Small camera roundup
Those who have been following my search for a new travel camera know I've been checking out a number of models. I think I've finally worked my way through the contenders, and since a few people wanted to know what I discovered, I'm starting this new thread with a run-down plus some sample shots. This is NOT a scientific set of reviews - I wasn't able to shoot side-by-side etc. Just my impressions based on firing off some frames in typical scenarios.
My requirements:
- smaller than a dSLR - no need to go in a pocket, but into a purse without weighing it down too much
- great image quality
- manual mode and ability to shoot raw
- all-in-one if possible (trying to avoid carrying extra lenses)
- as much ability to shoot shallow depth of field as possible
- under $500, $200-300 preferred
The contenders:
- Canon G15 (refurb + CLP $230)
- Canon G1x (refurb +CLP $280)
- Sony a5000 with standard and tele kit lenses (open box deal: $400)
- Fuji XM w kit lens ($399)
- Olympus EPL-5 with kit lens ($299)
I was only able to try the Fuji and Olympus in-store, but I took a card with me so I could review the images at home.
Here's a quick comparison of my impressions:
======================================
Canon G15 (Refurb + CLP: $229)
(For sample images and further comments, seethis thread posts 23 & 36.)
I will say that for anybody looking for a fabulous walkaround, upscale point and shoot, the G15 (and presumably the 16) is outstanding. It has the fastest AF and least shutter-lag of any that I've ever used, and the images were lovely. It just wasn't quite right for my needs at the moment.
=========================================================
G1x (Refurb + CLP: $279)
In a perfect world, I'd get a G1x II, I think - it has a faster lens than the Mk I and apparently the AF is a faster; it also has wifi (not a dealbreaker, but nice to have). However, that would be an extra $500, which isn't an option. Despite the sluggish AF, the G1x is QUITE the machine, however, and at the moment it's between that and the Fuji, I think, with the nod currently towards the Canon for a number of reasons (not least of which my existing familiarity with the interface). I wish it was a bit faster - both lens and to AF - but in all other ways it's pretty much exactly what I want and need. I have a few days to try it out in real world situations, but at the moment, it's my leader. I particularly like that I can hold it like a dslr - even when I'm using the screen, I can support it properly, which I really like. :thumb
These are just common-or-garden-variety jpgs as metered in camera
My usual test-models just weren't into it today
(this is cropped by about 25%)
This is a spot on my porch I use a lot, so it made a good comparison for me. Obviously, I'm not getting full-frame f2 bokeh, but it's not bad given the size of the camera!
===========================================================
Sony a5000 (incl 18-55 + 50-210 lenses $399)
This is probably the best bargain of the bunch and there is a LOT to like about it.... I'm just not sure it's for me needs at this time (and if anybody wants to buy this rig from me before I return it to the store, please PM me and I'll pass the amazing savings I scored onto a fellow dgrinner!). I really, really wanted to love this set-up because the bang-per-buck is ridiculous, but it's just not going to work for me. Why?
- Totally subjective, but I just don't care for the in-camera processing - very contrasty, and a weird NR algorithm that seems to create artefacting if you pixel-peep. I couldn't lose it entirely even in raw. This is likely NOT a dealbreaker for a lot of folks, but it is for me
- Not enough external controls for me. I found having to do everything by menu really slowed me down - the a6000 would solve this, but I don't have the extra $ to make that work.
- Small and light for sure, but I couldn't hold it two-handed like a dSLR, the way I prefer (had to hold it like a cellphone or smaller point and shoot); especially with the telezoom on, this felt odd to me.
I'm sure I "could" adapt to all of those things I mention, but since I have other options, I'm not sure I want to. It's a cracking good setup - and if I had some more $ I'd probably get an a6000 body instead as there is much to recommend the Sony ecosystem.
Contrasty jpgs SOOC - if that's a look you like, you will LOVE this camera!
Weird NR/sharpening (deep crop - 100% or more)
===========================================
Olympus EPL-5 ($399)
Only tried this one in the store and didn't nail focus on any of them, so no samples. I LOVED the way it feels in the hand (the OM-D even more so - lovely, LOVELY small dslr-type body!!!), but I missed the viewfinder, and I wasn't crazy about the in-camera processing; jpgs were smeary for my taste.
===========================================
Fuji XM1 ($399)
Absolutely in love with the sensor and look of the files. Camera is nice in the hand and the menu system made more sense to me than the Sony. If I had more money at my disposal, I'm pretty sure I'd go with one of the better-spec'd Fujis and a couple of lenses, but alas that's not an option. WONDERFUL camera, however - I was much more impressed than I expected to be
Only used in the store so hardly artistic samples, but fwiw:
===============================
My requirements:
- smaller than a dSLR - no need to go in a pocket, but into a purse without weighing it down too much
- great image quality
- manual mode and ability to shoot raw
- all-in-one if possible (trying to avoid carrying extra lenses)
- as much ability to shoot shallow depth of field as possible
- under $500, $200-300 preferred
The contenders:
- Canon G15 (refurb + CLP $230)
- Canon G1x (refurb +CLP $280)
- Sony a5000 with standard and tele kit lenses (open box deal: $400)
- Fuji XM w kit lens ($399)
- Olympus EPL-5 with kit lens ($299)
I was only able to try the Fuji and Olympus in-store, but I took a card with me so I could review the images at home.
Here's a quick comparison of my impressions:
======================================
Canon G15 (Refurb + CLP: $229)
(For sample images and further comments, seethis thread posts 23 & 36.)
I will say that for anybody looking for a fabulous walkaround, upscale point and shoot, the G15 (and presumably the 16) is outstanding. It has the fastest AF and least shutter-lag of any that I've ever used, and the images were lovely. It just wasn't quite right for my needs at the moment.
=========================================================
G1x (Refurb + CLP: $279)
In a perfect world, I'd get a G1x II, I think - it has a faster lens than the Mk I and apparently the AF is a faster; it also has wifi (not a dealbreaker, but nice to have). However, that would be an extra $500, which isn't an option. Despite the sluggish AF, the G1x is QUITE the machine, however, and at the moment it's between that and the Fuji, I think, with the nod currently towards the Canon for a number of reasons (not least of which my existing familiarity with the interface). I wish it was a bit faster - both lens and to AF - but in all other ways it's pretty much exactly what I want and need. I have a few days to try it out in real world situations, but at the moment, it's my leader. I particularly like that I can hold it like a dslr - even when I'm using the screen, I can support it properly, which I really like. :thumb
These are just common-or-garden-variety jpgs as metered in camera
My usual test-models just weren't into it today
(this is cropped by about 25%)This is a spot on my porch I use a lot, so it made a good comparison for me. Obviously, I'm not getting full-frame f2 bokeh, but it's not bad given the size of the camera!
===========================================================
Sony a5000 (incl 18-55 + 50-210 lenses $399)
This is probably the best bargain of the bunch and there is a LOT to like about it.... I'm just not sure it's for me needs at this time (and if anybody wants to buy this rig from me before I return it to the store, please PM me and I'll pass the amazing savings I scored onto a fellow dgrinner!). I really, really wanted to love this set-up because the bang-per-buck is ridiculous, but it's just not going to work for me. Why?
- Totally subjective, but I just don't care for the in-camera processing - very contrasty, and a weird NR algorithm that seems to create artefacting if you pixel-peep. I couldn't lose it entirely even in raw. This is likely NOT a dealbreaker for a lot of folks, but it is for me
- Not enough external controls for me. I found having to do everything by menu really slowed me down - the a6000 would solve this, but I don't have the extra $ to make that work.
- Small and light for sure, but I couldn't hold it two-handed like a dSLR, the way I prefer (had to hold it like a cellphone or smaller point and shoot); especially with the telezoom on, this felt odd to me.
I'm sure I "could" adapt to all of those things I mention, but since I have other options, I'm not sure I want to. It's a cracking good setup - and if I had some more $ I'd probably get an a6000 body instead as there is much to recommend the Sony ecosystem.
Contrasty jpgs SOOC - if that's a look you like, you will LOVE this camera!
Weird NR/sharpening (deep crop - 100% or more)
===========================================
Olympus EPL-5 ($399)
Only tried this one in the store and didn't nail focus on any of them, so no samples. I LOVED the way it feels in the hand (the OM-D even more so - lovely, LOVELY small dslr-type body!!!), but I missed the viewfinder, and I wasn't crazy about the in-camera processing; jpgs were smeary for my taste.
===========================================
Fuji XM1 ($399)
Absolutely in love with the sensor and look of the files. Camera is nice in the hand and the menu system made more sense to me than the Sony. If I had more money at my disposal, I'm pretty sure I'd go with one of the better-spec'd Fujis and a couple of lenses, but alas that's not an option. WONDERFUL camera, however - I was much more impressed than I expected to be
Only used in the store so hardly artistic samples, but fwiw:===============================
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I plan on using it as a travel camera
I've only had it a couple of hours but so far I like it. The EF adapter is only $35 so I'll probably get that
a couple of first shots (taken in RAW, resized with correction and converted to jpeg)
22mm
ISO 1600
1/30
f6.3
(cropped)
new !
do a search on ebay for eos m and 22mm. (without the 18-55) The M2 and M3 versions are higher but the original is still for sale
I was wondering the same thing... and glad to have stumbled on your post.
Love the sensor on the G1x, and have been realllly impressed by the teeny-tiny on-board flash as fill. These were taken just a few seconds apart - first is underexposed, and the reality was more like the right hand image.... where I used the on-board flash as fill.
Which GX1 did you get, by the way: the powershot or the mark II?
Here's another one, from today - I'm falling pretty in love with this thing as I use it a bit
100%
The fact that the camera has a sensor this large yet can take photos essentially silently is amazing and was a huge selling point to me.
My keeper rate obviously was way lower, but I was able to bring the G1X in a coat pocket and just take a few photos here and there. Best of all for anyone else reading this just the fact that a 250 dollar (refurbished) point and shoot can do this even with all of its' faults for this type of photography is pretty impressive.
So if you're relatively new to photography I still wouldn't recommend this camera, but if you have a lot of experience there's a boat load of capability hidden inside that little body. You will just have to work a little bit to get it out.
nice but I think the future is still with mirrorless. A pocket size camera for events, travel, family, etc. but also with the ability to use it for longer telephoto needs like birding.
I like my little $100 camera (wish it would do sports !)
Mirrorless is good if you're looking for a whole system but since I already have a few DSLR's that's not as big of a concern. The advantage of a fixed lens is that they have more room to shrink it down into the body making for a smaller overall package so they have the best ratio of size to usability. So for those looking for a small but quality second camera along with people who will only ever use the kit lens they can be a better choice.