Pocketable Camera for Vacation

[agentlossing]

I mean, really, how much is there to discuss past 37 post on which of the about ten or twelve compact digital cameras currently in production might be suitable?

Especially since there are only two REAL choices: Ricoh GRIII or GRIIIx? 😎

 

[DownUnder]

More like 370 choices, mate. Or 3,700. Or even 37,000. Or - well, you know. Keep tapping the zero key.

How many secondhand P&S cameras are there for sale in the USA? I doubt anyone has counted them, so your guess will be as good as mine.

 

[Archiver]

Your baseline camera is the SL2S, which means you have a certain expectation of image quality. The numerous suggestions can be ranked as follows:

high image quality:
Leica Q family
Sony RX1 family

medium high image quality:
Fuji X100 series
Ricoh GR aps-c cameras

decent image quality:
micro four thirds cameras including GM1, GM5, GX880, Olympus EP-L series,

mid-decent image quality:
1" sensor cameras like the
Sony RX100 family
Panasonic LX10
Sony RX0
Canon G5x / G7x families

Lower image quality:
small sensor cams including Ricoh GR D family, Canon Ixus/SD family, etc

If you want something small and fairly pocketable, the Sony RX100, Panasonic LX10 and Canon G5x/G7x are excellent options.

Having owned many small sensor cameras like the Ricoh GRD III, Canon S90, Fuji F30 etc, I wouldn't recommend them to someone who owns a SL2S. They just don't have the dynamic range and colour depth of a 1" sensor cam like the Panasonic LX10 or Sony RX100 V.

Panasonic LX10

LX10 - The Little One by Archiver, on Flickr

The closest is the Panasonic LX7, which is an awesome small sensor camera that somehow has the same or even better dynamic range of the Canon 30D in raw! In fact, I might buy another LX10 to replace my old, faulty one. I like it that much.

Panasonic LX7

LX7 - In the shadows of the arch by Archiver, on Flickr

A lot of people like the Fuji X100 series, but I can't get past the smudged green foliage that the later X-Trans models produce when using Lightroom. If you like X-Trans, that's fine.

A micro four thirds camera isn't pocketable, no matter how small. But the image quality from the 16mp models and up is excellent, especially when paired with primes like the Olympus 17/1.8, 25/1.8 and 45/1.8.

GM1 with Olympus 25/1.8

GM1 - Lumix by Lumix by Archiver, on Flickr

 

[Archiver]

APSC compacts are very popular right now, and rightfully so since they are actually really great, so you aren't getting one on a whim unless you get lucky locally and used. If these are the cameras you truly want, older small sensor compacts are not going to do the job. I truly do not agree with people saying to buy these as a replacement. You will not gain much over your phone (well, depending on your phone) with them other than ergonomics especially vs. the cameras you are used to using.

Agreed. Pre-2010 cams like the Canon S90, G10/12, Ricoh GRD III won't cut it by today's standards, even with raw. There isn't much benefit to image quality, if any, vs a new iPhone.

The Sigma DP1/2 cams from 2008-2012 are awesome but very slow, quirky and specialized; they also have a larger sensor. The Panasonic LX7 from 2012 is a real standout when shooting raw, though. I used to pair the Ricoh GR with the LX7 as an everyday combo until they both went kaput.

LX7 - Holding His Balls by Archiver, on Flickr

My current pocketable cameras are the Sony RX0 and Panasonic LX10. Both have 1" sensors. The RX0 is extremely hardy and small, and the LX10 has a very bright zoom lens that makes it perfect for night shooting.

LX10 - Neon Streets by Archiver, on Flickr

 

[Archiver]

One of the smaller Micro Four Thirds cameras might suit you, with a small lens. The Olympus EPL series or the Panasonic GX bodies are mostly pretty small. The lenses I would recommend would be the Panasonic 20mm f1.7 (40mm equivalent, one of my favorite lenses ever, not the fastest to autofocus), the Panasonic 12-32mm f3.5-5.6 (24-64mm equiv, nice image quality but slow aperture values, it's close to f5.6 through much of the zoom range), and the Panasonic 14mm f2.5 (great lens, absolutely tiny, 28mm equiv).

If you can swing the size (a little larger in some dimensions than a X100 I think, don't quote me) I would get a GX9 with the 20mm for the best IQ.

That's a really good point. @giganova said 'pocketable' but in the main post he also mentioned the X100 and LX100, neither of which will fit in the average pocket. If that's an acceptable size, this opens the floor to cameras like the Panasonic GX85 and GX9, and Olympus E-M5 Mk II or III.

I was away for the weekend, and my walkaround cameras were the GX85 with Olympus 17/1.8 and Panasonic 9/1.7, and the Leica M9 with Distagon 35. As much as I love the quality of the Leica setup, the GX85 with small primes is just so much more convenient to hold and carry.

 

[sojournerphoto]

I’m in London today and travelling very light for work, so the M11 and Nokton 28/1.5 have stayed at home and the GRiii fits the jeans back pocket with the viewfinder - but not available stateside as already discussed.

Nice pics from small cameras here

 

[Godfrey]

Hmm. M10-M fitted with MS-Optical Aporia 24mm f/2 fits easily in my jacket pocket. It's a little heavy ... LOL!

G

 

[sojournerphoto]

Hmm. M10-M fitted with MS-Optical Aporia 24mm f/2 fits easily in my jacket pocket. It's a little heavy ... LOL!

G

Yep, the 28 Nokton is a bit long. I really need a slightly bigger bag…

 

[lxmike]

I carry a battered XA4 and an equally abused Fuji X100 for vacations

 

[shawn]

Getting ready to sell a couple of my smaller digitals and thought it would be fun to show relative sizes.






They are arranged by sensor size. APS-C in the back, 4/3 (cropped) alone, 1" and lastly 1/1.7" up front. Only the Samsung and Pentax are interchangeable lens cameras.

I may have a problem with GAS....

 

[boojum]

I have fought liking Leica from before when I bought my first one. And I have found fault with them as long as I have had tjhem, a few years now. But I grudgingly admit that for size and performance I am quite pleased with M body Leicas. I have old ones, the most recent model being an M240. It performs well. It is not large. It is reliable. If you have room for an electric shaver you have room for a Leica.

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

I never realized how tiny the Pentax Q is.

 

[shawn]

I never realized how tiny the Pentax Q is.

Small but mighty!

That is the Q-S1 with the 01 Prime on it and the Zoom 02 and Zoom 06 lenses. The 06 is constant f2.8 with equivalent FOV of about a 70-200 on that body.

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

Small but mighty!

That is the Q-S1 with the 01 Prime on it and the Zoom 02 and Zoom 06 lenses. The 06 is constant f2.8 with equivalent FOV of about a 70-200 on that body.

I recall you've posted that image before. That holster thing is super cool!

 

[Dogman]

Cargo pants. Photo vest. You can take it all with you. 😁

 

[agentlossing]

Cargo pants. Photo vest. You can take it all with you. 😁

🤓 <-- fixed your smiley!

 

[Pioneer]

The Pentax Q really is a wonderful vacation camera if you want interchangeable lenses but not everyone seems happy with the small sensors.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

You can take it all with you. 😁

Chris

 

[boojum]

I never realized how tiny the Pentax Q is.

And it punches well above its weight.

IMGP0975 by West Phalia, on Flickr

 

[Pioneer]

Chris

That guy handling that clothes locker does not work there anymore. I hope yours has wheels and is light enough for you to handle. 😀