Compact System Camera recommendations
 

My wife told me that she wants a new camera for Christmas. She has an older point-and-shoot digital camera that she carries with her all the time while working. That camera as a built-in wide angle lens which she needs for her work. But, she is itching for an upgrade, mostly because she wants to take better pictures of our grandson. Before digital, she was an avid SLR user and had been leaning towards that direction with a DSLR. That was before I shared this video with her.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gW9alBidf3w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

This has caused her to rethink her approach and it has led me to discover that there is a whole type of camera called a Compact System Camera.

Right now, I am looking at a Sony NEX-5N with a few different lenses for her. But, I can be swayed.

Any experience or recommendations that anyone can share for Compact System Cameras?

The NEX cams are really impressive and I almost purchased one but opted for the Fujifilm X series instead. Its mirrorless design creates a smaller profile than a DSLR but it still has some bulk to it that makes it easy to hold (for my large hands). Check out the mirrorless cam reviews on dpreview.com, they are pretty informative.

Thanks Eric. I have already spent countless hours on dpreview.com. So many that my head is now spinning. I was already planning on plugging in any of the Pelican recommendations to their side-by-side comparison tool. I'll take a look at the Fujifilm X cameras.

Paul,
I'd say for quick snap shots of the grandson the NEX will be hard to beat. It focuses fast, shoots fast and has many features. The Fuji X series is a little weird, more like an old rangefinder but not a rangefinder. I find it fun and quirky but that's just my style. I think you'll find the NEX to be all the camera most folks need. Heck, the NEX 7 is almost 25mp and has pretty good video capabilities, much better than the Fuji.

I went through this last year, and chose the Olympus OM-D. I'm very happy with it.

Olympus om-d FTW. NEX are nice as well but the OM-D is lovely.

Most of the cameras of late will make great images. What features are important to her? Does it need to have a viewfinder? a place to put an on camera flash? things like that can differ from body to body on recent mirror-less cameras.

Hard to say, as technology leapfrogs up and down product lines. What is deemed "sufficient" is a moving target (per forum talk, only what is coming out tomorrow ever seems to be "sufficient").

The OM-D is WAY faster than the Nikon D50 it replaced, which was probably a great middle-road DSLR in its day.

I don't take action photos (aside from the kids - if that fits the bill), but is is know to be a fast focuser amongst its peer group. Depends on the lens used too

I'd have to say yes, the mirrorless design allows for near instantaneous shutter release, the Sony NEX-5n is .02 seconds I believe.

NEX 7's are sweet, I just wish they'd come down in price. If you want to shoot manual, you have the two main knobs up top, one shutter speed one f-stop, quick simple easy.


The Oly PEN series I, II's, III's are nothing to sneeze at either.

I really really like this 4/3rds format. Mini-mid sized camera body, and full range of len choices.

to me, it comes down to ergonomics and what fits the hands. You can have all the menus and software and do-dads in the world, but if it doesn't fit your hands/fingers and photo application where you can't drive it almost instinctively, then what good is a Lambo or Ferrari if you would do just as well in a Lexus or other upper middle class car/camera.


I have some old digital point and shoots ready to retire, and I'm in the same boat, what 4/3rds format to get. I drool over the NEX-7, the -5 is totally different in many manners.

I love my Olympus OM-D E-M5. I have serious dollars in Nikon gear that seldom gets used anymore now that the smaller stuff has gotten so good.

By far the best small camera I have tried is the sony rx100.
The point and shoots of the world are getting faster- but they are not as fast as a dslr. Much of this has to do, imho, with focus. DSLR's use phase detection focus while the point and shoots focus from the sensor using a contrast based system. The contrast system is slower.
So, the rx100 is not going to replace my D4 for sports, but for a walkaround it does a pretty darn good job.
Gary