Pocketable cameras

[dickm]

As the years roll by, it's getting less fun lugging around a DSLR or even a heavy bridge camera, so had been idly wondering about something more pocketable. Read a rave review of the 2011 Fuji X10 in an old mag, and wondered if anyone on the forum has one. What looked particularly good about it is having a proper optical eye-leve viewfinder as well as the rear screen (which needs reading glasses to use it ). The latest smaller cameras seem to have abandoned eye-level finders altogether, which is just age-discrimination!

Any other thoughts - don't want to spend silly money and prefer to buy secondhand anyway.

 

[John933]

I went out and brought one of them big DLR camera's. Turns out it got no use apart from the first few day's. The small pocket point and shoot one I had to start with. Was much easer to use. Pop in you pocket when you where away. So easy to use. They are as far as I can see only governed by the size of the card you put in them. To day they have moved on so far from a few year's back, I don't think it matter what one you buy. I bet you can get one in Argos now for round £60. That will do most of what you are looking for. Tip, get one that has the rechargeable batteries. Get some spares off of E Bay. Change over when the old one run's out. That's what I do.
John933

 

[Alex H]

What looked particularly good about it is having a proper optical eye-leve viewfinder as well as the rear screen (which needs reading glasses to use it ). .

This ^ - I've used an SLR since I were a lad. Cycling here it's a bit too bulky to carry, so I bought a small Panasonic with just the LCD screen. What a mistake - in bright sunshine (of which we get a lot ) it's absolutely useless. I can't see what I'm taking a picture of and have to guess and sort it our later on the laptop. I even bought one of those anti glare filters that goes over the screen and that made not much difference at all

 

[Myfordman]

Better still get one that runs on standard size cells. That way you can fit primary cells in an emergency.

 

[MickCheese]

We had a Panasonic lumix and found in poor light when using the flash it took so long to actually take the photo that the subject had either looked away or closed their eyes.

Now got a small Nikon and it's better but not much. Seems to me in neutral light these compact cameras are great but no replacement for a SLR.

Having said that I rarely take my SLR out favouring the convenience of the compact or even my iPhone.

Mick

 

[Rhossydd]

The X10 is good, but still quite a chunky lump and not really 'pocketable'.

If you want something genuinely small, you'll have to loose the optical viewfinder(and I feel your pain on that). If you can bare that and want really good performance have a look at a secondhand Sony RX100; genuinely pocketable, comparatively large sensor(so low noise), excellent dynamic range if you work with RAW files, great Zeiss lens and having been updated three times now the original RX100 is quite affordable s/h. I really like mine and I have rather a lot of 'heavier metal' to compare to, 5D2, 1DS2, etc.

 

[finneyb]

I have Lumix TZ60 -less than £300 now I would have thought. Pocketable, 30x zoom, view finder if you want it. V pleased with it, accepting that all cameras have their limitations and I am no expert.

Brian

 

[Silverbirch]

You could look for a Canon G series. I have a G11, though there are earlier and later versions. Mine has an optical viewfinder, articulating LCD screen, full range of exposure modes, including manual and Raw capability. It`s pocketable (though not slip-in-a-shirt-pocket tiny) and has a larger sensor than the smaller compacts, so potentially gives better quality images. I would imagine there will be plenty available used.

 

[dickm]

Thanks, guys, those are very useful pointers. Actually have an early Canon G-series, probably a G3 or G5, which lives in the car. Apparently, one of the series, possibly G4, was omitted from the series because the model number when spoken meant something obscene in Japanese. The G11 and the Panasonic both look useful contenders, so will do some more research around them.
(very silly really, but the retro style of the Fuji still attracts me!).

 

[Ed Bray]

I have an X10 and use it a fair bit, especially for images for forums. I bought it when they first came out and have never regretted my decision. I have had many Digital Cameras (DSLRS and even a couple of Digital MF SLRS) and most have been exchanged or sold over the years, but I have kept the X10 and another little Fuji f100fd (I use this in an underwater housing and it takes the same batteries as the X10).

There are more ergonomic, smaller, lighter, better specified, newer and even some with larger sensors, but the little X10 just works for me.

 

[sploo]

Thanks, guys, those are very useful pointers. Actually have an early Canon G-series, probably a G3 or G5, which lives in the car. Apparently, one of the series, possibly G4, was omitted from the series because the model number when spoken meant something obscene in Japanese. The G11 and the Panasonic both look useful contenders, so will do some more research around them.
(very silly really, but the retro style of the Fuji still attracts me!).

#4 -> see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_s ... ns#Numbers

The Canon S100/S110/S120 are great little "pocketable" cameras. Surprisingly good in low light, and generally good image quality - especially if you're prepared to shoot raw and tweak in post.

 

[Racers]

I am doing a photo a day for 2015 with a nikon d300 battery grip and 24mm lens, it's a bit of a lump to drag around but I am used to it now. I feel nakid with out it.
I am off out today and will be taking my d800 as well!

Pete

 

[bugbear]

You could look for a Canon G series. I have a G11, though there are earlier and later versions. Mine has an optical viewfinder, articulating LCD screen, full range of exposure modes, including manual and Raw capability. It`s pocketable (though not slip-in-a-shirt-pocket tiny) and has a larger sensor than the smaller compacts, so potentially gives better quality images. I would imagine there will be plenty available used.

Canon G series are lovely - the pro photographer's back-up camera of choice. But they're quite
sought after, even second hand, and not exactly pocketable.

A little too SLR-ish to be the pocketable camera you ask for.

BugBear

 

[Harbo]

I have a Panasonic LUMIX TZ 40 which sadly doesn't have a view finder but the latest one does - TZ 60.
Great little cameras and takes excellent video too.
I also have an older Canon Ixus 750 which is also pocketable and has a viewfinder but picture quality and features not as good as the Panasonic.

I recently upgraded my Canon 40D DSLR to a Canon 70D to take video as well - annoyingly in video mode you have to use the LCD screen!!

Rod

 

[finneyb]

I agree with Harbo re excellent video for the TZ60.
The stills at http://1drv.ms/1CKpK6E will give you some idea of how it copes across the full light range. From memory they were all taken in auto mode, because I have learnt that I can't better the camera - which says as much about me as the camera. RAW and all manual settings available

HTH

Brian

 

[Silverbirch]

Canon G series are lovely - the pro photographer's back-up camera of choice. But they're quite
sought after, even second hand, and not exactly pocketable.

A little too SLR-ish to be the pocketable camera you ask for.

BugBear

All you need are deepish pockets - literally, rather than metaphorically!

 

[RossJarvis]

I got a Nikon V1 as it's just about pocketable and very good at most things. It has the eye level finder, plus screen, plus the options for a few different lenses. Picture quality was very good up to A3. Also a bargain when they brought out the V2. The problem's with the V2 and V3 is that the viewfinder isn't built in. Major benefits for me also include very fast focusing and tracking of moving wotsits. Some menu selection is a bit fiddly but it does have complete manual over-ride.

If you're really lucky you might be able to find some new old-stock.

 

[Racers]

Nikon D800 16-35mm f4

Staircase at Hardwick Hall by maddpete, on Flickr

3 1/2 stops underexposed.

Won't fit in a pocket :shock:

Pete

 

[RossJarvis]

Nikon D800 16-35mm f4

Staircase at Hardwick Hall by maddpete, on Flickr

3 1/2 stops underexposed.

Won't fit in a pocket :shock:

Pete

Nice pic, tripod or hand-held (possibly going off subject here)?

 

[dickm]

Thanks, guys! I'm definitely now confused at a higher level..........

Will do some hunting among the various recommended models.