Next best thing to an R1?

So I waited and totally blew it on purchasing an R1 for, what I realize now, was a great deal, and I have a long vacation coming up fast. I'm wondering if any experienced users out there could recommend something they feel is comparable to the R1 that is also easier to acquire. I would rather not have to carry a dslr and several lenses, which is what made the R1 so appealing (and the lens and ability to shoot RAW of course).

So what's the next best thing to the R1?

K - I would imagine that everyone might mention their own camera as the 'best' alternative, and I suppose that I'm no different. Unfortunately, I don't have any experience in regards to the R1, but everyone has always given it ultra-high marks. I would love to own one myself.

From the posts at the forum, and from what other photographers have told me about the R1, and from the photos I have seen from the R1, I do not feel like my Sony H2 is a better camera, but I can say that it's easy to cart around and won't break the bank should it break. Also, I feel like the H5 might also be a great alternative and it's got a few more bells and whistles than my H2. The videos that my H2 produces always exceed my expecations - if you're into that. We also own the H9 so if you're into bigger screens - and this one swivels, you might like that. I do so much romping that I'm not willing to trust our H9 to such high risk as it was more pricey than the H2.

Hope this helps!!

--
Arctic Fox
'Wait! He wants to do it himself....'

I love my R1 but needed something for the long shot and that was small enough to carry in a fanny pack so that I would always have it with me. The H2 fills that bill wonderfully and with the H7 and H9 out now, you can pick up an H2 for a song. They make a great combo.

Even when I am on a shoot with the R1, I still have the H2 in the fanny pack.

Cheers,

Dale
--
Happiness is a Barbershop Quartet

Thanks Dale and Arctic Fox! I'll start looking more into Sony's H cameras. Appreciate the feedback!

I would think that the A100 with kit lens would be about the closest thing to the R1 - except no live preview. (Some Olympus DSLRs have live preview) But you did say no DSLR too, so as far a Sony is concerned the H series is next closest. I don't think you'll find much of anything in other brands other than cameras comparable to the H series. Really the R1 is very unique...hard to find anything truly comparable.

Owning both H5 & R1, I can say they are VERY different from one another. To me the H5 is a great all around camera, very good for telex and macros too..it's smaller, lightweight, fast and fun to use/adjust. The R1 for me, is better suited for portraits, landscapes and more "serious" photography sessions....

If I had neither one, and couldn't buy either one - I'd probably be looking at live preview DSLRs as an alternative first - or another ultrazoom camera plus a DSLR.
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/golfgirl/
Sony R1 & H5 - All CC & PP welcome...always learning!

• Karen

No doubt about it in my mind..the Kodak P880, (dont laugh)...very similar lens coverage to the R1 (actually goes to 24mm -140mm vs the 120mm of the R1) and extremely good IQ...trust me, I have used both extensively, the R1 has the edge ultimately for IQ...but the Kodak requiresless PP, great colours and is smaller and lighter and cheaper, only prob is that they area bit hard to come by also, but you will get one on E-Bay

Dont touch the superficially similar P850...it sucks, but the P880 is a gem, heres a review on this site
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/kodakp880/

and two P880 wide shots...if you cant get an R1, this is the next best thing





--

Sony A100 examples here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mangizmo/sets/72157600209437795/

My blog at... http://southwestwanderings.blogspot.com/

'Take nothing but photographs....leave nothing but footprints'

Vaughan....KodakP880/Sony Alpha100/Sony R1/Sony 717

The most important elements on a camera are the sensor and the lens. The R1 has a DSLR-quality, DSLR-sized, CMOS sensor. The R1 Zeiss T* lens is not only DSLR quality, but better than most DSLR kit lenses. A comparable lens today costs much more than the R1 itself cost during the last six to nine months of its availability.
I can think of no other fixed-lens camera that has remotely comparable features.

If you seriously want R1 quality, then don't kid yourself. You have no choice but to turn to a DSLR. They are being made smaller, lighter, and cheaper than before, so maybe you'll find something that suits your needs.
Good luck,
Doug

n/t

Or that one camera that came out after the F828 that has a swivel LCD, 24-120 lens, large CMOS sensor and is built really well.

kylebc said:

Thanks Dale and Arctic Fox! I'll start looking more into Sony's H
cameras. Appreciate the feedback!

Click to expand...

--Sony's "H" cameras are horrible anymore. Don't waste the money, if you expect to get near "R1" IQ. It won't happen.

I'm an R1 owner who has been looking for the same alternative too. I need to sell my R1 in order to purchase the new Canon 40D, when it becomes available soon. The absolute best alternative that I can find is the Fuji S6000. It has a great lens and NO OTHER P&S can touch it, outside of the R1.

The Fuji S6000 can be had for around $250.00. It's small enough for a pouch and incredible enough to give you outstanding 8X10's at ISO-400. Just check out this comparison;

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/FujifilmS6000fd/page9.asp

JM2C...

Russ



Greater is He that is within me, than he who is in this world...

kellymac60 said:

Or that one camera that came out after the F828 that has a swivel
LCD, 24-120 lens, large CMOS sensor and is built really well.

Click to expand...

Oh wait, maybe I was thinking of the R1....sorry... ; )
Kelly M

a difficult question because it depends on why the R1 is such a good tool. the sensor size and the screen are keys to why everybody needs a good one.

it makes no noise, is discreet and by using the screen candid shots can be made of people who "know" you are not taking pictures because you havent put it up to your eye.

It also goes wide-24mm and fast f2.8 and works well enough at 400ISO. So it is difficult to replace, like a Leica is difficult to replace.

There are still R1s in Sony centres (one in Cardiff now).

For me thinking about the screen says Canon powershot G6 7MP, but it is small sensor. That said it has a very fast lens from 35-140mm equivalent and switched off goes well enough into a coat or trouser pocket.

Then theres the Olympus 330 which has liveview tilting screen on manual focus....

But the question is odd because there really is only the R1 in that format, so...

narayana

the Panasonic FZ50 plus it has a 12X zoom lens. Love mine almost as much as my R1.
Not popular on this forum but a classic like the R1 for sure.
jp

--
I just like making pictures.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/inframan

...I carry a Panasonic FZ50. Like the R1, it has RAW, a swivel screen, manual zoom, and a superb lens (Leica-branded, metal mount). The focal range is 35-420, so it doesn't go as wide as the R1, but the 12X optical zoom comes in handy, to say the least. Also, the resolution compares surprisingly well with the R1 at ISO 200 and below. To verify this, I suggest you look at the DPreview lens resoliution tests of the two cameras.

Good luck in your search!

kylebc said:

So I waited and totally blew it on purchasing an R1 for, what I
realize now, was a great deal, and I have a long vacation coming up
fast. I'm wondering if any experienced users out there could
recommend something they feel is comparable to the R1 that is also
easier to acquire. I would rather not have to carry a dslr and
several lenses, which is what made the R1 so appealing (and the lens
and ability to shoot RAW of course).

So what's the next best thing to the R1?

Click to expand...

--

• Don

Are One & Effzie Five-O

The next best is another R1 as yehuda wrote. You cant get the 24-120 mm with any other camera unless Dslr. If you want small size - go for the Olympus 410. You get two small lenses in the package. A Nikon D40x is also a choice.

OR

Wait until september and cross your fingers for the R2.
Hopefully Sony will continue the serie of amazing bridge cameras.
I still long for a replacement of the 828. it had F2,0 -2,8 , 28-200mm zoom.
R1 is better but i miss the longrange capability of 828.