Which Digital Compact for around £300?
Discussion
Base model Sony RX100? http://www.johnlewis.com/sony-cyber-shot-dsc-rx100...
I totally 100% agree with what has ben said by the previous poster because I use my RX100 on a regular basis and have to say it's a damn good compromise between using a iPhone 6, a more mundane compact camera and a full blown DSLR.
The Sony RX100 MK1 is an astounding bit of kit, take a look a the photos posted on here by GetCarter to appreciate just how good it is. I upgraded to a RX100 MK1 last year following a lens error failure on my Canon S100 which Canon refused to acknowledge or fix, and I've never regretted the decision because the lens used in the Sony RX100 is better, the battery life is far superior than the Canon, and the build quality feels like it's been machined out of a solid piece of aluminium.
Only thing the Sony is lacking is the RX100 MK1 camera software which isn't as user friendly as the Canon S100, and the lack of firmware updates to fix problems and improve the interface which is a major annoyance - obviously down to Sony management who need a swift kick up the backside for being so damn arrogant.
But the photographic qualities of the RX100 are quite outstanding so all is forgiven.
Ought to mention that I purchased my original Canon S100 from John Lewis, then following the warranty issue punch up with Canon who refused to fix the known problem and which John Lewis honoured, I then purchased the Sony RX100 from John Lewis, so have no hesitation with recommending them rather than some of the other cheaper internet rivals if only because their after-sales service really is top notch.
The Sony RX100 MK1 is an astounding bit of kit, take a look a the photos posted on here by GetCarter to appreciate just how good it is. I upgraded to a RX100 MK1 last year following a lens error failure on my Canon S100 which Canon refused to acknowledge or fix, and I've never regretted the decision because the lens used in the Sony RX100 is better, the battery life is far superior than the Canon, and the build quality feels like it's been machined out of a solid piece of aluminium.
Only thing the Sony is lacking is the RX100 MK1 camera software which isn't as user friendly as the Canon S100, and the lack of firmware updates to fix problems and improve the interface which is a major annoyance - obviously down to Sony management who need a swift kick up the backside for being so damn arrogant.
But the photographic qualities of the RX100 are quite outstanding so all is forgiven.
Ought to mention that I purchased my original Canon S100 from John Lewis, then following the warranty issue punch up with Canon who refused to fix the known problem and which John Lewis honoured, I then purchased the Sony RX100 from John Lewis, so have no hesitation with recommending them rather than some of the other cheaper internet rivals if only because their after-sales service really is top notch.
Brilliant guys thank you very much - i will take a look at the RX100 
Probably a reallllly stupid question so apologies in advance, but it says 3.6 x optical zoom whereas some other cameras for approx the same money say 30 x zoom. Am i missing something? Surely the 30x can't be ten times better (zoom) than the 3.6??
Is it better than my Canon G10?
Cheers
Probably a reallllly stupid question so apologies in advance, but it says 3.6 x optical zoom whereas some other cameras for approx the same money say 30 x zoom. Am i missing something? Surely the 30x can't be ten times better (zoom) than the 3.6??
Is it better than my Canon G10?
Cheers
Edited by Phooey on Tuesday 16th June 08:15
Phooey said:
Probably a reallllly stupid question so apologies in advance, but it says 3.6 x optical zoom whereas some other cameras for approx the same money say 30 x zoom. Am i missing something? Surely the 30x can't be ten times better (zoom) than the 3.6??
The 30x zoom will be 8 times more zoom, but more does not mean better. There are significant compromises involved in increasing the zoom range. If you choose a camera with a 30x zoom you will be sacrificing image quality, low light performance and ability to freeze motion in exchange for being able to zoom in a long way. If you're heading on safari or trying to shoot an airshow then that might be a compromise worth making but for most of us the shorter zoom of the RX100 strikes a better balance. It's about the same range as your current G10 offers - have you often found the zoom on that limiting?
Mr Will said:
The 30x zoom will be 8 times more zoom, but more does not mean better.
There are significant compromises involved in increasing the zoom range. If you choose a camera with a 30x zoom you will be sacrificing image quality, low light performance and ability to freeze motion in exchange for being able to zoom in a long way. If you're heading on safari or trying to shoot an airshow then that might be a compromise worth making but for most of us the shorter zoom of the RX100 strikes a better balance. It's about the same range as your current G10 offers - have you often found the zoom on that limiting?
Good point. I've never found it insufficient There are significant compromises involved in increasing the zoom range. If you choose a camera with a 30x zoom you will be sacrificing image quality, low light performance and ability to freeze motion in exchange for being able to zoom in a long way. If you're heading on safari or trying to shoot an airshow then that might be a compromise worth making but for most of us the shorter zoom of the RX100 strikes a better balance. It's about the same range as your current G10 offers - have you often found the zoom on that limiting?
Thanks for explaining 'zoom' - it makes sense now! It initially seemed strange paying £300 for a 3x camera when you can have a 30x for the same price
Probably a difficult question to answer but do you think picture quality of the RX100 will be better than my Canon G10?
RX100 is the best "compact" camera you can get in this price range. It wont get you the latest model but the MK1 will be in budget, maybe an MK2 if you are lucky.
I say best "compact" camera because it simply is the best camera you can buy that will actually fit in a pocket. There are much better cameras within budget if you don't mind something a bit bigger. Any of the m4/3 or APS-C compact systems cameras will offer better image quality and detail and still be a relatively small package but nowhere near as small and compact as an RX100.
I say best "compact" camera because it simply is the best camera you can buy that will actually fit in a pocket. There are much better cameras within budget if you don't mind something a bit bigger. Any of the m4/3 or APS-C compact systems cameras will offer better image quality and detail and still be a relatively small package but nowhere near as small and compact as an RX100.
Jazzy Jefferson said:
Any suggestions on this? I'm still looking into ideas for my next purchase.
thanks
Well I suppose "better" is subjective but look at the Olympus and Panasonic micro 4/3 mirrorless cameras as well as any of the mirrorless offerings from most other manufacturers.. Fuji, Samsung, Sony, Canon etc.thanks
Mirrorless cameras give you the added benefit of interchangeable lenses whilst generally still being in a small package and offering DSLR functionality, although nowhere near as small as the RX100 is when turned off. The bodies on mirrorless cameras will often be around the same sort of size as the RX100 (Lumix GF3 for example) but then you have to add on a full sized lens, which is where the RX100 wins as it's lens retracts into the body where as a mirrorless cameras lens wont. A small prime lens will help but still be bulkier than an RX100.
If small is what you want then the RX100 is hard to beat. If you don't mind something a big bigger then mirrorless will offer better quality, larger sensors and better functionality. If you don't care about size at all then there is the DSLR which, imo, still offers the best of everything (except size).
Edited by MysteryLemon on Wednesday 17th June 10:58
Jazzy Jefferson said:
MysteryLemon said:
There are much better cameras within budget if you don't mind something a bit bigger.
Any suggestions on this? I'm still looking into ideas for my next purchase.thanks
Won't quite fit in a pocket though!
MysteryLemon said:
Well I suppose "better" is subjective but look at the Olympus and Panasonic micro 4/3 mirrorless cameras as well as any of the mirrorless offerings from most other manufacturers.. Fuji, Samsung, Sony, Canon etc.
Mirrorless cameras give you the added benefit of interchangeable lenses whilst generally still being in a small package and offering DSLR functionality, although nowhere near as small as the RX100 is when turned off. The bodies on mirrorless cameras will often be around the same sort of size as the RX100 (Lumix GF3 for example) but then you have to add on a full sized lens, which is where the RX100 wins as it's lens retracts into the body where as a mirrorless cameras lens wont. A small prime lens will help but still be bulkier than an RX100.
If small is what you want then the RX100 is hard to beat. If you don't mind something a big bigger then mirrorless will offer better quality, larger sensors and better functionality. If you don't care about size at all then there is the DSLR which, imo, still offers the best of everything (except size).
Perfect. Thanks mate Mirrorless cameras give you the added benefit of interchangeable lenses whilst generally still being in a small package and offering DSLR functionality, although nowhere near as small as the RX100 is when turned off. The bodies on mirrorless cameras will often be around the same sort of size as the RX100 (Lumix GF3 for example) but then you have to add on a full sized lens, which is where the RX100 wins as it's lens retracts into the body where as a mirrorless cameras lens wont. A small prime lens will help but still be bulkier than an RX100.
If small is what you want then the RX100 is hard to beat. If you don't mind something a big bigger then mirrorless will offer better quality, larger sensors and better functionality. If you don't care about size at all then there is the DSLR which, imo, still offers the best of everything (except size).
Edited by MysteryLemon on Wednesday 17th June 10:58
I'm still on the fence as to which way to go. Jazzy Jefferson said:
Mr Will said:
Sony A5000 is a bit of a steal at the moment. Not much bigger than an RX100 but has a DSLR sized sensor.
Won't quite fit in a pocket though!
Weird.. I just clicked back here after looking at it. Looks nice, a few reviews suggest it's a bit noisy at ISO400 and above.Won't quite fit in a pocket though!
I've got the RX100.
As an allrounder that simply must be pocket sized, it is the best.
If you want something more simple, or specialist, the left field alternative is the Ricoh GR. That has a fixed 28mm lens and a sensor the same size as a crop sensor DSLR.
It's not for everyone, but it's what I'm looking to crossgrade to. I should add though that this is simply because the RX100 is taken by me to places that the DSLR with a prime lens won't go, and whilst the RX100 photos are good, I'm a bit of a snob.
The RX100 output compared to an iPhone or a sub £100 camera is like night and day though.
With regards to zoom length, there's two practical considerations:
1) A 30x zoom is going to not be really sharp at any length.
2) 95% of the time you will use a small band of the zoom length anyway.
If you really want to take a photo of something miles away, you can just crop it if the RX100 zoom is not enough.
As an allrounder that simply must be pocket sized, it is the best.
If you want something more simple, or specialist, the left field alternative is the Ricoh GR. That has a fixed 28mm lens and a sensor the same size as a crop sensor DSLR.
It's not for everyone, but it's what I'm looking to crossgrade to. I should add though that this is simply because the RX100 is taken by me to places that the DSLR with a prime lens won't go, and whilst the RX100 photos are good, I'm a bit of a snob.
The RX100 output compared to an iPhone or a sub £100 camera is like night and day though.
With regards to zoom length, there's two practical considerations:
1) A 30x zoom is going to not be really sharp at any length.
2) 95% of the time you will use a small band of the zoom length anyway.
If you really want to take a photo of something miles away, you can just crop it if the RX100 zoom is not enough.
If that's what you want, then it's perfect.
I don't take my DSLR to the beach, or hiking up some castle in Spain - especially when I'm carrying my 3 year old! My RX100 has been to every family holiday, and fits in my jeans pocket. We've got shots that we simply would have missed if we didn't have it.
One little recommendation - look at the semi-fixed cases. There's a bottom half that screws onto the bottom of the camera in the tripod hole. The top half is removable.
It's a firm shelled case so will protect it from drops and pocket pressure from other objects, and the top half can dip off in literally two seconds to take a shot.
The Sony version is about £50, but because I'm a cheapskate I got one for about £12 delivered from Amazon or eBay and has been perfectly good.
I don't take my DSLR to the beach, or hiking up some castle in Spain - especially when I'm carrying my 3 year old! My RX100 has been to every family holiday, and fits in my jeans pocket. We've got shots that we simply would have missed if we didn't have it.
One little recommendation - look at the semi-fixed cases. There's a bottom half that screws onto the bottom of the camera in the tripod hole. The top half is removable.
It's a firm shelled case so will protect it from drops and pocket pressure from other objects, and the top half can dip off in literally two seconds to take a shot.
The Sony version is about £50, but because I'm a cheapskate I got one for about £12 delivered from Amazon or eBay and has been perfectly good.
Mr Will said:
Sony A5000 is a bit of a steal at the moment. Not much bigger than an RX100 but has a DSLR sized sensor.
Won't quite fit in a pocket though!
I have myself an a5000, very impressed so far, not regretting it at all, picked one up from John lewis for £250. The samsung NX3000 isnt a bad choice either, has a tonne of samsung features as would be expected.Won't quite fit in a pocket though!
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