Dogman
Veteran
Go for a used P&S by Canon or Lumix.
JohnGellings
Well-known
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.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
When I don't want to carry much on a trip, the iPhone 15 Pro, a pocketable tripod with a smartphone mount, and the Moment bluetooth remote does a tremendous job. Add your favorite third-party camera app for more options as well.
G
Disappointed_Horse
Well-known
I had a Canon G9 and a Canon SD880is back in the day. While I liked these cameras, I went back and looked at the images I shot with them and I don't think they are as good as what I'm getting from my iPhone 13 Pro today. (I could be wrong as I was looking at them on Google photos and Google's compression may have something to do with it.)
One big factor in favor of the iPhone is the size of the screen. All of the compact digicams I'm interested in (even the new GRIII and IIIx) only have three-inch LCDs. I just measured the image area (that is, the area on the screen that will be captured; excluding the UI controls) and the diagonal is about 4.25 inches. That is a huge difference. I think I'll try shooting some images with my DSLR in live view so I can figure out if I'm willing to deal with shooting on a tiny 3" LCD.
I have no concerns about being able to make prints from iPhone files. I've made prints up to 8x10 and 11x11 from iPhone photos and they look just fine hanging on my walls. I may subjectively prefer the image quality from APS-C or larger size sensors, but objectively the iPhone files are plenty good enough.
One big factor in favor of the iPhone is the size of the screen. All of the compact digicams I'm interested in (even the new GRIII and IIIx) only have three-inch LCDs. I just measured the image area (that is, the area on the screen that will be captured; excluding the UI controls) and the diagonal is about 4.25 inches. That is a huge difference. I think I'll try shooting some images with my DSLR in live view so I can figure out if I'm willing to deal with shooting on a tiny 3" LCD.
I have no concerns about being able to make prints from iPhone files. I've made prints up to 8x10 and 11x11 from iPhone photos and they look just fine hanging on my walls. I may subjectively prefer the image quality from APS-C or larger size sensors, but objectively the iPhone files are plenty good enough.
Disappointed_Horse
Well-known
I'd be very interested in knowing what tripod and smartphone mount you are using. Thanks!
sojournerphoto
Veteran
One thing I found with the GRiii was that it’s the only camera I’m really happy shooting using the screen. Bigger cameras, unless on a tripod or wanting an angle I can’t otherwise reach, I always use the viewfinder. Somehow the GRiii works, however - I suspect because it’s designed for that and the very small size makes it feel more natural.
In other words, I didn’t find the big camera a good guide to the small.
The other thing to note with the GRiii is that there is a setting to brighten the screen for use in bright light and to sun it in the dark. That’s really useful and worth keeping at the top of the menu or in a function button.
My local shop has several variations in stock, including iii, iiix, iiix hdf and Urban Edition. Unfortunately, we’re in the UK.
Mike
Disappointed_Horse
Well-known
Thanks. Like I said, if I had $1,000 to spend on a camera right now, I'd get a GRIII. Unfortunately, I don't, so I'm going to plan on using my phone and not worrying about it.
DownUnder
Nikon Nomad
A former Canon G10 owner here. I also had a G9, one I picked up cheaply in a secondhand shop, intending to keep it on ice as a backup camera. As things turned out I had a good friend who had just retired and was going overseas for his first long trip in 25+ years, so I loaned him the G9. He still has it, uses it regularly, and makes some truly remarkable images with it, having learned to deal with and work with its (admittedly very few, but those it does have annoy me no end) limitations.
As AAlfano writes, in today's hyper-digital era the G9 and G10 are antiques and they may not be as good as the latest Iphones, but they do have their upsides. For one thing, they cost much less used than a new iPhone. And in the right hands they turn out surprisingly good images, tho' with my G10 I found I put in almost as much time in post processing as I did in actually taking the images.
More plusses are the ease with which those Gs can be carried, downloading one's output of the day is as fast as whipping out the card and plugging it into a laptop, and the great number of features hidden in those small G camera bodies.
Equally amazing to me is that my G9-carrying friend posts on Flickr regularly sells images he takes during his rambles in the Australian bush. Not a fortune to be made, so he tells me, but he says he earned enough during the Covid time to fund his airfare to Asia for a few months of happy wandering from July. Not a bad achievement in this era where manybuyers want to pay 50 cents or $1 for an image or copy work from web sites and use it without paying.
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DownUnder
Nikon Nomad
Agree to all you wrote, John. But let's face it, buying a used say Lumix GF1 for what? maybe $100 or a little more depending on which lens it comes with (Lumix or Leica) is far cheaper than making the larger $$ investment in a new iPhone.
I prefer the ergonomics of my GF1 over my iPhone, even if the Lumix's (optional but I have one) EVF is rather a crapper to work with.
As I've found, reselling a GF1 or another such period piece camera after using it short term like on a vacation, is easy as young photographers are looking for them as walkabout cameras for street work. I won't get rich by selling my kit (which I'm not doing, so this is entirely BTW) but it's good to know it can be sold fairly quickly and the $$ used to buy something more up-to-date. So it's win-win all the way.
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JohnGellings
Well-known
That is true, and you know what? I'd rather use the GF1 as well. However, a GF1 is not a small sensor compact in my opinion... it isn't 1/1.8 or 2/3" etc. It is large in comparison. While I think APSC is the sweet spot for compacts in digital, M43 and 1" could be acceptable to some. They just haven't really been improved in many years. However, I am a huge fan of, and use, the Ricoh GRIIIx, so I am spoiled.
I agree.
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MarkWalberg
Established
I guess the the Nikon Coolpix cameras are good for this, although I’ve not used them.
wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
I have an old Oly E-PL1 with a 17/2.8 lens and a VF2 (since I hate chimping) for that kind of thing if I were afraid to risk my Leica. It's small and compact and does everything I could hope for, especially in monochrome mode and 1:1 aspect ration with the VF turned up so I look down like a TLR 
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
I have with me in Europe Ricoh GRD III and Leica X2.
GRD III is with small COD sensor and obviously small. Great controls and ergonomics.
Close up range is next to macro.
X2 is true Leica. Not made in China, substitute dlux8. And with big sensor.
Light and also small. I use parachute cord as neck strap.
I wrap it around tube protecting retracting lens for storage, transportation.
GRD III is on the wrist strap.
Both cameras feels much more secure to operate comparing to phone.
Both cameras were purchased used in clean condition.
If it has to be new, I would get Pentax KF or Canon SL3.
Both are not big, single battery will last entire trip, no charger needed.
SL3 has flipable screen, despite its small size.
Kit lenses are light and totally good image quality.
And both have pancake lens option.
KF is just as rugged as Leica SL cameras, kit lens is also sealed.
SL3 is smallest, lightest dSLR, but fully functional.
SL3 lens kit could be 10-18, 18-55, 55-250.
GRD III is with small COD sensor and obviously small. Great controls and ergonomics.
Close up range is next to macro.
X2 is true Leica. Not made in China, substitute dlux8. And with big sensor.
Light and also small. I use parachute cord as neck strap.
I wrap it around tube protecting retracting lens for storage, transportation.
GRD III is on the wrist strap.
Both cameras feels much more secure to operate comparing to phone.
Both cameras were purchased used in clean condition.
If it has to be new, I would get Pentax KF or Canon SL3.
Both are not big, single battery will last entire trip, no charger needed.
SL3 has flipable screen, despite its small size.
Kit lenses are light and totally good image quality.
And both have pancake lens option.
KF is just as rugged as Leica SL cameras, kit lens is also sealed.
SL3 is smallest, lightest dSLR, but fully functional.
SL3 lens kit could be 10-18, 18-55, 55-250.
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raydm6
Yay! Cameras! 🙈🙉🙊┌( ಠ_ಠ)┘ [◉"]
Lots of good suggestions in this thread. The CCD sensor Canon P&S's - as some have suggested - deliver nice shots and are very pocket-able (think pack of smokes or deck of cards). I have a 2009 Canon S90 and it is still working fine. You can transfer files via smart card.
Some examples: CCD Sensor Compacts
That, and the latest model iPhone I own at the time is what I use when traveling and has not left me wanting.
Happy Anniversary @giganova! Enjoy your trip and be safe.
Some examples: CCD Sensor Compacts
That, and the latest model iPhone I own at the time is what I use when traveling and has not left me wanting.
Happy Anniversary @giganova! Enjoy your trip and be safe.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I have a couple of tabletop tripods but the one I use the most and nearly always carry when traveling with just the smartphone:
Tripod: ReallyRightStuff TFA-01 Pocket Tripod
Head: Sirui C-10S Ball Head with Quick Release Plate
Clamp: ReallyRightStuff Mobile Phone Clamp
This seems out of stock or out of production ... good alternative (I have one of these too):
Kirk Photo Mobile Phone Mount -Rotate MPM-1R
If I'm traveling with a camera as well, I also almost always carry a Peak Design Travel Tripod, which has built into it as standard a simple phone clamp. But i prefer to use the the RRS or Kirk phone clamps instead of its simple phone clamp as they allows both horizontal and vertical orientations with the ball head level. If I'm really in a fussy mood, or feel I need more precise positioning control, I exchange the standard PD TT ball head for the head mounting plate and use one of my other ball heads as well, usually fitted with an Arca-Swiss quick-release head mount so I can pack it more compactly in my luggage.
G
"My sharpest lens is a sturdy tripod."
I guess part of the suggestion depends on the definition of 'pocketable.'
I'd go for a used X100S or T.
mpb.com has a few.
I'd go for a used X100S or T.
mpb.com has a few.
santino
FSU gear head
If it was film, without hesitation I‘d say Olympus XA 🤫
Yokosuka Mike
Abstract Clarity
The pocket digital camera I take on trips is a Fujifilm XF10. It actually does fit in my pocket, it's well made, looks cool, takes great pictures and my wife likes it too!
All the best,
Mike
All the best,
Mike
I had an XF10, great camera! It’s rather amazing how much these cameras are going for on the used market. I decided I needed a viewfinder so it’s gone now, but that’s a good choice if you can get a deal.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Pocket film camera and travel ... I always go straight to my Rollei 35S. I have had the one I currently have since about 1980: it has made thousands of photos for me, has been serviced twice, and still works as if new.
Over the years, I had a number of Olympus XAs; sadly all failed at one point or another, usually the film transport. I also have a great fondness for the Minox 35GT-E ... Not as well made as the Rollei 35 ... close ... but with the convenience of auto-exposure and the trap-door folding lens protects it when not in use so that it is truly pocketable.
G