[Closed] Camera decision help please!

If you can live with a fixed focal length lens then [url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-COOLPIX-Compact-Digital-Black/dp/B00BPMIJM8 ]this[/url] is a belter of a deal - superb lens, big sensor and top build quality. Very happy with mine.

If anyone can provide any recommendations/suggestions/thoughts, that would be great!

Link to smaller copies of your pictures then they load in under a week.

Buy my Lumix GF2. (-:

but also read that the Micro 4/3 fitment may be a dying breed?

Not dying, but the competition use larger sensors. That and the 4:3 format is decidedly odd in a world of wide screen devices.

Look at sony and samsung too.

Tony - think I would rather have zoom.

Cougar - sorry! And think I'm after something newer than a GF2.

Elefant - would you say that's a reason to avoid Panasonic?

Consider an older cannon Dslr and save your money for lenses.

Not sure on current SH prices though

I bought a Sony DSC RX100-II a while back to take with us to the states on holiday and the SLR plus lenses was too much to cart about.

It's excellent - check the reviews. I almost prefer it to my SLR these days and take it with me most places.

They've released 2 models since that have each improved on the Mk II so there will be one around for whatever budget you have

would you say that's a reason to avoid Panasonic?

Not really - the 4/3 sensor is plenty big enough for any resolution you're likely to need. But do look at the Sony RX100 - phenomenal image quality for such a tiny camera!

In terms of compacts, the Sony mentioned above seems to be the one that gets all the rave reviews.

The Panasonic GF6 has just been replaced by the GF7 so there seem to be some really good deals around for the GF6.
I had a play with one a while back and it feels like a really nice, solid bit of kit, but the body itself is still nice & compact.

Elefant - would you say that's a reason to avoid Panasonic?

I bought Olympus over Panasonic and then moved to Sony and haven't looked back, so I may have a bias.

Compare the offerings. See who gives you the best value for your budget.

Hmmm I'm only ever going to point and shoot, sounds like the Sony RX100 is the one to go for.. worth pushing the boat and buying the II over the one? £320 vs £219 with the cash back offer, or would the extra money open more/better option within that price range?

A couple of points from my experience:
- micro 4/3rd cameras are capable of good results however my older Pentax DSLR's, with half the number of pixels but a bigger sensor, still seem to outperform them
- I can't imagine not having a viewfinder in a serious camera. The electronic ones are ok but optical is a lot nicer

On Panasonic in particular - I've had quite a few of their cameras (including a micro 4/3 one) and they've all been well built and decent performers.

I can't imagine not having a viewfinder in a serious camera. The electronic ones are ok but optical is a lot nicer

APS-C view finders are universally aweful. EVFs beat them. Full frame view finders are another thing, but when I use mine I miss what the EVF gives me (and vice versa). It's certainly good to have one though.

sounds like the Sony RX100 is the one to go for.. worth pushing the boat and buying the II over the one? £320 vs £219

There are quite a few sites comparing the RX100 Mk1/II/III/IV
It's interesting reading, as not every aspect of them is always an improvement.

Something to take nice pictures with? 😉
Just want something that I can carry all the time (inc on the bike) and not worry about & will last a good couple of years... Camera are something I'd love to get all geeky about by a lack of time/patience means something like a DSLR would be wasted on me.

Any chance of a layman's break down of the difference in the lenses?
Cheers Alex, didn't expect it to be that easy.. (assumed if a product was superseded, that would be the end of reviewing the lesser versions)

sony has a double cash back on rx100. Picked mine up from cameracentre uk off amazon. Worth checking that the sellers have cashback on their cameras.

Any chance of a layman's break down of the difference in the lenses?

From the summaries I saw, 1 and 2 have 28-100mm zoom and 3 and 4 have 24-70, so a bit less reach at the long end.

cheekymonkey888 - Member

sony has a double cash back on rx100. Picked mine up from cameracentre uk off amazon. Worth checking that the sellers have cashback on their cameras.

Edit: FWIW - this was the best comparison guide I found:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2014/06/16/battle-of-the-rx100s-sonys-rx100-vs-rx100-ii-vs-rx100-iii

In the usual STW style, I've not read the OP in detail but will recommend the Canon G16 simply cos I've got one and its fab.

The Sony RX100 is a great camera if you have tiny fingers to use the tiny buttons. It reminds me of those tiny phones in Zoolander
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GM1 is fantastic camera, the rx100 is great as well, not much the GM1 doesnt do better than the rx100MK1. You will miss the touch screen.

Rx100 is pocketable. Unless you have specific requirements not covered by the rx100 the quality is good enough unless you pixel peep.
There is a common issue with the rx100 mk1 where a fault may develop causing it to turn on on its own.. dont sound too bad but is infuriating and emptys your battery.
I would go with the mkII or III unless smallest size is paramount.

Sony cashback registered only. With £80 off the mk2 it was a no brainer .. i'd like mk4 1000fps

Don't you know Laurence CE. Could just ask him? 😉

I've got 2 cameras, a lovely Fuji Xe2 with the fantastic zoom and a gorgeous 23mm lens. I've also got a nice Olympus TG4 tough camera.

To be honest, the Olympus takes most of the photos and us all we need.

Size is important. be aware, the camera that gets taken out takes better photos compared to one that never gets a look in

Thanks for all the replies.

Have thought about it a bit and chatted to a couple people.

Current thinking is this. A compact (such as RX100) is great, small, but can never fit longer/different lenses. DSLR is great, can change lenses, but even with a small lens, it is still large. A compact system camera (such as GM1/5), is small(ish) when with a small/kit lens, but has the option of taking a longer/different lens.

I therefore think I'm still keen on a compact system camera. I thought about saving money and getting the GM1 rather than the GM5 and then getting a fast 20mm pancake lens, but there is only about £50-60 difference between the 1 and the 5 (and the 5 gives an EVF and hotshoe).

So, before I get a GM5 (and a pancake in a month or so), any other comments or recommendations? Any other better Compact System Cameras around that price range?

Ta,
Duane.

Definitely get the one with the evf. Get the kit lens too if it doesn't make much odds to cost. A normal prime is a pain in the arse half the time.

Similar cost option would be the a6000. Which is the one I'd get.

£250 for the gm1 at jessops and the 12-32 is a good lens, thing about the gm5 i dont like is the smaller screen.
popup flash on gm1 is useful as it is on the rx100.
evf on the gm5 you may find frustrating but will get a picture in bright light. If i needed an evf id use a vf4 on an epm2, epl7.
depends where all your priority's are.
panny gf7 or oly epl7 are probably the most practical, inexpensive m4/3 camaera but the gm1 size cant be beat and the quality the same.

Thanks everyone. Went for the GM5 with the 12-32, and will get a 20mm prime next month 🙂