Quality travel camera with one zoom lens
Discussion
I used to be an avid photographer but as soon as phone cameras became good, I could not face lugging a SLR, lenses and flash around. I have a Sony mirrorless but its about 12 or more years old. The image quality was disappointing on its last overseas trip.
Planning a special trip, I am thinking of getting a decent digital with a zoom lens.
I looked at Fuji and Sony. When I read a review, there seems to be conflicting advice about quality, build quality, auto focus.
So back to PHs. Any strong recommendations for something lightweight, but nice to use with good quality? I like the analogue look and feel of a camera, hence looking at Fuji in particular.
Thanks!
Planning a special trip, I am thinking of getting a decent digital with a zoom lens.
I looked at Fuji and Sony. When I read a review, there seems to be conflicting advice about quality, build quality, auto focus.
So back to PHs. Any strong recommendations for something lightweight, but nice to use with good quality? I like the analogue look and feel of a camera, hence looking at Fuji in particular.
Thanks!
Edited by TUS373 on Friday 31st July 12:21
Lots of variables like, what's your budget, what zoom range would you be looking at.
If Fujifilm, low budget you could go for something like an X E.
I currently have anX100v with the teleconverter and an XF10. yes both non zoom IMO cuts down on faff.
Edit: Also have RX10iv maybe a bit big as a travel camera?
I don't know Sony cameras apart from the RX10.
If Fujifilm, low budget you could go for something like an X E.
I currently have anX100v with the teleconverter and an XF10. yes both non zoom IMO cuts down on faff.
Edit: Also have RX10iv maybe a bit big as a travel camera?
I don't know Sony cameras apart from the RX10.
Edited by Drogo on Friday 31st July 11:28
If you used to be an avid photographer with an SLR, then you will no doubt be used to a certain level of image quality and/or controls, etc. In other words, perhaps a happy snapper is not what you need as you have your phone for that.
Depending on budget, I'd be looking at a compact full frame camera with associated travel lens, and the Sony Alpha 7C could fit the brief. If you want smaller, then the Sony RX1 ticks boxes but it's expensive. Maybe look at MPB and pick up a 2nd hand option.
If full frame is not a priority, and you'd be happy with APSC or even Micro 4/3, then you'll get very good image quality in a small/compact package.
As stated previously, some idea of budget & requirements would help.
Depending on budget, I'd be looking at a compact full frame camera with associated travel lens, and the Sony Alpha 7C could fit the brief. If you want smaller, then the Sony RX1 ticks boxes but it's expensive. Maybe look at MPB and pick up a 2nd hand option.
If full frame is not a priority, and you'd be happy with APSC or even Micro 4/3, then you'll get very good image quality in a small/compact package.
As stated previously, some idea of budget & requirements would help.
Thanks both. I have set a budget around £1700 inc VAT, maximum. That is benchmarking a new Fuji X-T50 with a zoom lens.
I was something of an early adopter with a Fuji digital, buying a FinePix 4MP in 2002. It was small, beautiful and gave good results. It was a pocketable so easy to live with on holiday not needing a camera bag> I think I had it on my belt. Then of course, smart phones became a thing and more convenient still.
My current camera is not an SLR but a Sony A65 mirrorless (I think). I hardly used it. It is a bit cumbersome, horridly plasticky, and the electronic view finder was not nice to use after the brightness of a SLR mirror. The lack of use led to a lack of interest. I took it away with me on holiday 2 years ago, but images all looked somewhat washed out and disappointing. Some editing on a PC improved them, but that was time consuming.
I therefore am looking for something that is small and light for travel photography, has a zoom for some flexibility, but most likely that will be the one and only lens ever. I would like good image quality, in other words, no need to edit them afterwards - they will be good enough as straight from the camera. Ideally, something with a battery where it can be charged easily without taking a separate charger away with me - its just more weight and cables. Something that could share a USB-C phone charger would be ideal.
As said before, I prefer analogue usability. I still have a Minolta X700 purchased in 1985. My first camera and I still love it though no film has been through it for 30 years! I much preferred that to Minolta 7xi, 9xi, Sony Alpha and Sony A65 that followed. I really dislike plasticky gadgets and minimalism, much preferring some dials to twiddle for the main settings. Good build quality is a nice to have above performance.
It was a few years ago since I looked at Fuji and I have not handled any. The Sony range is a bit confusing, and the newer cameras are not compatible with the lenses I have (A mount?) without an adapter. I am therefore looking at a new camera completely agnostic of anything I have had previously.
Thanks for ideas so far - I will take a look.
I was something of an early adopter with a Fuji digital, buying a FinePix 4MP in 2002. It was small, beautiful and gave good results. It was a pocketable so easy to live with on holiday not needing a camera bag> I think I had it on my belt. Then of course, smart phones became a thing and more convenient still.
My current camera is not an SLR but a Sony A65 mirrorless (I think). I hardly used it. It is a bit cumbersome, horridly plasticky, and the electronic view finder was not nice to use after the brightness of a SLR mirror. The lack of use led to a lack of interest. I took it away with me on holiday 2 years ago, but images all looked somewhat washed out and disappointing. Some editing on a PC improved them, but that was time consuming.
I therefore am looking for something that is small and light for travel photography, has a zoom for some flexibility, but most likely that will be the one and only lens ever. I would like good image quality, in other words, no need to edit them afterwards - they will be good enough as straight from the camera. Ideally, something with a battery where it can be charged easily without taking a separate charger away with me - its just more weight and cables. Something that could share a USB-C phone charger would be ideal.
As said before, I prefer analogue usability. I still have a Minolta X700 purchased in 1985. My first camera and I still love it though no film has been through it for 30 years! I much preferred that to Minolta 7xi, 9xi, Sony Alpha and Sony A65 that followed. I really dislike plasticky gadgets and minimalism, much preferring some dials to twiddle for the main settings. Good build quality is a nice to have above performance.
It was a few years ago since I looked at Fuji and I have not handled any. The Sony range is a bit confusing, and the newer cameras are not compatible with the lenses I have (A mount?) without an adapter. I am therefore looking at a new camera completely agnostic of anything I have had previously.
Thanks for ideas so far - I will take a look.
I am a Micro 4/3 user, with an Olympus OM5 and a range of zoom & prime lenses. It is a very capable camera, with a plethora of built-in functions include ND filters, Starry AF, Live Composite, etc. The image stabilisation is akin to witchcraft. And the range of lenses is quite impressive, as you can utilise all of Olympus & Panasonic Leica lenses, as well as 3rd party manufacturers such as Loma & Sigma.
Reading your brief, I wonder if the Olympus OM3 would suit your needs and pairing this with one of Olympus's Pro zoom lens (such as the 12-40 f2.8) would make for a very good package. And the Olympus JPEGs are very good out of the camera.
Have a look at the following to give you some thought:
https://www.microfournerds.com/blog/om3-review
https://www.creativeislandphoto.com/blog/a-creator...
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/om-system-om-3-re...
Reading your brief, I wonder if the Olympus OM3 would suit your needs and pairing this with one of Olympus's Pro zoom lens (such as the 12-40 f2.8) would make for a very good package. And the Olympus JPEGs are very good out of the camera.
Have a look at the following to give you some thought:
https://www.microfournerds.com/blog/om3-review
https://www.creativeislandphoto.com/blog/a-creator...
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/om-system-om-3-re...
Just another option into the pot at around your budget. A Canon R7 with the "kit" lens 18-150 f3.5- 6.3 is worth a thought - it's a VERY light combination and very versatile, if slow and not at the cutting edge of optical performance. If you want a sharper and faster lens, and can sacrifice reach, the tamron 17-70 f2.8 is a great option (I'm about buy this lens myself to replace my 18-150.) If weight is critical then the Canon R10 is a possibility - though you will sacrifice in body image stabilisation and battery life.
Whether these choices will suit you best you can only find out by looking at the specs/reviews and handling them. I certainly wouldn't dismiss your Fuji options - Fuji have gone for a more " traditional" feel which some will certainly prefer - and they have a very good range of APS-C lenses - including the Tamron 17-70 I recommend above.
Whether these choices will suit you best you can only find out by looking at the specs/reviews and handling them. I certainly wouldn't dismiss your Fuji options - Fuji have gone for a more " traditional" feel which some will certainly prefer - and they have a very good range of APS-C lenses - including the Tamron 17-70 I recommend above.
For six years, I used a DSLR and a Nikon bridge to illustrate a magazine. It was all but impossible to tell from the printed images which camera had been used. Some post had been used, but not that much back in the early 2000s.
If I had to walk for a couple of hours or I was going to work somewhere crowded when I didn't want to leave my camera bag unguarded, I went with the bridge and grew to prefer it for anything but special occasions. A friend of mine saw the images and bought a Canon bridge (I think), getting rid of his SLR. Still sticks with bridge cameras. They've come on a pace, and my friend has one with a 35mm equiv. over 1000mm zoom lens and 20mp. The images he sends me of the Moon are impressive.
That said, I sold my bridge and bought a GH2 MFT. No logical reasons.
I took a Panasonic compact, 12mp, for a holiday in Italy. Great images. There are compacts with half-sized (MFT) sensors at a very reasonable cost.
If I had to walk for a couple of hours or I was going to work somewhere crowded when I didn't want to leave my camera bag unguarded, I went with the bridge and grew to prefer it for anything but special occasions. A friend of mine saw the images and bought a Canon bridge (I think), getting rid of his SLR. Still sticks with bridge cameras. They've come on a pace, and my friend has one with a 35mm equiv. over 1000mm zoom lens and 20mp. The images he sends me of the Moon are impressive.
That said, I sold my bridge and bought a GH2 MFT. No logical reasons.
I took a Panasonic compact, 12mp, for a holiday in Italy. Great images. There are compacts with half-sized (MFT) sensors at a very reasonable cost.
Thank you.
I have not made mush progress in handling cameras in the flesh. Visited a Jessops at the weekend but they had minimal stock of anything.
Did handle a Sony A6400 and liked it, but its sibling the A6700 is quite a lot of money, plus I am wary of zoom lenses from Sony that lose light gathering power. I see there is a nice Sigma zoom f2.8 throughout, but that alone is around £450.
No Fuji X-E5 in stock. Did not even see any OM cameras in the shop. The research goes on though.
I have not made mush progress in handling cameras in the flesh. Visited a Jessops at the weekend but they had minimal stock of anything.
Did handle a Sony A6400 and liked it, but its sibling the A6700 is quite a lot of money, plus I am wary of zoom lenses from Sony that lose light gathering power. I see there is a nice Sigma zoom f2.8 throughout, but that alone is around £450.
No Fuji X-E5 in stock. Did not even see any OM cameras in the shop. The research goes on though.
Hi again. After weighing the options I have gone for a Sony A6700 I the end. A deal on Amazon was such that the body plus the Sony 16-50mm II lens was less than the body alone elsewhere. Not used it much...more just playing with it. It does seem to eat battery quickly and heat up, and doing some research...that seems to be a thing.
The settings in the menus are many (to me), so set it up using some YouTube video tutorials.
Might still invest in a Sigma 18-50mm once I am convinced it is the one.
There is a Sony A6900 rumoured but no dates. Whatever, it won't be around in time for my trip.
Thanks for all the advice folks.
The settings in the menus are many (to me), so set it up using some YouTube video tutorials.
Might still invest in a Sigma 18-50mm once I am convinced it is the one.
There is a Sony A6900 rumoured but no dates. Whatever, it won't be around in time for my trip.
Thanks for all the advice folks.
TUS373 said:
Hi again. After weighing the options I have gone for a Sony A6700 I the end. A deal on Amazon was such that the body plus the Sony 16-50mm II lens was less than the body alone elsewhere. Not used it much...more just playing with it. It does seem to eat battery quickly and heat up, and doing some research...that seems to be a thing.
The settings in the menus are many (to me), so set it up using some YouTube video tutorials.
Might still invest in a Sigma 18-50mm once I am convinced it is the one.
There is a Sony A6900 rumoured but no dates. Whatever, it won't be around in time for my trip.
Thanks for all the advice folks.
Good choice. I have the lesser A6100 and love it.The settings in the menus are many (to me), so set it up using some YouTube video tutorials.
Might still invest in a Sigma 18-50mm once I am convinced it is the one.
There is a Sony A6900 rumoured but no dates. Whatever, it won't be around in time for my trip.
Thanks for all the advice folks.
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