What camera am I looking for?

popcorn

popcorn

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Chris
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I’m looking to downsize my kit, but not sure what to….

Current gear, (which would all have to go) is Fuji XH1, with XF18-55, XF55-200, XF100-400, a Gitzo Basalt tripod, small rig L bracket, peli style case, along with a Think Tank mindshift back pack and Think Tank holster.
I’ve had a sell/trade quote for the body and lenses.

What I want is something small, in effect a premium compact I guess, but there are some must haves, and nice to haves..

Must have -
Flip screen that faces forwards.
Decent sensor size
Hotshoe (or at least a pop up flash).
Intervalometer.
Stabilisation.
RAW files

Nice to have -
Viewfinder of some sort.
Weather sealed.
Remote compatible.

I’m not precious on brand, and I like retro styling but I'm flexible on that. I’d like to spend about a grand or so, and am happy to buy used.

I’ve looked mainly at the Fuji, Canon and Sony offerings, but there seems a compromise on each one from my must haves. The Canon G1X iii is probably closest so far, but lacks intervalometer I believe (and isn’t pretty!)

Does such a camera exist? or perhaps I should look at a small body and lens set up?

Cheers for any thoughts…
 
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popcorn said:
I’m looking to downsize my kit, but not sure what to….

Current gear, (which would all have to go) is Fuji XH1, with XF18-55, XF55-200, XF100-400, a Gitzo Basalt tripod, small rig L bracket, peli style case, along with a Think Tank mindshift back pack and Think Tank holster.
I’ve had a sell/trade quote for the body and lenses.

What I want is something small, in effect a premium compact I guess, but there are some must haves, and nice to haves..

Must have -
Flip screen that faces forwards.
Decent sensor size
Hotshoe (or at least a pop up flash).
Intervalometer.
Stabilisation.
RAW files

Nice to have -
Viewfinder of some sort.
Weather sealed.
Remote compatible.

I’m not precious on brand, and I like retro styling but I'm flexible on that. I’d like to spend about a grand or so, and am happy to buy used.

I’ve looked mainly at the Fuji, Canon and Sony offerings, but there seems a compromise on each one from my must haves. The Canon GX1 iii is probably closest so far, but lacks intervalometer I believe (and isn’t pretty!)

Does such a camera exist? or perhaps I should look at a small body and lens set up?

Cheers for any thoughts…
Click to expand...
The GX9 would tick most boxes
 
popcorn said:
The Panasonic? Looks nice but falls short on the front facing articulated screen, which is the biggest must have of my must haves!
Click to expand...

Surely the mk2 has the fully articulating screen?
 
Mk2 Gx9???

Sony RX100vii looks a possibility too, smaller sensor (1”) though
 
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popcorn said:
Mk2 Gx9???

Sony RX100vii looks a possibility too, smaller sensor (1”) though
Click to expand...

I missed the x. There is certainly a G9 mk2. Which I would have thought would be up your street.
 
I guess the main questions are what sort of zoom do you want and how small do you want the camera? One of the main advantages of the RX100VII is that it offers a 200mm zoom in a genuinely pocket sized camera but if you're not needing the longer zoom there are some compromises to get that range particularly with the lens aperture which starts at F2.8 (compared to F1.8 for the 24-70mm versions of the RX100). You mention flash as a priority but I don't find the tiny pop up flash on the RX100 to be much use.

Another issue to be aware of with the RX100VII's is that they're hard to get a hold of at the moment and second hand prices seem to have gone a bit silly in response. I've not seen anything official from Sony but the problem seems to be the micro USB charging which is no longer allowed under the new European rules, it seems Sony's response is to release the RX100VIIA which comes with an external battery charger (using micro USB oddly) and likely disabling the onboard USB charging. I think it's supposed to be coming into stock soon although I haven't seen any retailers actually with it.
 
Then look at the GX8, swivel screen, IBIS, weather sealed, and a fantastic range of lenses, from collapsing zooms, pancake 9mm, tiny 20mm up to 100-400 (200-800 FFeq) long zoom.


Ticks every box and more :)
 
Sangoma said:
Then look at the GX8, swivel screen, IBIS, weather sealed, and a fantastic range of lenses, from collapsing zooms, pancake 9mm, tiny 20mm up to 100-400 (200-800 FFeq) long zoom.


Ticks every box and more :)
Click to expand...
Thanks. M43 is a good shout, some years ago I had an EM10ii and an EM5ii, both solid little cameras
 
JohnMcL7 said:
I guess the main questions are what sort of zoom do you want and how small do you want the camera? One of the main advantages of the RX100VII is that it offers a 200mm zoom in a genuinely pocket sized camera but if you're not needing the longer zoom there are some compromises to get that range particularly with the lens aperture which starts at F2.8 (compared to F1.8 for the 24-70mm versions of the RX100). You mention flash as a priority but I don't find the tiny pop up flash on the RX100 to be much use.

Another issue to be aware of with the RX100VII's is that they're hard to get a hold of at the moment and second hand prices seem to have gone a bit silly in response. I've not seen anything official from Sony but the problem seems to be the micro USB charging which is no longer allowed under the new European rules, it seems Sony's response is to release the RX100VIIA which comes with an external battery charger (using micro USB oddly) and likely disabling the onboard USB charging. I think it's supposed to be coming into stock soon although I haven't seen any retailers actually with it.
Click to expand...
Thanks, very informative. A long zoom isn’t a necessity at all (I can’t remember the last time I used my 100-400)
 
I would have a look at the Fuji options:
X100VI - misses out on viewfinder, and is a fixed 35mm lens, but is very compact for the sensor size.
X-S20 - maybe too big, but packs a punch

You can test drive any of the Fuji cameras free for 48 hours.
 
popcorn said:
Thanks. M43 is a good shout, some years ago I had an EM10ii and an EM5ii, both solid little cameras
Click to expand...

I may annoy MFT users by posting this yet again but I believe people should know plus and minus points and factor them into their decision.

The GX8 has the old shutter mechanism which can induce shutter shock when used with susceptible lenses, A fix when taking pictures outside is to use the electronic shutter but this can lead to rolling shutter effects. Indoors or otherwise under artificial lighting the electronic shutter may not be suitable as it can lead to banding in pictures and when using the mechanical shutter you may be smack in the shutter shock range. Using unaffected lenses is an obvious fix but which lenses are affected and to be avoided and which are unaffected will need researching.

On the later GX80 and GX9 they redesigned the shutter mechanism to reduce shutter shock but those cameras don't have the articulating screen you want.
 
Craikeybaby said:
I would have a look at the Fuji options:
X100VI - misses out on viewfinder, and is a fixed 35mm lens, but is very compact for the sensor size.
X-S20 - maybe too big, but packs a punch

You can test drive any of the Fuji cameras free for 48 hours.
Click to expand...
The X100 series cameras do have viewfinders (y)

They don’t have fully articulating screens though.
 
popcorn said:
Thanks. M43 is a good shout, some years ago I had an EM10ii and an EM5ii, both solid little cameras
Click to expand...
M4/3 system is great, but I doubt you’d save a great deal of weight compared to Fuji if you chose the right body, for example the X-T30 is pretty small and light.
 
snerkler said:
M4/3 system is great, but I doubt you’d save a great deal of weight compared to Fuji if you chose the right body, for example the X-T30 is pretty small and light.
Click to expand...
Yes you’re correct, however none of the Fuji smaller bodies meet all my other requirements (mainly stabilisation and/or full flip screen). So, decision made…. M43 it is and wheels are in motion.

Thanks for all the advise folks.
 
I have the Panasonic G9ii for one particular reason. Image stablisation. Add a 12-60mm elmarit lens which also has its own stablisation. both together is truly amazing. Apart from the 2 memory card slots I added an SSD stick as well.P1060684.JPG
taken with this and the 100-300mm lens hand held
P1000020a.jpg

if this doesn't meet your requirements nothing will
 
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realspeed said:
I have the Panasonic G9ii for one particular reason. Image stablisation. Add a 12-60mm elmarit lens which also has its own stablisation. both together is truly amazing. Apart from the 2 memory card slots I added an SSD stick as well.View attachment 450323
taken with this and the 100-300mm lens hand held
View attachment 450324

if this doesn't meet your requirements nothing will
Click to expand...


It certainly doesn't meet requirements, one of which was "I’d like to spend about a grand or so" :)
 
popcorn said:
Yes you’re correct, however none of the Fuji smaller bodies meet all my other requirements (mainly stabilisation and/or full flip screen). So, decision made…. M43 it is and wheels are in motion.

Thanks for all the advise folks.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you are sorted, but both Fuji X-S10 and X-S20 have flip screens and IBIS.
 
popcorn said:
Yes you’re correct, however none of the Fuji smaller bodies meet all my other requirements (mainly stabilisation and/or full flip screen). So, decision made…. M43 it is and wheels are in motion.

Thanks for all the advise folks.
Click to expand...

Just in case you may be looking for lens recommendations. If small primes interest you I can recommend the Panasonic 14mm (28mm equivalent, might be nice for selfies etc) f2.5. One has been on one of my MFT cameras forever, it is IMO a good lens, it's tiny and they can be found used at very reasonable prices.

Good luck on your MFT journey.
 
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