If you could only use one camera, that you could take everywhere and do most things with it, which would it be? It's a difficult question, but this photographer has narrowed it down to four finalists.
There was a time where cameras were geared towards specific tasks and all-rounders fell short in most regards. That is, they became jack of all trades, masters of none. With every passing year, however, cameras can do more and more outside of their intended focus. We have hybrid cameras shooting video that only dedicated cinema cameras could manage, for example. But what about the cameras that aim to be all-rounders? A camera that you can keep with you and be able to capture most things in high quality with pleasing final images.
In this video, Mattias Burling discusses what camera he would use if he were to be reduced to just one camera for everything. One important area for him is the form factor; he gravitates towards pocketable camera bodies, which keeps the discussion nicely self-contained. So, if you had to have a compact camera that could fit your needs, what would it be?
For me, it's a difficult question. While I always love the idea of taking a small-form camera everywhere I go, I inevitably end up taking something larger, even medium format where possible. I just can't seem to get into the headspace where I am happy with the smaller cameras for what they are. That said, my money would go on the Fujifilm X100V which is an incredibly impressive piece of kit for the price and size.
What would you go for?
Olympus cameras always seem to be left out of this type of compact camera comparison. Even though they are more rightly grouped with DSLR and mirrorless ILC's, I think they are strong competitors to compact cameras. I have been shooting Canon cameras and lenses for a long time, but recently I decided to get a smaller camera for casual travel and hiking, where I didn't want to lug my FF camera and lenses. I bought a used OMD EM-5 Mk ii and I am really happy with it. With he 14-42 retractable pancake lens, it is as small and light as most of the higher end compact cameras and can easily be carried in a jacket pocket. I also picked up a 40-150 zoom, which weighs about 200g and cost less than $100 used. Plus, it is rugged and very well weather-sealed.
I've never tried any of the cameras in this comparison, but I would nominate Olympus EM-5 or EM-10 as other cameras to be considered by anyone who is looking for smaller, high performance camera.
A7c. It’s compact. It’s full frame. It’s not expensive. The lenses are superb. It’s a fantastic all-round camera. Go ahead, tell me something about it that makes it a deal breaker.
Your and my definition of inexpensive! lol
I know it’s not exactly defined as a street only camera but I recently picked up the Sony A7C to go alongside my X100V and oh boy what a street cam at night. With the ibis and high iso performance I can get shots at night that my fuji simply can not get. But again, to different applications and super happy with both of them
Stephen that's a good choice for a lot of people, but it's more expensive and larger than the others. It just depends on a person's personal preference. I don't have a lot of fun with an RX100 (poor ergonomics IMHO), but it can't be beat on the size/performance ratio. That said, if I was going to be shooting in low light, and while the best camera a person has is the one they have WITH them (the RX100), I'd sure want to have at least APS-C with me and ideally of course, full-frame.
I like the idea of it. But I was an early adopter of the the A7 line and I got scared away by the IQ, PDAF artifacting, banding, and strong magenta gain noise when even slightly underexposed. Outside of that, the specs and capabilities of it as a utilitarian machine are very interesting to me, but I'm too scared to pull the trigger to be disappointed at the IQ again. Sharpness alone doesn't cut it for me, since I don't shoot and edit raw files very much. I prefer to get it right inside.
Also would go for a mirrorless - omd-em10. Pocketable with the 14-42mm or a 20mm Panasonic pancake lens. Dslr quality, compact camera size, still has a viewfinder.
Trouble with any fixed lens camera is when you upgrade you’re paying for the glass again. I’ve had 4 micro 4/3 cameras, pen, pen3, omd em10& omd em10mk2... it’s cheaper just upgrading the bodies & keeping the glass.
PenF would be nice..
Q2, yes expensive but man that glass is incredible!
For me smaller is usually better especially as I've learned how to better picking better choice shots and minimize time and effort in post. Landscape, studio,portraits I'll often use my Sigma Dp1, Dp2 and Dp3 of the Merrills. Street either my GR and travel Pentax KP.
I still walk around with a clunky, chunky DSLR. In my case it's a full-frame D600 I got used, cheap (and without oil spots) a few years back. These little Fujis and Olys look soo cool. They really do! - Until you slap a zoom on them. Then (I can tell you from experience) their diminutive size and either no or too small grip makes them more awkward to handle than a larger camera designed for such a lens. Oh -- and there goes your size advantage anyway. I'm totally in the full-frame sensor camp, so that eliminates nearly all "cute/cool retro rangefinder-y cameras". Also, see that hump that messes up "the lines" in the DSLR? That's called "a built-in flash" -- and it really, really comes in handy sometimes... even in daylight! Also, a good number of these compact cameras have fixed lenses. That's a very limiting factor. Suppose I'm going on a nature trail in the morning and want a zoom to take pics of the critters then later going for a walk in town and want a small wider fixed lens for "street photography"? You will miss too many photo opportunities with a fixed lens camera. So. Because they offer the most "bang-for-the-buck", I use a used full-frame DSLR guy. I use a Nikon F-mount because this gives me access to natively (w/o an adapter) use the largest lens offerings (of which I have too many) for reasonable used prices. (Some of my favorite lenses costes $30, $50, $70). I fully accept that I will look like a dork and my camera does not look "cool". I even use a regular camera strap! But it's leather and I sling it over my shoulder near my hip like where Jimmy Page used to keep his guitar, this to negate the dork factor of my clunky/chunky "ugly" DSLR.
You will find some pro lenses for M43 are larger and heavier then consumer lenses for Nikon F. But there are plenty of compact lenses, even pancake zooms no larger than a standard M43 lens, smaller than anything for Nikon. And mid-range options ike the Olympus 14-150mm f/4.0-5.6 travel lens, only 83mm long and 285g. And weather sealed, on the approprite body.
And of course, you have smaller, lower cost options for FF. I had a bunch of gear for Canon FF years ago, including two fast primes, but every zoom was starting out at f/4.0 or worse and still not so light. Maybe they're going a better job in mirrorless. But that cuts both ways: the Nikon and particularly Canon mirrorless lenses are often larger, heavier, and much pricier than the DSLR glass.
Have rented/tested a lot of gear and micro four thirds is still my favorite balance of weight and price. Current main body is the Olympus E-M5 mk III plus a few tiny primes.
Small enough not to stand out when traveling, yet capable enough for anything. Had a blast shooting surfing with a rented Oly 100-400mm lens, and 800mm FF equiv in a travel friendly size is incredible.
This MFT camera system is truly remarkable for those of us who like to dabble in different types of photography on a budget.
Some exciting things are happening with FF and APC, but prices and lens sizes would need to come down significantly for those to make sense for what i do.
The Fujifilm X100 series are very nice cameras. But all-around, seriously? With a fixed wide-angle lens? I don't accept that.
If the X100V even counts as a compact, then the smaller Olympus Pen-F wold as well. And not coincidently, my choice for a compact camera, assuming that we're not going for a true versitle compact like a Sony RX100 or Panasonic ZS100/200. You have the option of several street-class wide angle primes at least as good as Fujifilm's 23mm f/2.0, but also the option of a zoom if, for example, you're in travel-mode rather than street-mode.
This is an endless conversation with all sorts of different and valid opinions, but the best camera is ALWAYS going to be the one you have with you, which means the easiest one to grab and carry, and for me, that's an RX100, esp if I'll be taking some video, followed closely by the Ricoh which is SO pocketable, (but only if I won't mind being stuck with one focal length).
The MFT cameras in this range are going to be limited by slower (though good) kit lenses, or a fixed focal length, and ILC's in APS-C and full-frame are going to be way larger, and again, stuck with one focal length in the pancake-type lenses which are needed to keep the kit small.
Now if you go to JACKET-size cameras, then yeah, MFT and APS-C ILC's are in the running.
I would highly recommend the Ricoh GR range, small compact and light.. I have GR2& 3 battery life of the GR2 is better and it has a built in flash, I met someone yesterday who picked up a second hand one for 150 euros available new around 600e or less...ideal pocket Street Camera, its prone to dust spots which is a problem if its not covered.
Great choice! I feel like the newer Fujifilm Xe4 though is now a better choice, as it has equal IQ and photography specs plus an interchangeable lens mount and lower price
Add my vote for the Ricoh GR. Every other camera mentioned would be a great choice, but they all, including the X100V (which I also own), stretch the defintion of pocketable.
The GR lives in a world of its own, and is the only (digital) camera I have ever owned that has both the IQ and the ability to slip into the breast pocket of a suit jacket.
So as much as I love my X100, and my film rangefinders, the GR never feels like a burden and that's why it is always the choice to have on me.
Interesting question, and one that will be strictly personal. A bit of background, been a keen photographer since 1964, and still am ! Late 2018 and currently using a Sony A6300 with 3 lenses + Panasonic bridge camera FZ300 for birding ( 600mm f2.8 equiv lens ) and a Panasonic G5 with three lenses, I was thinking about a small Olympus Pen E-PM5, which I had ( previously ) owned and got some great shots with the Panasonic 20mm F1.7 pancake lens. Looking on E bay I came upon the later model the Olympus E-PL8 at what seemed like a bargain price. I bought it, and fitted the Panasonic pancake lens. This camera is beautiful, with it's metal body and leather covering, it reminds me so much of the old Leica classics. It is so compact, and I just want to pick it up and use it, constantly. The image quality is way beyond my expectations ! The built in "art" filters enable stunning images from poor lighting conditions, and it is a delight to use. The other cameras look at it enviously, as it is always my "go to " camera. If you want a truly compact camera, whose results are only limited by your ability, do try to pick one up, and use it. Truely "pocketable" body about 370 gms, and with a compact mft lens, outstanding. I have sold images at exhibitions from it, and clients ask what sort of camera, I use. My answer is, "The one that FEELS right, and for me this is it Olympus e-pl8. Marvellous.
P.S You can get the body only on E bay UK for about £150 !!
Wierdly snarky about the X100 for somebody who is defensive about the "Fuji militia". It's probably a joke, right? Can you gatekeep what is a camera for real photographers and what is a techie gizmo for the lesser humans and not be ironic?
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