UKC

Okay, I know someone asks something along these lines every week - but I was hoping you could help. I am currently camera-less, after my old SLR has been given away and my point and shoot was killed by the sands at Font.

I want a new camera primarily for climbing / mountaineering, but I'm struggling to work out what the best bet in the current market that sits in the centre of that crucial quality images / compact design / robustness venn diagram. Ideally looking for the best possible device in terms of the quality of shots possible, without being too bulky / too delicate / too expensive. It has to afford me full manual control. I'd look at a DSLR but, frankly, I suspect the size of most means that it'll just stay in my rucksack, out of the way. Unless there's a particularly good small bodied DSLR / pancake lens combo you can recommend.

I've been doing the classic research - but camera websites and magazines don't tend to ask the crucial questions (i.e.) can it survive getting a bit damp or bumped (if the worst happens - my last camera survived a decade), does it function below 0 and how easy is it to use 1 handed or with gloves on all spring to mind.

Along the line of thought above, I was thinking about getting a CSC as I'd prefer to shoot in RAW and have more control over my photos and they'd offer the best quality to portability position, but as a class I'm worried that their small form will make them delicate - there's going to be a lot of electronics stuffed inside a very small case.

So, essentially, I was wondering if anyone could recommend any specific models which they've taken with them and have performed admirably? I'll gratefully take any advice you're willing to offer. Otherwise I'll have to find a store that's willing to lend me a camera for a year or so to see how it feels...

In reply to Phoebus:

Sony RX100 iii

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sony-cybershot-dsc-rx100-m3

In reply to Kai:


Seconded plus the Mark 1 is pretty cheap now and gives great results.

In reply to Phoebus:

My Canon S95 has taken a bit of a battering the last couple of years but still comes up trumps when I use the manual settings. Never used RAW on it so can't comment.

In reply to Phoebus:
http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=6610

In reply to Kai:

Awesome, thanks for the pointer, an older model of that was mentioned in an earlier thread, I'm liking the consistency

In reply to Phoebus:

Nikon Coolpix AW120

I like the photos it takes, and being waterproof you don't have to worry about taking it out in the rain, or in winter, and you don't have to worry about condensation. And you can take it in the bath for those cheeky wee vids you might post online on occasion, if that's what you're into. =P

In reply to Phoebus:
Canon G series (mine's a G15).

http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/Digital_Camera/Power...

Built like a BSH - takes a battering!

This guy rates them too;

http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=6610

In reply to Stephen Reid - Needle Sports:


I am really impressed with my Mark 1 and it has got cheaper (under £300) with the later versions having come out - excellent value. My only criticism is that the screen is poor in bright light(no doubt true of all cameras without a viewfinder). Having the electronic viewfinder of the Mark 3 would be brilliant, though it is double the price!

In reply to Robert Durran:

On the Kirkpatrick article - I read it but managed to miss the recommendation for a camera that isn't an SLR. It was what actually prompted me to post as there are certain requirements of cameras you're planning on taking into the mountains, notably the quality of their performance over variable light conditions - which you don't quite get in normal reviews.

That is the only issue with the Mark 3 - the competition at the price point. For that amount you could get http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-Interchangeable-Digital-Camera-16-50mm/dp/B009... (sony Nex 6), for example. Another excellent Sony camera which both lacks touchscreen controls and has an electronic viewfinder (both big plusses for me). The only issue with it being anecdotal reports that it's not the most durable thing around.

A second hand the mark 2 and the nex 6 are about the same. Or there's the G7 X, also a 1 inch sensor point and shoot (lens looks superior , battery apparently worse, since I haven't used either I'm only able to judge from reviews) and the sony a5100... (that all assumes that I'd buy at that price point and not pick up a second hand m2 for significantly less).

In reply to Phoebus:

I currently have an Olympus E-PL3 which has served me well in Canada, the Alps and a couple of Scottish Winters. I carry it in a largish Crumpler bag attached to my harness by a couple of snapgates.

I've invested in the Micro 4/3 format by buying lenses so won't be upgrading any time soon, but if I were starting from scratch I might look at something like the Fuji X-E2 which has a large APS-C sensor.

Andrew.

In reply to Phoebus:

Would generally recommend the RX100. Lots of control and really impressive shots and colour with RAW. Plus much easier than an SLR to frame and shoot whilst trying to belay safely. Only downside is that it doesn't seem to like getting bashed. I've switched off the drop detection setting but it still seems to freeze up sometimes. Anybody else had this problem? I've bought a neck strap to try and stop it bouncing off things whilst belaying.

There are also some really good cameras that transmit the image from the senser to a digital viewfinder rather than use the conventional mirror that are found in SLRs. It significantly reduces the the bulk and weight of the body vs an SLR but will have the same results (depending of lenses available of course). I've got an NEX-5 (with the additional viewfinder), which is really low bulk vs picture quality. My pictures look better than lower end EOS cameras that I owned previously and theviewfinder is easily HD enough for all light conditions, although I think it saps the battery a little quicker. Sony have some really impressive higher end cameras in similar vane.

In reply to planetmarshall:

I have fairly recently invested in both an XE-1 and an RX100. They are both superb (amazing in low light) and both are now a bargain with the appearance of the new models. I use the XE-1 when weight is not an issue and the RX100 when it is (ie when actually climbing). It would be a mistake to think of CSC's as compact cameras and I think you would have to be pretty dedicated to carry them while climbing*. If I was buying now (and certainly if I was getting a single camera to cover everything), I would be seriously tempted by the RX100 iii with it's electronic viewfinder; I really miss my XE-1's viewfinder when using the my RX100. Though for another £200 the combination I have gives great versatility and I wouldn't want to go on a big trip without a backup camera.

*Though an XE-1 with the pancake lens would be pretty portable, but that is a lot of extra cost assuming you would want a zoom too.

In reply to Phoebus:

I lost my Olympus TG830 recently. It was just the business for climbing etc. So I've just bought another of the same to replace it.

In reply to Merlin:

+1 I have a G11 that produces superb images using RAW. Got it S/H a couple of years ago with only 100 shots taken - bargain. Later models have 'improved' features I don't use so quite happy with what I have.

In reply to Robert Durran:



This is what essentially what's causing me the headache. With a CSC (specifically the a5100 with the standard pancake lens) you're trading away the EVF - a quick look at the body shows no way to mount one either - for bigger sensor + better processor + better AF + full range of lenses for no or minimal increase in the device weight or volume, and crucially it looks like it costs slightly less for the body + lens than an rx100 iii. Though I could just get a mark 2 for 300 ish - from a quick scan of ebay. The lack of any weatherproofing on the a5100 does worry me slightly as well.

In reply to Lee Harrison:




Interesting stuff, thanks. How robust have you found the NEX 5? Would you willingly take it anywhere (or at least, most places)?

In reply to Phoebus:


I can't speak for other CSCs but my Olympus E-PL3 has held up pretty well despite not having any weatherproofing, that said I wouldn't use it in truly horrific conditions. I have a GoPro for that.

In reply to planetmarshall:

No I wouldn't either.

On a sidenote, the most reliable camera I ever had for Scottish winter was an old HTC Desire smartphone. At various times it got dropped in both a pint and a toilet so it was decently waterproof. Pain to operate in gloves though...

In reply to Phoebus:

It's definately robust. I'd say an SLR-type lens (which the NEX-5 has) is probably more reliable that than point-and-shoot retractable lenses. I've taken it to the Alps a few times without any issues. Downside is that it needs two hands to adjust the zoom whilst holding the camera, which is obviously more problematic for when belaying. It also doesn't fit inside my jacket pocket. Both these points mean I generally take the RX-100 with me when climbing. I like the NEX though when climbing in a three, or for some Alpine routes. I took these pictures with the NEX a couple of years ago to give you an idea of sharpness (shot in RAW, then converted to JPG with PS):

https://www.flickr.com/photos/leeharrison/sets/72157629737303369/

In reply to Phoebus:

If you can wait a month or so, the new Panasonic LX100 looks to be an excellent choice for a climbing camera:

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-lx100