Wanted: tiny camera for great baby photos
October 1, 2017 2:43 AM Subscribe
Our baby is 4 months old and as she is slowly getting more mobile, I’m in the market for a new, pocketable camera.
I already own a Sony Alpha 57 SLT with a couple of lenses (50mm f/1.8, 17-50mm f/2.8, 70-300mm f/4-f/5.6). I am very happy with the camera, but it is waaay to bulky to drag along to everyday outings (especially on top of all the baby stuff I now have to schlep around). Currently, most pictures of my daughter are taken with the camera on my Moto Play X.
I’m still a beginner photographer, but not a complete newbie. I understand the basics - the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc. I still like to use automatic mode a lot when I don’t have the time or patience to fiddle around with the settings. I’m pretty sure I want a camera with a largish sensor, as I like DSLR-style photos with a low depth of field, making the subject pop out and blurring the background.
The Sony RX100 range is looking good, but I have trouble deciding on whether the newer models with the larger aperture (f/1.8-f/2.8 vs. f/1.8-f/4.9) are worth the trade-off with the smaller focal range (24-70mm vs 28-100mm). Suggestions for other brands/models that would suit my needs are also very welcome!
I already own a Sony Alpha 57 SLT with a couple of lenses (50mm f/1.8, 17-50mm f/2.8, 70-300mm f/4-f/5.6). I am very happy with the camera, but it is waaay to bulky to drag along to everyday outings (especially on top of all the baby stuff I now have to schlep around). Currently, most pictures of my daughter are taken with the camera on my Moto Play X.
I’m still a beginner photographer, but not a complete newbie. I understand the basics - the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc. I still like to use automatic mode a lot when I don’t have the time or patience to fiddle around with the settings. I’m pretty sure I want a camera with a largish sensor, as I like DSLR-style photos with a low depth of field, making the subject pop out and blurring the background.
The Sony RX100 range is looking good, but I have trouble deciding on whether the newer models with the larger aperture (f/1.8-f/2.8 vs. f/1.8-f/4.9) are worth the trade-off with the smaller focal range (24-70mm vs 28-100mm). Suggestions for other brands/models that would suit my needs are also very welcome!
Best answer: The RX100 V is basically the king of this market segment, assuming you're willing to drop £1000 on a compact camera. If not, the older RX100s, or the Panasonic LX15 (which I think is also known as the LX10, confusingly) are definitely worth a look.
posted by parm at 10:55 AM on October 1, 2017
posted by parm at 10:55 AM on October 1, 2017
Best answer: My knowledge of photography is modest, so take this for what it's worth, but I like my original-recipe RX100 a lot. Automatic mode generally does a good job. If your primary focus is taking baby pics, I'm not sure how much expanding the focal range will do for you, whereas interior baby shots can always use a larger aperture (because of the lower-light conditions).
posted by praemunire at 11:31 AM on October 1, 2017
posted by praemunire at 11:31 AM on October 1, 2017
I use a Canon SureShot, or my Moto X.
Just wanted to say that you want to look for minimum shutter delay. It's amazing how quickly the cute smile is replaced by the back of the head.
posted by SemiSalt at 1:19 PM on October 1, 2017
Just wanted to say that you want to look for minimum shutter delay. It's amazing how quickly the cute smile is replaced by the back of the head.
posted by SemiSalt at 1:19 PM on October 1, 2017
i switched from a 2014 moto x to a pixel last winter (thank you 0% google financing) and the upgrade is night and day. (as in, i can finally take photos at both nighttime and daytime with my phone.)
posted by noloveforned at 6:24 PM on October 1, 2017
posted by noloveforned at 6:24 PM on October 1, 2017
Best answer: I'm really happy with my RX100, which I got for the same purpose. Mine is a III which I'm perfectly happy with, if you want to save some money by going for an older model.
posted by bighappyhairydog at 8:34 PM on October 1, 2017
posted by bighappyhairydog at 8:34 PM on October 1, 2017
Response by poster: Thank you all! The RX100 M5 went on sale shortly after I asked this question, which made my decision a little easier. So far I'm very happy with it!
posted by Skybly at 1:44 AM on October 10, 2017
posted by Skybly at 1:44 AM on October 10, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
I used to use a Nikon DSLR (APS-C) and the Sony RX1 (full frame).
I eventually bought the Fujifilm XPro2 which I feel hits the sweet spot for me in terms of weight, speed and sensor size.
The 23mm (35mm equivalent on full frame) f2 sits on it most of the time, but it's nice to have the 35mm f2 for portraiture every now and again.
Pros:
1. Lightning fast autofocus, for once when baby starts moving around more.
2. Great skin tones straight out of camera (probably the best JPEG processing among the major brands) especially if it's mainly people photography.
3. If you reach for manual controls frequently, you have an aperture ring and dedicated dials for ISO and shutter speed.
4. APS-C size sensor, still a lot larger than the RX100 series if you are want shallow depth of field images.
Cons: i wouldn't call it "pocketable" although still a lot smaller than a DSLR.
The XT-20 is smaller than the XPro2 but also has interchangeable lenses.
Another consideration is the Fujifilm x100f, which has a fixed 35mm equivalent lens and a lot smaller in dimensions. It has the same sensor as the Xpro2.
posted by ianK at 5:48 AM on October 1, 2017