When you want to travel light but still have a quality camera in hand, you often have to make some difficult decisions and settle for regrettable compromises. But what if a light, pocketable camera solved many of those problems?
From the start of August until a couple of days ago, I was back in Australia. It was my first time home in three years because of the pandemic, and I had so much to get through with family and friends. It was also my first time in Australia with two daughters who had graduated from sleeping in strollers to running around like lions in the Serengeti. Because of those circumstances, I opted against taking any camera gear at all, as much as it hurt me to do so. It was also due to the fact that I don't own anything other than DSLRs and mirrorless cameras that require interchangeable lenses.
Which brings us to this great video by James Popsys, in which he introduces the Ricoh GR III X. In his review of this Ricoh travel camera, Popsys discusses his desire for a camera that he can easily carry around with him everywhere he goes and easily fit in his pocket when he's not using it. That's the criteria he uses for a true travel camera and goes back to why I didn't take any of my cameras, as they were just too bulky to deal with when you're picking up and putting down two young girls all day long. Popsys also discusses reasons why he prefers the Ricoh GR III X to the Fuji X100 and the Sony a7C and most importantly, why he doesn't just use his phone. Give the video a watch and let me know what your favorite travel camera is.
I’ve travelled with only one focal length before. Each to their own, I guess.
Agreed. As much as I love the X100V, travel photography is perhaps where a 24-105 shines the most.
I think it depends on what you mean by travel camera. In this instance, it means compact, pocket sized, not going on a trip.
My A7c travels well. The only issue perhaps are lens. The kit lens is ok but my Tamron 24-200 is great but it’s bigger than the camera!
I think the Sony RX100 would be a better pocket travel camera
The video specs or lack thereof is a bit of a non-starter. When I travel I'd want more than HD 60fps.
What do you all think of the Leica D-Lux 7; It’s not completely compact (would not fit in most pants’ pockets, but certainly In a jacket pocket). It is very solid, f1.7-f16; 24-75mm (35mm equiv), so great for street and not too distant landscapes, low light, effective 17mp 4/3 pm sensor, all the bells and whistles. Only plastic is lens cap and surround of EVF. Diff menu system creates steep learning curve, and I think image quality is 5 star (Leica lens of course!) as with all of these small cameras, battery runs out quickly, so have 2 fully charged when you set out.
I have a GR, GRIII, GRIII X and when I go and shoot street photography I carry both the 28mm and 40mm focal, so the III and the III X