Calling Photographer Oppos

"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion) 09/25/2018 at 12:52 • Filed to: photography

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I’m lo oking for a decent point-and-shoot that will take way better pictures than my cellphone, but not DSLR-level because I have an older DSLR that, while highly configure -able, it’s bulky and cumbersome just to take quick shots of average things. Extensive internet-review-reading led me to this:

The Sony DSC-RX100. There are at least six variations, the oldest one coming from waaay back in 2012. But as far as I can tell, there aren’t a lot of differences between all the versions other than things like a rotating touchscreen, wifi connectivity, and a host of small improvements. The actual photo-taking credentials look nearly identical, while the price of a Mark VI is around $1,2 00; the Mark I is $369 . Even the Mark II is $550, and all it does is wifi and a tilting rear screen, over the Mar k I.

I really like the low-light capabilities of this camera, and the overall photo quality is supposed to be second to none. Sure, other cameras in this range may offer more modern features (which really means things like wifi and bluetooth), better zoom (not a big deal, I have the SLR with a huge zoom lens if I’m trying to shoot a cheetah in the Serengeti), or faster consecutive shots (this one already does 10/sec), 4k video recording (I don’t have a 4k TV)... but none of those really excite me. I want the best quality photos with no extra stuff I’ll never use. In a compact package.

This one seems hard to beat. What do you think?

ttyymmnn > functionoverfashion 09/25/2018 at 12:54

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Have you considered mirrorless? I have zero experience with them, but they are certainly more compact. 

Ash78, voting early and often > ttyymmnn 09/25/2018 at 12:56

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Coming here to say this. I’ve heard Sony’s hobby-level mirrorless cameras are about half the size of competing DSLRs, super easy to use, and take a lot better shots than point & shoot.

promoted by the color red > ttyymmnn 09/25/2018 at 12:58

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This, plus I’ve seen some amazing Fujifilm mirrorless deals on SlickDeals.

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > functionoverfashion 09/25/2018 at 12:58

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Go into a camera shop and find a used one. I bought my Sony ( A-6000?)  that way for way less than new.

The Dummy Gummy > functionoverfashion 09/25/2018 at 13:00

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So before I went on my year long trip I had to slim down on camera size because a DSLR was just too heavy to travel with. At the time the Sony DSC-RX100 V came out. I was also looking at the C anon g7x mark ii because my friend had one and it had taken beautiful shots. I was really hesitant on moving back to the point and shoot game since I loved switching out to the proper lense. Honestly these cameras were incredible. The So ny’s low light shots were unbelievable and their facial recognition was lightening quick. I ended up going with the Canon because the improvements of the Sony to the Canon weren’t worth the $500 premium.

I would ignore the 4k capabilities unless you want to pay a hefty premium. The Mark V had 4k ability but would get super hot when recording and killed the battery life. I think I could only take videos in  5 min intervals at most before the heat sensor kicked off. They may have fixed this since a couple years ago, but I’d say 4k is a nice to have not a need to have.

vondon302 > functionoverfashion 09/25/2018 at 13:02

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I've got the markII. Good little camera my DSLR is better but I hardly ever use it after buying this.

Just Jeepin' > functionoverfashion 09/25/2018 at 13:05

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What phone are you using? The Pixel 2 (soon to be 3) and iPhone 10s make some remarkable photographs, so you might be happiest just making sure you’re using a top of the line phone.

(Yes, long-time DSLR user so I know the advantages to a “real” camera, but dear heavens the convenience of a high quality phone with always-on Internet and high quality editing tools  in your pocket all the time is nice.)

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > functionoverfashion 09/25/2018 at 13:05

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We bought this one a few years ago, it is one of the best point and shoots at that price point. I did a lot of research too when I bought and it lead me to this one.

HammerheadFistpunch > functionoverfashion 09/25/2018 at 13:10

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Sony chips are the biz, even Panasonic is starting to use them, but their UI stinks and I personally don’t like the calorimetry (too artificial). I think Olympus has the best image to color going for photo but their video sucks. Panasonic video is second to none (and I mean ANYTHING thats not a dedicated cinema camera) and I really like their stills too, but their older cameras aren’t as good on account of the older chips, the newer units are sony chips with panasonic tuning and I think they are the sweet spot. I have a GH4 I travel with, and am consistently amazed by it. GX85 with kit lens is affordable right now at around $599. The nice thing about these is that you can buy adapters to use Canon glass (don’t know what SLR you have) that actually make the canon glass faster than it would be on a canon body. The adapter is stupid expensive though, (~300-400)

EDIT: this two lens kit is a great deal. With the 12-32 as you walk around lens it wouldn’t be appreciably larger than the sony.

http://shop.panasonic.com/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/lumix-interchangeable-lens-ilc-cameras/DMC-GX85WK.html#cm_mmc=AffiliateDefault-_-Ecommerce-_-Default-_-Default&src=linkshare&siteID=eyzsD2QGsYg-EZ.lAfVN8wRJCXcN6VGDdA&start=1&cgid=cameras

Textured Soy Protein > functionoverfashion 09/25/2018 at 13:15

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Personally I’ve never quite been on the RX100 bandwagon due to lack of touchscreen except on the new RX100 VI. It’s so much easier to select a focus point by touch, especially on these dinky little cameras.

The Canon G9X, G7X and G5X have similar sensors and touchscreens.

The G9X is the smallest 1" sensor camera by far, but its maximum aperture is slower, and its sensor is not quite as good (it’s a regular CMOS chip, not BSI-CMOS which is a little better at gathering light).

T he G7X is about the same size as the RX100 series, with a similar fast aperture, etc. But it’s cheaper and has a touchscreen, and more zoom range.

Th e G5X is like a G7X with a viewfinder on top and a bit of a hand grip, to look like a mini teeny SLR.

The originals have kinda slow image processors, but the Mk II versions are a big improvement. Still no 4K video though. There’s no G5X II, only G9X II and G7X II.

The Panasonic LX10 is another direct competitor to the RX100 and G7X series, and is largely similar, but with some of Panasonic’s continuous AF and 4K video tricks. Some of the user reviews have dinged its reliability.

The Panasonic ZS100 and ZS200 have big long zoom ranges (and somewhat slower apertures) like the RX100 VI. The ZS200 is the newer one.

For me, it’d be either the G9X II for most pocketable, or between the G7X II and LX10 for good all-rounders.

If you want to buy used, get from KEH Camera. They have a good inventory and 180 day warranty. Check for coupon codes. 

functionoverfashion > ttyymmnn 09/25/2018 at 13:24

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I think the mirrorless is just more than I want to spend... but they are certainly interesting!

functionoverfashion > The Dummy Gummy 09/25/2018 at 13:27

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For sure I don’t care about 4k video for now. Interesting, the Canon is on the list also, G7x and G9x. Leaning toward the sony at the moment though.

functionoverfashion > Just Jeepin' 09/25/2018 at 13:28

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I have an iphone SE but of course I’ll have to upgrade at some point. You’re right, though, that phones aren’t that far behind a decent point-and-shoot. That’s where I’m trying to find the best camera that isn’t $1,000 but will do things that no phone can do.

functionoverfashion > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) 09/25/2018 at 13:29

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If I lived in civilization, that would be a great option. The nearest “camera shop” has to be... probably an hour away.

The Dummy Gummy > functionoverfashion 09/25/2018 at 13:29

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I can send over some shots I’ve taken if you like, when I get home. I’m not the best photographer (fair warning). The G7x mark ii definitely did me right though. Great stabilization for video’s too.

functionoverfashion > HammerheadFistpunch 09/25/2018 at 13:31

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That is a great deal. I have a pentax DSLR, but anyway I might actually sell that because I never use it anymore. Thanks for the input!

functionoverfashion > Textured Soy Protein 09/25/2018 at 13:32

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Thanks for the detailed input. I’ve been pondering this for too long, now I’m looking at Amazon prime to see if I can get one here before I leave on Friday, not ideal. But maybe I’ll wait anyway.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > HammerheadFistpunch 09/25/2018 at 13:32

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What makes a good used cinema camera? Maybe something by Canon that accepts Canon glass?

functionoverfashion > Ash78, voting early and often 09/25/2018 at 13:33

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Hmm I was thinking these were out of my price range, but actually on second look they’re not that bad. This is like buying a laptop, in terms of complicated choices.

functionoverfashion > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 09/25/2018 at 13:36

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That’s the one I’m leaning toward the most at this time... good to hear.

thejustache > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) 09/25/2018 at 13:40

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Or ebay... maybe a little bit more of a gamble but I bought my a6000 that way in Feb. 2017 for $400 and I’ve gotten quite a bit of use out of it since then. I’m now looking to upgrade to an a7rII and I’ll probably consider ebay again

Nom De Plume > functionoverfashion 09/25/2018 at 13:44

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What in your approximation can  a point and shoot can do that your phone can’t?

thejustache > functionoverfashion 09/25/2018 at 13:47

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I have a Sony a6000 I bought used on ebay for $400 in Feb. of 2017. I also shoot 35mm so I got a focal reducing pentax adapter and I use all my full frame manual pentax lenses on it with pretty great results.

Of course you said you already have a DSLR and are looking for a point and shoot. I’ve never tried the RX100 but I know I am a Sony fan at this point and have even looked into it a little myself as a backup camera. As I’m currently saving for a true full frame sony a 1" sensor seems small but I know for the class in a point and shoot that’s really good, and still way better than a phone! f1.8 @ 28mm and the ability to shoot RAW definitely gives it some advantages too.

Textured Soy Protein > functionoverfashion 09/25/2018 at 14:15

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KEH offers 2nd day air shipping for 20 bucks. It’s not ideal, but also they regularly have promo codes, and don’t charge sales tax except if you live in Georgia where they’re based. Although right now their main promo code is 10% off Sony, Fuji & Sigma .

If you want something that’ll slip in a pocket and be a big upgrade over a phone camera, KEH has a used G9X II for $339 , even with the $20 2-day shipping that’s $359 vs. $429 + tax for a new one from Amazon. The G9X is a good centimeter thinner than the RX100 series.

I wouldn’t mess with a p&s camera without wifi like the RX100 I, it’s great to quickly zap photos over to a phone. My Olympus E-PL5 m43 doesn’t have built-in wifi, but the camera’s software is designed to work with Toshiba FlashAir cards, where the camera can control the card’s wifi, so I use that for good enough. But it’s kinda clunky of an experience. Built-in wifi is good. 

The big NYC Orthodox Jewish camera stores (B&H and Adorama among others) aren’t shipping anything until next week 10/3 when the holiday of Succot ends.

Personally I had been pretty close to wanting a G9X II for this exact purpose, since I already have an Olympus m43 setup that’s not too huge, the point of a p&s would have been to take around with me. But it turns out using the Google Pixel camera app on my Essential PH-1 produces such good results that I haven’t felt compelled to spend that money.

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > thejustache 09/25/2018 at 14:27

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That’s about  what I paid for mine in 2015. A7’s seem to hold their value too well lol

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > functionoverfashion 09/25/2018 at 14:38

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My personal experience tells me Fujifilm makes a fine point-n-shoot lens. I’d look at the  stuff from their Finepix series, or if you can spare the cash an FX10.

thejustache > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) 09/25/2018 at 14:39

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True that. Still, with the A7riii and the new mirrorless offerings from Canon and Nikkon now I’m starting to see prices for the a7rii dropping into the $1300 range. If I can get that together and find a clean one with a lowish shutter count I’ll be pulling the trigger - I don’t care if it’s no longer the new hotness and has a terrible menu system. The ability to use my full frame glass with 42mp for landscapes should be enough for me for a little while!

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 09/25/2018 at 14:44

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This picture was taken with a  Finepix I used to have. Awesome contrast and very vibrant colors.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > functionoverfashion 09/25/2018 at 15:20

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I’ve got a couple of higher-end P&S cameras I love. Canon G10 was my first, followed by a Nikon P7100. With these two in hand I can’t remember the last time I used my DSLR. It looks like that Sony is a modern day equivalent of my dinosaurs, although it probably costs a little more than the $42 I have invested in mine...

Monkey B > functionoverfashion 09/25/2018 at 15:51

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I have the Olympus PEN (one of the first ones) and am quite happy with it. It still has enough customization to go way over my head so I’m sure you’d get even better photos as I do given your familiarity with a DSLR. The newer ones have a nice retro look. I also like Sony and would have gotten on of theirs if I didn’t get the Olympus.

The Dummy Gummy > functionoverfashion 09/25/2018 at 19:54

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Couldn’t find the RAW files I edited in lightroom so here are the original JPG’s I had from my original transfer.

BJ > functionoverfashion 09/25/2018 at 21:22

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I have this one, can't remember which version. Very good camera. Take some time to review the specs of each version, they have a number of differences.

functionoverfashion > Textured Soy Protein 09/25/2018 at 21:31

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Thanks for the tip on KEH, looks like a reputable outfit with good pricing. And thanks for the thorough responses! 

functionoverfashion > The Dummy Gummy 09/25/2018 at 21:32

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Those are great pics, and really illustrate the difference between a cell phone and a real camera. We’ll see what happens, but in any case thanks for sharing and I’ll be sure to share some pics here when I get something. 

functionoverfashion > Nom De Plume 09/25/2018 at 21:35

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Low light, for one. Any zoom at all. And high contrast situations are just terrible with the phone. Also long exposures. 

The Dummy Gummy > functionoverfashion 09/25/2018 at 21:36

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Good luck!

functionoverfashion > thejustache 09/25/2018 at 21:40

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I think it’s going to be hard to beat the Sony RX100 of some generation for pure image quality. Nearly every review I’ve read, or “top 10 list” has said something like, the Sony might not be the newest, shiniest, or most feature-packed, but for pure image quality it’s the best or equal to the best.

I don’t care about 1,000,000 features. I want great pictures on the automatic settings, with the ability to tweak or play later, and raw format is a huge bonus in that sense, as I have the full Adobe suite through work. Camera Raw is my best friend. 

functionoverfashion > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. 09/25/2018 at 21:42

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It’s telling that Sony came out with the MK1 in 2012 and still sells it today for $369. In fact, they still manufacture and sell every generation of that camera, I think it’s just that good. Each new one has some feature that the last one didn’t have, but the improvements are iterative and not huge leaps, at least as far as I can tell.