Currently own a Nikon P310, would a RX100 be a massive upgrade?

[Kmodo]

At Christmas we bought a Nikon Coolpix P310 as we was fed up of the pictures from the S3. I am happy with the pictures the P310 has done but am aware that it is nowhere near kind of quality that a dslr would produce.

I will be going to Iceland for a couple of weeks in May and backpacking around China in July\August.

Carrying around a DSLR sized camera with lenses is not going to be happening and so did some googling and came across the RX100.

Would the pictures from a RX100 produce obviously better pictures than the P310? (So much so that even non photographers would be able to instantly tell the difference? Your Dad, Nan etc).

The rx100 is really expensive but then I can't see myself going to China again and so would really like to get some photographs!

Hopefully somebody can advise, I can only relate to graphics cards like the titan which might be 4 times more expensive but is nowhere near 4 times faster, diminishing returns etc

 

[D.P.]

The Rx100 is definitely better but a massive upgrade? not really.

I have said this a few times recently but I would look at an entry level micro four thirds (m43) camera . These are very small and light, have a bigger sensors the the RX100 and have some very good lenses. Cheaper than a RX100 to boot.

Nikon 1 series also worth a look in, excellent auto-focus performance, very small size.

 

[Kmodo]

The Rx100 is definitely better but a massive upgrade? not really.

I have said this a few times recently but I would look at an entry level micro four thirds (m43) camera . These are very small and light, have a bigger sensors the the RX100 and have some very good lenses. Cheaper than a RX100 to boot.

Nikon 1 series also worth a look in, excellent auto-focus performance, very small size.

Thanks. Is there a m43 camera that you would recommend or is highly rated? Is there an all rounder lense that I could take with me? Or would I be forced to carry a bag full of lenses?

Just done a google shopping for Nikon 1 and there is v1 v2 j1 j2 etc?

 

[D.P.]

Thanks. Is there a m43 camera that you would recommend or is highly rated? Is there an all rounder lense that I could take with me? Or would I be forced to carry a bag full of lenses?

I got the Olympus EPM2 with 14-42mm kit lens and also purchased a 40-150mm telephoto.

This was purchased mainly because it is the smallest and lightest so most like a compact camera - but has the same sensor and Autofocus as the top of the range 1000 pound version.

I use the kit lens to keep things small and light. Recommended even if you were to get other lenses. I also picked up a Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 fixed focal length pancake lens because it is tiny.

The Camera weighs 270g with battery.
The kit lens is around 100g, I leave it attached almost all the time and use the camera like a point and shoot, but have the telephoto lens in the other pocket.

This is very much a pocketable camera (jacket or baggy trousers, not tight jeans or shirt) and light enough that I don't really notice it when hiking.


Sample poos straight from the camera here that I took ski tourng at the weekend:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18475507&page=7


The Sensor is actually really remarkable, just as good as any of the current Canon Crop sensors so you get the performance of a DSLR in a tiny little camera. Lots of chocies of lenses including plenty of small light pancake lenses.



Panasonic also make m43 cameras, the main difference is Panasonic ties to aim to for higher level functionality rather than smallest sizes, also lots of video functions. Olympus have Image stabilization on the sensor so every lens is stabilized including the small prime lenses that are not optically stabalised, Panasonic uses stabilization of the lens elements so only some lenses are stabilized.

 

[Kmodo]

woah, thanks for all that information! I will now look into the EPM2 as your photos do look very impressive and clearly of a much higher quality than my nikon P310

I notice you mentioned that you normally leave the kit lense on. From looking at pictures of the EPM2 with what I believe is the stock lense, it looks pretty big. Does that not not make the camera really bulky and impossible to pocket without taking the lense off?

 

[D.P.]

It fits in a jacket pocket or my ski pants really easily but wont fit in normal trouser pockets.

I also purchase the Panasonic 14mm lens which is really small:
http://www.seriouscompacts.com/atta...2-rx100-side-side-8148049858_c170cf8064_z.jpg
There is a photo comparison to the sony rx100






If you really want something small that fits in regular trouser pockets then have a look at the Cannon S100/110 but that will be very similar to your Nikon P310 in performance.


The RX100 wont happily fit into tight trouser pockets like jeans but will likely fit in loose fitting trousers. A M43 camera with kit lens wont fit in regular trouser pocket but will fit in loose fitting and jacket pockets.


If jacket pockets is acceptable then they are worth a look, you wont get better performance and image quality for the size with any other current camera, plus they are very cheap.

 

[Kmodo]

That comparison looks more than reasonable. I think the 14mm lense will be fine, having used smart phone cameras for years I have got used to not using a zoom anyway!