Sony RX100v for me. I've always had a compact camera. Initially the Panasonic LX series then the RX100. When I travel I only take the Sony. Even when at home now often than not I pick up the Sony in preference to my Fuji X-S10. The development of AI powered denoising software has gone a long way to compensating for the key weakness in a smaller sensor compact like the RX100. Now I can shoot away after dark at ISO 3200 with no concern. The tragedy is that Sony appears to have abandoned the RX100 line and Panasonic the LX line so all were left with from Sony is much inferior video/blogging focused products. I'm thinking I'm going to have to buy some spare RX100s while they're still available.
Absolutely. The ZV line is fine for video, but they are definitely a step back for photography. There's probably not a lot of people willing to spend $1,300+ on premium compact cameras when for a bit more you can get decent APS-C and even full frame cameras. Too bad because even at that price I think they can bring a lot of value and be a great addition to a camera bag full of big and heavy cameras and lenses. I still have a sliver of hope that some kind of update will happen later this year, because Sony won't be able to sell the RX100 cameras anymore in the EU (all electronics have to come with USB-C after Jan 1st, 2025). Realistically, though, I bet they'll just discontinue the line. We shall see.
When see how much money you need to spend for compact cameras all of a sudden after they where considered dead for quite a while, maybe Sony will change their mind …
I have a Holga, does that count? Lol. It definitely helped me take more photos, especially street photography. I had a DSLR that I never used; I struggled with all the technical components. But with a Holga, it's just point and shoot which I like a lot. And whatever I get back is a surprise!
Haha, it totally does! Man, I used to have one and loved that thing. Especially because as you say, I never knew what I was going to get after developing those rolls. It was a great experience, but I shoot too much to do it on film, I wouldn't be able to afford it.
Lovely cameras. I prefer the flexibility of zoom lenses, but the Ricoh looks even smaller (thinner, at least) and with a considerably bigger sensor. You know what, I think that the combination of the Ricoh and RX100 would be the way to go! :)
I also use the GRIIIx like others here. It’s changed my photography. I pretty much always have it in my pocket and I’ve taken some of my favorite photos with it.
Yes! Having a camera with you changes the way you see the world. I feel like I pay more attention, always looking for an image. Big and heavy cameras have their place, but for everyday photography, nothing beats a small compact.
When I think of a compact camera, I think a high end phone has its place. But with it being more of a computational photographic device, (as in a computer is doing most of the work), it has me want to carry and shoot film.
For this I love my Ricoh GR1V. It’s such a perfect little film camera with great controls and a wonderfully sharp 28mm lens. But I also class my X100Vi as a compact. It’s got a fixed lens and slides easily into a coat pocket.
At time of writing it’s August 1. The first day of #PhotoMo where a few of us share one photograph every day of the month. (Mostly to Mastodon & Bluesky) I’ll certainly be featuring shots from compact cameras as there is something intimate and off the cuff about this photography that I enjoy.
The GR1V is such a lovely camera. I've given up on film because of the cost, but that's a great one. Yes, phones do have their place. I don't mind using mine for the occasional photograph, but if I'm going on a photography walk around town where I'll be taking dozens of photos over a few hours, the phone is a no-go for me. The X100 line is amazing, of course :)
I've used micro 4/3 cameras & lenses exclusively since 2018, and really enjoy my Olympus Pen-F as a compact alternative to my (slightly) larger OM-D E-M1 Mark II. The Pen-F definitely has some quirks to get used to, but something about the images I get from that camera, I absolutely love. I can see eventually upgrading the E-M1 Mark II someday, but I don't foresee ever getting rid of that Pen-F. PS: really enjoyed your video on this topic on YT.
I only use my mobile phone which probably disqualifies me as a photographer completely, but it satisfies my need for simplicity. Plus, for real world size prints I've never found it to be a limiting factor. I currently use a Xiaomi 14 Ultra and love using it everyday. I have the photography kit and hand grip permanently attached so It feels more like a compact camera than a phone anyway. I can appreciate dedicated gear and respect these that use it or need it, but simplicity rules for me.
Absolutely not. A phone is totally legit and valid tool for photography, much more capable than many of the cameras professional photographers were using not too long ago. I prefer a standalone camera because the experience is just better for me, no distractions. Battery is another issue, with the camera I just bring spare ones. My phone running out of battery might not be a great thing if I need it to go back for whatever reason, and carrying an external battery kind of defeats the purpose of going small. But again, a phone is totally fine if it works for you and your use case! Never let anyone tell you the opposite :)
I had a Canon IXUS and loved it back then. I also noticed that compact cameras are modern again though even though everyone thought that phones have taken over the job. Nowerdays I don't use a compact camera because the monitors are too dark in sunlight and the EVF if any is too small for me. But then, I haven't checked about modern models. Did they get any better through the years?
I love the RX100vii, the screen is indeed a bit dark in the sunlight and the EVF is small compared to the bigger cameras, but it's a compromise one has to make to have such a capable camera that fits in your pocket. I don't usually take photos in the bright sun so it's not so much of a problem for me I guess :D Phones are great, I just find the experience not great compared to a standalone camera. They are fine for the occasional photograph, but using them for hours at a time as you'd use a standalone camera is a completely different thing.
Many years ago, I shelved my DSLR after getting a RX100II and comparing the results. It was so much easier, so much lighter, and so much more packable. There was nowhere I couldn’t take it and very few shots I couldn’t get with it. I took it hiking, rock climbing, trail running, mountain biking- all things I couldn’t do with my DSLR. But eventually, I realized that it made things too easy and I wasn’t enjoying the process anymore. I had stopped going out for the purpose of taking photos- I just took photos of the things I was already doing. I ended up getting out of my funk by making things more challenging and dusting off my FM2 and developing tank. Since going back to a process I enjoy, I now find the time to go out and shoot just for the sake of it. I think no matter what gear you choose to use, the main thing is that you need to be excited about how it either enables or challenges you.
Sony RX100v for me. I've always had a compact camera. Initially the Panasonic LX series then the RX100. When I travel I only take the Sony. Even when at home now often than not I pick up the Sony in preference to my Fuji X-S10. The development of AI powered denoising software has gone a long way to compensating for the key weakness in a smaller sensor compact like the RX100. Now I can shoot away after dark at ISO 3200 with no concern. The tragedy is that Sony appears to have abandoned the RX100 line and Panasonic the LX line so all were left with from Sony is much inferior video/blogging focused products. I'm thinking I'm going to have to buy some spare RX100s while they're still available.
Absolutely. The ZV line is fine for video, but they are definitely a step back for photography. There's probably not a lot of people willing to spend $1,300+ on premium compact cameras when for a bit more you can get decent APS-C and even full frame cameras. Too bad because even at that price I think they can bring a lot of value and be a great addition to a camera bag full of big and heavy cameras and lenses. I still have a sliver of hope that some kind of update will happen later this year, because Sony won't be able to sell the RX100 cameras anymore in the EU (all electronics have to come with USB-C after Jan 1st, 2025). Realistically, though, I bet they'll just discontinue the line. We shall see.
When see how much money you need to spend for compact cameras all of a sudden after they where considered dead for quite a while, maybe Sony will change their mind …
I have a Holga, does that count? Lol. It definitely helped me take more photos, especially street photography. I had a DSLR that I never used; I struggled with all the technical components. But with a Holga, it's just point and shoot which I like a lot. And whatever I get back is a surprise!
Haha, it totally does! Man, I used to have one and loved that thing. Especially because as you say, I never knew what I was going to get after developing those rolls. It was a great experience, but I shoot too much to do it on film, I wouldn't be able to afford it.
I have Holga, too!
I’ve been using my Ricoh GR3 for the past two years and I love. Fixed lens, unfortunately. But it’s a small price to pay for quality.
Lovely cameras. I prefer the flexibility of zoom lenses, but the Ricoh looks even smaller (thinner, at least) and with a considerably bigger sensor. You know what, I think that the combination of the Ricoh and RX100 would be the way to go! :)
I agree, Adrian... if they weren't so expensive. I had to justify buying Fuji XT-5 to my wife.
I ran out of excuses, alas :)
I almost exclusively use my compact camera. My DSLR is collecting dust.
They are so much more convenient!
I also use the GRIIIx like others here. It’s changed my photography. I pretty much always have it in my pocket and I’ve taken some of my favorite photos with it.
Yes! Having a camera with you changes the way you see the world. I feel like I pay more attention, always looking for an image. Big and heavy cameras have their place, but for everyday photography, nothing beats a small compact.
When I think of a compact camera, I think a high end phone has its place. But with it being more of a computational photographic device, (as in a computer is doing most of the work), it has me want to carry and shoot film.
For this I love my Ricoh GR1V. It’s such a perfect little film camera with great controls and a wonderfully sharp 28mm lens. But I also class my X100Vi as a compact. It’s got a fixed lens and slides easily into a coat pocket.
At time of writing it’s August 1. The first day of #PhotoMo where a few of us share one photograph every day of the month. (Mostly to Mastodon & Bluesky) I’ll certainly be featuring shots from compact cameras as there is something intimate and off the cuff about this photography that I enjoy.
Thanks for the post!
The GR1V is such a lovely camera. I've given up on film because of the cost, but that's a great one. Yes, phones do have their place. I don't mind using mine for the occasional photograph, but if I'm going on a photography walk around town where I'll be taking dozens of photos over a few hours, the phone is a no-go for me. The X100 line is amazing, of course :)
I have a Ricoh GRiiix and love it. It goes with me almost everywhere I go.
Never used one, but it looks like it's a beautiful camera.
I've used micro 4/3 cameras & lenses exclusively since 2018, and really enjoy my Olympus Pen-F as a compact alternative to my (slightly) larger OM-D E-M1 Mark II. The Pen-F definitely has some quirks to get used to, but something about the images I get from that camera, I absolutely love. I can see eventually upgrading the E-M1 Mark II someday, but I don't foresee ever getting rid of that Pen-F. PS: really enjoyed your video on this topic on YT.
Thanks, Doug! The Pen F is such a cool camera. Haven't used one, but it just looks cool.
I use a Ricoh GRIII. I get high quality photos and I take it with me (on my belt) every time I walk out the door.
That sounds about right. You just never know where and when the next good photo is going to happen :)
I only use my mobile phone which probably disqualifies me as a photographer completely, but it satisfies my need for simplicity. Plus, for real world size prints I've never found it to be a limiting factor. I currently use a Xiaomi 14 Ultra and love using it everyday. I have the photography kit and hand grip permanently attached so It feels more like a compact camera than a phone anyway. I can appreciate dedicated gear and respect these that use it or need it, but simplicity rules for me.
Absolutely not. A phone is totally legit and valid tool for photography, much more capable than many of the cameras professional photographers were using not too long ago. I prefer a standalone camera because the experience is just better for me, no distractions. Battery is another issue, with the camera I just bring spare ones. My phone running out of battery might not be a great thing if I need it to go back for whatever reason, and carrying an external battery kind of defeats the purpose of going small. But again, a phone is totally fine if it works for you and your use case! Never let anyone tell you the opposite :)
I had a Canon IXUS and loved it back then. I also noticed that compact cameras are modern again though even though everyone thought that phones have taken over the job. Nowerdays I don't use a compact camera because the monitors are too dark in sunlight and the EVF if any is too small for me. But then, I haven't checked about modern models. Did they get any better through the years?
I love the RX100vii, the screen is indeed a bit dark in the sunlight and the EVF is small compared to the bigger cameras, but it's a compromise one has to make to have such a capable camera that fits in your pocket. I don't usually take photos in the bright sun so it's not so much of a problem for me I guess :D Phones are great, I just find the experience not great compared to a standalone camera. They are fine for the occasional photograph, but using them for hours at a time as you'd use a standalone camera is a completely different thing.
Same experience!
Many years ago, I shelved my DSLR after getting a RX100II and comparing the results. It was so much easier, so much lighter, and so much more packable. There was nowhere I couldn’t take it and very few shots I couldn’t get with it. I took it hiking, rock climbing, trail running, mountain biking- all things I couldn’t do with my DSLR. But eventually, I realized that it made things too easy and I wasn’t enjoying the process anymore. I had stopped going out for the purpose of taking photos- I just took photos of the things I was already doing. I ended up getting out of my funk by making things more challenging and dusting off my FM2 and developing tank. Since going back to a process I enjoy, I now find the time to go out and shoot just for the sake of it. I think no matter what gear you choose to use, the main thing is that you need to be excited about how it either enables or challenges you.