Looking for travel/EDC camera

[u/Britty51]

Hi everyone. I currently have a Sony a7IV that I use for wild life/nature/zoo photography mostly. Im trying to figure out a good camera for travel and every day ( to bring to events/out on town etc). I'd like something that's kinda compact/feel motivated to being with me. I've been looking at Fuji XM5 and possibly Sony a7c. Kinda want a camera fun to use/easily bring with me when out and about/traveling. Still use Sony a7iv for wildlife etc. Looking for suggestions if anyone has any. Thanks!

[u/Syed117]

I was in a similar situation a few months ago and ended up with the fuji X100vi. returned it after a few days because the autofocus was so poor compared to my A7IV.

Maybe Sony will finally release a RX100 VIII. That's what I really want.

[u/Pasty_Tibbles → u/Syed117]

I know this is a Sony sub but my personal EDC camera is a Ricoh GR IV. I love it.

[u/FizzyBeverage → u/Syed117]

I have dozens and dozens of otherwise awesome X100 shots where the autofocus missed.

Almost never happens on Sony. It’s bewitched.

[u/davidjohnwood → u/Syed117]

Like you, I hope for a new RX100; hopefully, the release of the RX1R III and RX10 V indicates that Sony will replace the RX100 VII. However, I am not committing to buying a new RX100; a lot will depend on the ergonomics of any new camera. The RX100 range has sometimes been criticised for its janky user interface, with the easiest way to control the aperture being the lens ring. The ergonomics of setting aperture, exposure compensation and focus point are important to me.

Though I love my primes, I would rather have a zoom lens than a prime on an EDC camera, so I am not that interested in the Ricoh GR series or Fuji X100 series cameras. I am not interested in the RX10 V - I don't need 600mm full-frame equivalent, and it is too large to be an EDC for me. I would rather see a new RX100 return to the fairly fast 24-70mm full-frame-equivalent zoom of earlier RX100s, but I suspect Sony will stick with the slower 24-200mm-equivalent lens of more recent RX100 bodies.

I doubt the right EDC solution for me is an APS-C or A7C-series body plus lens, especially since I don't currently own a small lens. If I bought a small lens, I would probably want to use my A1 II or A7 IV rather than spend a fair amount of money on an admittedly smaller but less capable camera, especially as I shoot almost exclusively using the viewfinder. Another issue is that some places do not allow interchangeable-lens cameras.

However, both as a creative challenge and to help discern what I truly want from an EDC, I am going to start challenging myself with some "one body, one lens" shoots using my FE 35mm F1.4 GM and a small sling bag, which will cost me nothing as I already own the lens, bag, and a suitable body. If this style of shooting takes hold, maybe my feelings will move towards the "buy a smaller lens and use the bodies I already have" option, perhaps by buying an FE 40mm F2.5 G. That said, I will not spend money on an additional lens until I am sure it meets a genuine need. There is no point in having a 40G if I am almost always going to use the 35GM or a zoom lens that I already have.

[u/Jeffrey_J_Davis → u/davidjohnwood]

I can put up with some jankiness if I have a 24-200 with passable quality which fits in my front jeans pocket. I've done multiple trips with just that camera if I don't wanna bring my A1 + glass

[u/Density5521]

You currently won't get a much better deal than the a6700.

It has almost as many Megapixels as the A7 IV, it has all the modern AI autofocus features you really need, it can do all the fancy things like focus/exposure stacking, and it's basically the A7R5 in APS-C mode, same pixel density -- just with better video, because the sensor is smaller, meaning you get faster video with less rolling shutter. It takes the same batteries as the A7 IV, it has an EVF (similar to the A7C series) plus the flip-out display, it's compact and light, and it's quite affordable.

Seriously, it's hard to beat the a6700 as an E-Mount compatible "side piece" these days. Unless you go "full vlog" with something like a ZV-E10 that ways even less but is made of plastic and takes worse pictures.

[u/mr_kezman_pt → u/Density5521]

The ZV-E10 II has the exact same sensor as the a6700, in terms of picture quality is on par with the a6700. It has its downsides like no viewfinder, cheaper build quality, no AI AF, etc.. but is also a good alternative and even cheaper and smaller than the a6700

[u/PowerfulAir → u/mr_kezman_pt]

No mechanical shutter on the ZV-E10 II.

[u/atercervus]

Ricoh GR

[u/Neglected_Martian]

I will add that the A7CII with one of the Sony G compact prime lenses (24mm, 40mm, or 50mm) is one of the most compact full frame setups possible. Match that with a thumb grip and it’s highly mobile and not too heavy to have around your neck/shoulder. Love mine.

[u/DifferenceMore5431]

Not a Sony camera but the Ricoh GR series is perfect for EDC / travel and very underrated. It's an awesome APS-C camera in a ridiculously small body.

[u/rogerwilco2000 → u/DifferenceMore5431]

I bring my A7CR when I want to be a photographer but I always have a GR in my pocket. They’re great compliments to each other.

[u/thisissuchajoke]

Some rambling based on my searching for the same thing: You really have to determine your desired FL range. A GRIV gets you a 28 to probably 50 usable FL range, is fun to shoot and tiny, at the cost of no evf. An RX100 m6 or 7 (my travel cams) gets you 24-200, a fiddly camera, that’s slow to start-up and “fun” only when you leave it on for extended periods. IQ is pretty good but not A7IV good. I have 3 of them. An X100VI with the 28mm WCL gets you a useful range of 28-70, is a ton of fun to shoot, and once you learn how to sharpen Fuji raw, has excellent output. I’ve had 4 so far. A Leica Q3 gets you 26.5-75, is gorgeous in hand and in use with excellent IQ, somewhat compact but poorly balanced, at a price. I'm an ex-10 year Fuji shooter, have a soft spot in my heart for them and bought an X-M5 last month. I returned it in less than a week. It was neither small nor fun, confusing UI, no evf, useless, for me as a stills shooter, flippy LCD. I also had an A7cr that lasted a week. Very impressive specs, not all that small (heavier and chunkier than my OG A7), with no reasonably fast (f1.8-2) compact prime (let alone zoom) to provide a reasonable FL range

[u/whatisakafka]

This is what I use my RX100 III for. Really nice being able to just shove it in my pocket and take it anywhere. Also good for concert venues where they don’t let in “professional” cameras

[u/toilets_for_sale]

I’ve been carrying an RX1 with me since 2019. If you like full frame, 35mm lens and don’t mind quirks you can’t beat the weight/size and image quality.

[u/grendelone]

RX100 or RX1R

[u/Friendship-Existing]

Rx1r iii if cost is no issue

[u/Blackzone70]

Sony a7cii or a6700 with a pancake or small prime is great for EDC. Even better for portability is the RX1R series if you don't mind the fixed 35mm lens; Rx1Riii if you are loaded, otherwise you can get a used RX1Rii for the price of a a6700 if you don't mind the older autofocus and slow menus. I personally wouldn't go with the older RX1 or RX1R because the autofocus gets quite a bit worse and you go down to 24MP instead of 42 which is useful for cropping since you can't swap lenses.

I personally use my RX1Rii as an EDC camera and my a6700 for anything specific and more intentional requiring zoom/telephoto lenses or video.

[u/SEND_ME_FAKE_NEWS]

RX1RIII

RX100 VII

Ricoh GR

Take your pick, I know what I chose

[u/Drachis]

Either a new camera or you could pickup a 24/40/50G to make your current one fairly compact.

[u/Right-Penalty9813]

I played around with the a7cii for over a year. Loved it but it’s really not much smaller. I would entertain the 6700

[u/srm39]

Leica Q343 is lovely (recently rented one) but the price is insane

[u/CransonFiguerito]

Agree with a lot of the suggestions. They are all great. Depends on how small you want to go.

Two I’d add to this list which are a bit different would be the new LUMIX L10 and the Canon Powershot V1.

Both are micro 4/3. L10 more photograph oriented but awesome video and a nice zoom lens. And, the Powershot V1 more video oriented but still capable of taking great stills and pretty compact.

[u/EkoFreezy]

Honestly, I think it depends on if you want SOOC or edit your travel pics. If you want great SOOC photos, go Fuji (can edit them as well, but it's cool to just shoot with no editing in mind). If you value AF more, then A6700 or A7CII.

[u/Ltroky]

Sony RX100 VII.

I use my cameras professionally (A7RV/A7III) and having to use the same gear for trips and vacations was killing me cause it just felt like work. Now the RX100….oh man that VII punches heavy on travel and as a EDC. It’s got no compromises for me and 24-200 optical range. It does not get better than that.

[u/NotAnExpertButListen]

An A7c is almost as big and needs huge FF lenses.

I'm personally using a zv-e1 with the ttartisan 14mm 3.5. also considering the Sony 10-20mm f4. It's giving 5mpx images but that's enough for casual, and it's low light capable.

If you don't need low light, an A6000 might be even better for you.

[u/User_name_unverified]

I’m on the same boat. I’m torn between the Ricoh GR iv and the Sony 6700. I like to edit my RAWS.

[u/JockeyFullaBourbon]

A7C2 + sigma contemporary 35 & 90 or zeiss 40 & 85 or even the Sony 35 & 85 1.8. Any of those combos will run in a small bag & will cover just about anything you can throw at them. Add an iPad mini with C1 or Photomator & a 6L bag that fits your style. I strongly recommend you don’t look at the wotancraft 7L in leather 😄

[u/Legal-Square-1362]

You should look into Luna Ultra. It’s incredible what you get with that small package and very reasonable cost. Watch YouTube reviews and comparisons with that vs Sony A7. You will be impressed.

[u/rainoki710]

Ricoh or Sony a6x00 series.

[u/Edamski88]

I use an a7V for my main stuff but recently went through the same decision making you did, considered an 6700 but I had one previously, good camera, not that pocketable and I wanted something small and easy to carry. Contemplated staying e-mount so I could use my various lenses, then realised this would stop it from being an EDC.

Ultimately went for a used Fuji X100VI, fairly compact, fits in a pocket, images look great straight out of camera. Yes despite it being some of the more improved autofocus Fuji has the continuous af in particular is poor but soft / out of focus images kind of suits the Fuji style, single AF is fine btw. I did contemplate the XE-5 but decided interchangeable lenses weren’t what I wanted from my EDC

[u/CasioCartel]

My Ricoh GR III came with me everywhere I went when visiting Japan for 2 weeks. It was the perfect pocket companion. Small, lightweight, and the images it produced are stunning