I’ve been out and about pretty early on a regular basis lately, which means I get to see quite a few beautiful sunrises here in Berlin. So I’m looking for a compact camera that I can easily carry around in a small belt bag and that handles high-contrast scenes well in RAW. My iPhone 14 Pro isn’t exactly great at that.
My first thought was a used Ricoh GR III. The APS-C sensor would be great for this, but even used they still seem to go for around €800–1,000. The GR IIIx isn’t much cheaper either.
The Sony RX100 VII would give me an optical zoom and is extremely compact, but of course has the smaller 1” sensor. And at €750+ used, it’s still quite a lot of money for what I want to use it for.
Then there’s the Sony ZV-1. Also a 1” sensor and optical zoom, but with the added benefit of a fully articulating screen. I could also use it for video calls at my desk or for shooting short videos, which I currently do with my iPhone. What I don’t like is that there’s no physical photo/video switch, so switching between the two isn’t quite as straightforward as I’d like.
Are there any other cameras I’m overlooking that would work well for this?
The main priorities are small size, good RAW files with enough dynamic range for sunrise/high-contrast scenes, and ideally a budget of around €500 max.
There were models of the RX100 before the stacked sensor-enabled VII. Previous models with a standard sensor may be the best for absolute dynamic range metrics and meet your budget.
I've zero experience with the ZV-1. It sounds like it can do what you want, if you get over the physical switch problem.
My compact is the Sony a6700 and 20/2.8, which isn't in budget, but it's not a difficult kit to mostly replicate in their older models and the Viltrox 20/2.8 doesn't lose much to the Sony optically, but is a bit bigger. Still, it on a 6100 would be pouchable. If I couldn't find anything I liked in Sonyland, I'd look to Fuji, something in the X-E or X-10/20 lines.
I know, but the point that only the RX100 VII has a stacked sensor, while the previous models apparently offer better dynamic range, is already a really useful bit of information.
I do like prime lenses, but the zoom range of the RX100 series is pretty hard to ignore for an everyday carry camera. Especially since the body is just so compact.
Unfortunately, the Fuji and Nikon options are all noticeably larger than a Ricoh GR and also considerably more expensive, since you always need to add a lens as well. And if compactness weren’t the main priority, I could just use my Sony a7R III or Leica M anyway.
You would have thought the GR III might get at least a little cheaper after the IV came out. But at least here in Germany, I actually get the impression it has become another €100–200 more expensive on the used market.
Most of the compact prices went up as the camera manufacturers stopped making them and tiktok /cell phone folks found them.
What about Canon G1X III? GR alternatives are Coolpix A and Fuji xf10/x70... You can check older GR and GR II also... All of these has apsc sensors. Smaller m43 cameras are other alternatives with Panasonic 14mm 2.5 lens... Canon V1 (m43 sensor) is getting cheaper... Bigger options will be Sony RX1 (best dynamic range with FF sensor, $700 in US) and older Fuji x100 or Sony A6000+20mm, etc...
All 1" sensors will give you similar dynamic range as you can get older models...
I wasn’t familiar with the Canon and Nikon options yet. I’ll have a look at those, as well as the Fuji X10/70.
The RX1 is a good point too. Full frame and a 35mm f/2 is simply a great combination. Does anyone know which sensor it uses? Is it the one from the original A7, or was it already the A7 II sensor? 🤔
I think you'll be struggling trying to find a decent condition RX1 for your $500 budget unfortunately. It's pretty chunky too so make sure to get your hands on one in person before deciding.
The A7 and A7II to the best of my knowledge used the same sensor so it's probably that one yes.
RX1 release date is Nov 2012 and RX1R summer of 2013 vs A7 was released Oct 2013... RX1 af is contrast-detection vs A7 has phase detection af... Dynamic range is similar except at ISO 100, RX1 and A7 II shows half a stop better than A7...
gammarART wrote:
The RX1 is a good point too. Full frame and a 35mm f/2 is simply a great combination. Does anyone know which sensor it uses? Is it the one from the original A7, or was it already the A7 II sensor? 🤔
