tl;dr summary:
I want a kit more compact than my 6D DSLR for casual walk-around and family events and I’m not sure what to buy. Is there something that gets me image quality close to my current setup while also being noticeably smaller/lighter?
Photographer type:
I take photos of my family (wife, 2 tweens), family gatherings (I’m the “family photographer”), travel/hikes/camping, general life around our city (Vancouver BC). I most enjoy travel/nature landscapes. Nothing commercial, I’m just a hobbyist who enjoys making nice photos and enjoys learning and the gear itself. Technically competent, vision-limited is probably an apt description.
Current kit:
6D, 16-35/4IS, 24-105/4IS, 70-200/2.8ISII, 35/2IS, 50/1.8, 430EX, iPhone 6S+
95% of my shooting is Av mode, evaluative metering, back-button focus on centre-point, adjusting aperture for DOF/lighting, RAW. Often bounce flash inside. Most of the time most of my photos are usably in-focus and exposed.
Quality criteria:
I’m happy with the 6D quality. Better is always better but I’m probably mostly limited by my skill. My iPhone is adequate for documenting daily life but they’re just snapshots. I edit in Lightroom and print a select few up to ~18x24 size, the rest go into photo books, display on computer/TV etc. I’d prefer image quality closer to the 6D, if it’s just a small step up from a smartphone I’ll probably not bother.
Size criteria:
Pocketable would be great, in the sense of a large jacket pocket or a small pouch/bag. My current smallest walk-around is 6D plus 50 (or 35), and general purpose is 6D plus 24-105/4, slung over my shoulder. Smaller than that.
Other:
Don’t care too much about video, decent 1080p is sufficient. I appreciate a good grip (use a hand strap with 6D). I like and use the 6D GPS and Wifi transfer and remote app. I’ll trade an OVF/EVF for smaller size. Face/eye AF would be nice. Prefer full-manual vs. full-auto settings. Compatibility with my EF lenses (especially 35/50) would be a plus, since I have them anyway.
Budget:
Whatever, within reason. Over $1-1.5k I’ll start annoying my wife, and I don’t like wasting my money. (The 70-200/2.8 was a gift to myself for a major personal milestone and it has taken priceless photos of my kids and travels. But it’s an exception, I don’t really need premium gear.)
Purchase timeline:
I’m not really in a rush and I’m normally patient about purchases. But I unexpectedly have about 4-5 months off work due to a cancer diagnosis and treatment. So it seems like a good time to spend reading my pile of Martin Freeman books and getting out to take some photos, and I’d appreciate lugging less weight around. If I’m being honest, a “new toy” will also be a welcome distraction. I can wait a month or two I guess.
Given that, these are the possible options I came up with (approximate prices in Canadian $):
1) Sell/trade 6D+EF24-105/4 ($1000?) for an RP+RF24-105/4 ($2800) - new toy overload, incremental improvement in image quality, pricey, practically not any smaller
2) M6 ($650 body)+ 22/2 ($300) - noticeably smaller, APS-C sensor, grip, no zoom/IS with prime, EF lenses mountable
3) M100 ($550 for kit) + 22/2 ($300) - smallest APS-C body, no grip, no zoom/IS with prime, EF lenses mountable
4) G7XII ($850) or RX100V ($1100) - pocketable and includes zoom/IS, only 1” sensor
5) Better iPhone ($1k) - truly pocketable, I think that quality may lag behind 1” and APS-C in anything but good light
6) APS-C from Sony (A6400, $1350) or Fuji (?, $?) - I’m happy with Canon but would consider these
So, I’m thinking the M6/22 (why I’m posting in the M forum), since I can get it in a big pocket, it has image quality approaching a full-frame DSLR (correct?), and a fixed 35mm focal length can force me to get creative. Probably I’d just get the M6+18-150 kit ($1k) plus the 22, giving me a small-bag all-in-one package in addition to my pocketable prime walk-around. Bonus is that if I’m not around in a year my wife can sell the big gear and this is something she would actually use in addition her iPhone.
Are any of the other options better, or is there something I haven’t thought of? The G7XII (or III) is generally a similar size/price to M6 but includes a zoom/IS. Where are the 1” sensors on the DSLR<->smartphone spectrum? I’ve seen different opinions. Should I consider Sony/Fuji?
Finally, is there any information on when the M6 MkII may be released? It’ll bug me a bit to buy a MkI a month before a new model comes out. I could get an M6/M100 now and trade up to the new model, but I’ll probably eat 50% of the body cost to do that.
Thanks to literally anyone who read this far, it was much longer than I intended.
