Recommend me a camera

timmysbiscuits on 07/06/2016 - 10:14

Hi everyone

I am looking for a high end compact digital camera and would appreciate any recommendations.

We currently have a Sony RX100 mk1. Takes fantastic photos and my wife loves it. It just has one major flaw: can only take HD videos in avchd format. Our system at home for her to import, upload photos and videos etc has changed (directly onto iPad) and we need the videos to be originally recorded in MP4 format.

The camera will primarily be used to take portrait type photos, photos at kids parties, going out etc. not really into landscape type photography. Will be taking videos of, say, kids performances at school, kids events, kids parties etc. family / home type use.

The camera is solely used by my wife, who is loving taking really great photos of our daughter, her friends etc.

Summary:

  • need high end compact camera, similar size to Sony RX100
  • budget $1,000 or less
  • must take great portrait type photos, primarily in Auto setting
  • ? F1.8
  • must take video in MP4 format, 1080p or higher, would love 60fps as well
  • optical stabilisation in photos and videos would be great

Thanks for any suggestions or recommendations you guys have. Really appreciate it.

Tim

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • compugrid on 07/06/2016 - 10:45
    +1

    Sony A6000 (2K video)or A6300 (4K video). With The 35- 50 mm lens it's just a bit larger size than RX is. On specials (search OZB ) A6000 was around $600 with 2 lenses kit. F starts from 3.5. It's fast (11fps), compact, has 2 automatic options, but you also have manual features to play with.

    • timmysbiscuits on 07/06/2016 - 10:49

      Thanks compugrid, I'm after really sharp photos (some background blur etc). Achieveable at 3.5 you think, or would I need a f1.8 lens?

      I'll check it out anyway for size.

  • macrocephalic on 07/06/2016 - 11:21
    +2

    I'd sooner swap out the ipad than the camera.

    • timmysbiscuits on 07/06/2016 - 17:32

      Yeah, I know. Some might say it would be simpler to do that. But that's not the simplicity she is after for photo stuff. Besides, the laptop she WAS using was getting old, was slow and cheap when new, and now has a cracked screen so she has to plug it into the TV to sort through photos. She likes the iPad idea better.

  • compugrid on 07/06/2016 - 11:24
    +1

    Yes, I am making shallow depth of field with my A6000 ( manual Aperture), it depends on how far the background is from the subject in focus. But obviously a faster lens (1.8 or lower) would give you a better bokeh effect when background would be as much shallow as unrecognizable.
    The body of the A6000 is conveniently small but the lens is out-sizing the retrievable lens of the RX.
    https://www.google.com.au/search?q=Sony+A6000&biw=877&bih=84…

    • timmysbiscuits on 07/06/2016 - 17:28

      Thanks again compugrid. Will do some more research tonight and hopefully decide ASAP. I appreciate your advice.

  • bargainchamp on 07/06/2016 - 12:13
    +3

    Check out Panasonic LX100. It is reasonably compact & it has a bigger sensor than most high end compact cameras (usually with 1 inch sensor). It covers 24-75mm (35mm equivalent focal length) with max aperture of f/1.7-2.8. Bear in mind that sensor size matters more when it comes to background blur/bokeh, which is why smartphone cameras can hardly produce creamy-shallow-bokehlicious photos even with f/1.7.

    • timmysbiscuits on 07/06/2016 - 17:27

      Thanks for the reply. Yeah, this does look really good and I think it has everything I am after. Thanks again for the suggestion. I will seriously consider this.

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