help with lightweight 'pocketable' camera

Nicholas Mitchell

Nicholas Mitchell

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Hi folks, need some help here. The girlfriend wants to upgrade from her p&s. I'm not really up on what's available in this category.
Her restrictions are it must be portable, lightweight and have a proper viewfinder not just an lcd screen.
She doesn't need the ability to swap lenses so something with a good zoom would be nice.
Budget is 500 pounds roughly.
Where should i look? thanks in advance
 
Have a look at the Sony RX100 thread. IIRC the later versions have a proper VF as well as the rear screen and are pocketable.
 
Yup, if pocketability isn't a want/need, the X30 would be (is!) my choice.
 
Hi Nicholas,

When I want to go light, I usually take the 40D with the 24mm pancake. They are a great setup for what I need/use, excellent image quality, good performance, but! I think you're looking for something smaller and lighter, so I have to agree with Steven and Nod: those Fuji are really something. I have a X10 and can only imagine what the better ones can do. ;)

Good luck choosing.

Cheers,
Luis
 
You guys may have nailed it with the X30 ! Plus it's on sale here for $200 off.
 
Canon g7x mki could be a good option now the mkii has been announced......
 
Having had all the baby Xs other than the XQ, I can say that the X30 is the best of the bunch, although it does need a big pocket! (For times when pocketability is a must, I have the XFs.) So much more information in the OVF and the flippy screen and the wifi.
 
You honestly won't find anything in that price bracket with a proper viewfinder that fits the bill, the nearest and cheapest would be the Fuji X100 range, but they need a large pocket and the fixed 23mm lens isn't to everyones taste.
I say proper VF because an OVF is a proper VF and EVF isn't and still has limitations.

Of the current crop I would say the new fuji X70 is worth a look if you don't mind the lack of VF as it uses an APS-C Xtrans sensor yet is small enough to go in a pocket.
 
magicaxeman said:
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I say proper VF because an OVF is a proper VF and EVF isn't and still has limitations.
Click to expand...
We'll have to disagree on this, IMO an EVF is still a proper viewfinder and there are some mighty fine ones out there too.

OP I've been looking into the 'compact' market myself recently as a travel camera. The RX100 M3 is pocketable and has a viewfinder, plus a fast lens albeit not the longest focal length. If you're not insanely picky* then it's really the perfect pocketable travel camera IMO (*I say this as there are some very slight variations with autofocus sharpness. I tested with two models under controlled conditions).

If you don't need/want truly pocketable then the Canon G5x is very close to being a perfect compact camera, and you can get used and grey for just under £500. The one niggle is the time it takes to write RAW files. Even using Sandisk Extreme Pro 95mb/s cards it takes a couple of seconds before it's ready to take the next shot.

However, if I was just in the market for something small ish, with the current Panasonic cash back the GX7 with 14-42mm lens (28-84mm eq) is the bargain of the century being £249 after cash back IIRC. You could get this and then the 40-150mm (80-300mm eq) for just over £100 new and you have a great camera, great IQ and a very broad focal range.
 
Another vote for the Sony RX100 Mk3. I used to have the MkI but upgraded to the Mk3 to get the Electronic ViewFinder, which is very good.

The Sony goes with me everywhere. Even if I am additionally carrying a Canon or Olympus body, I tend to use the Sony RX100 M3 for the 24-70 focal length equivalent shots, unless in very low light.
 
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