Return to Main Discussion Page
Discussion Quote Icon

Discussion

Main Menu | Search Discussions

Search Discussions
 
 

Dan Carmichael

1 Year Ago

Need Camera Recommendations

I'm tired of lugging around the heavy cameras, lenses, and bags of assorted heavy garbage.
I'm looking for a point and shoot, hopefully shirt pocket size.

I'm easy to get along with, but do have some necessary criteria:

- ability to shoot in manual

- ability to shoot raw

- also has a viewfinder, not just a lcd screen

- larger sensor - on this one, I know I can not find a P&S with the large FF sensors I now have and use. However, neither do I want a sensor so small it is only detectable with a microscope or the size of a cellphone sensor. Small sensors are okay as long as they will shoot iso 1600 or 3200 with minimal noise.

- strong (wide) zoom range would be nice.

- image stabilization would be nice.

- macro mode would be nice,

Video is not a necessity. Neither is wi-fi for that matter. If I have to cable it to a computer to dump pics, so be it.

Built-in flash is not a necessity.

Brand is totally irrelevant. Image quality is what counts.

Recommendations?

Reply Order

Post Reply
 

Jason Fink

1 Year Ago

Not sure how you're gonna get minimal noise at 1600 - 3200 iso on any sensor much less on a smaller sensor. I get more noise than I like at 800 on a crop sensor.

 

Rudy Umans

1 Year Ago

What's the budget!

 

Bill Swartwout

1 Year Ago

Not sure you’ll find all of that in shirt-picket size.

About a year ago I got rid of the last of my Nikon gear to go all-in with Olympus MFT. It’s a smaller sensor for sure but gives me 23MP, decent ISO range and 5-stops of IBIS. I haven’t used a tripod in nearly a year. LOL

Don't be afraid to downsize. I even get mileage out of my iPhone. Here's a 62x27 framed panorama I recently sold (not here) done with my iPhone in Pan mode - that put $370 in my pocket a few weeks ago.

Light weight and good performance is what I wanted. It is what I got - for “my” needs. YMMV

 

Chuck De La Rosa

1 Year Ago

Look at the Canon Powershot SX series. I'm not sure you can buy anything but factory refurbished now, but my wife has an SX 510 (I think) that is just excellent for a little camera. Full manual mode available, as well as aperture priority and shutter priority. A little bigger than shirt pocket size though. I'm not sure if hers shoots RAW, but I know the newer models can. Her's has a 30x optical zoom and it's tack sharp.

I've been experimenting with my phone camera (Samsung S21). The images aren't as large as I'd like due to sensor size, but it has some amazing capabilities, including RAW (DNG files). I've gotten some pretty good results from the phone. Still learning how to get the most out of it, but I got tired of carrying my dSLR in my panniers on bike rides. Too cumbersome.

 

Dan Carmichael

1 Year Ago

Rudy.
No budget. Image quality is what's important

Bill.
Yea, I know. Credit-card size would be great, but it ain't gonna' happen. Shirt-pocket would be nice, but as you say, probably not realistic. The point is that I want it as small and light as possible. Will look at the OLY MFT. Thanks.

Edit: About 2 years ago I bought a Sony RX 10 III. Good camera, good images, good zoom range, bigger than normal sensor, low noise, but almost as big and cumbersome at the Canon FF and crop DSLRs I have. Hopefully smaller than that.

 

Bill Swartwout

1 Year Ago

Dan, my usual walk-the-city is the body w/ a 12mm-40mm 2.8 zoom (ff equivalent of 12-80). My wife gave me a Coach bag to use as a camera bag - total weight is just under 4 pounds with a filter, lens hood and extra battery. If I need more reach I've got a 75mm-300 OLY lens, my kit then is body and two lenses in a lightweight canvas bag that comes in at 5 lbs 2oz.

IBIS? Here's an interior of a lighthouse - hand held 0.5 sec; f/9; ISO 1600 https://bill.pixels.com/featured/looking-up-inside-the-fenwick-light-bill-swartwout.html

 

Mike Savad

1 Year Ago

You can get one of those nikon super zoom cameras. Its large, but you don't have to carry anything more than that.


----Mike Savad

 

Chuck De La Rosa

1 Year Ago

Bill, I think that Coach bag is a higher theft target than the camera. :D

 

Sv Bell

1 Year Ago

Maybe no as 'pocket' as its name suggest, but look into the Blackmagic Pocket Camera 6K Pro. Great stuff.

Here it is:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1625642-REG/blackmagic_design_cinecampochdef6kp_pocket_cinema_camera_6k.html

 

Rudy Umans

1 Year Ago

"Rudy.
No budget. Image quality is what's important "

Since low noise is a requirement for you, I would go bigger than 1 inch. Even a 1 inch sensor will show noise at higher ISO's

Can't go wrong with a Sony, Panasonic, Olympus (as Bill suggested) or Fuji. Personally I would go with a Leica Q2 with a no-budget purse

 

Dan Carmichael

1 Year Ago

Chuck,
Powershots have always had a strong rep. Haven't looked at them in 2 years. Probably due for re-review. In fact they were at the top of my list 2 years ago, but I got such an unbelievable price on the Sony I went with that.

Rudy,
No noise is not a requirement, but the less the better. I usually don't shoot higher than 1600, and 3200 rarely. I can't remember ever going higher than 3200. With good IS it's really not that necessary.

Edit: Bill, Little or no motion. Not bad for .5. You must have been leaning against something. Either that or you have the steadiest hands on earth. ;-)

 
 

Bill Swartwout

1 Year Ago

Nina, that Leica does look sweet. Eyelevel finder and 3:1 zoom, too. MFT image sensor at 17MP. That's got some nice specs.

Dan, that is, indeed, smaller that what I have. If Leica hasn't compromised on the lens (which I'm sure they haven't) it's gotta be tack-sharp. Optical IS, too.

 

Nina Prommer

1 Year Ago

So light too
Great image quality
When I go out it comes with me

 

Floyd Snyder

1 Year Ago

I hear you, Dan.

Less money but still a decent camera and spend what you save on good software for post-processing.

The more and more stuff I see being sold on FAA and all over FB are highly processed photographs and photos made to look like paintings.

That is what I am seeing being reported in the 2 dozen FB art groups I own or admin in.

Programs like Topaz and other painterly apps are bringing more and more amateurs into the selling game and with the right apps, these mediocre or amateurs can produce some very nice looking stuff if they have even a half decent understanding of content and composition.

I know a lot of purest photogs (and painters) are not going to like hearing this but it is going to become more of a situation of if you can't beat them, join'em.

As an example of what I am talking about, two of my top ten best-selling images in my local venues are iPhone 6 captures and Topaz processed and enhanced using software we are not allowed to mention here. Those two images sell well here as well.
,
Keep in mind my iPhone 6 is really old technology, especially as cameras go, compared to iPhone 14, the newest model. Or is the 14 old already? I can't keep up. lol

 

Bill Swartwout

1 Year Ago

Right you are, Floyd. I recently sold two drone images, both 16”x20”, done with a 12 MP camera. Denoised in Topaz Studio 2, they could easily go up to 40” wide. Buyers must have liked them because I got paid for both today. I have also sold a few panoramas done with my iPhone 12 and a couple older ones done with my old iPhone 6. So, yes, the times they are a-changing.

 

Iris Richardson

1 Year Ago

I switch from canon to a Sony Al and can't be happier. A lighter camera and amazing image quality.

 

Steven Ralser

1 Year Ago

I’d look at micro 4/3. The big advantage here is the smaller sizes of the lenses. High quality lenses are available from both Panasonic and Olympus. My current carry round set up is a Panasonic GH9 with a lumix Leica 12-60mm. I now have a range of lenses from 7.5mm to 400mm. I had a gx7 which is a lot smaller, but we gave it to our son for his birthday. I’m potentially going to replace if something suitable goes on sale around thanksgiving. I’ve sold prints up to 48” with this set up. The current spate of noise reduction software can do wonders with higher ISO images.

 

Bradford Martin

1 Year Ago

Not shirt pocket but my Nikon Z50 is way smaller then my FF and crop frame DSLRs. They make 2 tiny crop frame lenses for it. A 16-50 and a 50 to 250. They 3 fit in a small bag. I used it on my last vacation and I was able to hike further and still get great photos. I also use it on over half of my commercial food work, where the final product is web use. It speeds up my work quite a bit and my arms don't get tired from shooting with my arms extended up and out, shooting down on a product. Same sensor as the D500 and D7500. I wouldn't hesitate to crank up the ISO to 1600 and just use a little NR.
The recently introduce D30 is about the same camera but without a viewfinder. That might just fit in your pocket with the 16-50 lens attached.
Canvas Art
Buy Art Online

 

Judy Kay

1 Year Ago

https://photographylife.com/sony-rx100-series-comparison
Sony excels in P&S cameras,,,It has a Leica lens and there are many series to choose from,. This link compares the different cameras and what they have to offer.

 

Chuck De La Rosa

1 Year Ago

Dan, the Sonys are good, you won't be disappointed.

 

Jessica Jenney

1 Year Ago

Read here! Suggestions For Traveling With A Good Pocket Camera

https://fineartamerica.com/showmessages.php?messageid=7741635

 

M G Whittingham

1 Year Ago

Well you did say budget is not a problem so....

Buy a Leica Q. It has everything on your list.

The latest version is the Q2. You can buy that new or a Q (the first generation) used if you want to save money.

I have taken mine all over the world. Amazing and fun camera with the Leica look and build (the Q2 is even waterproof).

The upfront cost is high but (this is the part people don't understand about Leica cameras) you will be using this camera for years....

 

Dan Carmichael

1 Year Ago

Judy & Chuck.
Thank you. As said above I am presently using a Sony. I am happy with the image quality which rivals the Canon FF cameras (and crops) I used for years. And the 24-600 reach is really nice. I am looking for something just a little smaller, lighter, and more portable than the Sony RX10. I will have a look at the 100 series.

Edit: as Floyd said above, with ACR (photoshop CC), Topaz, Skylum, and ON1 even a crappy image can be made good. It's all down to compositional skills, subject, understanding of DOF and so forth. That's why I still shoot manual - to maintain full control.

 

Dan Carmichael

1 Year Ago

Thanks to all.
Lots to look at, research, and consider.

 

Peggy Collins

1 Year Ago

Following this because I've been meaning to ask the very same thing. My neck can't handle my Canon DLSR and 100-400 lens anymore. I have the latest iPhone but I'm super disappointed in image quality if I have to zoom in on anything.

 

Iris Richardson

1 Year Ago

I remember years ago Canon asked me why I was not shooting with their top camera and I responded back it is simply too heavy to be handheld. The 5D without the battery attached was heavy enough as is. I found myself not wanting to take it along. A camera that is left at home is no good to anyone.

 

Dan Carmichael

1 Year Ago

Peggy,
I hear ya' Lugging a 5D, 100-400, a sturdy tripod, and other bags of lenses on hikes got tiresome.

The portability I'm looking for here is for specific occasions. I'll still be using the Sony.

I appreciate all the recommendations here, but the one consistent thing I find is lack of reach. 24-75 is a no, even 24-200 just doesn't cut it.

If you're looking for something lighter, I can recommend the Sony RX10 III. Good reach (24-600), image quality that rivals the 5D's, color rendition that surpasses the same, and no extra lenses to carry. The diff between the IV and III is minimal (insignificant IMHO), and you can save yourself about $400-$500 by going with the III (if you can find it). But be forewarned, the RX 10 III is about the same size and weight of a Canon crop with something like the 24-70. If you want something smaller and lighter, check out the ones in this thread like I am.

 

Peggy Collins

1 Year Ago

Iris, exactly. My camera is being left at home more and more often these days.

Dan, thank you...I'm checking out the Sony now. It's half the weight of my current gear so that's definitely of interest. I'm also checking out the various recommendations in this thread.

Thanks, everybody!

 

Dan Carmichael

1 Year Ago

panasonic lumix zs200

Horrible camera. Horrible.
I suppose it might be a decent shirtpocket camera for the traveler and casual photog who uses it in the fully Auto or one of the priority modes.
But for a serious photographer (manual / raw) no way.

 

Sv Bell

1 Year Ago

All the specs you listed on your post are those of the Black Magic Design 6K pro.
The viewfinder is sold separately though.

Effective Sensor Size: 23.10mm x 12.99mm (Super 35)
Lens Mount: Active EF mount
Lens Control: Iris, focus and zoom on supported lenses.
Dynamic Range: 13 Stops.
Dual Native ISO: 400 and 3200
Shooting Resolution 21MP
Built in ND Filters
Screen Dimensions: 5” touchscreen 1920 x 1080.
BlackMagicDesign RAW

Black Magic Design cameras are mostly used by professional filmmakers but the camera specs obviously meet the requirements of professional photographers too.

 

Dan Carmichael

1 Year Ago

Thank you, SV. I appreciate you taking the time to post.
The sensor DR of 13 sounds interesting, My current sensor is 12.6, but every little bit helps. However, developing RAWs in the current CC ACR seems to work well, I haven't done HDR in a long time.

In my OP from above:
"I'm tired of lugging around the heavy cameras, lenses, and bags of assorted heavy garbage. I'm looking for a point and shoot, hopefully shirt pocket size."

I probably should have been more literal. My mistake.
I have multiple FF and crop bodies, and large camera bags full of FF and EF mount lenses. I am tired of hiking with 2 bags of bodies, 2 bags of lenses, a tripod, and a large thermos of coffee. My pack mule days are over. I am seeking a P&S with (hopefully) a large sensor and long zoom reach. self-contained, without the need for interchangeable lenses. As said above, I had a look at the Lumix Zs200 which had a large sensor and decent reach. Unfortunately, it was a horrible camera. My research has indicated it is the only one like it (large, long) so I guess I'm stuck Large sensor P&Ss seem to be stuck around 24-70 which IMPO is poor reach. Still searching, but again - thanks.

 

Sv Bell

1 Year Ago

I believe the small point-and-shoot pocket cameras are a dying breed, as those are slowly replaced by smartphones.
Only professional, bulkier and more sophisticated cameras with interchangeable lens will survive.

 

Jeff Sinon

1 Year Ago

Back in 2016 I moved from Canon full frame to the Fujifilm X-Series cameras and haven't looked back. Outstanding image quality, external controls in a very compact and easy to use form factor. I'd be remiss too if I didn't mention the phenomenal straight out of camera jpegs too.

 

David Noss

1 Year Ago

Look into Olympus OM-###. And, if you can find it, check out their “Lens Cap Lens”. It makes the camera a point and shoot—close up, infinity, and closed.

 

This discussion is closed.