£1k travel camera
Discussion
I am travelling more and more and I am using my 12 year old compact casio camera.
At the time it was decent for a compact with 9MP but today its obviously not anything even close to a mid point phone let alone camera.
I have been looking around and it seems most of the good compacts are £500-£1200.
I am thinking of a Sony RX100 mk7.
Anyone got any suggestions?
I really like the 200mm capability on the RX.
My main requirements would be fast to power on and focus and shoot.
Takes normal size SD cards.
Good in low light.
Extra features such as time lapse would be good.
Long battery life also good, although I would probably invest in a second battery.
Dont want anything too big, travelling to some reasonably remote places and space can be a real issue.
At the time it was decent for a compact with 9MP but today its obviously not anything even close to a mid point phone let alone camera.
I have been looking around and it seems most of the good compacts are £500-£1200.
I am thinking of a Sony RX100 mk7.
Anyone got any suggestions?
I really like the 200mm capability on the RX.
My main requirements would be fast to power on and focus and shoot.
Takes normal size SD cards.
Good in low light.
Extra features such as time lapse would be good.
Long battery life also good, although I would probably invest in a second battery.
Dont want anything too big, travelling to some reasonably remote places and space can be a real issue.
sgrimshaw said:
gotoPzero said:
Out of interest are cameras cheaper in Japan? (thats where I am going)
On the face of it cameras can appear cheaper in Japan but you need to be very careful that you're not buying a Domestic Market model ... these do not have multi-language menus etc.You need to buy an international model (unless you are fluent in Japanese), and these cost a good deal more and in some cases it makes them MORE expensive than buying in the UK.
Personally, I would buy in the UK before you go, not only will this ensure you don't have any warranty issues or problems with customs coming home, it will also give you a chance to get used to it before your big trip.
We are travelling more and more. So its just sight seeing, mostly day time but could be some night shots. Its mostly cities, tourist attractions, scenery etc.
We just returned from Peru and Mexico and whilst we got some ok photos the quality is not the best and there are loads that are just not usable. In the end I was taking 5 or 6 photos in the hope to get a good one.
My phone takes very poor photos (Samsung A32) they are always out of focus.
My point and shoot is about 10 years old and its limited by its resolution and AF.
We just returned from Peru and Mexico and whilst we got some ok photos the quality is not the best and there are loads that are just not usable. In the end I was taking 5 or 6 photos in the hope to get a good one.
My phone takes very poor photos (Samsung A32) they are always out of focus.
My point and shoot is about 10 years old and its limited by its resolution and AF.
My trip to Japan is getting closer.
The more I look at specs the more confused I get, but I think I have narrowed it down to 3 cameras, all Sony. I have no brand loyalty but from the countless reviews I have read they seem to come out at or near the top and often to move up to the next best you can be looking at spending more.
RX100VA. Much brighter optics over the VII. ND filter. Lacks fancy live AF processor and only 70mm. However on sale at £599.
ZV1. A very, very similar spec to the RX1000VA. Just plastic body and lack of EVF. On sale at £550 currently.
Out of those 2 I think I would go for the VA.
Then there is the VII.
Loses the ND filter and loses 1f stop. Which is a big thing tbh.
But then it gains 200mm zoom, much more advanced auto focus and has a few more advanced features.
New still £1000, used around £750.
I have no interest in video. Its nice to have, but in reality its 90% stills 10% video.
I am thinking of getting the VA? Even if I got a nice used VII its £150 ish more than the VA.
What do ye say?
Oh, and I started looking at APS-C. Jeez, that's a rabbit hole I wish I didnt go down.
I have to stay strong... LOL, I specifically want something that will fit in my pocket.
The more I look at specs the more confused I get, but I think I have narrowed it down to 3 cameras, all Sony. I have no brand loyalty but from the countless reviews I have read they seem to come out at or near the top and often to move up to the next best you can be looking at spending more.
RX100VA. Much brighter optics over the VII. ND filter. Lacks fancy live AF processor and only 70mm. However on sale at £599.
ZV1. A very, very similar spec to the RX1000VA. Just plastic body and lack of EVF. On sale at £550 currently.
Out of those 2 I think I would go for the VA.
Then there is the VII.
Loses the ND filter and loses 1f stop. Which is a big thing tbh.
But then it gains 200mm zoom, much more advanced auto focus and has a few more advanced features.
New still £1000, used around £750.
I have no interest in video. Its nice to have, but in reality its 90% stills 10% video.
I am thinking of getting the VA? Even if I got a nice used VII its £150 ish more than the VA.
What do ye say?
Oh, and I started looking at APS-C. Jeez, that's a rabbit hole I wish I didnt go down.
I have to stay strong... LOL, I specifically want something that will fit in my pocket.
Edited by gotoPzero on Thursday 30th March 20:52
I defo dont want a camera phone upgrade, my phones last me years and I upgraded to an A32 a couple of years ago and it should last me another 5+ years. (the camera is sh*t on it though!) (I sure the latest Iphone 26 XXXL Max Gen 3 is a lot better but I cant stomach the prices for what is to me mainly a phone to me)
Camera wise I used to have Nikon DSLRs but we are going back to the early days. I have a friend who is into photography so whenever I need a "proper" camera I borrow one of his, but they are always huge and worth a fortune so I am not risking taking one to Japan and also its just too heavy.
I have a Casio point and shoot, it has some level of manual settings but its showing its age. It still takes better photos than my Samsung phone though. Its about on a level with my wifes iphone, think its an 11.
Thats a 14 year old camera. Its garbage in low light though.
So in short without waffling on I would like the feature / manual adjustment of an SLR but in the size of my pocket Casio with modern 20+MP sensor.
Last night I read a lot more reviews again and now I am leaning towards the ZV1.
It has the glass from the VA and most of the features of the VII.
At £550 its going to be £150-£200 cheaper than the VII.
But then in my mind I am like if I am going to spend £550 on something then £750 is really probably not that much of a push further for a used VII.
Then I start thinking about a used VA again for £450... that IS a decent saving over the VII.
Its just too confusing!! I think the f1.8 lens on the VA/ZV1 is what I need. But then I do like using my zoom and on the Casio I think its a 35-180 or something like that so I might miss the reach. In fact I know I will. On the casio I bump into the end of the optical zoom quite often.
And this is where I end up going round in circles. I suppose a small APSC with interchangeable lenses is really what I should get but then its a lot more cr@p to carry round.
Camera wise I used to have Nikon DSLRs but we are going back to the early days. I have a friend who is into photography so whenever I need a "proper" camera I borrow one of his, but they are always huge and worth a fortune so I am not risking taking one to Japan and also its just too heavy.
I have a Casio point and shoot, it has some level of manual settings but its showing its age. It still takes better photos than my Samsung phone though. Its about on a level with my wifes iphone, think its an 11.
Thats a 14 year old camera. Its garbage in low light though.
So in short without waffling on I would like the feature / manual adjustment of an SLR but in the size of my pocket Casio with modern 20+MP sensor.
Last night I read a lot more reviews again and now I am leaning towards the ZV1.
It has the glass from the VA and most of the features of the VII.
At £550 its going to be £150-£200 cheaper than the VII.
But then in my mind I am like if I am going to spend £550 on something then £750 is really probably not that much of a push further for a used VII.
Then I start thinking about a used VA again for £450... that IS a decent saving over the VII.
Its just too confusing!! I think the f1.8 lens on the VA/ZV1 is what I need. But then I do like using my zoom and on the Casio I think its a 35-180 or something like that so I might miss the reach. In fact I know I will. On the casio I bump into the end of the optical zoom quite often.
And this is where I end up going round in circles. I suppose a small APSC with interchangeable lenses is really what I should get but then its a lot more cr@p to carry round.
Well, I ended up with a second hand RX100 VII.
Not got it yet, should be here for the end of the week.
Spent a smidge over £600 which I think is a pretty good deal seen them go on ebay for £700-£750.
The MK5A was about the same cost new, so I hope I have done the right thing!!
Just need to get a couple of extra batteries and I am good to go.
Not got it yet, should be here for the end of the week.
Spent a smidge over £600 which I think is a pretty good deal seen them go on ebay for £700-£750.
The MK5A was about the same cost new, so I hope I have done the right thing!!
Just need to get a couple of extra batteries and I am good to go.
Camera has turned up... jez this thing is solid.. you could really do some damage with it 
Feels well made. Given it was used it looks and feels like brand new so very happy with that.
Spent the last 2 hours just messing with settings etc.. there is a steep learning curve!
The weather outside is garbage so just taking a few shots inside. Its very impressive so far.
There will be more questions in the main forum shortly
Feels well made. Given it was used it looks and feels like brand new so very happy with that.
Spent the last 2 hours just messing with settings etc.. there is a steep learning curve!
The weather outside is garbage so just taking a few shots inside. Its very impressive so far.
There will be more questions in the main forum shortly
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff