Suggestions for a fun, responsive travel point-and-shoot
p.1 #1Suggestions for a fun, responsive travel point-and-shoot
Hey everyone,
Leica and Sony shooter here looking for a pocketable point-and-shoot to complement my M11 for family travel. Contemplated subjects are typical urban subjects (particularly at night or indoors) plus the ability to handle certain landscape and portrait applications. I'm already traveling with either an M11 + 35/50/75 combo or an A1+ 24-70. I want something smaller and more subtle, but whose ergonomics and functional quirks don't read as handicaps. A few requirements:
1. Small enough to be pocketable or nearly pocketable. Maybe not as pocketable as my phone but close.
2. Connectivity via an app to my phone for transferring and quickly processing RAW files.
3. 20-40MP.
4. A zoom lens.
5. Reliable autofocus (since I won't have the option to reliably manually focus myself in most circumstances).
6. Good battery life, or small enough batteries that I can easily carry around a bunch of them.
Nice to haves:
1. Folding screen.
2. a VF that I can bring up to the eye.
3. Ability to sync with off-camera flash systems (perhaps via a hot-shoe).
4. Under $2000. (No Leica Q recommendations, please).
What am I looking at? Sony RX-100 series? Ricoh? Panasonic Lumix? Are there competitive Canon or Nikon cameras? Anything with a zoom that also uses µ4/3 or APS-C sensors? Any advantages to staying within the Sony system given my heavy investment in E-mount stuff? Is there performance-competitive Leica stuff in this space, or are they Panasonic re-badges?
Also, are there any Japan-market only cameras that I should consider just obtaining when I travel to Japan later this year?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Arka C.
Leica and Sony shooter here looking for a pocketable point-and-shoot to complement my M11 for family travel. Contemplated subjects are typical urban subjects (particularly at night or indoors) plus the ability to handle certain landscape and portrait applications. I'm already traveling with either an M11 + 35/50/75 combo or an A1+ 24-70. I want something smaller and more subtle, but whose ergonomics and functional quirks don't read as handicaps. A few requirements:
1. Small enough to be pocketable or nearly pocketable. Maybe not as pocketable as my phone but close.
2. Connectivity via an app to my phone for transferring and quickly processing RAW files.
3. 20-40MP.
4. A zoom lens.
5. Reliable autofocus (since I won't have the option to reliably manually focus myself in most circumstances).
6. Good battery life, or small enough batteries that I can easily carry around a bunch of them.
Nice to haves:
1. Folding screen.
2. a VF that I can bring up to the eye.
3. Ability to sync with off-camera flash systems (perhaps via a hot-shoe).
4. Under $2000. (No Leica Q recommendations, please).
What am I looking at? Sony RX-100 series? Ricoh? Panasonic Lumix? Are there competitive Canon or Nikon cameras? Anything with a zoom that also uses µ4/3 or APS-C sensors? Any advantages to staying within the Sony system given my heavy investment in E-mount stuff? Is there performance-competitive Leica stuff in this space, or are they Panasonic re-badges?
Also, are there any Japan-market only cameras that I should consider just obtaining when I travel to Japan later this year?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Arka C.
Oct 31, 2026 at 12:14 PM
RoamingScott
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p.1 #2Suggestions for a fun, responsive travel point-and-shoot
Sounds like an L10. There isn't much in the "also has a good zoom lens" category.
Oct 31, 2026 at 12:22 PM
p.1 #3Suggestions for a fun, responsive travel point-and-shoot
Every camera has its compromises . . . .
The Gordon Laing video Roamingscott added sums it all up:
1)Truely pocketable with zoom is the RX100VI of VII . . . But the handling leaves something/ much to be desired.
2) Truely pocketable without zoom is the Ricoh GRIV or GR4M with much better handling and IQ
3) Less pocketable but more fun and even beter IQ is the Fuji X000V or VI
Decisions, decisions . . . .
The Gordon Laing video Roamingscott added sums it all up:
1)Truely pocketable with zoom is the RX100VI of VII . . . But the handling leaves something/ much to be desired.
2) Truely pocketable without zoom is the Ricoh GRIV or GR4M with much better handling and IQ
3) Less pocketable but more fun and even beter IQ is the Fuji X000V or VI
Decisions, decisions . . . .
Oct 31, 2026 at 12:44 PM
p.1 #4Suggestions for a fun, responsive travel point-and-shoot
A coworker bought my a7cII with the plans of using it with a 28-60 as a compact solution. It may sound ridiculous, but it's nearly the same size and less than 200g heavier than the L10, he gets a light back-up for his rVI, and, going used for both, he kept it under your budget. It might be worth considering, since it ticks off the rest of your checklist except pocketability, so... learn to sew and give your clothes bigger pockets?
In the truly small category, the RX100VII's fun and responsive. The method for getting it to control off-camera flash is not fun (you have to set it to manual and adjust the built-in flash to the minimum then set your strobes to slave mode where they'll fire when they "see" that flash fire). According to a friend, it worked about 70% of the time with his Godox strobes.
In the truly small category, the RX100VII's fun and responsive. The method for getting it to control off-camera flash is not fun (you have to set it to manual and adjust the built-in flash to the minimum then set your strobes to slave mode where they'll fire when they "see" that flash fire). According to a friend, it worked about 70% of the time with his Godox strobes.
Oct 31, 2026 at 02:53 PM
p.1 #5Suggestions for a fun, responsive travel point-and-shoot
Other options include the newly introduced OM Pen, and the Lumix G100D.
The latter is the one frequently carry alongside a Leica MP when I want very small and lightweight digital + video. This undoubtably the lowest cost option, with its kit lens, but also pairs well with the Leica DG lenses, e.g. the 15/1.7, for superb sharpness.
The latter is the one frequently carry alongside a Leica MP when I want very small and lightweight digital + video. This undoubtably the lowest cost option, with its kit lens, but also pairs well with the Leica DG lenses, e.g. the 15/1.7, for superb sharpness.
Oct 31, 2026 at 03:32 PM
p.1 #6Suggestions for a fun, responsive travel point-and-shoot
I’d take a look at the Fujifilm X-M5 with the XC 15-45mm lens. I haven’t used one myself, but it seems like a really good fit for what you’re looking for. Folding screen. It’s small and lightweight, has a 26MP APS-C sensor.
Edited on Nov 01, 2026 at 09:04 AM · View previous versions
Edited on Nov 01, 2026 at 09:04 AM · View previous versions
Oct 31, 2026 at 03:41 PM
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p.1 #7Suggestions for a fun, responsive travel point-and-shoot
Well, this sent me down some on-line rabbit holes, this Sunday mornin’…
I will assume that “pocketable” means a jacket or vest/gilet/waistcoat bellows-style pocket. I do not want something the size of a Ricoh GR in a jeans/trousers pocket, much less something even larger.
Sony is NOT for me, but, for a Sony user, the a7c II looks compelling. Brad covered this, in his reply post. (Polar Bear avatar.)
L10 looks VERY interesting, but, seems to be difficult to find in stock, anywhere a person could handle one, to confirm its ergonomics and handling. Some internet dealers seem to be pricing the L10 higher that $2K. Here in southern-tier fly-over country, I would consider it hopeless to ever see an L10, in a store or in the wild.
With the resolution available in M11 images, why not a compact 35mm, 40mm, or 50mm lens? Magnify and crop. Even a Nikon D5 can be amazingly “out of my way,” when I affix a “pancake” 40mm Cosina-Voigtlander lens to the mount, and sling the generous-length strap over over one shoulder, so that the camera can hang by the opposite-side hip. A Leica M camera, with a compact lens, is even less obtrusive, when slung the same same. (I hate wearing any camera, hanging front-and-center, with the strap over the back of my neck.) Yes, I know; no AF…
Back to the matter of cropping M11 images: I do not have an M11. My hi-rez cameras are EOS EF 5Ds R and Nikon D850, with an M10 Monochrom being a recent addition. I have yet to heavily crop any of my M10 Monochrom images; life has been so very hectic, this year, and our 16” MacBooks became bricks… (I am SO exasperated with Apple!)
Caffeine still not really in effect… And, I had a somewhat sleepless night…
Personally, I go through compact-ish camera deep-dives, every few years. EOS M3. Nikon Coolpix A. Nikon 1 V1. I keep returning to using compact lenses on serious camera bodies.
I will assume that “pocketable” means a jacket or vest/gilet/waistcoat bellows-style pocket. I do not want something the size of a Ricoh GR in a jeans/trousers pocket, much less something even larger.
Sony is NOT for me, but, for a Sony user, the a7c II looks compelling. Brad covered this, in his reply post. (Polar Bear avatar.)
L10 looks VERY interesting, but, seems to be difficult to find in stock, anywhere a person could handle one, to confirm its ergonomics and handling. Some internet dealers seem to be pricing the L10 higher that $2K. Here in southern-tier fly-over country, I would consider it hopeless to ever see an L10, in a store or in the wild.
With the resolution available in M11 images, why not a compact 35mm, 40mm, or 50mm lens? Magnify and crop. Even a Nikon D5 can be amazingly “out of my way,” when I affix a “pancake” 40mm Cosina-Voigtlander lens to the mount, and sling the generous-length strap over over one shoulder, so that the camera can hang by the opposite-side hip. A Leica M camera, with a compact lens, is even less obtrusive, when slung the same same. (I hate wearing any camera, hanging front-and-center, with the strap over the back of my neck.) Yes, I know; no AF…
Back to the matter of cropping M11 images: I do not have an M11. My hi-rez cameras are EOS EF 5Ds R and Nikon D850, with an M10 Monochrom being a recent addition. I have yet to heavily crop any of my M10 Monochrom images; life has been so very hectic, this year, and our 16” MacBooks became bricks… (I am SO exasperated with Apple!)
Caffeine still not really in effect… And, I had a somewhat sleepless night…
Personally, I go through compact-ish camera deep-dives, every few years. EOS M3. Nikon Coolpix A. Nikon 1 V1. I keep returning to using compact lenses on serious camera bodies.
Nov 01, 2026 at 08:13 AM
RoamingScott
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p.1 #8Suggestions for a fun, responsive travel point-and-shoot
The coolest thing about the S9 and L10 are their use of real time LUTS, if you want, for stills. It unlocks a totally new way to use a camera and allows you to emulate actual film looks straight out of camera for the first time.
The L10 lacking Panasonic's excellent IBIS is a bit of a bummer, and of course the S9 will simply be bigger with even the smallest lenses available.
The L10 lacking Panasonic's excellent IBIS is a bit of a bummer, and of course the S9 will simply be bigger with even the smallest lenses available.
Nov 01, 2026 at 08:17 AM
p.1 #9Suggestions for a fun, responsive travel point-and-shoot
I am happy shooting a D-Lux 8 for travels.
Love the colors and portability.
Everything else that it is not, its a compromise.
Love the colors and portability.
Everything else that it is not, its a compromise.
Nov 01, 2026 at 08:38 AM
p.1 #10Suggestions for a fun, responsive travel point-and-shoot
Surfnsun wrote:
I’d take a look at the Fujifilm X-M5 with the XC 15-45mm lens. I haven’t used one myself, but it seems like a really good fit for what you’re looking for. Folding screen. It’s small and lightweight, has a 26MP APS-C sensor.
This is a very interesting suggestion. Will investigate. Thanks!
I’d take a look at the Fujifilm X-M5 with the XC 15-45mm lens. I haven’t used one myself, but it seems like a really good fit for what you’re looking for. Folding screen. It’s small and lightweight, has a 26MP APS-C sensor.
This is a very interesting suggestion. Will investigate. Thanks!
Nov 02, 2026 at 03:18 PM
p.1 #11Suggestions for a fun, responsive travel point-and-shoot
FrozenInTime wrote:
Other options include the newly introduced OM Pen, and the Lumix G100D.
The latter is the one frequently carry alongside a Leica MP when I want very small and lightweight digital + video. This undoubtably the lowest cost option, with its kit lens, but also pairs well with the Leica DG lenses, e.g. the 15/1.7, for superb sharpness.
I was using an OM Pen a few years ago. I really liked that camera. Should look into it again.
Thanks!
Other options include the newly introduced OM Pen, and the Lumix G100D.
The latter is the one frequently carry alongside a Leica MP when I want very small and lightweight digital + video. This undoubtably the lowest cost option, with its kit lens, but also pairs well with the Leica DG lenses, e.g. the 15/1.7, for superb sharpness.
I was using an OM Pen a few years ago. I really liked that camera. Should look into it again.
Thanks!
Nov 02, 2026 at 03:18 PM
p.1 #12Suggestions for a fun, responsive travel point-and-shoot
freaklikeme wrote:
A coworker bought my a7cII with the plans of using it with a 28-60 as a compact solution. It may sound ridiculous, but it's nearly the same size and less than 200g heavier than the L10, he gets a light back-up for his rVI, and, going used for both, he kept it under your budget. It might be worth considering, since it ticks off the rest of your checklist except pocketability, so... learn to sew and give your clothes bigger pockets?
In the truly small category, the RX100VII's fun and responsive. The method for getting it to control off-camera flash is...Show more →
I was thinking about an A7CII... I just wonder if I'll find it frustrating after my time with the A1.
Gonna check out the Rx100. It's the low hanging fruit but I wonder if I'll like the interface.
Arka C.
A coworker bought my a7cII with the plans of using it with a 28-60 as a compact solution. It may sound ridiculous, but it's nearly the same size and less than 200g heavier than the L10, he gets a light back-up for his rVI, and, going used for both, he kept it under your budget. It might be worth considering, since it ticks off the rest of your checklist except pocketability, so... learn to sew and give your clothes bigger pockets?
In the truly small category, the RX100VII's fun and responsive. The method for getting it to control off-camera flash is...Show more →
I was thinking about an A7CII... I just wonder if I'll find it frustrating after my time with the A1.
Gonna check out the Rx100. It's the low hanging fruit but I wonder if I'll like the interface.
Arka C.
Nov 02, 2026 at 03:20 PM