High (ish) end compact options

JJ!

JJ!

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Looking for a nice compact (ish) camera to take with me on trips to London and walks around the countryside as the D600 is just too big and heavy to take with me.

Budget is around £350.

I first wanted an X30, I love the fact it has a view finder. But reading online, the smaller sensor is far off the current crop of high ends.

Also looked at the G7X, nice size, but no view finder.... but then wondering if I actually need one.

The R100 II is probably in this price bracket 2nd hand, but not sure if its just that little bit too small. Plus I would probably always crave the III for the view finder,

So after any other suggestions or opinions on the above.
 
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The smallish sensor of the X30 is fine as long as you don't pixel-peep and the EVF is very good. Have a look at the results people are are getting with it in the X10/20/30 thread as it does perform very well.

If you can live without a viewfinder (I can't and the RX100 III's is too small) then the RX100 II is the natural choice.
 
:plus1:
People get hung up on sensor size in the X30.
It's plenty good enough to create an exhibition quality print at A3; when hung next to prints from my 5D3 you really can't tell the difference.
This week I've been using it to shoot the installation of a major arts trail opening later in the year; shallow DoF from a telephoto on the 5DIII and everything else with the X30. I've no worries about using the X30, the images will be plenty good enough for whatever they need to use them for.
 
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DuncanDisorderly said:
:plus1:
People get hung up on sensor size in the X30.
It's plenty good enough to create an exhibition quality print at A3; when hung next to prints from my 5D3 you really can't tell the difference.
This week I've been using it to shoot the installation of a major arts trail opening later in the year; shallow DoF from a telephoto on the 5DIII and everything else with the X30. I've no worries about using the X30, the images will be plenty good enough for whatever they need to use them for.
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:plusone:
 
DP2 Merill? - but be aware that image quality may come with a price tag not measured in pounds and pence.. ..
 
You'd probably get a second hand EM10 with pancake zoom for that price, great travel camera.
 
DuncanDisorderly said:
:plus1:
People get hung up on sensor size in the X30.
It's plenty good enough to create an exhibition quality print at A3; when hung next to prints from my 5D3 you really can't tell the difference.
This week I've been using it to shoot the installation of a major arts trail opening later in the year; shallow DoF from a telephoto on the 5DIII and everything else with the X30. I've no worries about using the X30, the images will be plenty good enough for whatever they need to use them for.
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That's good to hear! Now if I go X30.... black or silver o_O

I'm going to have another look at the G7x too as it still tempts me.
 
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I'm very happy with my G7X. Reasonable zoom, fast lens, intuitive.
 
Goody13 said:
I'm very happy with my G7X. Reasonable zoom, fast lens, intuitive.
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That's good to hear too. Gives me couple of options!
 
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Touch screen is useful for focus too, and I discovered focus lock recently but need to play with that a bit more.
 
Having handled both in a shop, I preferred the feel of the G7X over the Sony too. I researched both and the larger zoom and touch screen of the Canon more than compensated for no EVF that I would have had with the Sony.

I now carry my G7X more often than my DSLR and have taken more shots of my daughter as a result.

I'm interested as to why everyone always says to go for the Sony.
 
I think just because it's smaller. I'm in a similar situation as want to sell on my M43'ds equip and get a fixed full frame (my hobby cam). Like you I then want a small good compact to take pics of the kids. However I feel the G7X is to big to go in my pocket, so hence the size.
 
jh2 said:
I think just because it's smaller. I'm in a similar situation as want to sell on my M43'ds equip and get a fixed full frame (my hobby cam). Like you I then want a small good compact to take pics of the kids. However I feel the G7X is to big to go in my pocket, so hence the size.
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When I compared the G7X and Sony MKIII side by side, I thought they were the same size.
 
you are right, I assumed you where talking about the panasonic GX7. Ha ha, to many cameras with the same names!
 
I ordered a rx100 ii yesterday from John Lewis as they give 2 year warranty. £399 got them to match Calumet at £379 then sony are giving £40 cashback so £339 in all.
 
If I were to do it again I'd go for the x30. As good as the Sony RX100s are, they're not enjoyable to use if you ask me. Far too small in the hand and very plasticy.
 
UaeExile said:
If I were to do it again I'd go for the x30. As good as the Sony RX100s are, they're not enjoyable to use if you ask me. Far too small in the hand and very plasticy.
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I agree they are small (despite having a larger sensor, hense why the packaging is a bit of a marvel) so it does take a nack to handle and keep steady, but the size is why I bought mine (travelling).

I disagree that it feels plasticky, I think its completely the opposite. Its a solid, metal (aluminium) body and feels nice and weighty. Apart from the rear dial and buttons I don't think there's any plastic on it?
 
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Ok, so my update!!!

Went to Park Camers today and had a long extensive play with the X30 and G7x and decided to get neither!

I fell in love with the OM-D E-M10. So compact is out the window lol!
 
I have a x10 an x20 and will be getting an x30 an a few weeks at most.
Went and had a hands on to day to see what the view finder was like compared to my x20.
the sony rx100 ll was next to it. It feltt small and cheap, and you had to go into the menu system to do about anything.

the X30 is far more a photographers camera. And most people will love the quality of the results, even if the sensor is smaller.
The lens on the x30 is fantastic and it is the same one as fitted to all three so far.
There is far too much hype about sensor size and pixel counts. The compromise that fuji made is just about perfect.
In the real world the results speak for themselves.

The mechanics and controls that fuji give are what you would expect on a highend DSLR in most important respects. And is exceptionally easy to handle.
 
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JJ! said:
Ok, so my update!!!

Went to Park Camers today and had a long extensive play with the X30 and G7x and decided to get neither!

I fell in love with the OM-D E-M10. So compact is out the window lol!
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May I refer you to the 6th post on this thread :p
 
Snapsh0t said:
The smallish sensor of the X30 is fine as long as you don't pixel-peep and the EVF is very good. Have a look at the results people are are getting with it in the X10/20/30 thread as it does perform very well.

If you can live without a viewfinder (I can't and the RX100 III's is too small) then the RX100 II is the natural choice.
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I would love the smaller sized RX100 for both it's image quality and pocket ability. I just can't get the X10 in my pocket, get fed up of carting it about. Me struggling with the X10 below :confused:

12262-1437040688-b129467f298400d29c76959b50a2d7f0.jpg
 
Terrywoodenpic said:
I have a x10 an x20 and will be getting an x30 an a few weeks at most.
Went and had a hands on to day to see what the view finder was like compared to my x20.
the sony rx100 ll was next to it. It feltt small and cheap, and you had to go into the menu system to do about anything.

the X30 is far more a photographers camera. And most people will love the quality of the results, even if the sensor is smaller.
The lens on the x30 is fantastic and it is the same one as fitted to all three so far.
There is far too much hype about sensor size and pixel counts. The compromise that fuji made is just about perfect.
In the real world the results speak for themselves.

The mechanics and controls that fuji give are what you would expect on a highend DSLR in most important respects. And is exceptionally easy to handle.
Click to expand...
You don't need to delve into the menus once the RX100 is customised to your liking, two control dials and plenty of custom functions to set up, I never need to go into the menus. Actually that's a lie, sometimes I do to format the card.
 
I think you've made a the right choice for your situation. If you wanted a truly pocketable compact then the RX100 is pretty much unsurpassed but as soon as you are able to go a bit bigger, it makes sense to go for the smaller m43 bodies and the EM-10 is a cracking choice :)

FWIW I hated the X10 and X20 because they were just too fussy and got in the way of me taking pictures, I think they are better suited to thoughtful shots rather than the quicker nature of shots that you tend to get with kids running around your feet!
 
odd jim said:
I agree they are small (despite having a larger sensor, hense why the packaging is a bit of a marvel) so it does take a nack to handle and keep steady, but the size is why I bought mine (travelling).

I disagree that it feels plasticky, I think its completely the opposite. Its a solid, metal (aluminium) body and feels nice and weighty. Apart from the rear dial and buttons I don't think there's any plastic on it?
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I really only meant the flimsy shutter on the front. Found the lens exposed a few times when I've taken it out of my bag/pocket.
 
ricky1981 said:
I think you've made a the right choice for your situation. If you wanted a truly pocketable compact then the RX100 is pretty much unsurpassed but as soon as you are able to go a bit bigger, it makes sense to go for the smaller m43 bodies and the EM-10 is a cracking choice :)

FWIW I hated the X10 and X20 because they were just too fussy and got in the way of me taking pictures, I think they are better suited to thoughtful shots rather than the quicker nature of shots that you tend to get with kids running around your feet!
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You can of course use the X10-30 any which way. You can set everything up in advance as a personal setting, available in an instant. or use it entirely manually, or in any of the auto settings ... the choice is yours. It is this "Fussiness" as you call it, that makes it so versatile and user friendly. I find it incredibly quick and easy and instinctive to use,..... but each to his own.
 
Terrywoodenpic said:
You can of course use the X10-30 any which way. You can set everything up in advance as a personal setting, available in an instant. or use it entirely manually, or in any of the auto settings ... the choice is yours. It is this "Fussiness" as you call it, that makes it so versatile and user friendly. I find it incredibly quick and easy and instinctive to use,..... but each to his own.
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They're versatile but very definitely not user-friendly (my wife detested trying to work them out) and the AF was pretty poor on the X10/20 (although better on the 30). I bought an X20 to use as a compact "snapping" camera and it fell woefully short. It had the capability for great shots when I had the time but with little people running around, time is rarely on my side!
 
ricky1981 said:
They're versatile but very definitely not user-friendly (my wife detested trying to work them out) and the AF was pretty poor on the X10/20 (although better on the 30). I bought an X20 to use as a compact "snapping" camera and it fell woefully short. It had the capability for great shots when I had the time but with little people running around, time is rarely on my side!
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If the user is an experienced photographer they are very user friendly.
If the user just wants a snap camera, they are far too complex, as every function is on view.
I have never felt the need for any of them to focus quicker than they do, seems almost instant to me.
 
Nothing is set in stone yet, the E-M10 is a real option that I love but I'm still thinking the X30 maybe all I need. This is more about having fun, getting out there and taking photos where ever I go. No matter how much I love the D600, its just to big and bulky and heavy! The 100D with 40mm pancake is also an option if I go bigger, dirt cheap too for a DSLR.
 
Thunderbird010 said:
I ordered a rx100 ii yesterday from John Lewis as they give 2 year warranty. £399 got them to match Calumet at £379 then sony are giving £40 cashback so £339 in all.
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Ordered a Mk1 for £209, as that's better than 2nd hand price.

p.s JJ!, I'm selling my beloved EM-5 if your interested, perfect condition, just waiting to be allowed to put it up on the forum. :)
 
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