Need advice from you Camera experts

[Nquiksilver]

Hey guys,
For you guys who have a lot of knowledge in cameras I have two questions for ya. I'm trying to figure out which camera to bring to SE Asia for a month.

1)What would you consider a better camera? These are the two cameras that I currently own. I will be bringing my phone regardless instead of bringing a computer to use the wifi at the hostels.
a)Samsung s5 phones built in Camera.
16MP (1/2.6 Phase Detection AF), HDR (Rich tone), Selective Focus, Virtual Tour Shot
b)Sony Cybershot DSC-W580
Specs: 16.1 MP, 5x Optical zoom, 25mm wide-angle lens
2. I'm also considering in investing in the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II Digital Camera. Would the pictures with this camera be noticeably better and is it worth dropping the extra $600 to upgrade from the previous two cameras listed above? I do enjoy nice photography but don't really want to lug around a DSLR.

I appreciate your time and help

 

[chuasam]

They're all tiny cameras. Bring all of them


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[bratkinson]

While I have been quite impressed with IQ and clarity of others' cell phone shots when viewed on their phone, I don't know how good or bad they come out when viewed on, say, a 25" monitor. You may also have a rather limited capacity for photo storage on your phone.

As far as either Sony camera, I have no idea. I'm a Canon shooter. I've never even taken a picture with my flip-type cell phone. But whether you take your existing Sony or a new one, be sure to have sufficient memory cards and perhaps batteries or a recharger. The less weight, probably the better off you'll be, especially if doing a lot of walking. As I'm among the grey/gone hair age, I think I'd opt for something that fits my pocket.

And lastly, vacation is the absolute WORST time to learn a new camera....OK...shooting a wedding would be...vacation would be 2nd worst. So, if you DO buy a new camera, shoot at least a couple of hundred shots with it 'pushing' its limits to find out what you can and can't do with it.

 

[KenC]

It depends on how much you know about using a camera. If you are not very experienced and are going to do auto-everything then a fairly recent smart phone will probably be adequate and you will be carrying it anyway. I second the backup concerns and would look into some sort of portable storage device that you could attach to your phone at the end of the day to download everything.

 

[CameraClicker]

What do you want the pictures for?
How many do you usually take on a trip like this?
How often do you travel there? How often do you travel?

I used to travel with a bridge camera, but compared to a dSLR, I am not fond of bridge camera's image quality. So, for the last few trips I have taken a Canon 550D/Rebel T2i with a couple of zoom lenses and the plastic 50 mm f/1.8, plus a flash. Certainly not as light as the Canon G16 my wife uses but I can shoot with a wider lens, and a longer lens, in worse light.

Cell phone cameras are the worst of all combinations, except they will almost always be with you, while you might leave larger cameras at home or in the hotel. They are too light, have to be held away from the face to see what you are taking, have no optical zoom, have a very short lens, do not have a good shutter release and may have too much shutter lag. I have taken photos with my cell phone, usually in the grocery store when bored, or when I need to copy a sign. A lot of Kalebra Kelby's photos were shot with an iPhone, you can see some of her's here: https://plus.google.com/+KalebraKelby/photos

The CN Tower has a heavy screen around the top viewing platform
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54048679@N07/15002549820/

When we walked around to the other side of the platform someone wanted to get a photo with a cell phone and I showed them how to position their phone, using mine.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54048679@N07/15166191146/

But with a long zoom lens, you can get closer if you want a specific scene
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54048679@N07/15166192406/

Bridge cameras may have some of the same problems as a cell phone. Some people seem to take good photos while holding the camera at arm's length. I know I don't. I haven't seen their photos on a large monitor or big print, so I can't say for certain that anyone has successfully consistently taken good photos at arm's length. I like a viewfinder so the camera can be held close to the body to minimize shake and conserve energy. An optical zoom is handy since you cannot always walk closer to your subject.

Why you are on the trip, what you want to shoot, and your concept of photo quality and convenience all play into the decision. Some of the newer mirrorless cameras seem to be pretty impressive and have a smaller form factor than a dSLR. My advice is always about the same. Your hands, your eye, your expectations. You are the only one that can decide which camera is the one for you. But, you should try out as many as you can to see which fits best.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Vince.1551]

What's so different with SEA? Just bring the best you can afford


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[baturn]

Take a. and b. and lots of storage media ( microSD for phone) Don't forget extra batteries, chargers and power converters.

 

[Nquiksilver]

Thanks for all the advice guys! I greatly appreciate it

Camera Clicker - I'm guessing I will be taking around 1000 pictures give or take on this trip. I will be taking picture of people, temples, beaches and just city shots. I like to travel at least once a year if not more.

Would you guys say the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II Digital Camera is a big upgrade from the Sony Cybershot DSC-W580? Would there be a big difference in the picture quality between the two cameras?

 

[The_Traveler]

I suggest you try to take more pictures.
Every time I go on a trip I come back wishing I had memory shots from so much more.
Lew Lorton Photography | Travel

 

[Michel88]

Bring a camera you can afford to lose. If you are going to stay in hostels, there is always the chance that you're going to be nicked... A camera is a valuable item, and in a hostel nothing is secure... I've been nicked in hostels before too..

 

[goodguy]

Stating my own opinion, I wouldnt bother to bring the cell phone camera or DSC-W580
both can produce nice images in perfect lighting condition but in tricky lighting you will not be too impressed.
The Sony RX100 II on the other hand is on a much higher level, get it and I am sure you will be happy with the results.

 

[The_Traveler]

re:theft in Southeast Asia

There isn't much in the way of real crime. You aren't going to be held up for your 'stuff'.
There is some scooter-by and grab of purses, etc but if you practice any kind of diligence that won't happen.
There is opportunity theft of goods left around; an expensive camera left unsecured is tempting when it represents a year's pay.

That being said, I insure my stuff, go especially to take pictures, don't leave stuff around and, in 7 trips to SEA and many to other places, have never lost any gear.

 

[CameraClicker]

Camera Clicker - I'm guessing I will be taking around 1000 pictures give or take on this trip. I will be taking picture of people, temples, beaches and just city shots. I like to travel at least once a year if not more.

Would you guys say the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II Digital Camera is a big upgrade from the Sony Cybershot DSC-W580? Would there be a big difference in the picture quality between the two cameras?

You are very restrained! I shoot about 5000 frames a week when travelling. After the trip the only tangibles left are the photos and sometimes a souvenir or two.

This is what others have done with a Sony DSC-W580:
https://www.flickr.com/search?sort=relevance&text=DSC-W580

This is what others have done with a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II:
https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=DSC-RX100 II

 

[Vince.1551]

To OP. First of all. Which part of SEA are you going? You do know there are several countries in SEA from underdeveloped to developing to developed. Concerns about theft ranges between countries and which part of the city of that particular country you are at.


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[Dao]

I have Samsung Galaxy S3 and I recently bought the Sony RX100 III for my wife (replacing her old Canon G11). As I said in some other threads here before, that Sony is quite good for a point and shoot camera. Image quality is very good even shooting at f/1.8 (wide end) or f/2.8 (telephoto end) and I can see a lot of details in the photos. Of course, my DSLR with a good lens still out perform the RX100 III.

My wife post some photos of her sugar gliders in another forum and she said people kept asking her what camera was used to take those photos.

Few nice features I like about the RX100 III are

- Relatively large sensor - 1 inch size (compare to cell phone or other point and shoot camera)
- Fast lens (ver III)
- Build in flash can be position with a finger to point up. So you can bounce the flash off the ceiling with the build-in flash.

So I told my wife to shoot with 75mm focal length (35mm eqvt) @ f/2.8 and bounce flash off the ceiling when taking photos with the SugarGliders, she is able to produce nice images with semi blur background with no harsh flash shadow.

I think the main different between the ver II and ver III is the optics and the viewfinder. The ver III has a shorter Focal length range but the lens are faster (wider max aperture) and has a build in Viewfinder.

So now my wife seldom use the cell phone camera anymore. She prefer using the Sony. If needed, she will just connect the Sony to the cell phone via NFC and upload the photos to the net. And She can even use the cell phone for remote shooting (kind of like wireless tether shoot)

I do not own the Sony DSC-W580, but based on what I read about that camera, I believe the image quality of the RX100 should be better. Of course, that also depends on the type of photos and expectations. I am sure there are situations that you may not able to tell the different from photos taken between RX100 and DSC-W580. In general, my wife is happy with the new camera.