Do you use a P&S Camera and if so what model? When you go on vacation or take a trip somewhere would you rather use your P&S, or would you rather use your phone? A few still use P&S cameras these days, and perhaps the numbers are getting smaller each year but I still enjoy a decent P&S. You?
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Do you use a Point and Shoot?
- Thread starter jwolf6589
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No. I use one of several full frame interchangeable lens cameras.
A P&S comes with me any time I’ll want more zoom (or better ergonomics) than my phone, but I don’t want the weight of the R6. In fact, I just got a new RX100M7 in the mail today! Still undecided on how I like it (though I know @Clix Pix is a fan!). So far I liked my old (unfortunately broken) Canon G5x II better, but that’s probably still just familiarity. I think the extra zoom will be nice, though at the cost of low light performance. If only they made them more durable! My old Canon made it about 1.5 years, ~2000 hiking/running miles, and ~8000 pictures before the lens cover stopped working properly. This new one I bought the accidental damage protection though, so hopefully that helps!
Wow that zoom is better than or equal to my Powershot SX740HS which has a very powerful zoom.
3 Sony RX100s over here. MK3, IR converted MK5a (middle in image) and a MK7.
When I am travelling for work (IT) I take a compact tripod (Feisol TT-15) and NISI compact camera filter system.
For the times when I want a real camera but cannot carry a full frame with lens selection.
No prizes for guessing my weapon of choice when it comes to straps.
Here is a shot of the V&A museum in Dundee, Scotland in the evening, taken on the RX100 MK7
20201010 - 9.jpg by Ken OHagan, on Flickr
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I have and use the Sony RX10 M4 (larger than the usual compact camera; IMO it falls into the "bridge camera" category) and the Sony RX100 M7, the excellent, sophisticated little compact camera with a popup EVF system. The RX10 gets more use than the RX100, primarily because it is about the size of a small DSLR and has a really terrific fixed zoom lens which goes from 24mm to 600mm (35mm equivalent on a 1" sensor).
Both were initially bought with the intention of using them primarily as travel cameras, but I hadn't had the RX10 M4 all that long before I realized its usefulness around home as well. This is the camera which sits out on a nearby table, ready to grab and run out to the deck and start shooting when there is some interesting bird action going on in the lake. Prior to my purchase of the A7R IV it also accompanied me on many excursions around the neighborhood.
Usually when I travel, especially when it is just an overnight or maybe a weekend with a couple of events and the main focus is being with friends and attending one or more events, I take just the RX100 M7. Since of course there was no travel on my part during 2020 and so far in 2021, that camera hasn't had a lot of regular use, although I did pull her out of the cabinet last week and put her to work around here for a few days. A couple of the shots I posted last week in the POTD thread were done with that camera.
Some years ago not long after I had bought my first Sony, the NEX-7, was when I learned about the excellent RX100 series and bought my first one (I think the RX100 M3) as I was preparing for a trip somewhere. Perfect size for tucking into my travel purse and carrying with me everywhere. Since then as Sony brought out updated versions I would trade in the older one and get the current one. I rather wish I'd hung on to the one with the faster lens, though! At any rate, the value of these little gems became even more enhanced for me when Sony developed and brought out the model with the popup EVF. Eventually they also extended the zoom range and I am quite pleased with the RX100 M7's 24-200mm (35mm equiv) optical zoom range. The zoom can also be further extended via digital zoom in a method Sony calls "Clear Image Zoom," something which I only tried out once years ago just to see how it worked. I prefer to stick with Optical Zoom, of course.
Although technically, yes, both of these are P&S cameras, I don't think of them in that way at all, nor do I ever use them in that way. Each is set up in the menus to suit my shooting style and and I either have them set in Aperture Priority or Manual, depending on the shooting situation. Neither is my primary camera -- that position is held by the A7R IV, which is the camera I use for most of my day-to-day and "serious" shooting. Eventually as I add another ILC to my household, the RX10, which has been in the role of secondary camera a lot of times, will be seeing significantly less action.
These are not your typical P&S cameras; they are meant for the enthusiast who knows his or her way around a camera and who wants to get the most from one.
Both were initially bought with the intention of using them primarily as travel cameras, but I hadn't had the RX10 M4 all that long before I realized its usefulness around home as well. This is the camera which sits out on a nearby table, ready to grab and run out to the deck and start shooting when there is some interesting bird action going on in the lake. Prior to my purchase of the A7R IV it also accompanied me on many excursions around the neighborhood.
Usually when I travel, especially when it is just an overnight or maybe a weekend with a couple of events and the main focus is being with friends and attending one or more events, I take just the RX100 M7. Since of course there was no travel on my part during 2020 and so far in 2021, that camera hasn't had a lot of regular use, although I did pull her out of the cabinet last week and put her to work around here for a few days. A couple of the shots I posted last week in the POTD thread were done with that camera.
Some years ago not long after I had bought my first Sony, the NEX-7, was when I learned about the excellent RX100 series and bought my first one (I think the RX100 M3) as I was preparing for a trip somewhere. Perfect size for tucking into my travel purse and carrying with me everywhere. Since then as Sony brought out updated versions I would trade in the older one and get the current one. I rather wish I'd hung on to the one with the faster lens, though! At any rate, the value of these little gems became even more enhanced for me when Sony developed and brought out the model with the popup EVF. Eventually they also extended the zoom range and I am quite pleased with the RX100 M7's 24-200mm (35mm equiv) optical zoom range. The zoom can also be further extended via digital zoom in a method Sony calls "Clear Image Zoom," something which I only tried out once years ago just to see how it worked. I prefer to stick with Optical Zoom, of course.
Although technically, yes, both of these are P&S cameras, I don't think of them in that way at all, nor do I ever use them in that way. Each is set up in the menus to suit my shooting style and and I either have them set in Aperture Priority or Manual, depending on the shooting situation. Neither is my primary camera -- that position is held by the A7R IV, which is the camera I use for most of my day-to-day and "serious" shooting. Eventually as I add another ILC to my household, the RX10, which has been in the role of secondary camera a lot of times, will be seeing significantly less action.
These are not your typical P&S cameras; they are meant for the enthusiast who knows his or her way around a camera and who wants to get the most from one.
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Sounds above my skill level. I am happy with my Canon which is plenty for my needs. Overtime I will learn more about shooting on it.
The RX10 M4 is quite popular among those who have used SLRs and DSLRs for years and who have tired of carrying around heavy gear or who have found this camera very handy on trips so that they don't need to take their DSLR or MILC and various lenses. I remember that when I first learned of this model that I found it appealing for a particular trip I was about to take and didn't really expect that I'd use it much later on once back at home. I bought it only a couple of days prior to leaving for the trip so barely had time to acclimate myself to it and its functionality and features before we had the baptism of fire on the trip! I was really pleased with the results I was getting and once back home found myself taking it with me as I walked around the lake..... Soon I was using it more and more and enjoying what I could do with it. Eventually, of course, I ran up against the inevitable limitations and that was when I went back to using a camera with interchangeable lenses.
Is this not an indirect rehash of recent threads that seemed to go in circles 
If you do not like P&S cameras this is not for you.Is this not an indirect rehash of recent threads that seemed to go in circles
Can I not talk about the very big manual I have for my point and shoot? I think others would be interested.
I've known a lot of folks who swear by that series Sony cameras.
Out of curiosity, my two biggest complaints in the past about digital P&Ss have been focus speed(and the "hunting" that they seem to do, even though it's usually dead on when they get it) and the terrible shutter lag.
How does a high end modern P&S like those compare to an SLR/DSLR?
Sony RX100 V. I upgraded from the III a few years ago that traveled with me to 6 continents and I missed just having an RX100 after selling it. It's great for wanting to take photos at special events and can easily fit in a back pocket or jacket.
My main point and shoot however, is the iPhone 12 Pro. Consistent, reliable and great for spontaneous shooting making one less thing to carry.
For video and real estate photography, I use a Sony A7III with a Tamron 17-28 and 28-75 F2.8 lenses.
I love how this thread proves that the photo board does not eschew P&S cameras.... ? I don't personally use one but see no reason people shouldn't use them.
Hi Ken, how do you like that NISI filter system? Looking at that or the Magnetic type. Wondering the benefits of NISI style?
thanks
Craig
I think most anyone who's serious about photography realizes two things:
1. Use the appropriate camera for the job, whether that's a P&S camera or an 8x10 view camera or anything in-between
2. The best camera is the one you have with you. You're going to get better photographs from a P&S you carry all day than a D850 or Z7 or whatever that stays in your hotel room.
That doesn't mean you SHOULDN'T use a "better" camera if you have it, but if carrying a lot of camera hampers your ability or desire to go places or to have the camera with you, pick something smaller.
The late Galen Rowell was fond of some not particularly well regarded cameras. In particular, he loved the Nikon FM10 and the 20mm f/4 Nikkor. The former was just discontinued in the last few years, but is a cheap, plasticy, feature-poor camera that also is one of the lightest SLRs Nikon has made. The 20mm f/4 is one of the worst 20mm primes Nikon has made, but it's also the smallest(bordering on a pancake lens form factor), lightest, and takes 52mm filters like most other Nikon MF lenses.
SO having been through multiple generations on the RX100 from v1 -> v3 -> v5a -> v7, I can say that shutter lag is not something terribly bad that I have ever noticed to be honest and most definitely not since the MK5a.
What I can say is that the reason for introducing the 5a was that the 5 was the last version to have the faster but shorter lens. The MK6 then came out with the longer yet slower lens. However, the Mark 6 had much improved auto focus. Hence here comes the 5a - it is a MK5 with the autofocus system of the MK6 so that you have a choice between the MK6 longer focal length slower aperture, or 5a shorter focal length faster aperture. I got the 5a because that was the one available IR converted. The MK7 however, took some of the autofocus magic pixie dust from the A9 full frame and put it in the pocket rocket RX100 MK 7 with the longer lens and slower aperture. The viewfinder hasn't changed since the MK3 other than the popup/down mechanism has been tweaked IIRC.
The MK7 is hard to beat for auto focus and it is fast in burst mode. At short to mid distances, the images are lovely. As you move further out on the focal length, the resolving power of the sensor starts to show its limitations and details start to get lost a little but for a walk around travel camera, IMHO it is unbeaten - you would hope so at the price point of course.
Plus once you put something like a Mag filter or the Nisi Compact filter system on, then it opens up a whole new level of usefulness. Polarizers and ND filters grads and star filters on a P&S... thank you!!!
TL;DR Depends what filters you want access to. If just polarization or circular NDs or any other circular filter, then the mag filter is fine with step up rings. My recommendation is to buy the bigger of the adapters. I have the 49mm polarizer and wish I had got the bigger one. I have the 52mm filter adapter and it is fine but stacking filters becomes a challenge. If you want to be able to use a Graduated ND filter that requires it to be slid up and down then the NISI is great.
I have a MagFilter and a Nisi system. The Nisi system is VERY good. There are a couple gotchas - if you get the slot on one for the RX100 then when it goes into power save and retracts the lens then oops... you better catch it as it falls off.
If you have the mag filter aswell, you can get another Nisi holder that screws into the 52mm mag filter adapter which doesnt then fall off BUT it vignettes slightly at the widest focal length - the slot on one doesnt but the vignette is gone after zooming in slightly.
As for the filters, they are fantastic. Very high quality though the kit sends a wierd choice IMHO so I found that on the german NISI site you can buy the filters separately - so I bought the grad filter to compliment the NISI kit.
You see in my picture above all three have the magfilter ring in place and the middle one has the 720IR filter attached to it. My only concern is I dont want to hang too much off the front of the lens as it wasnt designed to be weight bearing. I havent seen any adverse affects of mention yet.
If all you want is the polarizing, then go for the bigger of the two mag filters but the NISI is VERY good and the 6 stop ND is great. I now have a long exposure kit in a zip bag the size of 4 CDs. My equivalent Lee 100mm for the heavy artillery is massive in comparison.
I could write a separate thread on this if it is of any further interest to anyone. @cSalmon ask any questions or ask for pics of whatever you need if it helps.
Sorry - edit: focussing on the RX100 for long exposures is a pain with the filter on. I usually focus at say 1/30s shutter, get that nailed, then add the 6 stop ND and adjust the shutter accordingly, not great for focussing with the filter on.
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LOL... this reminds me of an event I went to just before Covid. My brother in law and I arrived and went through the bag check. He had his Canon 760d (a handsome camera) and I had my RX100 MK7.
Sony RX100 V. I upgraded from the III a few years ago that traveled with me to 6 continents and I missed just having an RX100 after selling it. It's great for wanting to take photos at special events and can easily fit in a back pocket or jacket.
My main point and shoot however, is the iPhone 12 Pro. Consistent, reliable and great for spontaneous shooting making one less thing to carry.
For video and real estate photography, I use a Sony A7III with a Tamron 17-28 and 28-75 F2.8 lenses.
They made him check his Canon into the bag check because it was a "professional camera" but my pocket camera was allowed in..... mwah ha ha ha..... he was raging at me.... I wasnt pirating anything obviously, no recording movies in the cinema but got some nice pics of the performers on my cute little snapper....
I literally use it as close to “point and shoot” as you can get! The advantage of the RX100 over my phone for me, other than the zoom, is that you can do the ol’ finger along the lens method of pointing and shooting, without having to look down at the camera or break stride. Perfect for a pocket camera when running in beautiful places! Of course there are definitely times where I’ll want all the manual control for a shot too, especially star photos. And when running it’s always in Tv mode with a high shutter speed, otherwise the pics will be blurry even at 1/300”!
If they made a M5b, with the M7’s AF but the faster 24-70 lens, that would be awesome. But I’m not holding my breath for that… Really what I want is a camera with the G5X’s ergonomics (it’s got an extra dial over the RX100, but I could go without that), the G5X’s lens (24-120 f/1.8-2.8 as fast as the M5 but with more reach), and the RX100 M7’s AF. That would be sweet! Maybe at some point there’ll be a G5X Mark III.
Heartedly agree with you. In reality there isn't a better camera than the one at hand at the moment.
By the way, when I switched from film to digital cameras I started with a Canon entry level camera, and there were some extremely lucky moments where I took some shots that I wish I could duplicate with the cameras I use today. But see...it's impossible to travel to the exact moment and place. Just looking at old photos I took of my friends and family members make me realize that the cameras I used back then captured moments that cannot be duplicated.
Something else that I have realized is that the camera, regardless of kind, is not what makes a photo that tells a story. The story is told by the person taking the photo. The camera is just a tool.
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Thanks Ken truly appreciated all that info. I hear you on always buying a bigger filter for use on different lenses or reduce vignetting. My concern with the Mag-filter is glueing the ring on the front. I mainly use the rx100 in an underwater case and am not sure if that ring will throw off the fit or scratch the glass?
Again thank you for taking the time with that informative response very helpful.
Again thank you for taking the time with that informative response very helpful.