 
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I spent the last 10 days or so with my G11 rather than my usual D300 setup.

Things I loved:

1) It was lovely and small and fitted in my pocket
2) Because it was so easy to carry I took far more photos than I know I would have done with my D300
3) I never had to change a lens

Things I hated:

1) Proper composition is a bitch - the D300 is far better with its 51 point focus
2) Lack of shallow DOF - even sticking a flower at minimum focus distance and at f2.8 it doesn't seperate the subject nicely - its a function of sensor size thats the problem.
3) The auto ISO selection is rubbish compared to my D300.
4) Some of the auto modes are random in their selection - very frustrating for a quick snap, particularly to get fill flash easily.

So, better than my D300 because I actually used it, worse because when I did use it I felt 90% of the time that I could have got the shot easier and better with the D300.
 
PatrickO said:
Sorry to start yet another "which camera?" thread. But having done a fair bit of research I'm genuinely stumped.

I've decided to down size all my kit (including D90, lights, lenses etc). This is partly for changed financial circumstances but also because I just wasn't using all that expensive kit. I previously used a Canon G5 (which I still own) , and I actually had more enjoyment with that than when I went to DSLRs. The original main factor which pushed me towards a DSLR was sensor size to have some control over DOF.

What I really want is a camera that will go in a jacket pocket, but still have a good sized sensor.

My options are:
1. Stick with the Canon G5 and accept little/no DOF control.
2. Upgrade to a newer bridge (Canon G11 and Panasonic DMC-LX3 appeal)
3. Micro 4/3 - (GF1 with pancake lens?)
4. Small DSLR with small lens

I'm not asking you to do my research for me, but your suggestions/opinions are much appreciated.
Click to expand...

Patrick,

I do find the D40 is a practical little camera size-wise. My brother has asked for my opinion on the micro four-thirds cameras and I was of the opinion that they wouldn't serve him well - with a lens on they become too big to put into a pocket and they aren't as versatile as a dSLR. I'd be tempted to grab a smaller, lighter SLR and maybe a cheapish P&S for ultra-portability.

By the way, I'm flogging my D40 in search of an upgrade to the D90. If you do end up going that way, would you be so kind as to consider me for a PX? :thumbs:
 
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