Trip to Tokyo and can't decide

Bronxfriese · Aug 4, 2025

Hi, all, new to DPReview and I'd like to hear your opinions!

I'm taking a trip to Tokyo in December and I'm wracking my brain what camera(s) to take along! Portability and image quality are my biggest aims: I have two options:

1. Leica Q3 + Sony RX100 VI

Pros: The Leica is a joy to use, the lens is fast and from 28mm - 50mm the image quality is great. I'd use the Sony only in daylight and the focus range up to 200mm will broaden my horizon. Changing cameras is easier than changing lenses

Cons: image quality between 50 - 200mm, two sets of batteries, have to crop on the Q3

2. Sony A7CR + Sony 24mm 2.8, Sony 40mm 2.8 and the Sigma 90mm 2.8, alternatively the Tamron 20-40mm 2.8 and the Sigma

Pros: better image quality up to 90mm and with cropping I can get near 200mm with decent image quality, better autofocus, the lenses are probably fast enough, fairly portable due to the small lenses

Cons: probably only having to carry around and change lenses

As I said, I'm wracking my brain! Since I'm a bit older, I probably will never have the chance to go to Asia again and I want to be able to get the best images.

I'd appreciate any input I can get and thanks in advance for your tips and opinions!

Val Bueno · Aug 4, 2025

But then, I am biased towards the RX100vi. Take a look at these shots of Sapporo and Otaru in Hokkaido and determine if the images have enough image quality for your needs. All were shot in RAW and edited with Lightroom Classic.

Otaru Canal

Stained Glass Museum in Otaru stitched from several handheld photos

Otaru harbor at Sunrise (White Balance was on Fluorescent)

Sapporo Tower shot with a tripod

Jozenkai stitched from several photos

Sushi in Sapporo

Last day in Sapporo

Aloha,
Val

Craig Gillette · Aug 4, 2025

Welcome to the forum. There's a huge range of users and interests. You could get many different and well-reasoned answers to questions.

Bronxfriese said:
Hi, all, new to DPReview and I'd like to hear your opinions!

I'm taking a trip to Tokyo in December and I'm wracking my brain what camera(s) to take along! Portability and image quality are my biggest aims: I have two options:

1. Leica Q3 + Sony RX100 VI

Pros: The Leica is a joy to use, the lens is fast and from 28mm - 50mm the image quality is great. I'd use the Sony only in daylight and the focus range up to 200mm will broaden my horizon. Changing cameras is easier than changing lenses

This seems solid to me.

Bronxfriese said:
Cons: image quality between 50 - 200mm, two sets of batteries, have to crop on the Q3

Are you viewing or sharing in ways that might make "image" issues stand out? I'd think the sizes and flexibility and range coverage is good and you like the Leica.

Bronxfriese said:
2. Sony A7CR + Sony 24mm 2.8, Sony 40mm 2.8 and the Sigma 90mm 2.8, alternatively the Tamron 20-40mm 2.8 and the Sigma

Pros: better image quality up to 90mm and with cropping I can get near 200mm with decent image quality, better autofocus, the lenses are probably fast enough, fairly portable due to the small lenses

Cons: probably only having to carry around and change lenses

I'm a zoom user. I don't "need" the possible iq edge that primes might offer and I'd not want to be swapping lenses frequently. So, if those choices, the zoom and 90 but I might make a different choice from my kit.

Bronxfriese said:
As I said, I'm wracking my brain! Since I'm a bit older, I probably will never have the chance to go to Asia again and I want to be able to get the best images.

It's been 40+ years since I was in Japan with the Navy and I'd really suggest enjoying everything and try not to let photography interfere too much?

Bronxfriese said:
I'd appreciate any input I can get and thanks in advance for your tips and opinions!

Tokyo has a lot to see but getting to other areas is worthwhile, too, if you can.

mfinley · Aug 4, 2025

Define what "best images" means to you.

OpticsEngineer · Aug 4, 2025

I would take the Leica since you say it is a joy to use. I know it is unscientific but somehow it seems to me that when I enjoy using a camera, that feeling ends up in the pictures. Maybe joy of use encourages creativity.

Lensmate · Aug 4, 2025

Bronxfriese said:
Hi, all, new to DPReview and I'd like to hear your opinions!

I'm taking a trip to Tokyo in December and I'm wracking my brain what camera(s) to take along! Portability and image quality are my biggest aims: I have two options:

1. Leica Q3 + Sony RX100 VI

Pros: The Leica is a joy to use, the lens is fast and from 28mm - 50mm the image quality is great. I'd use the Sony only in daylight and the focus range up to 200mm will broaden my horizon. Changing cameras is easier than changing lenses

Cons: image quality between 50 - 200mm, two sets of batteries, have to crop on the Q3

2. Sony A7CR + Sony 24mm 2.8, Sony 40mm 2.8 and the Sigma 90mm 2.8, alternatively the Tamron 20-40mm 2.8 and the Sigma

Pros: better image quality up to 90mm and with cropping I can get near 200mm with decent image quality, better autofocus, the lenses are probably fast enough, fairly portable due to the small lenses

Cons: probably only having to carry around and change lenses

As I said, I'm wracking my brain! Since I'm a bit older, I probably will never have the chance to go to Asia again and I want to be able to get the best images.

I'd appreciate any input I can get and thanks in advance for your tips and opinions!

Take the Leica Q3 + Sony RX100 VI. No brainer...

-M

Bronxfriese · Aug 5, 2025

Craig Gillette said:
Welcome to the forum. There's a huge range of users and interests. You could get many different and well-reasoned answers to questions.

Bronxfriese said:

Hi, all, new to DPReview and I'd like to hear your opinions!

I'm taking a trip to Tokyo in December and I'm wracking my brain what camera(s) to take along! Portability and image quality are my biggest aims: I have two options:

1. Leica Q3 + Sony RX100 VI

Pros: The Leica is a joy to use, the lens is fast and from 28mm - 50mm the image quality is great. I'd use the Sony only in daylight and the focus range up to 200mm will broaden my horizon. Changing cameras is easier than changing lenses

Click to expand...

This seems solid to me.

Craig Gillette said:

Cons: image quality between 50 - 200mm, two sets of batteries, have to crop on the Q3

Click to expand...

Are you viewing or sharing in ways that might make "image" issues stand out? I'd think the sizes and flexibility and range coverage is good and you like the Leica.

That's a gtreat point! Of course I'd love to have images that I can make large prints of, but in all honesty, most of them will be on my computer or on my Smug Mug site...

Craig Gillette said:
Craig Gillette said:

2. Sony A7CR + Sony 24mm 2.8, Sony 40mm 2.8 and the Sigma 90mm 2.8, alternatively the Tamron 20-40mm 2.8 and the Sigma

Pros: better image quality up to 90mm and with cropping I can get near 200mm with decent image quality, better autofocus, the lenses are probably fast enough, fairly portable due to the small lenses

Cons: probably only having to carry around and change lenses

Click to expand...

I'm a zoom user. I don't "need" the possible iq edge that primes might offer and I'd not want to be swapping lenses frequently. So, if those choices, the zoom and 90 but I might make a different choice from my kit.

True, and bringing the zoom along would mean one fewer lens to consider

Craig Gillette said:
Craig Gillette said:

As I said, I'm wracking my brain! Since I'm a bit older, I probably will never have the chance to go to Asia again and I want to be able to get the best images.

Click to expand...

It's been 40+ years since I was in Japan with the Navy and I'd really suggest enjoying everything and try not to let photography interfere too much?

Craig Gillette said:

I'd appreciate any input I can get and thanks in advance for your tips and opinions!

Click to expand...

Tokyo has a lot to see but getting to other areas is worthwhile, too, if you can.

Since I'll be in Tokyo for roughly two weeks I wii definitely be going to other places - Mt. Fuji and Hiroshima are at the top of my list and I'm sorting out other places that I might want to visit.

Thanks for your reply!

Bronxfriese · Aug 5, 2025

Hi Val, thanks for replying!

Terrific photos, they make me look forward to Japan even more! The RX100 is a great camera - I had it along on the Camino de Santiago and it did a good job. My only worry is the lack of weather sealing, something I didn't mention in my original post.

Aloha back from northern Europe, if that's possible...

Bronxfriese · Aug 5, 2025

mfinley said:
Define what "best images" means to you.

That's very thought provoking. I would say the "best images" would be the ones where I have the right lens for the right motive to take the right picture I have in my mind with the best image quality.

And as I was typing the above I kind of realized that it didn't feel right. In my heart my "best images" are the ones that evoke beautiful memories and take me back to wonderful places. Hmmm...

Thanks, mfinley, seven words and it really got me to thinking!

Bronxfriese · Aug 5, 2025

OpticsEngineer said:
I would take the Leica since you say it is a joy to use. I know it is unscientific but somehow it seems to me that when I enjoy using a camera, that feeling ends up in the pictures. Maybe joy of use encourages creativity.

Thanks for your reply! See my above reply to mfinley - you are completely right! Photography is not always about perfect results, it's also about the memories it records and the feelings the pictures evoke. And - maybe I'm a victim of the hype, who knows - taking pictures with th Q3 is more enjoyable for me than with any other camera.

I think I am nearing my decision...

Bronxfriese · Aug 5, 2025

Lensmate said:
Bronxfriese said:

Hi, all, new to DPReview and I'd like to hear your opinions!

I'm taking a trip to Tokyo in December and I'm wracking my brain what camera(s) to take along! Portability and image quality are my biggest aims: I have two options:

1. Leica Q3 + Sony RX100 VI

Pros: The Leica is a joy to use, the lens is fast and from 28mm - 50mm the image quality is great. I'd use the Sony only in daylight and the focus range up to 200mm will broaden my horizon. Changing cameras is easier than changing lenses

Cons: image quality between 50 - 200mm, two sets of batteries, have to crop on the Q3

2. Sony A7CR + Sony 24mm 2.8, Sony 40mm 2.8 and the Sigma 90mm 2.8, alternatively the Tamron 20-40mm 2.8 and the Sigma

Pros: better image quality up to 90mm and with cropping I can get near 200mm with decent image quality, better autofocus, the lenses are probably fast enough, fairly portable due to the small lenses

Cons: probably only having to carry around and change lenses

As I said, I'm wracking my brain! Since I'm a bit older, I probably will never have the chance to go to Asia again and I want to be able to get the best images.

I'd appreciate any input I can get and thanks in advance for your tips and opinions!

Click to expand...

Take the Leica Q3 + Sony RX100 VI. No brainer...

-M

Thanks for your reply - it's starting to look that way!

jaggedhorizon · Aug 6, 2025

Good question!

If you wanted to focus on street photography, I’d go for the Leica (since you love using it) plus the Rx100.

If it was me, I’d probably go for the Sony plus Tamron 20-40 plus Sigma 90. I love UWA in cities.

Bronxfriese · Aug 7, 2025

jaggedhorizon said:
Good question!

If you wanted to focus on street photography, I’d go for the Leica (since you love using it) plus the Rx100.

If it was me, I’d probably go for the Sony plus Tamron 20-40 plus Sigma 90. I love UWA in cities.

Thanks for your reply!

The wide angle aspect re the Sigma was also part of my consideration. Tokyo seems to be made for UWA.

On the other hand the Leica is more than a stop faster and Tokyo at night is magical. In other words, I'd be trading more than a stop of aperture for, effectively, 5mm of focal length (the Leica is supposed to be a 28mm but is closer to 25mm) . And I know that 5mm on the wide side can make a big difference.

At the moment I'm definitely leaning towards the Leica/Sony combination, "pleasure" over "perfection", but I still have four months to change my mind a thousand times...

mfinley · Aug 7, 2025

Have you considered upgrading either the Leica or the Sony so one camera to does everything you want.

gavin · Aug 7, 2025

I lived in Japan and have travelled there many times. So 1. Keep it simple. You will be on trains and walking everywhere so less stuff is better. Also you need to decide if it is a photography trip or a travel trip with photography. If former then bring as much as you can carry. Personally I almost only travel with a mirrorless and 24-70/2.8.

still some fall colors at Shinjuku park

View from Sky Tree

Some from Dec 2023

--
My photos are at https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinz

Bronxfriese · Aug 7, 2025

mfinley said:
Have you considered upgrading either the Leica or the Sony so one camera to does everything you want.

As you can see in my gear list I have a pretty good arsenal of cameras and I wasn't planning on buying anything new - the trip to Tokyo will be expensive enough!

The only "upgrade" to the Leica/Sony option would be the Sony - I'm so infatuated with the Q that I can't imagine anything better.

What kind of upgrade would you suggest?

Bronxfriese · Aug 8, 2025

gavin said:
I lived in Japan and have travelled there many times. So 1. Keep it simple. You will be on trains and walking everywhere so less stuff is better. Also you need to decide if it is a photography trip or a travel trip with photography. If former then bring as much as you can carry. Personally I almost only travel with a mirrorless and 24-70/2.8.

still some fall colors at Shinjuku park

View from Sky Tree

Some from Dec 2023

Hi, Gavin, thanks for your reply!

First of all, great images, now I'm looking forward to my trip even more!

As I said in one of my above posts, that's exactly what I'm trying to figure out. At the moment it's definitely a travel trip with photography - I want to enjoy Japan and take good pictures. That's why I want to keep everything as compact as possible.

I'm planning on doing some street photography. A fast 24 - 70 would be a little too big and a little too conspicuous, wouldn't it?

saltydough · Aug 8, 2025

Bronxfriese said:
Hi, all, new to DPReview and I'd like to hear your opinions!

I'm taking a trip to Tokyo in December and I'm wracking my brain what camera(s) to take along! Portability and image quality are my biggest aims: I have two options:

1. Leica Q3 + Sony RX100 VI

Pros: The Leica is a joy to use, the lens is fast and from 28mm - 50mm the image quality is great. I'd use the Sony only in daylight and the focus range up to 200mm will broaden my horizon. Changing cameras is easier than changing lenses

Cons: image quality between 50 - 200mm, two sets of batteries, have to crop on the Q3

2. Sony A7CR + Sony 24mm 2.8, Sony 40mm 2.8 and the Sigma 90mm 2.8, alternatively the Tamron 20-40mm 2.8 and the Sigma

Pros: better image quality up to 90mm and with cropping I can get near 200mm with decent image quality, better autofocus, the lenses are probably fast enough, fairly portable due to the small lenses

Cons: probably only having to carry around and change lenses

As I said, I'm wracking my brain! Since I'm a bit older, I probably will never have the chance to go to Asia again and I want to be able to get the best images.

I'd appreciate any input I can get and thanks in advance for your tips and opinions!

Shooting style is highly variable so I can’t advice on either but perhaps there are some things here for your consideration

japanese are more shy towards street photography and some do not like it. If you shoot at a comfortable distance, a good quality tele will be useful eg your sigma 90mm 2.8

tokyo offers good opportunity for night photography, be it on the street or an indoor concert. You can prepare for low light if that’s your cup of tea

mfinley · Aug 8, 2025

Bronxfriese said:
mfinley said:

Have you considered upgrading either the Leica or the Sony so one camera to does everything you want.

Click to expand...

As you can see in my gear list I have a pretty good arsenal of cameras and I wasn't planning on buying anything new - the trip to Tokyo will be expensive enough!

The only "upgrade" to the Leica/Sony option would be the Sony - I'm so infatuated with the Q that I can't imagine anything better.

What kind of upgrade would you suggest?

Whatever is the smallest and lightest additions that would allow you to take only one of your existing cameras instead of two while fulfilling your requirement: to be able to get the best images..

p_anotherguy · Aug 8, 2025

I agree with the other forum members that suggested that you should take the Leica Q3 + Sony RX100 VI along. I think it's the best option for your needs.

Trip to Tokyo and can't decide

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