What’s Your 'Everyday Carry' Camera?

As a photographer, it's very easy to get mired in G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) until suddenly, you're taking a full frame camera and a full complement of f/2.8 lenses out on even the simplest of day trips. It's probably time to start thinking about purchasing an "everyday carry."

I've run the gamut of cameras that I end up carrying every day, from the Fuji X100 series to very competent Canon APS-C mirrorless models such as the EOS M50 Mark II and, of course, my all-time favorite everyday camera, the increasingly rare Panasonic Lumix GM1.

If you're like me and a fan of the Micro Four Thirds system, then this latest video from Emily Lowrey at Micro Four Nerds will walk you through all of the options in the lineup that are cameras that are easy on the back and easy on the wallet.

One of the things that I loved about Micro Four Thirds was that it truly captured the essence of mirrorless, which is, to me, big sensor quality in a small package. You just don't see small cameras like the Panasonic GM1 or GM5, and paired with a small pancake style lens, such as the Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II ASPH. lens, you can put it in a purse or a large pocket. To an extent, I can do that with my Canons as well, not so much the Fuji X100 series.

However, lately I've switched to using a Sony ZV-1. It sounds a bit counterintuitive to step back from the larger sensors of the cameras I mentioned above, but 1-inch sensors these days have gotten so good that aside from depth of field, the difference isn't all that bad. The biggest plus is that the 24-70mm equivalent lens folds flat into the body so it can truly fit into a regular-sized pocket. Here's a night shot I took at Niagara Falls with it:

But beyond the gear you're using, Lowrey makes some excellent points about why carrying a cheap camera around every day is a good idea. Like anything in life, getting better at photography is all about the reps. Having a "real" camera on you at all times enables you to take pictures at all times, and so you'll get a lot more practice at framing and adjusting your settings. And a cheap camera means you're not afraid to throw it around a little bit or scratch up the body. While the ZV-1 isn't cheap, it's also not the same price as my EOS R6 Mark II, which I'm perhaps a little more protective of.

Lowrey shares a lot more reasons to carry around such a camera every day, so check out the video if you're interested in jumping into the options. If you have your own favorite everyday camera, share your thoughts on it below.