What small digital would you get today for street/travel?

Don't forget the Panasonic GX1. It is incredibly cheap these days. Coupling it with the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 lens is a powerful combination.
 
If money is at all an issue, anything decently speced from 2009-2011 should be significantly depreciated on the used market and still highly capable.
 
I think the iPhone is the best small digital camera ever.

Otherwise I man up and carry a real full-size camera. They aren't that heavy and you can actually enjoy the photography experience instead of fiddling with microbuttons and stupid user interface design.

Happily abandoned all the compacts I've tried. I still keep a couple of Olympus Stylus 35mm point and shoots for kayaking and whiskey drinking duty when I don't want to damage a nicer camera.
 
Franz Elmar said:
I think the iPhone is the best small digital camera ever.

Otherwise I man up and carry a real full-size camera. They aren't that heavy and you can actually enjoy the photography experience instead of fiddling with microbuttons and stupid user interface design.

Happily abandoned all the compacts I've tried. I still keep a couple of Olympus Stylus 35mm point and shoots for kayaking and whiskey drinking duty when I don't want to damage a nicer camera.
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Nicely phrased!

Though actually, the risks to 'good' cameras an be exaggerated. Yes, at a student week-end in Transylvania in maybe 2008 I bent the 'skirt' (the bit that goes over the camera) on my Leicavit when I dropped it, and had to straighten it with a Leatherman. But I'm still using it... At the time, Frances and I (in our 50s/60s) were at least 25 years older than anyone else, and the girl who invited us was about 23. Young friends can help keep you young...

Cheers,

R.
 
I recently picked up a Panasonic Lumix GF1 body for $175 which I thought was great value. (Praise be to the man who invented planned obsolescence). I think Panasonic cameras are greatly under valued - without exception the ones I have tried are very well built and capable. Together with a Leica M adapter and any of my Leica lenses it makes a great little almost pocket-able shooter for those times when I do not wish to carry a full sized camera.

Unfortunately even though they seem to be getting larger (my D700 with its 24-70 f2.8 is huge and heavy - and I thought my D200 was heavy) I do almost always want to carry my big camera. But there are times when I will opt for something lighter - usually when my better half complains about me lugging a big camera with me when we are out together.
 
The M9 plus a Voigtländer Color Skopar 35mm f/2.5 is a great 'small digital camera' for travel photography ... ];-)

G
 
I have a Pentax Q with a 47 mm FOV f 1.9 lens. Super small, loads of fun, but I keep an RF in my day bag all the time, Usually an M3.
 
M9.
if i require close-up, it's either a +4dpt close up lens, or the E-P1.
if slow reaction can be accepted, a mobile phone.
 
Wow, didn't realize the thread was still going. Thanks for the additional responses.

Think I'm pretty much settled on either not doing anything and using my GRD III for my upcoming trip (which prompted the thread) or if I can't avoid GAS buying the RX100 or possibly the GRD V if it ships before I leave (doubtful).

Will probably supplement with my M4-P for the part of the trip where I want to photograph more for pleasure than as documentation.

I'm sure an M9 would be the ultimate answer (except for size/weight) but budget won't allow. Usually for me, there are two classes of cameras, ones that fit in a pocket and don't need a bag/strap and ones that do. The GR1/GRD is the former for me and a Leica the latter.

Generally I don't worry about bringing any camera I own, anywhere I'd go and wouldn't purchase something that was too valuable to use in any situation.
 
Franz Elmar said:
I think the iPhone is the best small digital camera ever.

I kinda miss my G12, but have enjoyed playing with the used Nex3 I traded it for with my CV lenses. Now I've been thinking about getting one of these advanced p&s for travel again as a compliment to my Bessa. But after looking at all the pics I took with my iphone and how well they came out, even with up to a 10X20 print! I had done, I am not so sure I need to get another digital one.
Although I think if I could find a good low light p&s, that would be nice to have on my travels. I don't think the iphone does great in low light and the zooms on p&s seem a lot better and easier.
Hmmmm, maybe I'll trade the Nex3 for a nice used lumix, S90/95 or Oly XZ-1...
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Although I have heard good things about the Sigma's on the Nex systems. (about the same $ as a used p&s. That may be a good advanced p&s set up too.
 
as a pocket camera, you simply cannot do better than the Ricoh GRD series, IMO. Amazing cameras....very fast, very simple....and very characterful photos.

I sometimes enjoy the Ricoh GRD3 i have so much, that I think if i didn't have enough money to indulge in my Leica Ms, i would be more than happy with just the Ricoh....it's that good.

That being said...i usually travel with the M8. I only use the GRD3 when i'm walking through the city and taking very quick, on the fly photos.....when i'm REALLY shooting, i have my M8.
 
I have to agree with Syed in that the GRD is one of the best in terms of size, simplicity, speed, and capability. It is my favorite walk around camera and I take it everywhere.
 
Ricoh's seem to come up a lot in these discussions. Are there particular models that are recommended? And what kind of $ am I looking at for a good used one? KEH has a GRD IV now for $430. I'd love to spend a bit less if I could.
 
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