Small camera for 3 months around the globe?

[Kozhe]

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!!

 

[kbg32]

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.

 

[Kozhe]

Thanks keith!

That one looks great indeed. Although I´m getting lost with olympus model namings...

 

[jubbaa]

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.

 

[Don Parsons]

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.

 

[Kozhe]

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]

Thanks keith!

That one looks great indeed. Although I´m getting lost with olympus model namings...

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]

As you ruled out Sony RX100, maybe Sony NEX 3n http://www.dpreview.com/products/sony/slrs/sony_nex3n

 

[jsrockit]

Thanks jubbaa and Don. I already have a Samsung EX1 so the RX100 is not an option.

The RX100 sensor is a lot bigger than the EX1. Granted, it is still smaller than m4/3 though.

 

[Kozhe]

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...

 

[kbg32]

Handle them all first if you can.

 

[Exdsc]

Nikon 1 V1.

 

[OlliL]

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]

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.

 

[Lauffray]

Leica MM and 50mm Noctilux....just kidding 😀

 

[shadowfox]

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.

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

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.

🙁

 

[Pete B]

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

 

[porktaco]

x100s

that little olympus

gxr

 

[Spicy]

If the x100s were in his price bracket, I don't think we'd have this thread, and I'd already have one of them. Try and stay on topic, guys.