All rounder go-anywhere camera?

[Hoddo]

Next month I am heading on a ski holiday. I'd like to take a camera that can take a good photograph without being too bulky. I have a Nikon D40 with a few lens but it isn't practical to carry around, expecially when there is a high chance I will fall over.

Inspired by GoPro videos I'd love to take high quality HD videos with this camera.

Had considered an LX5 (nice wide lens for good landscape shots when skiing) but saw that for a few more pounds a GF3 with the twin lens kit (14mm and a 14-42mm) can be had. Anyone had any real world experience with GF cameras? Am I mad to consider a GF3 when a GF1 can be had on eBay for much less?

Any other cameras or ideas you can recommend?

Thank you.

[itsnotarace]

Sony HX9V, there are loads of videos on Youtube showing the HD video quality and the picture quality is excellent too.

[Xaero]

The viewfinders on the panasonic G series aren't that great at all.

When do you need it by and whats your budget?

HX9 is a good bet for a compact but it's in short supply at the moment.

[andy-xr]

If a D40 is too bulky I think I'd seriously consider using my iPhone instead

[bramley]

I got a Canon G12 for everyday stuff and although I don't use it much it's pretty decent and does HD video. Saying that I bought a GoPro recently

[Hoddo]

Xaero said:

The viewfinders on the panasonic G series aren't that great at all.

I believe you have to buy a seperate EVF however, I've since foundout that the GF3 does not have hot shoe so you cannot add an EVF to that camera.

Xaero said:

When do you need it by and whats your budget?

Next 10 days or so. Do not really have one, would like to spend less than £300/£400. Would be looking at the GX1 if I was swimming in money.

Xaero said:

HX9 is a good bet for a compact but it's in short supply at the moment.

Had not considered this. I shall take a look.

[Hoddo]

andy-xr said:

If a D40 is too bulky I think I'd seriously consider using my iPhone instead.

Even a D40 with a single lens is not the most practical of partners for a skiing trip.

[Craikeybaby]

I've got a Canon S90 for this type of usage, I don't use video, but understand that the video function on the S95 is better, otherwise they are the same.

[andy-xr]

Hoddo said:

Even a D40 with a single lens is not the most practical of partners for a skiing trip.

With you on it, just saying that there's a narrowing gap between mid range compacts and the current iPhone

[Hoddo]

andy-xr said:

Hoddo said:

Even a D40 with a single lens is not the most practical of partners for a skiing trip.

With you on it, just saying that there's a narrowing gap between mid range compacts and the current iPhone

Considering I have an iPhone 4 is your advice to keep that in my pocket for the skiing trip and save the £ for .... a new DSLR body?

[mids]

I'm going to post the link that someone else did about 18 months ago when I was considering the GF1

http://craigmod.com/journal/gf1-fieldtest/

It's very rugged, takes great pics & video and with the pancake lens it's small enough to fit in your trouser pocket.

[StuH]

I've just bought an S100 for a couple of upcoming ski trips. (I took my 7D up on the slopes last year and whilst it was nice to have, it's quite a worry having it on your back because no matter how well you ski you can always get taken out by a beginner or a boarder!)

I had a play with most of the potential point and click candidates and all the others just felt a little on the large size.I think the S95/S100 strikes a nice balance between IQ and camera size. Plus it's nice to have the option of the new slow-motion video modes for capturing the action on the slopes.

Mids -Just read that link - fantastic! I'll have to get a GF1 now

Edited by StuH on Wednesday 1st February 12:58

[binliner]

The new Canon G1-X seems hard to beat for a compact but it has a price tag to match http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cam...

[Hoddo]

mids said:

I'm going to post the link that someone else did about 18 months ago when I was considering the GF1

http://craigmod.com/journal/gf1-fieldtest/

It's very rugged, takes great pics & video and with the pancake lens it's small enough to fit in your trouser pocket.

A very impressive write up. I bet there are some corking GF1 deals on eBay with a whole head of extras. I will take a look and weigh up the arguements.

Thank you.

[mids]

Hoddo said:

A very impressive write up. I bet there are some corking GF1 deals on eBay with a whole head of extras. I will take a look and weigh up the arguements.

Thank you.

Yeah, I was choosing between the GF1 and the Canon G12 at the time and the added versatility of the micro four thirds format (zoom lens etc) is what swung it for me.

Btw, the reason that I know that the GF1 is rugged is that mine survived a real clattering. I was walking down a village road carrying the camera in a lightweight lowepro camera case when a car driven from behind me hit my hand/camera bag with his wing mirror. It was a pretty large impact because the mirror and housing was smashed to sh*t (hanging off the door by the wiring) and the camera went flying into the air and landed on the road. Worked fine afterwards tho

[MartinP]

Great link for the GF1. Looks a fab little camera.

If that's too expensive though, I'll through my vote in for a Canon S95 as a good candidate for the image quality vs pocket-ability compromise. Same sensor as the Canon G12 but in a smaller camera and GetCarter certainly gets fantastic images from his. Some very good deals at the moment while stocks are being run down in favour of the new S100. I'm currently waiting for the one I ordered earlier in the week from Amazon to arrive - c'mon postman!

[Elderly]

MartinP said:

I'm currently waiting for the one I ordered earlier in the week from Amazon to arrive - c'mon postman!

Ordered mine on Sunday from Amazon using slowest free delivery;
it arrived today.
Battery just charged ...... I've had a look at the camera and it seems too simple for me to be able to work out how to use it properly .

[MartinP]

Elderly said:

Ordered mine on Sunday from Amazon using slowest free delivery;
it arrived today.
Battery just charged ...... I've had a look at the camera and it seems too simple for me to be able to work out how to use it properly .

Looks like we bought at the right moment - Amazon have now put the price up from £230 to £286. Must have realised it was just too much of a bargain!

Still waiting patiently for mine to be delivered...

[MarkRSi]

How about a bridge camera? Something like a Panasonic FZ?

Wide zoom range, full manual control, good auto modes, not too expensive so no need to worry about dropping it.

Okay so the low light performance is a bit st compared to an SLR but still better than a typical compact IMO.

Edited by MarkRSi on Sunday 5th February 23:33