What pocketable premium compact?

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No_Photoh

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Thinking about getting a decent digital compact but not sure what.

My spec is as follows, in order of priority,
Small size
Fairly sturdy
Manual control inc focus
CCD sensor

I’m looking at things like Canon G10/11/12, Nikon P7000/7100, maybe 7800.

I’d like something more pocketable than my Konica Hexar RF, smaller than an X100, probably smaller than an X10.

Ricoh GR is an obvious candidate but reasons I’ve discounted it are that I’ve heard they’re fragile (looking for something I can chuck in a pocket/bag when cycling so will get knocked around a bit), they’re a bit more money which is a worry given the last point and the fixed focal length.

I’m used to shooting with prime lenses but think I’d like a zoom to make it a bit more useful.

Think I’d like a ccd sensor but could be convinced otherwise. I’ve seen nice black and white results from the P7800 which is a cmos sensor so…
 
For "pocketable" the Sony RX100 range often gets recommended but I went for a Panasonic TZ100 because I want a vf which is always deployed. I've no idea if these are CCD but I'd doubt it. Other than that. Sorry but I'm not a fan of chucking a camera anywhere. IMO they should be placed in a pocket or bag.

I think the above are the smallest cameras I'd take any pleasure from using. Both are 1" sensor "compacts."

PS.
I believe there is a rather robust Olympus compact but it may be a small sensor camera. TG6?
 
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I agree with woof woof, the TZ100 is a pocketable and capable camera with a zoom reach of 250mm though you won't want to use that too often. The VF is small but usable and its reasonably durable. It also fits snugly in a pocket. BTW I do own one........P1020065.jpeg
 
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I have a P7800 and think it's a great little camera which I use quite a lot, but it's quite chunky and not very slim.
 
Just for reference, as you say it is too big, but my X100V has survived 2 and a bit years in my mountain biking hydration pack, so seems pretty robust.
 
No_Photoh said:
Ricoh GR is an obvious candidate but reasons I’ve discounted it are that I’ve heard they’re fragile (looking for something I can chuck in a pocket/bag when cycling so will get knocked around a bit), they’re a bit more money which is a worry given the last point and the fixed focal length.
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I’ve had a GRiii and a GRiiix for quite a while now. They go in a small bag, a trouser pocket or a shirt pocket as well as hanging off a wrist strap.
The anecdotal fragility reports on the Internet don’t reflect my experience. Recently I have added a filter adapter and filter to the lens which gives significant extra protection and adds nothing major to the size - they still fit in trouser or shirt pocket.
Focusing (inc Snap Focus) is excellent and being aps-c sensor is a bonus over larger cameras with smaller sensors. :)
 
I have had a Canon G12 Powershot for about 10-years or so and whilst it's a pretty good camera, it has sustained some damage to the front element. From what I can tell this is a common issue and in my view is caused by the automatic lens cover system, which is very close to the lens. We bought our daughter one a few years ago and that has the same issue. I think it's not uncommon. It doesn't show up on images most of the time, but is annoying when it does.

Nicked Lenses on PowerShot G11 and G12

I have a Canon G11 and a G12 and both have a small nick on the lens in the exact same spot. Is it possible to have these cameras refurbished? I hate to dispose of them. Thanks for any help!
community.usa.canon.com community.usa.canon.com
 
Craikeybaby said:
Just for reference, as you say it is too big, but my X100V has survived 2 and a bit years in my mountain biking hydration pack, so seems pretty robust.
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Yeah, I used to have an X100, the og one. I don't think my Hexar is much bigger, not with the 15mm lens fitted, the 50mm is a tad longer.

I guess I baby my Hexar as much as possible and I'm looking for something I don't need to be so careful with.
 
GeeJay57 said:
I have had a Canon G12 Powershot for about 10-years or so and whilst it's a pretty good camera, it has sustained some damage to the front element. From what I can tell this is a common issue and in my view is caused by the automatic lens cover system, which is very close to the lens. We bought our daughter one a few years ago and that has the same issue. I think it's not uncommon. It doesn't show up on images most of the time, but is annoying when it does.

Nicked Lenses on PowerShot G11 and G12

I have a Canon G11 and a G12 and both have a small nick on the lens in the exact same spot. Is it possible to have these cameras refurbished? I hate to dispose of them. Thanks for any help!
community.usa.canon.com community.usa.canon.com
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I'd read something about these issues. Guess if it affects those two then it'll probably be the same for the G10 as well.
 
gramps said:
I’ve had a GRiii and a GRiiix for quite a while now. They go in a small bag, a trouser pocket or a shirt pocket as well as hanging off a wrist strap.
The anecdotal fragility reports on the Internet don’t reflect my experience. Recently I have added a filter adapter and filter to the lens which gives significant extra protection and adds nothing major to the size - they still fit in trouser or shirt pocket.
Focusing (inc Snap Focus) is excellent and being aps-c sensor is a bonus over larger cameras with smaller sensors. :)
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That's good to know. It might have been the 35mm ones that are meant to be fragile.

Is the manual focus via the ring around the lens or buttons at the back?

I'm thinking ring around the lens would be preferable but them I'm also remembering that X100 I had and the electronically linked focus ring on that was horrendous!
 
Kinda tempted by a Ricoh Caplio GX 100 or 200 actually.

Meant to be a zoom GR and much better priced as they don't have the street cred.
 
Go with a Ricoh GR iii - either model. Don't be a wimp!

But worried about a fixed focal length? Then look for something with a 3 - 5,000mm zoom. There at least you're safe, since it doesn't exist.

For me - well a camera w/o a hi-res vf just ain't a camera. But it takes all sorts!

What's wrong with your phone?
 
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droj said:
Go with a Ricoh GR iii - either model. Don't be a wimp!

But worried about a fixed focal length? Then look for something with a 3 - 5,000mm zoom. There at least you're safe, since it doesn't exist.

For me - well a camera w/o a hi-res vf just ain't a camera. But it takes all sorts!

What's wrong with your phone?
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GR iii is well above budget.

What's wrong with my phone? Probably nothing. It's not got a great camera but it's not terrible, I just prefer a stand alone camera for some reason.
 
I have used a Caplio GX100 since 2006 and I still use to this day. Wind, rain shine and it still uses the original battery. Mega happy with it. I set the manual functions and believe it or not from pressing the on button to raising it to my eye and composing it's ready to go - quite a fast 'boot up so to speak! The zoom is super useful as is the macro and built in flash and it is f2.5 at is widest. I have the evf (electronic viewfinder) for bright sun and I keep it in a Pelicase when not out in my hand. Lens surface is like new even after all these years, the whole camera is like new in fact. I don't have any urge to get a different pocket camera whatsoever. Edit: and all the dials and buttons can be operated with one hand.
 
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No_Photoh said:
GR iii is well above budget.

What's wrong with my phone? Probably nothing. It's not got a great camera but it's not terrible, I just prefer a stand alone camera for some reason.
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I really don't like the experience of shooting on a phone.

Fixer said:
I have used a Caplio GX100 since 2006 and I still use to this day. Wind, rain shine and it still uses the original battery.
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I read this at first as you hadn't had to charge the battery since 2006 :D
 
No_Photoh said:
That's good to know. It might have been the 35mm ones that are meant to be fragile.

Is the manual focus via the ring around the lens or buttons at the back?

I'm thinking ring around the lens would be preferable but them I'm also remembering that X100 I had and the electronically linked focus ring on that was horrendous!
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Both the GRiii & GRiiix are built basically the same, I have both and there has been no fragility issues for me with either.
I don't use MF with either as I have never found it to be necessary, the GR's are AF accurate and sharp and Snap Focus is useful - Zone Focus is available as described HERE but there is no front focus ring around the lens. If you need a lot of quick MF changes it probably isn't for you.
 
I've had a Sony RX100 III for some years now and although a bit knocked about still gives good service producing excellent results. It's been dropped a few times with resultant dents but the pop up viewfinder I've hardly used much preferring the rear screen, When I bought it the viewfinder seemed a must due to the performance of then current rear screens but the RX one was no problem. I could wish for a bigger zoom range such as the current version but it does fit easily in most pockets. It replaced a Canon Powershot G1 which still produces much better results with it's bigger sensor but was so slow many of my street opportunities were lost. Altogether I don't think the RX can be beaten for it's size but at a now considerable cost.
 
I swear by my Sony RX100 mk7. Fantastic little camera, great focus/tracking and excellent results, and so easy to slip into your pocket when you leave home and don't want anything bigger to carry round.
 
Ended up grabbing a cheap RX100 mk1.

I reckoned I could live without a viewfinder (and tiltable screen) if it meant getting a more compact package and I think I've made the right choice.

Couple shots from this morning's commute and then went to look at/walk across the new bridge over the clyde this afternoon.
 

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Great choice even if I do say so myself ;) . . . If you don't mind I'll post one or two with my GX100 (using its original battery lol) over the next few days.
 
(Oh, the image stabilisation on my GX100 does cause a very tiny jaggy blur if you look at a photo 'under a microscope' so to speak with it switched on).
 
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I've had a number of different P&S cameras. Used to carry them in a pocket out bird hunting and training with my dogs. All went ten toes up within about a year. Well last one I got is a Panasonic ZS 100 and it is holding up well and takes great photo's. Haqs 25-250 Leica Lens on it and the only thing I know how to do with it is shoot on "P"! Works great on "P"! Got a belt pouch for it when I got it and works out really well. Of course it was more expensive than my other's but if it last's I'll deal with it! These days I don't go anywhere without it, in it's belt pouch it's like not there at all!
 
Don Fischer said:
I've had a number of different P&S cameras. Used to carry them in a pocket out bird hunting and training with my dogs. All went ten toes up within about a year. Well last one I got is a Panasonic ZS 100 and it is holding up well and takes great photo's. Haqs 25-250 Leica Lens on it and the only thing I know how to do with it is shoot on "P"! Works great on "P"! Got a belt pouch for it when I got it and works out really well. Of course it was more expensive than my other's but if it last's I'll deal with it! These days I don't go anywhere without it, in it's belt pouch it's like not there at all!
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Its a great camera, badged as the TZ100 in the UK
 
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