Moving to smaller camera from DSLR Nikon D5100

lemonade · 15 Aug 2017 at 14:50

I currently have a Nikon D5100 with the 18-105mm lens, its great and the lens gives me a good range, however I find these days the camera is too big to travel around with, on recent holiday I barely took any pictures as the camera is just too big and bulky.

So I would like to downsize to something smaller, but I want to have the same image quality and many key features e.g. dynamic range as the DSLR and also the lens range of 18-105 but in a smaller package.

Can anyone recommend anything in the £500 range please?

I will be looking at selling off the D5100 and also have a rarely used Lumix LX7 which I will sell.

Cheers

Spleen Sauce · 15 Aug 2017 at 21:50

Panasonic G7 would probably be a shout.

beefybarn · 16 Aug 2017 at 09:26

Have a look at the Sony RX100, gets great reviews everywhere.

Scam · 16 Aug 2017 at 11:58

I went from a very old Nikon D50 to Fuji XT10 and absolutely love it. My reasons were exactly the same.

Minstadave · 16 Aug 2017 at 11:59

Scam said:
I went from a very old Nikon D50 to Fuji XT10 and absolutely love it. My reasons were exactly the same.

XT10 or Panasonic G85 would be on my short list.

The XT10 has a better sensor, the G85 had better stabilisation and video.

lemonade · 16 Aug 2017 at 12:17

The G7 looks a bit big, I like the sound of the Rx100, which one should I got for mk 1 or mk 3? Is there any decent alternative? Panasonic lx10?

I have an LX7, it has a great lens, but sensor is small and a bit lacking.

Will take a look now at the g85 and XT10.

lemonade · 16 Aug 2017 at 14:58

Really liked the look of the XT10 but i've discounted it along with all other M43 and interchangeable lens cameras. Too expensive, looking at 1k for the setup I want and I am only a casual amateur photographer so spending so much makes no sense.

I'm now looking at compact digital and have narrowed it down to the following:

Panasonic TZ100
Panasonic LX15
Sony RX100M3

Not sure which one to go for, the TZ100 is first choice at the moment as it has the zoom range I want, the other two only zoom to 70mm which isn't versatile enough.

lemonade · 16 Aug 2017 at 16:06

Gonna go with the TZ100.

D.P. · 16 Aug 2017 at 17:14

What you ask for is not really possible if you want to maintain the same lens/aperture/focal lengths.

I would go m43 system, the lenses are much smaller and lighter because the sensor is smaller. If you just change to a different APS-C camera you will end up with the same lenses sizes and weights.

Energize · 16 Aug 2017 at 22:58

As D.P. says really.

If you want the same dynamic range then you need a camera with the same size sensor which means the lens will be the same size also, you can't get something the size of the RX100 with the same DR and zoom you have now.

lemonade · 17 Aug 2017 at 16:35

Yep I did figure I won't get a like for like replacement in a smaller package and some compromise will need to be made. I also realised I don't really use the full potential of a DSLR, so makes sense to downsize to something simpler. I ordered the TZ100 and it arrived today, it seems to fit the bill and try out later today to see what its like.

Cheers for the help.

MichaelAwkward · 17 Aug 2017 at 18:46

Should be able to get an RX10...

Love mine.

Oops, didn't see you'd already ordered.

wez130 · 17 Aug 2017 at 21:40

I was going to get the Panasonic TZ100 but i changed my mind, i decided i wanted the flexibility and quality of a DSLR, but in a smaller package, so i went and checked out the Sony A6300 and went for the A6500 instead, i'm well happy with it, it's not too big and bulky but yields great photos and video, it's a fantastic travel camera, especially with the Sony SEL 1018 lens on it. I know this is well out of your price range, but the A6000 is still a decent camera and within your price range too. I suggest you have a look before you decide.