Hey now!

 

Short story is I'm tired of messing with phone cameras. There's always something I'm unhappy with: apps are slow to load, difficult to hold the phone and take a good picture, changing settings using a touchscreen, takes too long for pictures to focus, etc. What I'm looking for is a nice point n' shoot for vacations, family pictures, and totin' around music festivals.

 

Most music festivals won't let you into the concert grounds with a camera with a detachable lens, as they reserve this privilege for people with press passes. Some have revised their rules to be "no detachable lenses over 2 inches" or something similar, but I'd rather it not be an issue as all. Couple this with the fact that I know zero about photography and I don't want a camera that is too complicated, or too expensive, which is why I want a point and shoot (or compact digital camera or whatever they call them).

 

I've done a bit of light googling over the weekend and have determined that a $500 price range isn't unreasonable for a decent quality small camera that will perform better than a smartphone camera. Right now I'm looking at the Sony RX100, either version I or version II. Seems to get great reviews and is in my price range. I actually went to Best Buy yesterday and messed around with the display model. I wasn't crazy about the hand feel, but I guess thats the price you pay for such a small size.

 

So in a nutshell:

 

-$500ish budget

-Relatively beginner friendly, although I'm definitely willing to take the time to learn.

-Fast focus, meaning I can quickly pull the camera up and start taking shots

 

So any recommendations you can throw out that I can do some more research on would be appreciated. Thanks headcase.

Edited March 23, 201511 yr by postjack

JH13, er I mean SRX100 mk ii or iii.

aardvark is able to get a decent shot with the sony rx100 mk2.

 

that's all you need to know.

Big fan of the rx100 MKII or you might even look for a RX10 for all that zoom for concerts.  I know, I know, budget, I don't like budgets.

i think i paid like $800 for the sony.  looks like it dropped a few hundred dollars since then.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DSC-RX100M-Cyber-shot-Digital-Camera/dp/B00DM8R866

The RX100 i/ii/iii should do just fine, and if you aren't in the front row, RX10 like Jeff suggested.

actually, maybe the mk3 is what i have.  not sure now.

Sounds like a consensus for the RX100 MKII or III, thanks guys.

 

I should have emphasized at festivals I'm not looking to get super awesome shots of the musicians, there are plenty of pros that will do that for me. So a kick ass zoom isn't a big factor. This is more for general shots: the crowd, the scenery, large views of the stages, etc. Just some good looking photos I can flip through to remember the weekend.

RX100 MK II then.

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/801186443-USE/sony_dscrx100m2_b_cyber_shot_dsc_rx100_ii_digital.html

gopro on a selfy stick

^ Should be banned everywhere.

+1 on the RX100 MKii (check out the exif data on my obviously shallow DOF shots)

 

Isn't it about time for Jeff to upgrade? (  )

Edited March 23, 201511 yr by Grahame

Some RX100 concert photos, and a random Brent photo for reference.

 

 

 

 

+1 on the RX100 MKii (check out the exif data on my obviously shallow DOF shots)

 

Isn't it about time for Jeff to upgrade? (  )

 

Just sold it last week.

Another +1 on the RX100 Mkii. As soon as my S95 bites the dust (or I smash it into little bits), the Sony will be mine. 

For a counter point, I like my Canon S100 a lot. It is way under your budget so you could probably attend 5 or 6 additional concerts with the savings. The Sony looks nice, too, and who wouldn't want a camera made by an insurance company?

 

Take a look at the little Panasonics, too (the one with the Leica lens). I know some people who swear by it.

Edited March 23, 201511 yr by dsavitsk

I wonder if that outlook has changed any with the success of their NEX lineup.

If the RX100 can make Brent look that handsome and interesting, I'm buying one right away. Well, maybe before summer vacation

If the RX100 can make Brent look that handsome and interesting, I'm buying one right away. Well, maybe before summer vacation

 

He still doesn't have a biscuit.

For a counter point, I like my Canon S100 a lot. It is way under your budget so you could probably attend 5 or 6 additional concerts with the savings. The Sony looks nice, too, and who wouldn't want a camera made by an insurance company?

 

Take a look at the little Panasonics, too (the one with the Leica lens). I know some people who swear by it.

 

Canon S100 is really nice, and there is a really cheap one for sale somewheres around here. 

Edited March 23, 201511 yr by VPI

RX100 refurb sale - http://dealmac.com/iphone/deals/1309438.html

RX100 refurb sale - http://dealmac.com/iphone/deals/1309438.html

 

Ric, Looks like that's a mk one

Abes of main does mk i new for $346 http://www.abesofmaine.com/item.do?item=SNDSCRX100

mk ii = $475 http://www.abesofmaine.com/item.do?item=SNDSCRX100M2B&id=SNDSCRX100M2B&l=SITECHAMP&kbid=Sony%2520Cybershot%2520Dscrx100%2520Ii

mk iii = $798 on amazon

I like my Ricoh GR if you want something that is a little bigger (it feels very nice in the hands).  The only problem is that it is a fixed zoom and probably won't fit very well in your jean pockets.  It is fine in a jacket pocket.  It has snap focus which is very nice for low light/night shots.  

 

I've never tried the Sony but thought about getting an mk ii when I got the Ricoh.  

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/965424-REG/ricoh_175743_gr_digital_camera.html

Edited March 23, 201511 yr by shellylh

The Panasonic LUMIX cameras are pretty nice as well.

Pentax Q body of some sort with a matching Pentax 06 lens.

 

Small form factor, DSLR menus and functions, equivalent 35mm focal length to 70-200 zoom.

 

For me, this replaced my Canon S95 for your type of uses.