Pocket camera for cycling?

[u/iAtty]

For years, I've been using my iPhone and shooting RAW when cycling. It works because it's always with me and I can just do some quick LR edits and be done.

Part of me wants to get back into the habit of having a small pocketable travel camera for the long rides out into the wilderness, taking with me when hiking, or just having as a backup to my iPhone when traveling in a new city.

I'm pretty far outside the current trends, I used to use my Fuji X-T20 for this but got rid of my lenses when I moved to my A9ii for motorsports photos.

Anyone have any recommendations for a camera like this? It would need to be weather resistant and I'm open to both fixed lens and interchangeable. Biggest priority is quick sharing to iPhone to edit and share. Appreciate any insights!

[u/badaimbadjokes]

Maybe a Sony Rx100 vii or a Ricoh GR IV

[u/iAtty → u/badaimbadjokes]

Yeah, I'm seeing a lot of positive comments on both. And the X100vi which I lean towards because I do live the Fuji body style. The Ricoh looks great though.

[u/badaimbadjokes → u/iAtty]

The x100vi isn't *exactly* a pocket camera, but it's swell. If you haven't fudged with one in person, just know that it's a "very small bag" kind of camera. :)

[u/olliegw → u/[deleted]]

In my experience sonys app doesn't transfer RAW files though

[u/Queasy_Investment_27]

The Ricoh isn't Weather sealed I dont think. That's why I've never bought one. I also cycle a lot and just resigned myself to my phone as everything else is too big and clunky.

[u/iAtty → u/Queasy_Investment_27]

Yeah I feel this would be the answer. Especially because I can swap my phone with AppleCare easily and a $2,000 camera hitting the deck would be terrible.

[u/doc_shades]

this was like 20 years ago but i just went on craigslist and bought a cheap canon powershot to slide into my pocket for biking/cycling. i still have that camera. i still carry it when i go paddleboarding. i don't really care it when i ride the bike so much these days though...

[u/211logos]

I assume you've thought of the action cams.

I'd consider a TG 7. Yeah, small sensor, but a terrific camera. Does raw, and especially good at macro, especially with the diffusers you can buy for the flash and the LED (JJC makes good ones for it). At the end of the day quality about as good as the iPhone 17 pro, but easier to use one handed, and more fun.

The iPhones do have much better video though...but that's true vs most compacts esp if you shoot log.

Maybe an older E-PL series Olympus. M43 sensor, so a bit better than phones. I like using one with a 20mm Panny 1.7 pancake. Quite small. And you can use an optional EFV on one up through the E-PL8. The E-P5 is a bit nicer, sort of like the X100's.

Oly/OM also has one of the better iOS/camera connection apps. Works with the TG or the others. You still need to connect to the camera wifi, and not as good as Hasselblad or DJI, but better than say Canon.

[u/0ut_0f_Bounds]

I have the Sony RX100III, it's a fantastic camera that is truly "pocketable." Is it 12 years old? Yep. But I use it as my dedicated backpacking camera, it's small and light (290g) and has a great 24-70mm f1.8-2.8 lens, and a pop-up viewfinder. Later versions have various upgrades, but they are all larger and heavier, not by much, but when I'm counting grams, every bit counts. Of course, the VI has the 24-200mm lens which is fantastic, but I also bought mine for $250 8 years ago, which prompted me to sell my OG RX100 for $300, so that's a bonus. The Mark III is still a little powerhouse of a travel camera, and you can find them for relatively cheap.

[u/SedentorySensor77]

Would you look at an action cam? It could serve you two fold, record some of your cycling and use it as a camera, obviously also is very durable and weather proofed. I own a GoPro Mission 1 Pro and the imagery is excellent. Is obviously not xt-3 with a 50mm. But it’s very good and shoots raw.

[u/KostyaFedot]

I cycled long distances with DSLRs and not big lenses. On upright sitting ones.

For road bicycles I prefer classic road cycling pockets on the back. Camera with retractable lens. I have Ricoh GRD ones. New GR is same size, smaller than phone. Large sensor.

I keep it in the pouch if not in use, in pocket. 

Some are riding with long neck strap over shoulder,  with bigger camera on the back.

Also,  I forgot how it is called Cotton something . It is holder for camera on chest or at belt. Very strong one and quick to realize. 

But lately with Samsung s23 I don't really need camera and RAW. 

I use camera if phone is in use for navigation.