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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Advice on large-sensor, ultra-compact camera... | |
Hi folks,
I'm trying to decide between a couple of enthusiast (ie, large-sensor)
ultra-compact cameras, and would appreciate guidance from folks that
have used one or both of the ones I'm considering, especially those
who have similar preferences, use-case scenarios as mine. No strict
price limit, and all the ones I've looked at are similar enough in
price (sub $1200, let's say), that it's not an issue.
Some background --- I'm a long-time amateur DSLR shooter (formerly,
D-70, more recently D-7000 and D-3 with 85/f1.4, 105/f2D, etc) but the
primary (though, definitely not sole) user of the camera will be my
wife. She's very much a novice at this, and not particularly
interested in increasing her photography / camera knowledge or
skill-set; she currently uses, and loves, her Canon SD870is. We're
looking to upgrade to get better overall image-quality, faster
operation, and HD video. So, the camera should have straight-forward
usability for her (even if she does not obtain optimal IQ output, by
simply using it as a P&S), but I'll likely often borrow it (when I
don't feel like carrying my heavier gear).
Primary usage scenario (her only scenario) is to take pictures and
videos of our children --- mainly, daily activity and portraits, but
not really sports. Environmental conditions are about evenly split
between outdoor (assume sunny, say EV 12-15) and indoor (say, EV 5-7,
but usually not low-light).
An absolute requirement is:
Pocketability (compact-size)
(which understandably greatly restricts options, of course). For sake
of comparison, all M4/3's are definitely too large to meet this
criteria; to give some point of comparison, even the Fuji X100s is too
big (at 127x74x54cm). So, I'm looking for something that's only a bit
larger than the SD870is she has (93x59x26cm). This rules out all
cameras with OVF/EVF, but I'm okay with that.
Top priorities (in explicit order of importance) within this class
of compact cameras is:
(1) Image quality
(2) Quality and speed of autofocus
(3) Video capabilities (see below)
(4) Intuitiveness of user-interface and handling
(5) Depth of buffer when shooting RAW+JPG
Things I explicitly do *NOT* care about (among others, likely):
(1) Viewfinder or hot-shoe capability
(2) Wifi / NFC capability
(3) Using flash as wireless commander
The video capabilities are important (ranked #3, as above), since my
wife captures so many clips of our children on video; however, she's
not sophisticated enough to do fancy controls during shooting (pulling
focus, zooming [if camera has zoom], etc.), so let's limit the
comparison of video capabilities to quality of video, with controls
constant across length of clip.
A chief issue not outlined above is our potential requirement for zoom
or, instead, our appreciation for just a good fixed lens. Personally,
I think I'm fine with just a prime (and shoot mainly that on my
DSLRs). I suspect my wife would likely prefer the flexibility of a
zoom. However, I've recently examined (programmatically) 1000s of
photos she took with her SD870is over the past few years, constructed
a histogram of the various focal-length settings of them, and found
that she took ~50% of them at 28mm (FX-equiv), and only 10% at each
of five or so other settings all the way up to the max of 105mm
(FX-equiv) present on the SD870. So, this leads me to believe (and to
be able to convince her) that a fixed-length lens would be a viable
option for her demonstrated past shooting preferences.
The list of possible cameras is actually pretty small (given my
extreme demands of compactness and sensor-size/image-quality). In
fact, so far, my attention has focused strictly on the Ricoh GR, Nikon
Coolpix A, and Sony RX-100M2. The Fuji XF1 could potentially also be
included, but it's 2/3" sensor (and DxO of 49) is sufficiently far
from the other three to exclude it (in my opinion). So, let's set the
sensor-bar, then, at CX or above (DX). If there are any other models
I should be considering, please let me know... If not, would appreciate
help in deciding between above three.
Sources I've already consulted, so far, to understand the situation:
(1) Ming Thein's excellent reviews and comparisons:
(a) http://blog.mingthein.com/2012/08/06/the-sony-rx100-a-somewhat-comparative-review/
(b) http://blog.mingthein.com/2013/04/26/review-nikon-coolpix-a/
(c) http://blog.mingthein.com/2013/05/06/review-2013-ricoh-gr-digital-v/
(d) http://blog.mingthein.com/2013/05/07/battle-of-the-28mm-compacts-ricoh-gr-vs-nikon-coolpix-a/
Ming does not explicitly review the RX100M2, nor compare the
RX100 with the DX compacts, but I suspect he would favor either
of the DXs due to their improved IQ, and his expressed interest
in 28mm-prime shooting. As above, my situation is a bit more
nuanced, but not much --- with the exclusion of a better
understanding of how either of the DXs compare in
("constant-control") video against the RX100M2.
More interesting to me, the issues that Ming mentions with GR
color handling in its RAW files appear to possibly be related to
some issues with ACR, rather than to anything in the camera
itself. This would be quite comforting to learn (assuming that
they would then disappear in later revisions of said software
program).
(2) DP Review:
(a) http://www.dpreview.com/previews/sony-cybershot-dsc-rx100-m2/
(b) http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikon-coolpix-a/
(c) http://www.dpreview.com/previews/ricoh-gr/
(3) Thom Hogan
(a) http://bythom.com/2013%20Nikon%20News.htm (under "The A Problem")
(b) http://www.gearophile.com/cameras/camera-reviews/nikon-coolpix-a-review.html
I think my first goal is to decide whether I want to trade additional
IQ (moving from CX to DX sensor) for the ability to zoom. In making
that decision, I would then either purchase, or exclude, the RX-100M2.
Right now, I'm leaning to better IQ, with the significant caveat that
I can also obtain better video from the DX cameras. (I know / suspect
that the RX100M2 is more adept at the *control* of the video, probably
allowing for pull focus, easy recomposition during video, etc. As I
mention above, let's put all those capabilities aside, since I know my
wife will never use them. Instead, let's just consider the IQ of the
video from the RX-100M2 against that of the A and GR. For example,
what is the impact of the video codec?)
Once that is decided, I'll either have chosen the RX-100M2, or have to
decide between the A and the GR. At that point, I think it's a much
closer decision... Thoughts?
Regardless, I very much appreciate any insights on above.
Thanks!
PS Some of my comparison notes, in abbreviated format:
Sony RX100M2 (102x58x38@281) CX / 28-100mm / f1.8+ / DxO 67 / -- / 20MP / 1080@60,50,25,24p / IS / RAW [ARF] / $750
Ricoh GR (117x61x35@245) DX / 28mm / f2.8 / DxO 78 / ND / 16MP / 1080@30,25,24p / -- / RAW [DNG] / $800
Nikon Coolpix A (111x64x40@299) DX / 28mm / f2.8 / DxO 80 / -- / 16MP / 1080@30,25,24p / -- / RAW [NEF] / $1100
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