Compact camera for skiing
Discussion
Hi guys,
Hoping you can make some suggestions for me...
My normal ‘travel camera’ is a Canon M3. I run a video production studio so have access to loads of bigger and better kit but this strikes a good balance between carryable and IQ on a holiday and I like it a lot.
That said, my last few trips have been a bit action-packed for what feels a relatively delicate piece of kit. So much so that I actually killed one with salt water. I replaced it immediately but on a backcountry ski trip in the alps last week, I found I barely used it. A touch too big to fit in sallopettes pocket, so in the backpack and thus never taken out. Also don’t think driving snow would be kind to it...
So I want something slimmer and smaller, but tougher, and with the image quality and ability to shoot RAW. Oh, and connected too, so I can WiFi my pictures to my phone. And ideally usb charging. 4K video would be nice too...impossible??
Some initial thoughts:
Olympus TG5 - ideal in all respects but I just don’t think the sample images look good
RX100 IV or V - much better camera but worry about toughness/weather protection
A6300 - pretty much a weather sealed M3...maybe a bit better but still a bit chunky to forget about in a trouser pocket
Am I missing anything? I’ve never much used LUMIX so don’t know if anything there might fit the bill...
I know the RX100 is popular here so hoping some owners could weigh in on the sturdiness and weather protection...could you shoot with gloves on?
All ideas considered and appreciated!
Thanks
Hoping you can make some suggestions for me...
My normal ‘travel camera’ is a Canon M3. I run a video production studio so have access to loads of bigger and better kit but this strikes a good balance between carryable and IQ on a holiday and I like it a lot.
That said, my last few trips have been a bit action-packed for what feels a relatively delicate piece of kit. So much so that I actually killed one with salt water. I replaced it immediately but on a backcountry ski trip in the alps last week, I found I barely used it. A touch too big to fit in sallopettes pocket, so in the backpack and thus never taken out. Also don’t think driving snow would be kind to it...
So I want something slimmer and smaller, but tougher, and with the image quality and ability to shoot RAW. Oh, and connected too, so I can WiFi my pictures to my phone. And ideally usb charging. 4K video would be nice too...impossible??
Some initial thoughts:
Olympus TG5 - ideal in all respects but I just don’t think the sample images look good
RX100 IV or V - much better camera but worry about toughness/weather protection
A6300 - pretty much a weather sealed M3...maybe a bit better but still a bit chunky to forget about in a trouser pocket
Am I missing anything? I’ve never much used LUMIX so don’t know if anything there might fit the bill...
I know the RX100 is popular here so hoping some owners could weigh in on the sturdiness and weather protection...could you shoot with gloves on?
All ideas considered and appreciated!
Thanks
Phunk said:
Camera for Skiing?
Only one answer here - the Insta 360 One x
Look it up - not your usual 360 cam crap
I’ve got one actually! We use them for work a lot and they’re excellent but in all honesty, 360 isn’t massively my cup of tea for that situation. I love a GoPro for action video but the thing about backcountry touring is really getting the contrast between sky and mountains, the wide open spaces and sense of scale.Only one answer here - the Insta 360 One x
Look it up - not your usual 360 cam crap
A DSLR would be perfect but just too much pack weight
Bill said:
I have a Lumix FT5 and can vouch for its indestructibility, we use it kayaking, climbing, skiing etc. We love it and are perfectly happy with the quality. There's a newer FT7 that might be good enough for you.
Thanks Bill - will have a look. Can it shoot RAW? I was under the impression that only the TG5 - out of all the ‘tough’ cameras - could, and even then it’s hampered by needing to use it’s own clunky software to export?I’ll still give it a good look - to be honest, if the in-camera processing is good enough, then realistically, high quality JPGs are maybe enough.
I think what’s bugging me is I know and like the IQ of the RX100, but just don’t know if it’s rugged enough. There doesn’t seem to be one thing that can do it all!
I think what’s bugging me is I know and like the IQ of the RX100, but just don’t know if it’s rugged enough. There doesn’t seem to be one thing that can do it all!
That's the problem with wanting the moon on a stick. 
Keeping it in a decent case on your shoulder strap would help with the risk of falling on it, but the rain/snow/salt water bit is a killer. We clean ours properly (washing it under a tap is a bit odd at first...) but it still has some salt water corrosion on the non anodised bits and it still works fine.
Keeping it in a decent case on your shoulder strap would help with the risk of falling on it, but the rain/snow/salt water bit is a killer. We clean ours properly (washing it under a tap is a bit odd at first...) but it still has some salt water corrosion on the non anodised bits and it still works fine.
Think I’ve looked at every option under the sun today 
Here’s where I’ve got to:
Tough cameras (FT7, TG5): perfect in terms of weather resistance and build quality. Bonus points because I can take them canoeing and paddle boarding.
IQ not much better than my iPhone X.
Good compacts (RX100, powershot G9): have the image quality, size, and the manual control I’d want.
No weather sealing, so probably just as well using my M3.
I think I’ve talked myself into complete indecision.
Here’s where I’ve got to:
Tough cameras (FT7, TG5): perfect in terms of weather resistance and build quality. Bonus points because I can take them canoeing and paddle boarding.
IQ not much better than my iPhone X.
Good compacts (RX100, powershot G9): have the image quality, size, and the manual control I’d want.
No weather sealing, so probably just as well using my M3.
I think I’ve talked myself into complete indecision.
Disastrous said:
IQ not much better than my iPhone X.
That needs to be in a case to go canoeing or paddle boarding...I know the iPhone is meant to be good, but the cameras have bigger lenses and deeper cases, so they must be significantly better, surely.
Just buy a tough camera for all the stuff you can't use the others for, and if they turn out to be better than snaps it's all good.
Bill said:
Disastrous said:
IQ not much better than my iPhone X.
That needs to be in a case to go canoeing or paddle boarding...I know the iPhone is meant to be good, but the cameras have bigger lenses and deeper cases, so they must be significantly better, surely.
Just buy a tough camera for all the stuff you can't use the others for, and if they turn out to be better than snaps it's all good.
ETA, well, maybe a bit bigger, but still small enough to be lacking compared to an APS-C or whatever.
I’m erring towards just getting one to try it but I sense the lack of IQ will grate. Dunno!
Edited by Disastrous on Wednesday 10th April 09:56
I would get an RX100, easy to fit in your salopettes pocket, at the end of the day it takes 2 seconds to take a glove off, and you can get a fully waterproof housing for it when you want to go canoeing.
https://www.wexphotovideo.com/sony-marine-pack-mpk...
https://www.wexphotovideo.com/sony-marine-pack-mpk...
GoPro 7 is really all you need.
Image quality is superb for such tiny sensor, shoots RAW, good battery life (easy to take spares), fully waterproof without case.
New IS in the 7 is ridiculously good, it really is gimbal-like without the associated inconvenience.
Linear mode works very very well too, so you are not made to only use fisheye look.
Try it, you won't regret it.
Image quality is superb for such tiny sensor, shoots RAW, good battery life (easy to take spares), fully waterproof without case.
New IS in the 7 is ridiculously good, it really is gimbal-like without the associated inconvenience.
Linear mode works very very well too, so you are not made to only use fisheye look.
Try it, you won't regret it.
mudnomad said:
GoPro 7 is really all you need.
Image quality is superb for such tiny sensor, shoots RAW, good battery life (easy to take spares), fully waterproof without case.
New IS in the 7 is ridiculously good, it really is gimbal-like without the associated inconvenience.
Linear mode works very very well too, so you are not made to only use fisheye look.
Try it, you won't regret it.
+1 Image stabilisation is astonishing.Image quality is superb for such tiny sensor, shoots RAW, good battery life (easy to take spares), fully waterproof without case.
New IS in the 7 is ridiculously good, it really is gimbal-like without the associated inconvenience.
Linear mode works very very well too, so you are not made to only use fisheye look.
Try it, you won't regret it.
Check out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHBt5qDfGHc
GetCarter said:
mudnomad said:
GoPro 7 is really all you need.
Image quality is superb for such tiny sensor, shoots RAW, good battery life (easy to take spares), fully waterproof without case.
New IS in the 7 is ridiculously good, it really is gimbal-like without the associated inconvenience.
Linear mode works very very well too, so you are not made to only use fisheye look.
Try it, you won't regret it.
+1 Image stabilisation is astonishing.Image quality is superb for such tiny sensor, shoots RAW, good battery life (easy to take spares), fully waterproof without case.
New IS in the 7 is ridiculously good, it really is gimbal-like without the associated inconvenience.
Linear mode works very very well too, so you are not made to only use fisheye look.
Try it, you won't regret it.
Check out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHBt5qDfGHc
I didn’t take many stills with it though - my understanding is that you can’t shoot RAW in linear mode so you’re restricted to the Fisheye if you want to post process. I’ll revisit the stills capability as maybe that’s the answer, with my M3 in the pack for taking the really good stuff...
The RX100 plus waterproof case appeals but I’ve used dive housings before and find them a bit of a faff. I’m a great believer in just having something handy that will do the job, hence the appeal of the TG5, but I’m just not convinced it has the IQ I’d want...
Disastrous said:
Funnily enough, I took a Hero 7 out with me and was in love with the video...as you say the IS is incredible.
I didn’t take many stills with it though - my understanding is that you can’t shoot RAW in linear mode so you’re restricted to the Fisheye if you want to post process. I’ll revisit the stills capability as maybe that’s the answer, with my M3 in the pack for taking the really good stuff...
The RX100 plus waterproof case appeals but I’ve used dive housings before and find them a bit of a faff. I’m a great believer in just having something handy that will do the job, hence the appeal of the TG5, but I’m just not convinced it has the IQ I’d want...
Regarding a previous post, I have several RX100 models, and in ski gloves you're not going to be able to work the controls. Great camera mind.I didn’t take many stills with it though - my understanding is that you can’t shoot RAW in linear mode so you’re restricted to the Fisheye if you want to post process. I’ll revisit the stills capability as maybe that’s the answer, with my M3 in the pack for taking the really good stuff...
The RX100 plus waterproof case appeals but I’ve used dive housings before and find them a bit of a faff. I’m a great believer in just having something handy that will do the job, hence the appeal of the TG5, but I’m just not convinced it has the IQ I’d want...
GetCarter said:
Disastrous said:
Funnily enough, I took a Hero 7 out with me and was in love with the video...as you say the IS is incredible.
I didn’t take many stills with it though - my understanding is that you can’t shoot RAW in linear mode so you’re restricted to the Fisheye if you want to post process. I’ll revisit the stills capability as maybe that’s the answer, with my M3 in the pack for taking the really good stuff...
The RX100 plus waterproof case appeals but I’ve used dive housings before and find them a bit of a faff. I’m a great believer in just having something handy that will do the job, hence the appeal of the TG5, but I’m just not convinced it has the IQ I’d want...
Regarding a previous post, I have several RX100 models, and in ski gloves you're not going to be able to work the controls. Great camera mind.I didn’t take many stills with it though - my understanding is that you can’t shoot RAW in linear mode so you’re restricted to the Fisheye if you want to post process. I’ll revisit the stills capability as maybe that’s the answer, with my M3 in the pack for taking the really good stuff...
The RX100 plus waterproof case appeals but I’ve used dive housings before and find them a bit of a faff. I’m a great believer in just having something handy that will do the job, hence the appeal of the TG5, but I’m just not convinced it has the IQ I’d want...
It’s not the end of the world I guess, as I already have to take a glove off to use either iPhone or M3, and kind of means you aren’t tempted to use it in awful weather, which protects the camera I guess.
The ideal of course, would be something with better IQ than the iPhone, weather proofing AND sturdy enough to be used with gloves on etc.
No such thing, is there??
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