Which Digital Compact Camera?

[Gerard O’TooleParticipant @gerardotoole60348]

Posted by Steviegtr on 21/05/2020 15:42:40:

I think it must be a compact fixed lens camera I need……

It is one of those times I think yes it would be great to have a super all singing large camera & a small pocket one too, but that is not possible .

Steve.

Steve, I think you are really making an argument for a ILC camera system. i.e. where you can exchange the lens and give you the benefits of the larger camera when needed but can be smaller when required..

As already been mentioned, I would recommend you look at the micro 4/3 range of camera. I toured Europe by motorcycle with e Panasonic GX1 and 17mm lens in my jacket pocket all the time. Not much bigger than a packet of cigarettes . But the camera could happily take the largest lens in the micro 4/3 range if needed.

I currently have the Olympus EPL8 which is only slightly bigger. There is a suggestion from some photographers that Panasonic are probably better for video but personally , for my simple needs, I have found no difference .

Just be aware that photography can be as addictive as model engineering and before you know where you are you have a drawer of lenses and spare bodies , flashes adapters , sd cards etc.

I can post photographs of the EPL8 but you would probably find better information on the internet

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

Hi Brian

Out of interest where was the first photo taken the second my guese would be EWR Far Leys station ?

H

Posted by Brian Baker 1 on 21/05/2020 17:59:06:

Greetings, for a long time, and thousands of pictures, including 3 Model Engineer covers, I used a Panasonic Lumix DMC Fs 16, which I purchased from the Tesco "Chuck out bin" for £50. It was quick & easy to use, and fitted easily into my shirt top pocket. I use it for all ME articles that I have written over the years.

For sailing, I purchased the waterproof version I purchased a Lumix DMC-FT30, and that is just as good.

Finally for "posh" pictures, about 2 years ago, I purchased DMC FS18, which is good, fits in my top pocket, and takes super photos as they happen, "point & click".

I know nothing about Photography, but enjoy taking photographs as they happen.

You pays your money, and takes your choice.

regards

Brian

Edited By Brian Baker 1 on 21/05/2020 18:13:12

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

Thanks for that Gerald. It was in the back of my mind to look into the Bridge camera range. I know what you mean about lenses. My old camera 35mm, ended up with stacks of lens & filters ,inc special effects.

Steve.

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Another user of Micro Four Thirds here; Olympus in my case.
There is obviously a wide range of body styles, from SLR types to Rangefinder types, though they are neither true SLRs or Rangefinders.

Bought carefully second hand, is you don't like the camera/lens, you should be able to sell on for the same as you bought it/them.

As far as true compacts go, I'm well behind the times with what's currently available, though I know the Olympus Tough range is highly regarded, and I think some are on offer direct from Olympus at the moment.

The other one which might be worthy of consideration, is the Olympus Stylus1 (or 1s)
This is of the style of a MFT camera, but is a bridge with the equivalent of a 28-300mm F2.8 lens
It seems remarkably good quality, but is now discontinued, so only available second hand or New-Old-Stock.

I'm biased in its favour as it feels and acts like an Olympus Compact System camera, and is compatible with my preferred raw development software DxO Optics.

I would certainly echo comments about getting something with a viewfinder though, having done a few holidays with my super little Ricoh. Brilliant camera, but hard to see the screen on a sunny day. Fortunately, there is an optional extra external electronic viewfinder available.

p.s. never forget that the best camera, is the one you have with you when you want to take a photo. 

Bill

 

Edited By peak4 on 22/05/2020 12:01:32

[Brian Baker 2Participant @brianbaker2]

Hi Harry, thanks for your interest, the second picture is indeed Echills Wood, taken by the loco owner on my camera, which I thrust into his hand, must be easy to use, the first was grabbed as I pounded across the bridge at Weybourne Station on the North Norfolk Railway, I was sailing on the river Bure, Norfolk Broads at the end of November 2019, dropped a crew member off on the bank, and the last picture was taken at Parkands Railway, Hemsby Norfolk.

By now you might guess that I live in Norfolk!

Regards

Brian

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

Posted by Brian Baker 1 on 22/05/2020 12:53:05:

Hi Harry, thanks for your interest, the second picture is indeed Echills Wood, taken by the loco owner on my camera, which I thrust into his hand, must be easy to use, the first was grabbed as I pounded across the bridge at Weybourne Station on the North Norfolk Railway, I was sailing on the river Bure, Norfolk Broads at the end of November 2019, dropped a crew member off on the bank, and the last picture was taken at Parkands Railway, Hemsby Norfolk.

By now you might guess that I live in Norfolk!

Regards

Brian

Love them pictures.

Steve.

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

Well after a lot of searching & head scratching I think the camera that I may go for is the Sony A6600. It seems to pretty much do everything I will need.

Without the lens on it is pocket friendly. Lens in another pocket. It will accept some good lenses for the moon & stars shots & the dinky ones for holidays.

Steve.

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

Hi Brian

Glad I got Echills Wood i spent a happy hour there in the trees in your background is where the model traction enginemen camp for the EWR traction weekend taken many a photo around that area all can be seen Link

then under 'Kingsbury'

H

Posted by Brian Baker 1 on 22/05/2020 12:53:05:

Hi Harry, thanks for your interest, the second picture is indeed Echills Wood, taken by the loco owner on my camera, which I thrust into his hand, must be easy to use, the first was grabbed as I pounded across the bridge at Weybourne Station on the North Norfolk Railway, I was sailing on the river Bure, Norfolk Broads at the end of November 2019, dropped a crew member off on the bank, and the last picture was taken at Parkands Railway, Hemsby Norfolk.

By now you might guess that I live in Norfolk!

Regards

Brian

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Steviegtr on 23/05/2020 02:48:06:

Well after a lot of searching & head scratching I think the camera that I may go for is the Sony A6600. It seems to pretty much do everything I will need.

Without the lens on it is pocket friendly. Lens in another pocket. It will accept some good lenses for the moon & stars shots & the dinky ones for holidays.

Steve.

Got me drooling! Be good to see one in the flesh before buying it though – reviews are a shade critical of tiny buttons and thumb operated controls. Brilliant camera that might not suit people with big fingers?

If you get one, love to see what it can do! And if you hate it, give it to me!

Dave

[JAParticipant @ja]

Steve

I have stayed away from this thread since everyone has their own preferences.

I was in your position a year ago with a ten year old Nikon Coolpix pocket camera. I used to keep losing the horizon and I could not see the screen in bright sunlight. I looked at what was available and, not wanting a bridge camera or an SLR, went for a mirrorless camera with a couple of lenses. I bought from the local shop a Sony A6400 and it has done everything I wanted of it. It is quite complex but if you do more than point and shoot it is a great tool. It comes with editing software which I use (I cannot compare the software with Photoshop etc because I know nothing about them). It has re-awakened my interest in photography and I have even dug out a couple of old film cameras and bought some black and white film.

I still use the little Nikon, it is a good workshop camera.

JA

Dave – you are not having my A6400.

Edited By JA on 23/05/2020 18:26:08

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 21/05/2020 15:26:24:

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 21/05/2020 14:27:41:

Given the choice between an entry level DSLR and this I'd buy one of these:

**LINK**

I tried out the now discontinued P900 and its superb, but still available for about £40.

I use a Nikon bridge and when it dies I will swap to the current or next from current Nikon bridge to get the extra zoom and RAW shooting.

The image stabilisation is excellent.

Neil

.

Are you serious about that price [for a camera listed at £799], Neil

… if so : Please tell me where !!

MichaelG.

Oops, typo, I saw it for £450.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 23/05/2020 21:52:46:

.

Oops, typo, I saw it for £450.

.

Thanks, Neil

My hard-earned £40 stays safe

MichaelG.

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

Posted by JA on 23/05/2020 18:25:17:

Steve

I have stayed away from this thread since everyone has their own preferences.

I was in your position a year ago with a ten year old Nikon Coolpix pocket camera. I used to keep losing the horizon and I could not see the screen in bright sunlight. I looked at what was available and, not wanting a bridge camera or an SLR, went for a mirrorless camera with a couple of lenses. I bought from the local shop a Sony A6400 and it has done everything I wanted of it. It is quite complex but if you do more than point and shoot it is a great tool. It comes with editing software which I use (I cannot compare the software with Photoshop etc because I know nothing about them). It has re-awakened my interest in photography and I have even dug out a couple of old film cameras and bought some black and white film.

I still use the little Nikon, it is a good workshop camera.

JA

Dave – you are not having my A6400.

Edited By JA on 23/05/2020 18:26:08

Well again last night spent too much time looking at camera revues & specs. I have swayed from the compact though. The 6400 seems a great camera. That sparked my interest in the A6600. I have a list here of around 100 different models.

My friend has the P900 like Neil has. It takes amazing pictures of the moon. Has anyone looked at the Nikon P1000. Watched a guy taking moon pics & it was unreal. 125X zoom.

Would love one of them but it is yowj (BIG).

As mentioned by Gerald O'Toole, I have made an argument with myself for a camera with interchangeable lens.

Some of the higher end Bridge camera's have the APS-C sensor of which is larger than the smaller ones found on some models. Plus they seem to have a lot more features. I had forgotten how interested I used to be in photography.

I still have my old 35mm SLR Yashika in the garage. I have a stack of lenses & used to develop my own B&W film.

I do have Photoshop on the p.c so would like to edit raw images if that is possible ??.

It is just the fine tuning of picking the right one without being able to handle or try before you buy etc.

No hurry though, Thanks for the idea's so far.

P.S Whichever I manage to get it is not just for Christmas, so no to Silly old Duffer,

Steve.

Edited By Steviegtr on 24/05/2020 15:49:37

Edited By Steviegtr on 24/05/2020 15:52:33

[Bob StevensonParticipant @bobstevenson13909]

Steve,……..If you are interested in Sony 6500 series then you should know that they are all descended from th eoriginal Sony a6000. They all have the same sensor and thus very similar image quality, which, having used one for th elast few years I can say is excellent. The later versions have extra features which you may not really value and I saw the a6000 in Curry's a few weeks ago for less than £500 (considerably less)….that's about one third the price of a6500.

The only reall improvement in the later models is a better battery……..whichever one you go for get an extra battery!

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

Posted by Bob Stevenson on 24/05/2020 16:47:30:

Steve,……..If you are interested in Sony 6500 series then you should know that they are all descended from th eoriginal Sony a6000. They all have the same sensor and thus very similar image quality, which, having used one for th elast few years I can say is excellent. The later versions have extra features which you may not really value and I saw the a6000 in Curry's a few weeks ago for less than £500 (considerably less)….that's about one third the price of a6500.

The only reall improvement in the later models is a better battery……..whichever one you go for get an extra battery!

Thanks for that Bob . I will certainly have a look at those. It sounds a familiar story to the Sony Rx100 series. Each one just tweaked a bit more with each version.

Steve.

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

Posted by Bob Stevenson on 24/05/2020 16:47:30:

Steve,……..If you are interested in Sony 6500 series then you should know that they are all descended from th eoriginal Sony a6000. They all have the same sensor and thus very similar image quality, which, having used one for th elast few years I can say is excellent. The later versions have extra features which you may not really value and I saw the a6000 in Curry's a few weeks ago for less than £500 (considerably less)….that's about one third the price of a6500.

The only reall improvement in the later models is a better battery……..whichever one you go for get an extra battery!

Bob. I have looked at the A6000. I have put a link to a guy who has all the models & explains the differences.

Steve. Sony A6000 series digital camera

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

Just an update from searching for a little camera for holidays. So last night I saw a new moon starting. It looked great. So trusty Samsung galaxy s8 out & took some pictures. Which as usual were rubbish. Great through the day.

Then came in & started to think (I do this way too much). A bit of logic was yes I do need a little camera for the holidays. What holidays am I talking about as , cannot see me going anywhere soon.

I do love taking pictures of the sky at night. Neil had mentioned he had a Nikon P900. HMM me thinks, so I can get a little camera next year. Went looking at the P900. Fantastic camera. Looking on ebay I came across a P1000. Watched a few video's on youtube of the performance. Fast forward & hit the buy it now. 2nd hand & I think a good price at £780. Should have it later this week.

Steve.

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