Need advise on my short list: rx100m2, p340, p7800

Should I include the Cannon Powershot G16 in this list?

Nick in Knox said:

Should I include the Cannon Powershot G16 in this list?

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I would. But then I bought a G15 for the same sort of purpose.

I know that the G16 has various Wifi features, but can't say much about them.

The Canon G cameras have good controls and pretty good image quality considering their sensor size. Their optical viewfinder is basic but I find it useful -- a VF rather than using the rear LCD was one of my criteria.



All SOOC from my G15






ISO 1600


ISO 1600




ISO 6400




Something a bit close



--
Albert
Every photograph is an abstraction from reality.
Most people are more interested in the picture than the image.

Thank you both for your insight. I know I will have to make trade offs, and I'm ok with that. I guess my fear and indecisiveness comes from my inexperience. I don't want to give up feature A for feature B and find out I never use feature B and now really want feature A instead. I know I will never really know until I get out there and spend some time with the camera, I'm just trying to get as much advise as I can before I make my final decisions.

Regardless, I am always open to suggestions (I'll take a look at the LF-1) and very grateful for your advise.

Thanks!

Nick

What you really need to do is work out what you want the camera for. Is it as a straight replacement for your DSLR when you just want something smaller or do you want to do things your DSLR can't?

From the photos you've taken in the last few months, what focal lengths, lighting conditions, action scenarios can you identify that you want to replicate with your posh P&S? What photos would you have taken if your camera had been suitable?

Features can sometimes be meaningless. Think in terms of capability. And think about whether you'll feel comfortable with the camera in your hands.

Whatever you buy, enjoy using it.

RX100. Really. Which particular model depends on your budget.

There's a reason it's popular. It's a really revolutionary camera, and in a different class than anything else close to the same size. It gives images competitive to a dSLR with kit lens in a point-and-shoot form factor. The 1" sensor has extremely good dynamic range for the size. For low-light, Sony effectively reached dSLR+kit lens performance by shrunk the sensor, but growing the aperture by a corresponding amount. This shrinks the whole camera, but without effecting low-light. It took a lot of engineering magic to pull this off.

The RX100 has much better dynamic range, color gamut, and low-light than the Nikons -- by around a full stop. That means it'll shoot fine with about half the light of the Nikons. I've never been satisfied shooting with point-and-shoot sensors -- even the premium ones. I'm very satisfied with the RX100.

For now, the RX100 cameras are without peer. The closest is the clunky Canon G1XII. Panasonic is rumored to be releasing a competitor next month (the LX8). If the rumors are correct, it looks like a very credible competitor.

Thanks guys. I ordered the rx100m2 last night. I'm sure it will do what I need well and give me plenty of room to grow. Now to keep an eye out for dslr's. I will probably replace mine next year.

Enjoy your new RX100 II!. Consider getting the accessary electronic viewfinder.

Nick in Knox said:

After asking several questions on these forums, (thank you to everyone who has helped so far) and loads of research, dp's buying guides, etc, I think I have narrowed my choice down to three. Can I trouble you for some advise, what your personal preference would be?

I know that they aren't really all in the same class, but I want a camera that is smaller and easier to transport than my DSLR, has good IQ (particularly in low light) and good connectivity. I like the idea of controlling the camera via my smartphone over wifi, but I would also like to be able to do some time lapse photography as well. Budget is a concern, but I am willing to pay a little more for a good quality product that will last me for years. This will be my travel and outdoors/backcountry camera.

Now to be honest, I'm still very inexperienced at photography and probably don't really know what I want. So, out of the three models below, can I get some votes on which one you would go with and why?

Sony cyber Shot DSC rx100m2 This one seems to be the popular choice.

Nikon Coolpix p340 Am I missing something, or is this a really good camera for the price?

Nikon Coolpix p7800 Why do I like this one?

Thank you, as always, for your help and time.

Nick

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You always have to read the lens specs, both the range of focal lengths, but also the apertures. The P340 was intended as a competitor for the very popular Canon S series (S110, S120). As such it is cheaper and smaller than most compacts with 1/1.7" sensors. But the problem is the aperture. At wide angle settings it's adequate, but by the time you have it zoomed in the max aperture is f/5.6. That means this camera is a lot worse in low light unless you only shoot with the lens at its widest setting. Even there it's slower than some competitors. That's not to say this isn't a pretty nice camera, but right now you can get an Olympus XZ-2, a much more capable camera with a much better lens for $300. The Oly wins that comparison easily. The Panasonic LX7 also has a much faster lens (specs a lot like the XZ-2) and it can sometimes be found for $300 when on sale.

The P7800 is an interesting camera with a lot to like, but this line of Nikons has always been criticized as too slow. Slow to focus, slow to start up, slow to write files to card. It was designed to compete with the Canon G series, now up to the G16. Most reviewers strongly prefer the Canon controls, as they require fewer button presses and are more intuitive. The Canon lens is also faster, though the Nikon has a longer zoom range.

If I were shopping right now that cut price ZX-2 would be calling to me. Of the pricier models, I'd probably take the RX100 II, though the G16 is nice. I'd even consider a Fuji X20 if I could find a good sale.