What camera do I buy? / general gear talk

Don’t underestimate this part though. Whenever you put your eye to the viewfinder, your perception changes. Even if you only look at the live view, it’ll affect your stability on the bike. I actually find it easier to use my phone than an actual camera for the rolling shots.

5D? Yea sod that. I mean. 5D+40/2.8 pancake would be a dream for everywhere-shooting. I’d travel the world with that setup.

But on a bike? Fuck that.

I used to take DSLR on trips but I'm just not that into photography these days so it was whittled down to the Ixus and then that got annoying too so we just use phones. The Samsung isn't great though and I'm missing detail when trying to crop stuff later (zooming is even worse).

LCD screen camera though, I'm thinking of? I wouldn't be jamming a viewfinder in my face to focus or whatever while riding.

I didn't think I would be the only one with that opinion :)

From my experience, it’s quicker to frame the shot via the viewfinder than the LCD. Especially when out in bright (summer) conditions. I’ve tried both though and I still prefer the viewfinder.

I've been using the phone so long I kind of forgot about the viewfinder to be honest. If I'm riding and shooting the framing will be poor anyway and it'll be getting cropped. This is why I was thinking proper camera with bigger sensor might help improve detail once I've thrown half of the pixels away :)

Many, many newer iterations.
I think the A6000 is the best place to start on the cheap end though, there seems to be a lot of agreement online that at that point it turned from a good to great little system.
Here's a list : )
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_ofSony%CE%B1_cameras

Yeah it’ll give you some room to play with for sure! :)

If you’re looking for smaller portable interchangeable lens cameras, don’t overlook Panasonic/Olympus.

Lenses come much smaller, pancakes are super small, most have OIS in camera or lens.

The GM1/GM5 is ridiculously small, especially with the 12-32 pancake zoom or 14mm f2.5.

Slightly older versions can be really good value to buy, such as GX7 and GX80.

The G80 is one of the cheapest weather resistant Interchangeable lens cameras, though in a DSLR style body. Much smaller than your canon though.

I’s very much like to try an X100. The idea of discrete shutter speed, aperture, exposure comp dials along with the hybrid viewfinder appeals a lot.

However, it doesn’t seem to translate that well into single hand use on the bike that well? I wouldn’t use the viewfinder on the bike, and possibly only the exposure comp while in aperture priority mode.

Also lack of IS in video.

A6000 is the best place to start on the cheap end

More spendy than the Canon Gs though and not sure I want the potential hassle of buying a used one.

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-gm5

RX-100 has higher MP but smaller sensor - more noise but better detail when cropping?
But those lumix are physically smaller.

You've never seen me buy tech items have you?

No, I can see what you mean now though 🙃

Canon EOS M200?
https://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/slrs/canon_eosm200
+
https://lumoid.com/reviews/lenses/canon-ef-m-22mm-f2-stm

I’ll take a pic of my GM1 to demonstrate the size. I had a GM5 as well, but didn’t really use the viewfinder (though wish the GM1 had a thumb scroll)
I have one of those Garmin edge elastic lanyards on it for security.

Id have 16 megapixels in a larger sensor compared to 20 megapixels in a smaller one, especially as a lot of the detail and image quality will come from the lens.

You can pick up a GM1 with 12-32 lens for £200 or something these days, and if you supplement with a £100 or so pancake lens. (20mm f1.7 or 14mm 2.5)

This you? :P

What's the current model equivalent of the GM1 or the GM5?

Sadly there is none. Don’t think they were that popular outside the Asian market.

Also probably hits the same market segment that is now mostly happy with phone cameras, which were definitely not good enough in 2013 when GM1 was released.

I mean the budget pocket camera is pretty much dead, it’s all enthusiast compacts and DSLRs and mirrorless to have enough quality and ergonomics differences with phones.

Sony still sells 'em new, about the same price as the G7 X around here.

The majority of my photos I take standing still as it’ll be landscape related. I can manage via the viewfinder whilst cycling though but it requires some training. I use a wrist strap when shooting like this just to be sure :)

Ive got my X-H1 or DJI pocket for video so I’m not too bothered with the lack of IS. :)

For less than 500 quid, used, I could get a A6000 + pancake lens.

Or there's RX100s on ebay for less than £300
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-Cyber-Shot-DSC-RX100-Mark-I-camara-digital-20-2-Mp-Full-HD-1080-F-1-8/254481555875

Hippy- I’d vote for an older X100 (so cheaper) in a chalk bag on the bars, get a wrist strap for it that you shove your hand through before pulling it out and you won’t (can’t) drop it. It’s got a large viewscreen on the back and it’s a really decent little camera (I have had t/f/v). You’re welcome to borrow mine to see if you get on with it.

Yeah, considering where it's going and what's likely to befall it I'm looking at cheap.

But then I see 4/3rds units for the same price as 1" sensor cameras:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Olympus-Compact-System-Electric-Display/dp/B079LMY4S3?th=1

Cheers, I might keep an eye out for newer X100s

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

Though I made big efforts to love them, I really hated the menu, screen, and image quality from Olympus Pen cameras. I hated them almost as much as I hate Panasonic. Maybe the newer ones are better, but I doubt it.

Plus, the size difference is so minimal to the smallest Sony Alpha/Nex that I’d sooner get APSC over M43.

You need to do the thing, go somewhere and handle each one.

I took weeks of visits to various shops back 3 1/2 years ago before I bought the A6000. Must have handled every option from Canon to Olympus, Fuji and even... Nikon. Still came back to Sony, still don’t regret it.