Kozhe
Well-known
Hi everybody!
I´m not a big fan of these "what camera" posts but here I go! I need your input on this one...
My lady an me are planning a long trip this summer around the globe, starting in Istanbul, then Southeast Asia, China, Japan, USA and finally Cuba. Such a stress test for a recently married couple!!
We want to travel really really light, just 2 backpacks and keep everything to a minimum. Sure I want to take some trillions of pictures but my photography skills and style changed quite a lot. Sold all my gear (including M8 and M6) and I´m looking for a small and reliable digital camera which fills these needs:
- Digital. I´ll probably take an Olympus XA or mju but those moments but most of the shooting will be digital. We also plan to update our wedding blog constantly so jpg are the way to go.
- Cheap! Surely a second hand one. Don´t need last models, will prefer older and cheaper ones. Ideally like 300-500 euros max.
- Sensor size no less than Micro 4/3. I have a Samsung S3 for pictures with huge dof already...
- Decent battery life. We´ll be walking and moving most of time, and the camera should be able to be on most of the day. 100-150 shots as average maybe?
- Reliable. M8 is a no go for this travel imho.
- SMALL Ideal size would be a GF1+20mm
- Decent low light. ISO 1600 good enough with color, entry level dslr quality if posible. Able to shoot f2-1/30-800 with nice results.
- Viewfinder is welcome but not 100% needed.
- "stealth" enough not to atract pickpockets. Black and easy to hide.
I know it´s a quite hard list. Any sugestion for a camera that should be basicaly small, cheap and with good performance?
I had the X100 in mind but I´d prefer something even smaller and I´m not crazy about the slow focus comments. GF1 looks great but never tried one. NEX-5 great but fast lenses are huge. NX1000 seems a good contender but it seems Samsungs jpgs are not that great...
Thanks!!
I´m not a big fan of these "what camera" posts but here I go! I need your input on this one...
My lady an me are planning a long trip this summer around the globe, starting in Istanbul, then Southeast Asia, China, Japan, USA and finally Cuba. Such a stress test for a recently married couple!!
We want to travel really really light, just 2 backpacks and keep everything to a minimum. Sure I want to take some trillions of pictures but my photography skills and style changed quite a lot. Sold all my gear (including M8 and M6) and I´m looking for a small and reliable digital camera which fills these needs:
- Digital. I´ll probably take an Olympus XA or mju but those moments but most of the shooting will be digital. We also plan to update our wedding blog constantly so jpg are the way to go.
- Cheap! Surely a second hand one. Don´t need last models, will prefer older and cheaper ones. Ideally like 300-500 euros max.
- Sensor size no less than Micro 4/3. I have a Samsung S3 for pictures with huge dof already...
- Decent battery life. We´ll be walking and moving most of time, and the camera should be able to be on most of the day. 100-150 shots as average maybe?
- Reliable. M8 is a no go for this travel imho.
- SMALL Ideal size would be a GF1+20mm
- Decent low light. ISO 1600 good enough with color, entry level dslr quality if posible. Able to shoot f2-1/30-800 with nice results.
- Viewfinder is welcome but not 100% needed.
- "stealth" enough not to atract pickpockets. Black and easy to hide.
I know it´s a quite hard list. Any sugestion for a camera that should be basicaly small, cheap and with good performance?
I had the X100 in mind but I´d prefer something even smaller and I´m not crazy about the slow focus comments. GF1 looks great but never tried one. NEX-5 great but fast lenses are huge. NX1000 seems a good contender but it seems Samsungs jpgs are not that great...
Thanks!!
kbg32
neo-romanticist
This might fit your requirements - http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympus-e-pm2
I have the OMD and this has the same sensor. It's fantastic.
I have the OMD and this has the same sensor. It's fantastic.
Kozhe
Well-known
Thanks keith!
That one looks great indeed. Although I´m getting lost with olympus model namings...
That one looks great indeed. Although I´m getting lost with olympus model namings...
jubbaa
Established
I know you said no smaller than Micro 4/3rds ...but how about the sony RX100 . Its small, robust and its 1 inch sensor output is superb . Right in your price bracket too.
I also saw that thePanasonic GX1 has been dropped to $240 for the body only on Amazon and other websites . You could pair this with a quality 4/3rds prime or Panasonics small and versatile retractible zoom.
I also saw that thePanasonic GX1 has been dropped to $240 for the body only on Amazon and other websites . You could pair this with a quality 4/3rds prime or Panasonics small and versatile retractible zoom.
Don Parsons
Well-known
When I was flying for a 2nd tier freight company, I went around the world for 7 months. All I had with me for 6 of those months was a little Sony W350 which took some great shots. $118 at Best Buy.
You can see some of them at my blog listed below.
You can see some of them at my blog listed below.
Kozhe
Well-known
Thanks jubbaa and Don. I already have a Samsung EX1 so the RX100 is not an option. I´m also selling it!! About smaller PnS I agree they can do great things but honestly I feel my mobile does that kind of job good enough. What I´m really looking for is something with better low light and dof than my S3, which has a really cool camera.
kbg32
neo-romanticist
It's just a "mini". Small, light, quick AF, and compact. It will cover a range of lighting options and you'll come home with some great images. This camera and an extra battery or two, plus an extra card, and you're golden. You'll have no problems picking up SD cards when you're traveling if you need them.
You can compare models here - http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/dig...oductsnav_view-all-cameras-graphic&icn=topnav
MikeAUS
Well-known
As you ruled out Sony RX100, maybe Sony NEX 3n http://www.dpreview.com/products/sony/slrs/sony_nex3n
The RX100 sensor is a lot bigger than the EX1. Granted, it is still smaller than m4/3 though.
Kozhe
Well-known
I think I´d prefer the NEX 5 if the price diference is not that big.
Right now NEX-5, GF1 and E-PM2 are on the top of the list...
Right now NEX-5, GF1 and E-PM2 are on the top of the list...
kbg32
neo-romanticist
Handle them all first if you can.
Exdsc
Well-known
Nikon 1 V1.
OlliL
Well-known
If you want a versatile, "larger" sensor camera, I'd (personally) look for a Ricoh GXR with A16 module, or the Canon G1x. Both can be found for less than 500€ on the used market.
dbarnes
Well-known
Big fan of the X100s here. Autofocus much improved. Sharp, sharp lens! Low noise sensor. Rugged. Not tiny, but small.
I have mine covered in black masking tape to both protect it and make it look less valuable.
FWIW.
I have mine covered in black masking tape to both protect it and make it look less valuable.
FWIW.
Lauffray
Invisible Cities
Leica MM and 50mm Noctilux....just kidding 
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Just make sure to get the newer Olympus E-PL5 or E-PM2 as they have the OM-D sensor.
Other than that, just handle one and decide which one you like better.
Other than that, just handle one and decide which one you like better.
Sejanus.Aelianus
Veteran
The EP series do seem to give the best size to format value. I'm very happy with my E-P1. Add a pancake lens with optical viewfinder and you'll have the equivalent of your XA, just not quite as compact.
Big warning! Keep your eye on the ISO setting. I managed to shoot a hundred or so images in sunny Austria at 1600, a couple of years ago. Luckily, I was using my Canon 5D on the same trip, so not a complete washout. I've never been able to figure out how I changed that setting, though.
Big warning! Keep your eye on the ISO setting. I managed to shoot a hundred or so images in sunny Austria at 1600, a couple of years ago. Luckily, I was using my Canon 5D on the same trip, so not a complete washout. I've never been able to figure out how I changed that setting, though.
Pete B
Well-known
I have a Ricoh GXR with 3 M-Mount sensors. Voigt 15, Voigt 25 Summicron 50. Small in itself, tiny lenses, very light, superb image quality, No exposing the sensor on lens changing. 2 spare sensors if one were to get damaged. I've just purchased a Leica macro-elmar 90 too. What could be better? Perfect!
Pete
Pete