Sony vs Nikon D700

Okay, never thought I'd be buying a "pocket" camera, but I will be going to New Orleans with my daughter's marching band. I usually shoot with my D700, but since I've had heart surgery, I just can't see myself walking 8-10 hours a day with my big camera and extra lens - not to mention the expense of it - if it should get stolen.

SO, after chatting with photo buddies, I've decided on the Sony RX100 II. It's about as close as I think I can get to a "pro" camera in a small package. Now, my question - does anyone have any cons as to why I shouldn't buy this camera or more pros about why I should. I'm sorry if I sound "dumb" but I don't like to throw $$ away carelessly. I was impressed with being able to shoot in RAW and JPEG at the same time, panos, videos, supposed to be great in low light, sounds like the perfect vacation type camera for what I do. What will be done with the photos - put on the band website and their FB page. I take a lot of pride in the quality of my photography - well, the parents love them.

I can say I was blown away when I did a side by side comparison here on DPview.

Thanks for your input.

I have the D700 as well and got the rx100 for Christmas. I am a mom of two young boys and carrying around the D700 is just not an option. I also have the nikon v1, but I even find that a little cumbersome at times. I like the rx100 a lot and in good light (low iso) it creates wonderful images. At higher iso's however the noise is a bit bothersome to me, but it is the trade off for not schlepping around a ton of gear. You didn't say what your lenses are. If you need to go past 100 mm, you might want to look at the rx10. not only do you get a range of 24-200 at f 2.8, it is also shaped more like a DSLR, which may be more familiar to you.

My lenses are the 24-70mm 2.8, 80-200mm 2.8, and 300mm F4

Well, you definitely are willing to pay for quality. I wouldn't want to push you another way, but again the rx10 might be another option. It is one I am considering because thr rx100 doesn't give me enough reach when taking taekwondo pictures of my boys. Also, by the time I am zoomed to 100 mm, I am at f 4.9, which is a problem for indoor shots. The rx10 is bigger than the rx100ii, but should feel tiny compared to the D700 with one of the lenses you mentioned. A useful site for comparing cameras is: http://camerasize.com. There is an option on that page to compare cameras with different lenses as well.

After comparing the RX10 again to the D700 - I'd be losing video and panos that I would have with the RX 100 II. I liked the 24-200 zoom of the RX 10 but will just wait til I go to the Sony store on Friday.

Seeing them in person is always the best. BTW, the rx10 has pano and I have read many threads praising it's video capabilities.

Cajun Angel said:

After comparing the RX10 again to the D700 - I'd be losing video and panos that I would have with the RX 100 II. I liked the 24-200 zoom of the RX 10 but will just wait til I go to the Sony store on Friday.

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The RX10 certainly has video!

I have the RX100II, but I also like my NEX cameras(aps-c sensor), which are also very light.

The Emount 16-50 plus 55-210 lenses are pretty good quality and very light. That combo would give a very good range. A single lens might serve you well. The 18-200 lens for nex might be a possibility for you, but it's a little heavier, but might reduce the need for a camera bag. Can't put it in your pocket however.

I love the nex 5n for it's touch screen which allows touch focusing on any point in the scene(best done with tripod if doing video). I love the nex 6 for it's viewfinder and timelapse app. So if I were taking an important photo trip, I would take the NEX camera with a versatile couple of lenses. That ends up being a pretty light package, and these nex cams can be had cheaply now that later models are forthcoming.

Having said all that, when I want to go very light I only take the RX100II.

My background...New Orleans native and I shoot a lot of Mardi Gras stuff. That means parades on the days/nights prior to MG, but on Mardi Gras day strictly in the French Quarter. I never go to the Metairie parades for a couple of reasons.

I have been using my D700 w 24-70 2.8 for a few years now and although my favorite lens is the 16-35 f4, the 24-70 is perfect for what you will be shooting. It is perfect for what I shoot. That would be the bands, the dancers, some floats, and most certainly costumers. The scene, you know?

Some info needed: Is her parade "Uptown" or in "Metairie?" What is the name of the parade? With that info I can maybe give you a little more info.

I needed a "pocketable" P&S as my trusty well-worn Panny LZ8 finally just swallowed too many dust bunnies. A search led me to the RX100 mk II. It is everything I wanted and more. The learning curve for me is FAR steeper than the D700's, so if you don't have it yet, it is a short time between now and MG to learn, can be done though.

Carrying the D700 w the 24-70 is not too much burden for me---no other lens is needed for what you're shooting, imo.

For me the RX100mk2 is an adjunct to the D700, but it is far smaller, less intrusive, takes video. The first two don't matter in a MG environment for me. The vdeo is an attractive feature.

So, I am gearing up for this year's "season." The D700 will without doubt be my go to camera, w the 24-70. I will carry it naked--the camera, not me. What I am questioning now is do I stuff the sony in a pocket, for video moments? I will likely do this for some of the parades prior to MG to check out the "load" and practicality and hassle factor.

Other than the learning curve for the sony the "problems" I have have:

had to replace it because of a weird error message--no problem via B&H

it is so small, holding it still and avoiding camera motion, even w stability on, is harder than the D700

If you shoot RAW and you use Lightroom, you will have to upgrade to LR5 for the images to be recognized.

That said, it's a great little camera, but for an important once in a lifetime shoot, I personally would go for the D700 w the 24-70. And if my daughter were marching in a parade I would bring the sony to capture the video.

So, in short, definitely bring both to the "party" and do a practice run on a parade the day or two before with both in tow and see what you think. You'll know.

Hope this helps

John

Go with the RX10..I had the same Nikon lenses and a D300 before. The RX10 is a wonderful camera, much lighter,almost the same picture quality, great video and all the bells and whistles you could want. The 2.8 zoom is a serious quality glass, not a toy at all. I am very happy with my RX10 and found the price a bargain considering what it can do.

I sold my Olympus OM-D E-M1 and lenses to buy the RX10, and I am completely satisfied. The lens is spectacular, the pano is easy (4 ways, up, down, left, and right), and the video compares favorably to the Panasonic GH3. The RX100 ii is a jewel, buy way too small for me, especially regarding camera shake.

Enjoy your visit to the store, as well as to Mardi Gras!

I'm deliriously happy - I'll be getting the Sony RX 10 on Sunday. Sony will throw in a few freebbees that I really want. I played with the RX 10 and the RX100 II and between the 2 this is my conclusion

RX 10 - 24-200zoom - same as my 2 lenses if I take the D700

RX100 II - 28-100 zoom - well, I'm spoiled

both Sonys have video and pano so hey, I'll be happy to not have to worry about changing lenses, the ISO in both cams are roughly the same as my D700.

Again both Sonys are very similar in comparison - I liked the weightiness of the RX 10 since I am used to a heavy camera - it also has the view finder - the 100 II doesn't

IF I wasn't so afraid of "missing" something that needs further reach, the Mach II would be perfect. Everything I shoot for the band is done with both my 24-70 and 80-200. I'm hoping the noise level won't be too bad - I don't think I'll be going all the way to 12800 ISO - I usually shoot around 5600 or lower with my D700. So unless someone knows something that I'm missing, I'm very excited about the RX 10

Ya'll sorry, but I'm not going to Mardi Gras! I'm going with our school's marching band in April - during the Jazz Festival. It would not be a good thing for 205 band kids to go to Mardi Gras - not enough chaperones. With my buying a new cam now, it will give me time to play with the camera and get used to its' features.

Probably safer. Enjoy the RX10, and look on YouTube for many video reviews and tutorials for it.

Has anyone seen any high ISO pics from this camera? I'd really be interested in those at around 5600.

This review might be helpful to you:

Cajun Angel said:

Has anyone seen any high ISO pics from this camera? I'd really be interested in those at around 5600.

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WHAT!!!

I CAN'T HEAR YOU!....

THERE'S TOO MUCH NOISE!....



(sorry, I couldn't resist...)

I do hope you're joking? LOL?