A new camera

[nobby]

I am thinking of buying a new camera and need advice.

I gave up 35mm SLR's when the first digital cameras came along because I was fed up with carting all the weight and paraphernalia about. I mainly use my camera as a diary and take pictures of anything that interests me; that seems to include a lot of industrial buildings and churches, and macro shots of flowers and insects. I am currently happily using a three year old Panasonic Lumix.

Following Hendrik Morkel's blog I noticed he was using a compact sized camera body but with a 35mm sized sensor - the Sony NEX5. I went to buy one a few days before Jessops shut down but left it in case I needed to invoke the guarantee. Jessops, however, have reopened in Brum and Sony has released the NEX6 which has gone back to dials rather than a touch screen. I've had a look at one and read the reviews and liked it a lot, but also saw the significantly cheaper 4/3rds cameras.
There is so much information about that I am now unsure whether to go for the dearer NEX6, or not. Is there anybody here knowledgeable enough to offer advice on the pro's and cons of the different types, please?

[Chew]

The best camera is the one you have with you

If you're going to be using it for bikepacking, its going to be a balance between size and control. Small enough to carry and put somewhere for easy access/quick shot, but enough control if you're a bit of a camera geek.

Not used one of the Sony's, but had a Canon S100 which ticked all of the boxes until it broke after a bit of abuse. Was going to get another, but opted for a Lumix LX7. A bit bigger but a good lens and full lens cover which solved one of the issues of the Cannon.

[Ben98]

http://www.fujifilm.eu/uk/products/digi ... odel/x-s1/
My dad has just bought one of the above , its brilliant! A little heavy, but no lenses to cart around and it takes fabulous photos!
We got it in refurbished condition, so dropped a large lump off the price, but I would SERIOUSLY recommend it!

[JohnClimber]

The pocket sized Canon S100 gives shots like these for under £100, plus it's been superseded now

[alansmout]

if you have the cash and don't mind a little extra weight the nex 6 is a great bit of kit. Its low light ability is miles ahead of most compact cameras. It has some manual controls too if you are into that sort of stuff. I get 400 plus shots without using the flash so it last a good time too. Generic batteries are cheap also off ebay.

[nobby]

Thanks for the replies.
They have caused me to reconsider and I am veering back towards staying with compact - light and easily accessible - but bringing it up to date. Those Canon s100 pictures are stunning and a gps tag would be helpful. I have plenty of pictures that I don't know where I was when I took them.
I'll go back to Jessops and see the latest in Canon and Panasonic compacts and try to decide if I really want the extras of the Sony Nex6.

Cheers

[rudedog]

Just something to bear in mind - the Sony NEX cameras aren't full frame 35mm sensors like you were used to with your old film SLR. They use an APS-C sensor which is about 40% smaller at about 22mm - the 4/3 are smaller again. Both formats are still considerably larger than the the sensors you would find on standard compatc digitals - here is a good image which shows the different sizes

[nobby]

Just something to bear in mind - the Sony NEX cameras aren't full frame 35mm sensors like you were used to with your old film SLR. They use an APS-C sensor which is about 40% smaller at about 22mm - the 4/3 are smaller again. Both formats are still considerably larger than the the sensors you would find on standard compatc digitals - here is a good image which shows the different sizes

That's very interesting. I'd been led to believe that the NEX sensor was much the same as 35mm. I am quite taken by the lowlight capability of the Nex6 but some of the compacts seem to have a lot better low light capability than the Panasonic Lumix I am using now.

[YetiTony]

Great pictures John!

[99percentchimp]

I've been playing with a Lumix GX-1 4/3 and it's great - seems to be pretty robust and stuffs in a Wingnut pocket for easy access. Nice photos too and shoots RAW if you want to play with processing software.

Flanders-25 by 99percentchimp, on Flickr

Flanders-6 by 99percentchimp, on Flickr

March-Bivi-29 by 99percentchimp, on Flickr

[welshwhit]

The pocket sized Canon S100 gives shots like these for under £100

Just out of interest where can you find this price?
Thanks
Drew

[JohnClimber]

The pocket sized Canon S100 gives shots like these for under £100

Just out of interest where can you find this price?
Drew

I got it on line when the S105 was launched and the S100 was hinted about to clear out old stock for the newer models.

Looks like the price has creeped up again because of the latest model is a massive jump in price to this one with a x20 zoom - http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product ... index.aspx