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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Photography Equipment => Cameras / Lenses => Topic started by: kenwood on April 06, 2012, 11:43
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I am looking for a smaller camera to do mostly stock photos and some videos (1080) when traveling. I am using a canon system so naturally I started with what canon has offers, which is the g1x. I have also looked into the panasonic gf1, gf2 as well as olympus pen series. They all have the pros and cons. The way I look at it, the g1x seems to be the best all in one solution. Based on sample images on the web they are acceptable up to iso1600, its small and the HD videos look ok as well. On the flip side the build in lens is slow, focusing is not fast, and its not as proven as the other models. Price wise it is the most expensive at $800. The GF1, GF2, EPL1 and EPL2 are cheap with kit lens. But they form factor is not compact (lens sticking out, hard to put inside a pocket). If I buy a pancake lens such as 20 1.7, it will cost another 400, which brings the total price closer to 600. The EPL1 and 2 can not do HD video but their images are good up to iso1600. The GF1 and 2 can do HD videos, and seems to have strong user support (via third party firmware). I have also looked at the sony nex-5, its price sites in the middle but its form factor (big lens sticking out) turns me off. Anyway I am hoping someone can assist and provide more insights so that I can make a better decision on getting the best compact travel camera for stock photos and videos.
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i've used the sony cybershot hx1 for several years now -
http://cascoly.hubpages.com/hub/Sonys-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX1 (http://cascoly.hubpages.com/hub/Sonys-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX1)
Major features:
聞 20x optical zoom with a single integral lens
聞 up to 10 frames per second capture
聞 excellent low light capture with low grain
聞 takes panoramic images up to 224 deg
聞 takes 1080 HD movies
聞 tilting 3" LCD screen PLUS optical viewer
聞 takes sharper twilight pictures without a tripod
聞 Capture clearer photos of moving subjects
i use it for skiing, hiking and other times when my DSLR is too heavy - it lets me keep it ready - when you're himking or climbing
alamy is the only agency that refuses to consider its images [really silly, since pixels are pixels, no matter how they're arranged] - and i've sold even handheld 1080 HD
over the last 2 years, i've used this for about 80-90% of my stock images
latest version is Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V 18.2MP Digital Camera with 30x Zoom and i'm seriously considering an upgrade
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Thanks for the suggestion. I look into the sony one but its too big to fit into the pocket. I am leaning towards the g1x right now as it seems to be the best solution.
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Thanks for the suggestion. I look into the sony one but its too big to fit into the pocket. I am leaning towards the g1x right now as it seems to be the best solution.
true it doesnt fit into a pocket, but the 20x zoom makes up for it, along with the correction feature - in tended for low light, but i use it when active, breathing hard, at altitude, or my hands are in their frequent tremor-mode. if it's not stuffed between by jacket & shirt, i use a small leather shoulder purse, bulked out with bubblewrap - it's survived my many headplants
my wife uses a panasonic lumix, which DOES fit in your pocket and i've also used that to produce MS acceptable images
unfortunately, your post triggered my curiosity and i discovered that the latest version, the HX200V raises the pixel size from 9 to 18MP, ups the fantastic 20x digital zoom to 30x, AND now includes GPS tagging, so i just bought the new version on amazon!
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Thanks for the suggestion. I look into the sony one but its too big to fit into the pocket. I am leaning towards the g1x right now as it seems to be the best solution.
I think the gx1 would be the best way to go - larger censor and all.
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Thanks for the suggestion. I look into the sony one but its too big to fit into the pocket. I am leaning towards the g1x right now as it seems to be the best solution.
I think the gx1 would be the best way to go - larger censor and all.
I have a G12 and the G1x isn't giving up that much in the way of being larger to make it "too big" plus the APS-C and the kind of inconspicuous black. (gee it only too them what, eight years to figure out, stop making silver blazing chrome reflective cameras!) So I'm almost convinced. There could be some problems with the slower lens, it's not a super zoom, and I already have the G12? :D ($799 for the G1x until the newness and demand slows down)
ANyway, I'd like one, but I believe I'm going to wait.
If I can sell the G12 then of course I'd be forced to replace it? LOL
Right now looking at a used T2i for video to see if it pays off or if I'll just have a nice little DSLR to give away to someone next year as a gift. $500 no lens? Not too big? And it's black!
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I just got a NEX-7, it's very small, handling is wonderful, the IQ is on par with the 5D MK III (!!!!), and you can mount Canon lenses via the adapter. It's ooooh-soooo-good.
Cons:
- Lack of very good E-mount lenses
- Pretty expensive (but still 3 times less than the MK III)