Sony RX100 or Nikon D5100....

[timmyp25]

Hi all

Just after a bit of guidance with regard to my next camera purchase.

I'm currently using a Panasonic FZ45 and whilst its served me well, I think I'm ready to step up to something a little bit more serious.

I like to shoot landscapes, wildlife and aviation mainly so a good zoom is important - although from reading here, I think I need to look into cropping. I've also got my 30th birthday coming up so a new camera would be good for the holiday we've booked.

So, my issue is, do I go for something which is probably more versatile but a bit bulky to carry around (the Nikon), or do I go for the smaller more compact Sony which will still have the necessary image quality to allow good cropping of images?

I had considered the Canon 50x zoom camera but have ruled this out to the relative negativity regarding bridge cameras (even though I currently have the FZ45!!).

I appreciate any advice, tips. Max budget at present is £500.

Thanks

 

[Rojin]

The RX100 is an awesome compact camera, but for wildlife and airshows I can't see the 28-100 range being particularly suitable? Ultimately if you're happy with a camera on a strap a DSLR is going to be the more flexible (and expensive) option.

Personally I like bridge cameras, they may be a jack of all trades and a master of none but they cover a lt of uses. Sony have released a new 50x zoom bridge today as well. What is it the your FZ45 doesn't do for you?

 

[D.P.]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B004V2HE9I/cpbcouk-21/ref=nosim

Smidgen over budget but a slid setup for landscape, wildlife, and aviation.



The RX100 wont be anywhere near as flexible as a DSLR with extra lenses. The RX100 is also fairly overrated IMO. The sensor is nice but there are now smaller compact camera that offer similar IQ, the lens is not good enough to resolve that sensor and the the lens has a relative small max aperture so actually some other compact cameras allow better low light photography and shallow DoF. Have a look at cameras like the Panasonic LX7, Olympus XZ-2