Camera for travel etc. Mirrorless?

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Stu

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#173586 28-May-2015 13:51

I'm thinking of upgrading from the Canon SX50 HS superzoom, as we're looking at doing a bit of the tourist thing in the near-ish future. The SX50 is an okay camera, but perhaps it's time to look at something that'll take better pictures in more places/conditions.

Will obviously need to be able to take photographs of scenery, and that will include (importantly) photographs of land from sea. I would also like to be able to take decent photographs inside and in low light.

Should I be looking at mirrorless options?

Would a pocketable camera that I can change lenses on should the need arise, be asking for too much?

How about some degree of water resistance with camera and lenses?

I really don't want to spend a small fortune, but it would seem it's unavoidable?

Once I've figured out what I need (and want to spend money on) I'll then have to learn out how to use it!

Many thanks!

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#1313491 28-May-2015 13:59

What sort of price are you working with?

Mirrorless are a good idea (i have got the Olympus OM M10). I downgraded from a regular dslr (Canon 550D - i do miss it sometimes) because of my experience during one of my trips. Dslr + all its equipment got annoying to travel with and just became a hassle - so went with a mirrorless instead. Great image quality for the size and portability.

But Mirrorless should be considered if you are thinking of doing things like getting new lenses, getting more serious into photography etc. But if all that doesnt really appeal to you, you might want to consider one of the below:
Sony RX100 MIII - probably one of the best pocketable cameras out there
Panasonic LX100 - I would say this is better than the RX. But I may be wrong
Canon G16 - an awesome camera for the price. Maybe one of the best bang for buck
Sony RX100MII (one generation older) - has awesome picture quality and I have seen this for $599 from duty free at the auckland airport

Some of the Olympus Pen series of cameras are quite nice as well - Pen P6 or even the PL7 - but I would suggest getting one of the OMD series instead of these - you get the view finder which is awesome.

All comes down to how much you would like to spend I guess.

My travel gear usually consists of 2 cameras - my mirrorless and a cheaper waterproof camera (currently, Sony's offering)

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#1313496 28-May-2015 14:05

Oh forgot to mention - i personally think this might be one of the better deals under $500:

http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/photo/digital-cameras/sony/cyber-shot-hx60v-digital-camera-black-sku-279688/

Great for traveling

Stu

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#1313507 28-May-2015 14:17

Price? My budget or the budget SWMBO would prefer? Under $1000 would be great, but may be some room to budge. Depends on how many lenses I'd need also.

Will have a look at your suggestions, cheers!

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#1313509 28-May-2015 14:22

If you are super keen on Mirrorless, I just saw that JB have the OMD M10 for about 670 bucks (Body only). I ordered the Zoom lens from Amazon for about half the price that it sells for in NZ. You can go that route. M10 has had pretty good reviews.

Also, the Wifi feature is actually not just a gimick! i have used it a number of times.

Other options for mirrorless include:
Samsung NX500
Nikon's offering (cant remember the models).
Panasonic GX7 (considered this one when I bought mine, but the features were outdated)
Sony A6000 (Best feature set but it just didnt feel comfortable in my hands)

I personally preferred to go the way of micro 4/3 since there are more options in terms of lenses.

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#1313511 28-May-2015 14:24

Personally I'm waiting for an Rx100Mk4 to come out for this purpose. To either buy it if it's much better than the Mk3, or if not potentially the Mk3 price will go down a little.

Stu

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#1313513 28-May-2015 14:28

Have added the above to my list, thanks.

Will also look more at micro four thirds.

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#1313524 28-May-2015 14:30

lxsw20: Personally I'm waiting for an Rx100Mk4 to come out for this purpose. To either buy it if it's much better than the Mk3, or if not potentially the Mk3 price will go down a little.

I'd do this.. Dont listen to what I said, do this :D. When the Mk4 does come out, it will definitely push the Mk3 prices down by a couple hundred.

But if you are looking at Mirrorless, then its a different ball game. I would suggest mirrorless only if you are interested in doing hobbyist photography. If you are just looking for a really good travel camera, then something like the Sony is the way to go.

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#1313527 28-May-2015 14:38

Love my RX100 v1, it's the only camera I take when I travel these days, unless there's special reason to take another. Its zoom is long enough, I'd just like a little wider - I think the new one is a bit wider. I shoot pano's vertically and stitch.

Stu

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#1313537 28-May-2015 14:49

I guess I'd rather have a camera I can travel with AND use for a little hobby photography, if I could.

How does this alter the range of options?

Cheers

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#1313546 28-May-2015 14:59

I dont think it changes the choices much - with cameras such as the RX or the LX100, they offer a range of manual modes and options so that is still good. The mirrorless offer the benefit of changeable lenses which is a bonus.

Stu

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#1313558 28-May-2015 15:15

And the micro four thirds?

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#1313562 28-May-2015 15:25

Oh the micro 4/3s are a type of mirrorless. The micro 4/3 basically refers to the size of the sensor in the camera. It is a relatively new sensor size standard (introduced i think in 2008) but it is a standard adopted by Olympus and Panasonic. So you can use the other brands lenses on the other brands cameras which I saw as a plus. Compared to Sony where you can only use sony lenses (or Fuji with just fuji lenses).

http://www.gizmag.com/camera-sensor-size-guide/26684/ has a nice illustration and explanation of sensor sizes and the differences. Basically bigger sensor, better picture quality (there are some exceptions as always). Most point and shoot cameras have 1/2.3" sensor size. For a decent camera, you want to be looking at 1" or bigger. Even 2/3" have decent image quality but then it has to have an awesome lens.

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#1313587 28-May-2015 15:50

I just got one of these (in black) and find it a very good camera, mine was not ex display, and they had more in stock, admittedly it was not brought online or at Wairau Park as the link suggest, but was I think the same great price or maybe it was $699. The stock lens is an ok all round lens, but they do a profile lens and a larger zoom lens too although these can be expensive. It is small, light, easy to use and takes good photos.

http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/event/display-model-camera-clearance/fujifilm-x-series-x-m1-brown-with-16-50mm-lens-wairau-park-ex-display.html

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#1313632 28-May-2015 17:27

I recently bought a Lumix G6 with twins lens kit - just under $1k. A noticeable step up in image quality from the small-sensor high quality compacts I've been using up to now

I was very keen to have an EVF, which limits options slightly

Stu

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#1313634 28-May-2015 17:33

Krishant007: Oh the micro 4/3s are a type of mirrorless. The micro 4/3 basically refers to the size of the sensor in the camera. It is a relatively new sensor size standard (introduced i think in 2008) but it is a standard adopted by Olympus and Panasonic. So you can use the other brands lenses on the other brands cameras which I saw as a plus. Compared to Sony where you can only use sony lenses (or Fuji with just fuji lenses).

http://www.gizmag.com/camera-sensor-size-guide/26684/ has a nice illustration and explanation of sensor sizes and the differences. Basically bigger sensor, better picture quality (there are some exceptions as always). Most point and shoot cameras have 1/2.3" sensor size. For a decent camera, you want to be looking at 1" or bigger. Even 2/3" have decent image quality but then it has to have an awesome lens.

Thanks for the link. Between the information in the article on that page and some of the comments below it, I think I've got that part covered.

Just have a little thinking to do now.

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