Is There Really Such a Thing as a Pocketable Camera?

[jsrockit]

The Canon Sd30 and sd40 truly were pocketable for their time. Before cellphones had cameras and 5mp was considered good.

 

[6x7]

"It's silly", "do this", "do that",.... What a meaningless and boring statement, NickTrop. Or is it just subtle irony in the end? Forgive me, English is not my native language...

 

[Platinum RF]

cell phone

 

[Ambro51]

I think seriously for a small pocketable camera it’s impossible to beat a Leica LTM, if you don’t want a rangefinder coupled, the A, C and E models are quite small and lightweight. Put on a 35 summaron on an E and with the right film it’s a point and shoot. The FOV is so large just use the acc shoe a centering device. •••• though pretty much unique, my modified to working UR Leica is a bit smaller than the A and is even more pocketable.

 

[jsrockit]

To me, the LTM bodies are too heavy to be truly pocketable.

 

[Solinar]

To me, the LTM bodies are too heavy to be truly pocketable.

I've done it during my lunch break with my Leica II and a 50mm Elmar - but you are correct, it's definitely a bit heavy when compared to P&S cameras from the 1990 Era.

God bless the 1990'ies - the Era of classic, plastic, fantastic film cameras.

 

[mod2001]

Contax T3, since 3 years 24/7 in my jeans or shirt pockets.

Juergen

 

[Oscuro]

Cher,


Why would you put your camera in a pocket?


Ciao,
Mme. Oscuro

 

[Godfrey]

My Minox subminiature cameras are easily pocketable. All of them. 😀



G

 

[giganova]

My Minox subminiature cameras are easily pocketable. All of them. 😀

I work for the government, maybe I shouldn't carry one of those "spy cameras". 😀 Imagine I'm in my bosses office when it falls out of my pocket!?

 

[wjlapier]

The C-Lux 3 is very tiny:

 

[jsrockit]

The C-Lux 3 is very tiny:

Yes, and gives you an ISO range close to a film camera.

 

[rbiemer]

Just inherited this Canon. Seems pocketable to me. Tiny real viewfinder, too.

Rob

Small camera by rbiemer, on Flickr

 

[jsrockit]

There were many pocketable digital cameras with cell phone sized sensors. However, digital really starts to come into its own with larger sensors. That’s where the pocketable part becomes trickier.

 

[rbiemer]

There were many pocketable digital cameras with cell phone sized sensors. However, digital really starts to come into its own with larger sensors. That’s where the pocketable part becomes trickier.

Can't argue with that.
I've been playing with this Elph a little bit and, so far at least, its only real advantage over my current phone is the viewfinder.

Rob

 

[Godfrey]

I work for the government, maybe I shouldn't carry one of those "spy cameras". 😀 Imagine I'm in my bosses office when it falls out of my pocket!?

I used to carry a Minox EC all the time, it's about the size of a pack of chewing gum. And it's mostly made of composite plastic. One time, visiting a photographer friend who worked for the State Department in Washington DC, I completely forgot it was in my pocket and walked through the security scan and check at his building with it in my pocket. We both laughed out loud when I discovered it was in my pocket a few minutes later when I arrived at his office.

"So much for the security screening, eh?"
"Let me get your picture as long as I have it here..."

Made a nice portrait... 😀

G

 

[shawn]

There were many pocketable digital cameras with cell phone sized sensors. However, digital really starts to come into its own with larger sensors. That’s where the pocketable part becomes trickier.

Ricoh GRIII is pretty tiny with an APS-C sensor. It is basically the same size as the cell phone sized sensor GRD series. Slightly longer but not as tall as an Olympus XA3. The Ricoh is hiding behind the Olympus in the first shot.

Shawn

 

[Archiver]

I mentioned it earlier in the thread, but my my current pocket camera is the Sony RX0, which I bought for video work, but has proven itself a very useful street and general purpose camera. The 24mm lens is ideal for capturing scenes and subjects in context, and the high ISO performance is really good, with usable images up to 6400.

It's the same size as a DSLR battery and is crushproof, waterproof and shockproof. It's smaller than just about anything else in this thread and just as capable. The files are super robust and very deep and rich, which surprised the heck out of me.

I hate to say it, but it has replaced my Ricoh GR (aps-c version) as an always with me camera. I even go out with just the RX0 and the Contax T3, and I don't really miss the features of a bigger camera.

 

[Jumillar]

A pocket size 35mm camera with rangefinder

A pocket size 35mm camera with rangefinder

It's too wet to go out with my camera today, so i thought i'd have a little fun and post my take on the Olympus advert for their "pocket size camera" from the 70s.. of course you need pretty big pockets to start with. Their tag line of "Keep it in your pocket" doesn't sound too practical either.

My 1971 Olympus 35RC
Olympus 35RC by john millar, on Flickr

and here is the original advert

Olympus 35RC by john millar, on Flickr

 

[Big Ursus]

Here's what I think: I certainly miss my Olympus XA, but my Panasonic LX7 is easy to carry on bike rides, and in my jacket pocket. It also offers easy access to all the usual shooting controls. I also recommend the older Panasonic LX3.

By the way, I'm posting to remind folks about the wee Panasonics. What's the point of arguing about whether you can/should put cameras in your pockets! :bang:

I should probably also mention that my Fuji Xt-2 works fine on its factory-supplied neck strap.🙂