Looking for a digital camera recommendation
August 31, 2015 10:38 AM Subscribe
Looking for a digital camera recommendation. Something small and compact to take biking and hiking that is able to take action shots.
I do a lot of mountain biking and hiking. I always have my iPhone 6 with me when I bike and hike, but I am trying to take more "action" (i.e. movement) shots and I am wondering if there is a good option out there for me to check into.
Here's what I would love to have:
- compact digital camera (has to be able to fit into my small pack that I take when I bike)
- ability to take 'action' (movement) pictures. I want to be able to capture pictures of my friends riding on the trail or us doing some trail running (this is key)
- price (I am hoping that I can find an affordable option for this).
- I won't be using this under water or anything like that, so waterproofing if not necessary.
I find my iPhone takes very good pictures for most of my needs, minus the movement/action shots.
I am just curious if there is an option out there for compact, affordable digital camera that suits these needs. If not, I just might buy an entry level DSLR (Nikon D3300) and use my iPhone...
I do a lot of mountain biking and hiking. I always have my iPhone 6 with me when I bike and hike, but I am trying to take more "action" (i.e. movement) shots and I am wondering if there is a good option out there for me to check into.
Here's what I would love to have:
- compact digital camera (has to be able to fit into my small pack that I take when I bike)
- ability to take 'action' (movement) pictures. I want to be able to capture pictures of my friends riding on the trail or us doing some trail running (this is key)
- price (I am hoping that I can find an affordable option for this).
- I won't be using this under water or anything like that, so waterproofing if not necessary.
I find my iPhone takes very good pictures for most of my needs, minus the movement/action shots.
I am just curious if there is an option out there for compact, affordable digital camera that suits these needs. If not, I just might buy an entry level DSLR (Nikon D3300) and use my iPhone...
What aspect of your iphone are you finding limiting when it comes to action shots? Shutter speed? Shutter delay? Something else?
posted by craven_morhead at 11:12 AM on August 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by craven_morhead at 11:12 AM on August 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Is a GoPro too large? You can get all kinds of mounts and clips and things for it.
posted by clone boulevard at 11:20 AM on August 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by clone boulevard at 11:20 AM on August 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Capturing action has more to do with the methods and settings than the camera. As long as there is not a long shutter delay or focus-hunt, any good camera will do what you need. You don't need a DSLR. Wirecutter recommends the Sony a5100.
Whatever you get, be prepared to spend a little time learning. In general terms, a higher ISO and wider aperture will allow you to have a faster shutter speed which is more likely to freeze action. Most cameras have an "Action" mode that prefers faster shutter speeds over higher f-stops, but you may still need to choose a higher ISO yourself.
Learn to pre-focus before shooting. This usually entails holding your shutter down halfway to lock focus, then shooting at the appropriate time. This will give less delay between clicking the shutter and taking the photo. Of course, you have to be focused at where the action will take place. But remember, photographers have been capturing awesome action shots since long before digital or auto-focus. Many great shots were captured with not only manual focus, but time-honored "guess focus."
Also, without overstating the obvious: "capturing action" can mean very different things. You can totally freeze the action and the background, or you can freeze the action while the background shows motion blur, or you can let the subject show motion blur, which can look much more exciting than a frozen shot.
In short, NO camera is going to give consistently good "action shots" without putting some time into learning the methods and settings, so get a quality compact camera that fits your budget and size needs, and concentrate on making it work in your situations.
Sorry if this seems like info-overload, but I'm actually trying to encourage you that you will be able to take great action photos regardless of the camera, and any decent modern camera is going to make it pretty easy for you once you get it figured out. Good luck and have fun!
P.S. With your iPhone 6, try "burst mode" for action shots. Just push and hold down the shutter "button" and it will take 10 frames PER SECOND then it will show you what it thinks is the best shot.
posted by The Deej at 12:31 PM on August 31, 2015 [2 favorites]
Whatever you get, be prepared to spend a little time learning. In general terms, a higher ISO and wider aperture will allow you to have a faster shutter speed which is more likely to freeze action. Most cameras have an "Action" mode that prefers faster shutter speeds over higher f-stops, but you may still need to choose a higher ISO yourself.
Learn to pre-focus before shooting. This usually entails holding your shutter down halfway to lock focus, then shooting at the appropriate time. This will give less delay between clicking the shutter and taking the photo. Of course, you have to be focused at where the action will take place. But remember, photographers have been capturing awesome action shots since long before digital or auto-focus. Many great shots were captured with not only manual focus, but time-honored "guess focus."
Also, without overstating the obvious: "capturing action" can mean very different things. You can totally freeze the action and the background, or you can freeze the action while the background shows motion blur, or you can let the subject show motion blur, which can look much more exciting than a frozen shot.
In short, NO camera is going to give consistently good "action shots" without putting some time into learning the methods and settings, so get a quality compact camera that fits your budget and size needs, and concentrate on making it work in your situations.
Sorry if this seems like info-overload, but I'm actually trying to encourage you that you will be able to take great action photos regardless of the camera, and any decent modern camera is going to make it pretty easy for you once you get it figured out. Good luck and have fun!
P.S. With your iPhone 6, try "burst mode" for action shots. Just push and hold down the shutter "button" and it will take 10 frames PER SECOND then it will show you what it thinks is the best shot.
posted by The Deej at 12:31 PM on August 31, 2015 [2 favorites]
Among small, highly-capable cameras the Canon S120 was very well-reviewed. I imagine its successor, the S200, is a fine camera as well. If you really want to save money you could go used and find an S100 or S110. But we should clarify: are you looking for something that allows you a fair bit of manual control over things like aperture, shutter speed, focus, etc. or are you mostly looking for a snapshot camera that makes those decisions automatically?
posted by jon1270 at 1:06 PM on August 31, 2015
posted by jon1270 at 1:06 PM on August 31, 2015
Best answer: I'd say either:
1. A GoPro or similar action camera.
2. A mirrorless large-sensor camera like the Sony a5100 described above
3. A micro 4/3 camera from Olympus or Panasonic.
If you want video, the GoPro might be your best bet. If you're more interested in stills, choose one of the other two.
For shallow depth of field (blurry background with sharp foreground), the three factors are 1. Length (telephoto) of lens 2. Speed of lens (maximum aperture = smaller) and 3. Sensor size (Full frame > APS-C > micro 4/3 > compact, inexpensive handhelds).
Through an SLR gives you the most options and flexibility, you can do the same job with a physically smaller camera, like the two described above.
posted by cnc at 2:38 PM on August 31, 2015
1. A GoPro or similar action camera.
2. A mirrorless large-sensor camera like the Sony a5100 described above
3. A micro 4/3 camera from Olympus or Panasonic.
If you want video, the GoPro might be your best bet. If you're more interested in stills, choose one of the other two.
For shallow depth of field (blurry background with sharp foreground), the three factors are 1. Length (telephoto) of lens 2. Speed of lens (maximum aperture = smaller) and 3. Sensor size (Full frame > APS-C > micro 4/3 > compact, inexpensive handhelds).
Through an SLR gives you the most options and flexibility, you can do the same job with a physically smaller camera, like the two described above.
posted by cnc at 2:38 PM on August 31, 2015
Best answer: Sony RX100. There's 4 variants; the larger numbers were released later and have more features.
Depends on how much you're willing to spend, but this camera fits in a shirt pocket and will satisfy your image quality needs, regardless of which variant you decide on. There's also a huge amount of these cameras on the used/refurbished market, so you can save money there, too. If you need more details on the variants or specifics, there are a lot of websites, or I can explain further if needed.
The Sony a5100 is another decent suggestion; that's an interchangeable lens system, but you could get smaller lenses for it. Definitely will fit in a small pack (but not a pocket with lens attached) and will also meet your quality needs.
As an owner of a few DSLRs, I advise against buying a DSLR at this point unless you have specific needs that a DSLR is right for - if you don't know why you need a DSLR specifically, you don't need it.
Best advice? Go to a camera store (or Best Buy) and try out the different options (ask a salesperson for help, etc.). With any luck you live near a store that has lots of the best choices available so you can try yourself. Pick the camera that you like to use. Ergonomics matter a lot. It should be fun for you to use, so you find yourself wanting to use it. I know lots of people who leave their DSLRs at home, because they're big and bulky. So then they start collecting dust...
posted by Strudel at 3:37 PM on August 31, 2015 [3 favorites]
Depends on how much you're willing to spend, but this camera fits in a shirt pocket and will satisfy your image quality needs, regardless of which variant you decide on. There's also a huge amount of these cameras on the used/refurbished market, so you can save money there, too. If you need more details on the variants or specifics, there are a lot of websites, or I can explain further if needed.
The Sony a5100 is another decent suggestion; that's an interchangeable lens system, but you could get smaller lenses for it. Definitely will fit in a small pack (but not a pocket with lens attached) and will also meet your quality needs.
As an owner of a few DSLRs, I advise against buying a DSLR at this point unless you have specific needs that a DSLR is right for - if you don't know why you need a DSLR specifically, you don't need it.
Best advice? Go to a camera store (or Best Buy) and try out the different options (ask a salesperson for help, etc.). With any luck you live near a store that has lots of the best choices available so you can try yourself. Pick the camera that you like to use. Ergonomics matter a lot. It should be fun for you to use, so you find yourself wanting to use it. I know lots of people who leave their DSLRs at home, because they're big and bulky. So then they start collecting dust...
posted by Strudel at 3:37 PM on August 31, 2015 [3 favorites]
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posted by gauche at 10:52 AM on August 31, 2015 [1 favorite]