Travel cameras

[.Adam.]

I currently an old Canon 50D, and I still love taking photos, but am finding I can't be bothered lugging it around with me and find myself using my phone. I'm thinking of getting a 'travel camera' after seeing the new OM System Pen.

After a bit of research I'm also tempted by a second hand Sony Alpha A6600 and I'm torn between the two. Bigger sensor on the Sony appeals, but some of the extra features on the Pen appeal as well, and both will most probably give me better images than my 50D after 17 years of advancement! My first SLR was an OM1-n, so the OM appeals in that respect as well.

Anybody else gone from a DSLR to a travel type camera?

[TUS373]

Yes. I started a recent thread. Also fed up of lugging weight around but wanted to do better than use a phone. I settled on a Sony A6700. I was initially tempted by several cameras including Fujifilm and it felt like a gamble going with the Sony. However, it did not leave my side for two weeks of travelling, something of a trip of a lifetime, and the results are superb. In particular the 4K video clips are incredible on a big TV. Not what I got the camera for, but to carry one thing everywhere, respond to what is going on, capture moments day and night, from sunshine to heavy rain, was the right solution for me. I love my camera....after having several DLSRs that in hindsight I never liked.

[.Adam.]

That's good to hear. Heart says the OM Pen, head is saying the Sony.
I also believe I could get an adaptor to fit my Canon EF-S lenses to the Sony, although don't know how well that works.

Edited by .Adam. on Sunday 27th September 22:25

[GravelBen]

Everyone seems to mean something different when they say 'travel camera' depending on their style of travel ...

Every camera (and lens) is a compromise between size/form factor, weight, ergonomics, cost etc so you are best to go to a physical store and handle a few options with an open mind. See what feels right in your hands.

Keep in mind your personal balance between carrying and actively using the camera - what is most convenient to carry can sometimes be a bit awkward or limiting to use, and vice versa. So you have to find what compromise suits your use pattern best, which will probably differ from mine or other people trying to be helpful on the internet.

[.Adam.]

Mine won't be actually used just for travel, just want something smaller and lighter than the SLR.
I'm trying not to get too hung up on ultimate image quality for the range I'm looking at, as I'm sure either would most probably be better than the 50D now, but I assume the Sony should beat the Pen. The Pen does have some interesting features, such as the live ND mode, which appeal.

[TUS373]

Same here. I wanted a General purpose, with a single zoom lens. Any more than that and it would get left at home, defeating the object.

I started photography back in the 1980s with a lovely Minolta X700 that I still have. Everything about it was just right. A joy to use, that made me want to take it with me. I progressed through Minolta autofocus SLRs, then Sony took them over, so two Sony DLSRs. None of those autofocus cameras were "just right" though. They felt wrong in fact. Plastic. Bulky. Soulless. And heavy! I went off photograpy.

Knowing I had a trip coming up...I was determined to get a camera I would enjoy using and travelling with take the best photos I could with one lens and body and a tiny Godox flash.

I went to Jessops and was a bit shocked by camera prices. Also by the lack of cameras to actually pick up. I was a bit disappointed by the Fujifilm ones. Something just not quite right. A bit fiddly. I really did not want yet another Sony. However, I picked one up, felt the weight, liked the size. The viewfinder was quickly adjusted to my eyes and looked good.

I chewed it over but found a deal on Amazon where the A6700 with lens was less £££ than Jessops were asking for just the body. There are deals out there.

I love it. It is complicated. Lots of options, but I watched a few YouTube videos that got me the right basic settings for good quality photos and video. It is something that I can just switch to auto and get a brilliant picture, or be more creative with. It may be no better or worse than other modern cameras...but the thing is.....I actually used it. I got 1,000 memories from my travels that I watch on the big TV. It is like having my X700 again, 40 years later.

[.Adam.]

Regarding the a6700, on my Canon it has dedicated dials for shutter and aperture, so you can adjust both independently whilst looking through the viewfinder. Are you able to do this on the Sony?

[bcr5784]

I certainly think that a Canon camera is worth a look. An R10 body is very light and not too expensive. Pair it with the 18-150 zoom and you have a very light and very versatile combination. The 18-150 is certainly rather slow, but surprizingly sharp throughout the range. Having had an A6600 (and 6700) I personally much prefer the ergonomics of the Canon - but that's obviously a personal thing.

[Craikeybaby]

Have a look on camerasize.com - the Sony you mention will only be fractionally smaller than your Canon. Especially if you use an adaptor and the same lenses.

[.Adam.]

Thanks for the link, that's a useful site! The difference in size is quite large, although the Sony and OM are similar. The only Canon lens I would be using with the Sony would be my 100-400 L, so most of the time it would the the normal Sony lens.

[TUS373]

.Adam. said:

Regarding the a6700, on my Canon it has dedicated dials for shutter and aperture, so you can adjust both independently whilst looking through the viewfinder. Are you able to do this on the Sony?

Yes. I have nor mastered this, but there are control wheels front and back. These can be programmed to fulfill various functions, but comes ready set up.