New compact camera but which one ?

Photomaster1982

Photomaster1982

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Rob
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Hi all

Been looking and searching for a decent compact camera to run along side my DSLR.

I've recently become a parent and so want camera the Mrs and I can have can have to hand rather than use the SLR which is too bulky and my gf finds difficult to use.

Looking to spend a Max £300 maybe more if the right camera.

Not bothered about zoom but more fast lens with good low light capabilities.

I've researched and researched and its an absolute mine field out there.

Any help would be gratefully received

Thanks
 
Canon G7X. I had the same dilemma as you and I now seem to take more photos of my daughter with my compact than with my DSLR as it's always accessible.
 
Another vote for the X30. One of the best if, like me, you can't do without a viewfinder.
 
The viewfinder is a dealbreaker for me... Can't be doing without one of them, especially in direct sunshine.
 
Lumix LX100. Great camera, looks and feels good quality, large m4/3 sensor and a cracking lens. Not quite pocketable, but similar in size to the X30 already mentioned. A bit over budget new, but pre-owned or official refurb could be within reach.
 
Quite a few threads on this here, all the above plus the Sony RX100. Personally I bought the RX100 which for size and IQ still can't be beaten IMO.
 
I've just picked up a second hand RX100-III for just over your budget as was looking for something pocketable to complement my D750 and replace my EM5-II as a travel camera. Initial tests show detail and sharpness is pretty much on par with the EM5-II with 12-40mm f2.8 Pro lens which costs more than double what the RX100-III does. I know the Olly obviously has a few more bells and whistles and a better EVF etc, but the performance is still pretty impressive imo. The G7x is also a good option if you don't need a viewfinder, plus it has a bit more reach than the RX100-III. ISO performance is 'OK', and about my limit tbh so I wouldn't want anything with a smaller sensor. In extreme situations I'd use ISO 3200 but ideally I wouldn't want to go above 1600, and even then the noise is getting a bit intrusive.
 
Nikon Coolpix A - severely underrated. Now at a bargain (sensible) price. Low light is why I bought it. Has the auto setting too. Excellent face detection in all modes (unlike the Ricoh GR). Superb build quality - feels and looks fab.
 
Thanks for all the replies so far. I find the more I look into it the more complicated it gets. Iam no professional and not into absolute perfection every time. It will be for family photos. Days out etc.
Maybe you kind folks on here can answer some questions.

1. Is 1" sensor the one to go for or will the smaller sensors do?
2. Is f1.8 necessary for low light or can I go higher to still get good quality at low light.
3. Would a compact system be better with interchange lenses a better option as they are compact still?
 
Photomaster1982 said:
Thanks for all the replies so far. I find the more I look into it the more complicated it gets. Iam no professional and not into absolute perfection every time. It will be for family photos. Days out etc.
Maybe you kind folks on here can answer some questions.

1. Is 1" sensor the one to go for or will the smaller sensors do?
2. Is f1.8 necessary for low light or can I go higher to still get good quality at low light.
3. Would a compact system be better with interchange lenses a better option as they are compact still?
Click to expand...


With interchangeable lenses they are no longer compact IMO, you'd still need a bag rather than just a pocket. I'd say a f/1.8 lens is a must otherwise you might struggle in low light. It's also nice to be able to produce a shallow dof, which you can achieve with a 1" sensor still.

They're not necessarily expensive, the RX100 mk1 can be had new for £240.
 
Photomaster1982 said:
Thanks for all the replies so far. I find the more I look into it the more complicated it gets. Iam no professional and not into absolute perfection every time. It will be for family photos. Days out etc.
Maybe you kind folks on here can answer some questions.

1. Is 1" sensor the one to go for or will the smaller sensors do?
2. Is f1.8 necessary for low light or can I go higher to still get good quality at low light.
3. Would a compact system be better with interchange lenses a better option as they are compact still?
Click to expand...
1. Up to the individual. For me 1" is on the absolute limit for ISO/low light performance so I wouldn't want to go lower, but for some it's not an issue.
2. Obviously depends on shutter speed and ISO, and how much noise you're willing to put up with. Don't forget DOF at f1.8 is still quite large compared to a FF DSLR.
3. Not compact for me, can't comfortably be put into a pocket anyway. Even the GM1 with pancake, which is probably the smallest CSC combo you can get is still not pocketable imo, well other than a large coat pocket.

See here
http://camerasize.com/compact/#555,491.397,ha,t

The RX100-III is on the limit of being truly pocketable for me, and the lens on the GM1 sticks out further still. Also there's no viewfinder on the GM1 and the lens is slow in comparison.
 
pete s said:
Lumix LX100. Great camera, looks and feels good quality, large m4/3 sensor and a cracking lens. Not quite pocketable, but similar in size to the X30 already mentioned. A bit over budget new, but pre-owned or official refurb could be within reach.
Click to expand...
My friend had one of these. Dust got in behind the lens. It cost >£80 to get cleaned by Panasonic. It was back again in a couple of weeks. I treated my Canon S95 carelessly for years, but never had dust get in. I don't know if the S120 is still around, but it could be had very cheaply for a while.
 
A used Canon G5x if you can find one, still waiting for one myself
 
Neil Pho said:
My friend had one of these. Dust got in behind the lens. It cost >£80 to get cleaned by Panasonic. It was back again in a couple of weeks. I treated my Canon S95 carelessly for years, but never had dust get in. I don't know if the S120 is still around, but it could be had very cheaply for a while.
Click to expand...
Never had a problem with dust in mine.
 
Dan74 said:
A used Canon G5x if you can find one, still waiting for one myself
Click to expand...

I have not seen many hit the used market yet. I had looked at the G7x and RX100 III but the G5x seems much better to hold and the additional hot shoe and traditional EVF seems appealing. Just not seen any at a decent price yet.
 
redlion said:
I have not seen many hit the used market yet. I had looked at the G7x and RX100 III but the G5x seems much better to hold and the additional hot shoe and traditional EVF seems appealing. Just not seen any at a decent price yet.
Click to expand...
A mint one went on ebay for £426 the other day, pretty decent price imo considering how new it is.
 
Photomaster1982 said:
Thanks for all the replies so far. I find the more I look into it the more complicated it gets. Iam no professional and not into absolute perfection every time. It will be for family photos. Days out etc.
Maybe you kind folks on here can answer some questions.

1. Is 1" sensor the one to go for or will the smaller sensors do?
2. Is f1.8 necessary for low light or can I go higher to still get good quality at low light.
3. Would a compact system be better with interchange lenses a better option as they are compact still?
Click to expand...


1 - Its generally held the bigger the sensor the better but the lens needs to be fast enough as well.

2 - its camera dependent to a degree as some like fuji X30 give good images at higher ISO's meaning you can keep the shutter speed high enough, I would say nothing over F2.8 myself.

3 - They aren't pocketable, yes you could fit an X 100T in a cargo pants pocket or a jacket pocket but not a shirt breast pocket unless its a larger pocket.
 
redlion said:
I have not seen many hit the used market yet. I had looked at the G7x and RX100 III but the G5x seems much better to hold and the additional hot shoe and traditional EVF seems appealing. Just not seen any at a decent price yet.
Click to expand...
They're the things i liked about the G5X , prob about 6 months before a few come onto the used market for a decent price
 
I will probably have a mark 2 sony rx100 for sale in next few days if things go to plan..The rx series are superb but I fancy trying the fuji system out hence the sale
 
Do you find it a good low light camera and how much are you thinking of getting rid?
 
I have had the chance to research around compacts as I was thinking of getting the Canon G7X and it had some nice reviews and also it has front facing screen quite useful when doing selfies or videos on holidays
 
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