In need of a "walk around" camera

[Virgil Quick]

My wife and I travel on a regular basis and, of course, photography is an important part of our excursions. At this time I am using a 1D-X, which I absolutely love, but there are times when the weight, appearance and size of this camera make it impractical and/or unsafe to carry. For those reasons I am looking for another camera or body that would be more practical to take when the 1D-X would not be appropriate.

Image quality is a major consideration.

I sure would appreciate some suggestions on what might be an acceptable addition to my travel equipment.

 

[sagittariansrock]

My wife and I travel on a regular basis and, of course, photography is an important part of our excursions. At this time I am using a 1D-X, which I absolutely love, but there are times when the weight, appearance and size of this camera make it impractical and/or unsafe to carry. For those reasons I am looking for another camera or body that would be more practical to take when the 1D-X would not be appropriate.

Image quality is a major consideration.

I sure would appreciate some suggestions on what might be an acceptable addition to my travel equipment.

6D seems appropriate.

 

[Lesmen27]

Canon EOS M, so you can use your lenses

 

[dstppy]

What's the price range?

 

[Virgil Quick]

I would probably like to stay at $1,500 or below for the body.

 

[slclick]

6D

 

[quod]

I use a Fuji X100S. The image quality is excellent (6400 ISO is usable, no AA filter), it is small enough to fit in a jacket pocket, and it doesn't draw attention like a DSLR.

 

[mnclayshooter]

I have the 6D and love it, but it comes with the weight/size of a DSLR (and lenses).

I also have a G1X. I can say this... I've hiked to the top of mountains with it and never noticed it on my hip (in a case logic pouch). It takes very decent photos for a compact - sensor is larger than four-thirds. Is the autofocus fast like a DSLR? no, but don't believe the naysayers either. I've never, other than trying to photograph an eagle in flight, had an issue not getting fast-enough focus acquisition. The only real drawback to the G1X is that it has no ability to do macro. None. Sure, you can get a 250 closeup ring or can set the camera to its "macro" mode, but in plain terms, both of those suck as far as getting decent macro. It does landscapes, portraits, and any other "broadly-normal" vacation photos very well.

If I were to buy another camera in the near term for travel/size/weight considerations... I might try the newer G-series cameras (G12, G15, G16 or the G1X). I haven't had a chance to see the G1X mark II in person, so I can't comment on it... but the specs look like a slight improvement over the G1X - mainly on the lens.

 

[JohnDizzo15]

X100s. Full feature set, great IQ, compact, no extras needed on the go other than a couple batteries.

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

Canon 6D still seems a bit big to carry around. Not only is the size of the body, but the lenses that go with it. In this sense, 70D also allows smaller lenses and image quality is very good, if you do not need night shots without flash and without tripod.

 

[rs]

6D and 40/2.8

 

[JohnDizzo15]

Although the 6D with a pancake would be great, it doesn't necessarily give the all around best tool for trips where you will potentially encounter many varying shooting scenarios. If you go with an all in one like the x100s or RX1, you get a leaf shutter. On the x100s, you also have a built-in ND filter to go with it. Stuck needing to take a portrait of someone at noon on a sunny day? No prob, switch on the ND, onboard flash on, sync at 1/1000th and you can still shoot wide open.

Also, a true silent mode also comes in very handy in many situations.

Putting those things aside, a 6D with pancake still doesn't get anywhere close to the compactness of the x100s.

 

[jcns]

have you considered the 5DC? Really cheap nowadays and if it gets stolen or you get robbed you won't feel like crying.

 

[Sporgon]

You don't say which lenses you're using on the 1D but I guess they're pretty big, so you're not going tomgain a great deal by travelling with large lenses on a smaller body.

However you say that photography is an important part of your excursions, and you're a 1Dx user so I guess you really want something that is as close to the 1Dx but much smaller - the 6D. I apologise now to all those who have just raised an eyebrow at me mentioning '6D close to 1Dx' in the same sentence.

With the 6D you'd need small lenses to capitalise on it's size: the 24-70 IS is a very good match for the camera; lenses like the cheap 40 pancake are excellent enough to satisfy any 1Dx user.

The other small FF alternative that's compatable with EF lenses is the Sony a7r.

If you didn't want to purchase smaller, lighter Canon lenses, assuming you haven't already got any suitable, and were prepared to go for a camera with a smaller sensor then there are a miriad of options.

I guess I'm thinking that for anyone used to handling a 1 series the 6D + lightweight lens is gonna seem tiny.

X100s. Full feature set, great IQ, compact, no extras needed on the go other than a couple batteries.

 

[Pinchers of Peril]

Leica M

 

[JohnDizzo15]

Regarding size and appearance, a DSLR is a DSLR regardless of whether it has a built-in vertical grip. Part of the OP's concern is with appearance/safety. There is no such thing as an inconspicuous DSLR other than maybe, just maybe the SL1 (with a pancake).

X100s also satisfies this need as it just looks like an old rangefinder that is much smaller than any existing DSLR today.

 

[TeT]

SL1 with the EFS 15 85 is the minimum (for DSLR)... but probably 1/2 the size of what you are using and will give great IQ. Not FF 1DX but in the hands of a good photographer it will produce quality stuff.
Considerations would be low light (lens) / higher shutter speeds (body)

 

[cnardo]

SL1 for sure... you can use any of your lenses, it has a view finder (EOS M does not..awful in daylight)... it has familiar controls, easier to hold than the M, with a pancake lens on it, it is hardly noticeable, can sits on your belt in a small case. I have both SL1 and EOS M... and I always go to the SL1! No contest.

 

[Sporgon]

Regarding size and appearance, a DSLR is a DSLR regardless of whether it has a built-in vertical grip. Part of the OP's concern is with appearance/safety. There is no such thing as an inconspicuous DSLR other than maybe, just maybe the SL1 (with a pancake).

X100s also satisfies this need as it just looks like an old rangefinder that is much smaller than any existing DSLR today.

Apologies, I didn't intend to quote you in my first post. Must have touched something I shouldn't

However, quoting this post, I very much doubt if a 6D with pancake would attract more unwanted attention than a 100D. If this was the case the best bet might be a £350 1200D and just hand it over rather than a £900 X100.

My reason for recommending a Canon DSLR is that the DSLR is still by far the most versatile camera you can buy as long as you're not wanting something you can put in your pocket - which I don't think the OP is necessarily requesting.

 

[Twostones]

I use a variety of cameras for walk around use. When I have no theft concerns and want to use my EF Canon lenses and need weather sealing I use my 7D without a grip. If I want to be less obvious I use a Canon G16. I would love to own a Fuji X100s but I find it could be limiting with a fixed focal length lens. I have rangefinders and for some reason they seem to be dust magnets especially in the focus system. Maybe someday Canon will come out with a weather sealed rangefinder? On occasion I shoot film with an old Canon rangefinder. I also shoot film with a Canon Elan 7NE. All Canon EF lenses work beautifully on the 7NE camera. Because it is not a digital it is lighter than the 7D and is not such a theft target.