Source
r/Cameras•
bentmachine

Compact camera (RX100 size) under $300?

I'm looking at possibly buying a pocket camera and have looked into the RX100 line, G7x, and HX90v. The RX100 and G7x seem a bit too pricey to me, so I'm wondering how comparable the HX90v image quality is to the RX100 and G7x? How about compared to current flagship phones (Samsung S7, iPhone 6s)? I currently have a Sony Z3 and the image quality isn't ideal.

Are there any other recommendations for similarly sized cameras? Would I be better off upgrading to a phone with a better camera?

I will mostly be taking stills (scenery and tourist-y things), and a 180 degree selfie screen is a big plus.

Thanks for the help!

Posted Feb 29, 2016, 4:54 PM UTC

47
kickstand•

Well, the RX100 is only US$400 at B&H.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/869238-REG/Sony_DSC_RX100_Digital_Camera.html

To save a few bucks, you're going to get a camera with a significantly smaller sensor, and thus worse image quality. Look at the Canon S110 or S120, or Panasonic LX4, LS5, LX7.

TLDR: Spend the extra money and get the RX100.

3
greenistheneworange•

I have the LX5 - it's a great camera, but with that bulky non-retractable lens, not very pocketable. The LX100 is a pretty major upgrade to the LX7, but expensive & bulky.

2
kickstand•

Non-retractable lens? The Panasonic DMC-LX5? I don't think so. Maybe you are confusing it with something else?

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/LX5/ZTOP.JPG

1
greenistheneworange•

Yeah, that thing is a beast in terms of pocketability.

I can't find any RX100 v LX5 size comparisons, but here's an RX100 v LX100 size comparison.

http://cameradecision.com/topviewsizecomparison/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-RX100-III-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-LX100-top-view-size-comparison.jpg

sauce: http://cameradecision.com/compare/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-RX100-III-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-LX100

1
DontPressAltF4•

Or look for a used RX100.

2
voiceofidA7, A7II, RX10•

larger sensor doesn't mean the photos are better, but it's typically a good gauge of low light performance within the same generation of sensor tech

here's the comparison of your z3 vs other cameras that are focused on photos http://cdn.cameradebate.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/iphone-6-sensor-size-comparison.jpg

here's your sensor (1/2.3") vs other sensors and the RX100 (1/1) http://www.cscrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Sensor-Size-of-Digital-Cameras.jpg

1
na1nsxr•

I was in your shoes a few months ago. I really did not want to spend the kind of money one of the more modern RX100's command and I was also considering the HX90V and WX500. However, when I went to Flickr and used their very useful image search by camera function, I found the HX90V images totally unacceptable, looking into the shadows and looking at the photos at full size. I ended up with a RX100 III and don't regret it one bit.

I find the HX90V to be obscenely priced for a 1/2.3" sensor camera. That Zeiss branded lens and electronic viewfinder really add a lot to the cost.

1