Camera buying advice

[junglechef]

Need to replace my Song RX100.

 

Considering Fuji Films x70 or Cannon G7X II (if I can find the later or G7X)

 

Any advice or suggestions appreciated.

 

JC

[Trujillo]

I own the Sony RX-100 II. 

What is it about your camera that makes you want to get rid of it? 

[HeyNow]

It seems very few shops in CM stock the G7X II. I was shopping around about a month ago and only found the G9X.  Photobug had it on sale via Lazada at an attractive price. Several other vendors are selling it via Priceza.

 

Have you considered the Panasonic LX100? 

[Rsteeltje]

Hello JC,

 

Just came back from HCMC. The place to buy camera's for USA prices. Checked and used the G7X during a factory inspection and it is a heavy "pocket" camera. Even on your belt you will feel the weight and bulkiness.

 

I'm still using the Canon S120 a very compact camera. Professionally I use it for factory inspections and privately for macro's (on the farm) and landscape. Perfect camera.

 

The G7X you can pick up in HCMC for +/- USD 400. What I like about this camera is the extra ring for exposure compensation.

 

'Thailand is too expensive for camera's. Although I bought my Canon 70D on Lazada for a very good price here. Extra lenses I bought in HCMC though.

 

Pic was made with S120. Frog was 3cm. Frog had bug on its leg 1.5mm at the most.

 

 

Good luck

 

R'tje

 

[samsensam]

 

i have a fujifilm x100s (superseded now by x100t) and it's a fantastic camera

 

for more flexibility i am also very happy with my xt10

 

i'm a fujifilm convert

[junglechef]

I'll start by copy and paste my reply in the photo forum:

 

"Thanks for all the replies.

 

Guess I should have mentioned that I am not particularly fond of my Sony.

Like the pic quality but it wasn't too reliable and seemed to "act up" and in shop often.

But mainly It was too difficult to use for me.

For instance the auto focus didn't seem to really work well.

 

I'm not an expert and mainly shoot my family outings, stuff around my farm incl wildlife and take it on my bicycle adventures. 

I guess I'm a point and shoot guy who likes high quality images and considers myself to have a pretty good eye for getting nice shots.

 

On the Fuji I am concerned about the lack of zoom (though it does have digital zoom which crops the pic) but wonder if the quality is good enough to be able to photoshop to get image enlarged (if I understand enough that this makes sense??).

Not concerned about view finder, too use to iPhones and my bike computers to probably use it.

Fuji has a touch screen which i'm fond of (use my cycle computer Garmin 1000 over my Garmin 520 because of larger screen and is touchscreen)"

 

 

Edited December 16, 2016 by junglechef

[junglechef]

Thanks for all the replies on CM Forum too

 

Photobug said will have Canon G7X mark II by end of month (but we know how that goes here) and the bigger BUT is I want next week for holiday season as my family is coming to visit. (my battery for Sony just died and don't want to invest 2000 bht for a new one for a camera that doesn't work very well anymore).

 

My professional camera reviewer friend (works for a tech magazine in BKK) also recommended Panasonic LX100 but it seems to be similar with the Sony and not that user friendly, I don't want all the dials and options that I don't use or understand cuz I find they can't really be bypassed by just using Auto feature, or at least that's my experience with my Sony.

 

Really interested in what I mentioned above of the lack of zoom on the Fuji x70 (the x100T seems too big and more then 2x price probably isn't necessary for my usage). 

Any thoughts on this?

 

Thanks 

 

 

[Trujillo]

It sounds to me like you needn't buy a camera, rather use whatever you have on your phone for this. 

You say: " I don't want all the dials and options that I don't use or understand...." All cameras have dials and options, so if you just want to point and shoot, the camera in your phone will produce photos good enough for you. Save some money on a camera, too. 

[junglechef]

32 minutes ago, Trujillo said:

It sounds to me like you needn't buy a camera, rather use whatever you have on your phone for this. 

You say: " I don't want all the dials and options that I don't use or understand...." All cameras have dials and options, so if you just want to point and shoot, the camera in your phone will produce photos good enough for you. Save some money on a camera, too. 

 

I don't find phone cameras to be at all good enough for my needs which should be pretty apparent from my posts.

I wouldn't be buying an expensive camera if it was.

 

Not only did I find the Sony Rx100 not to be user friendly, which I traded in my SLR for it, but it was in the shop many times.

Guess I can pretend to be a pro and buy something that doesn't suit my needs or abilities but not my prudent style.

 

Sounds like your taking it personally that I don't like the camera you do.

Anyway never said I want to get rid of it, it needs replacing (it doesn't work anymore) so I'm looking at my options. 

"all cameras have dials" - really??? and "the (phone) camera will produce photos good enough for you" - because I want a point and shoot? I think in this day and age things aren't all or nothing anymore with all the choices out there. 

 

PLEASE don't let this thread turn into another TV thread of insults!

 

(I know I should just ignore the trollers so I apologize for being one too)

 

 

 

Edited December 17, 2016 by junglechef

[Trujillo]

I am not insulting anyone. Just looking at what you said and what bothers you about a camera. 

I don't give a flying one what camera you have. I happen to own the camera that you are unhappy with, and it sounds like you got a lemon from the factory. The Sony RX-100 II that I have is a fairly good camera, and if you are only using it for family snaps or whatnot, it's great.

 

You said: "I'm not an expert and mainly shoot my family outings, stuff around my farm incl wildlife and take it on my bicycle adventures. 

I guess I'm a point and shoot guy who likes high quality images...."

 

As I said, it sounds like you need to contact Sony directly about your unit as I have never had any issues with mine. The only thing that really bothers me is that the macro is not as good as with many other, even cheaper, cameras. 

I am surprised your battery died; I have had my camera since that model first came out and use it regularly and the battery is not an issue. More reason for you to send your unit back to the Sony head office for service, and not the shop here. 

 

Regardless whether your Sony is totally bricked, I'd suggest learning to use the "dials." It's not like sending a man to Mars; most of the features on the Sony (which are pretty common and will be mostly found on any modern camera) are very straightforward. And as I said, camera features do not vary considerably between different brands. Learning to use them might open some new avenues for you to enhance your photo-taking experiences.  The Canon G7X mark II has lots of settings and features too. 

[LivinLOS]

What is it that you find a modern (high end of course) smartphone camera doesnt do ?? Low light ?? Shallow depth of field ?? zoom range ?? Here (below.. this forum doesnt seem to allow moving uploaded shots) a snap straight out of the phone (Pixel XL).. 

 

Its almost like your describing your ideals, as a smartphone to some extent (simplicity.. point and click) and then saying that isnt what you want, so I wonder if youve seen the images from a recent flagship phone.. Of course there is I am sure a reason.. Just helps to define your goals by what you need. From your OP I was going to suggest items, which later reading your posts clearly dont seem like your goals. I personally like M43 format cameras, I like the size range and the amount of (cheap) lenses.. I have an ancient GX1 body with a couple of primes and it makes for a perfectly useable street shooter, portrait shooter, and night / low light shooter.. With a (not that happy with it) cheapish zoom on the front it does OK as a walking around travel package too. What I am trying to say is, its the lenses that make it versatile, and useable, and really the body despite being an antique in digital camera terms, merely the capture of the light. 

 

Theres 100s of pocket point and shoots with good imaging capabilities.. If simplicity is the goal, looking in the enthusiast segments, cameras built to allow artistic control at the expense of effort, will be counter productive.. Many of the S range from canon are small and still take great, images without a lot of user involvement. The G7 you mention would also fit if left in auto..

 

 

[Sandy Freckle]

Many years ago I scored some bargain Nikon film cameras from the camera shops on Le Loi St, Central Saigon. I went back there over a few visits and purchased more..., always finding the owner/operators very willing to strike a bargain. Some years ago I heard they were still similarly open to 'negotiate' on the many varieties of both film and digital camera. While understanding OP is enquiring about some very specific cameras, my point is maybe it would be worth checking these places out(via various options) as I've never found Thailand to be overly price competitive with regards to buying various up scale(or other) cameras..., be they film, digital, still or video.., and those Vietnamese Camera shops not only know their stuff but were(as I mentioned) very available to share info while also being flexible with price negotiations. 
Good luck.

Edited December 17, 2016 by Sandy Freckle

[Ace of Pop]

I'd be wary of Go Pro , they are no better than 60$ Dash Cams regarding Repro on my P.C..


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[junglechef]

Bought the Cannon G7X Mark II 

 

Zoom 4.2x

8.8 - 36.8 mm

1:1.8 - 2.8

24mm (wide)

 

20,700 bht at World Camera in Central Festival mall (the only place that had one, and just one, as it's a very new model)

 

Similar to my old Sony RX100 but hopefully I find it more user friendly and reliable 

 

Thanks to all the helpful commenters and Happy Holidays to all.