For everyday point and shoot shots, which mirrorless camera should I choose?
Basically I'm very confused as to which camera to get for general point and shoot type shots. Current considerations are the Panasonic Lumix GF3, Sony Nex-5 and Nikon 1 J1. I'll be using it mainly for travelling so there will be a variety of shots - outdoor, indoor etc
I was initially looking at the J1 for its speed but the general review for the camera isn't that great, so now I'm juggling between that, Sony NEX-5 and Lumix GF3
The main things I'm really looking at is for reasonably fast autofocus and a small compact size (image quality for them all are said to be great so I'm not too overly concerned with that). I know pancake lenses are available for them all, but my question is if they're good for everyday purposes? Nikon's 10mm lens is said to not be really fit for all purposes, and I'm not too sure I want to lug around the other 10-30mm lenses when I'm on the go.
Long story short -
Nikon J1, Sony NEX-5 or Panasonic Lumix GF3?
(And yes, I know there are lots of people who don't quite like mirrorless cameras, and feel that they're overpriced and whatnot and it's more worth it to get a DSLR, but I'm looking for compact with future options to go further)
Well I'm glad you know all the facts like overpriced, over rated, glorified pocket toy and all that stuff before you buy. Most people don't know about that stuff so it's refreshing that someone who, even though I think you're making a mistake, knows all the bad stuff going in.
I frankly don't have a recommendation for you. I'm a dslr guy so I never shop that junk… Sorry.
Here's wishing you good luck in your search.
No idea - but if you 've already got Canon lenses, the recently announced EOS M might be worth considering for your list.
http://www.dpreview.com/...anon-eos-m
Was just looking at this - its a bargain! Http://www.citiwideonline.com/au/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_new.tpl&product_id=5698&category_id=518&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=79
Out of three you suggested the Sony is by far the best. The Nikon is is at best mediocre - the GF3 is a superseded entry level FT. The GX1 I mentioned is a great camera at a very good price - very compact with good imaging
I agree with Jim A. He's been around for a while, and knows what he's talking about.
Have you considered a bridge camera like the Nikon P510? It's not that much bigger than the Nikon 1.
Ignore Jim. His bashing of ILC cameras as junk doesn't explain how the Sony NEX takes higher quality images than his Canon dSLR. When he gets cranky, attacking these cameras he reminds me of all the photographers 10 years ago that said digital wasn't good, it didn't "look" right, and "film till I die".
How much you want to bet the Jim was one of those guys. Now, all the major camera companies are all digital, film is dead. Only a very teeny, tiny percentage of working photographers use film. Now the old grumps are back again to attack compacts with large image sensors. They are old and mad.
These cameras are not toys, they do not replace a dSLR, they have their place. So let's get down to the cameras you are looking at, let's boil it down. First don't get a Sony NEX 5, get the newer models the 5N, or the new and current 5R. They have the best image sensors period. Not opinion, but fact. The NEX is best when paired with pancake prime or zoom lens. If you want a big zoom, the NEX is not for you.
Since it uses the same size image sensor as a dSLR, the lenses have to be just as big as dSLR lenses. The best bang for the buck is the NEX F3.
The J1 has the lowest performing sensor when compared to ILC cams. But don't let the scare you too much, it still destroys small image sensor compacts. The big advantage for the J1 is the big zoom you can get in a smaller lens. The 10-100mm and 30-100mm both have big reach (the crop factor means you multiply by 2.7)
The GF3 and 5 sit somewhere between. The micro four thirds offers a slightly better performing image sensor over the J1, but not as good as the NEX. The lens selection is good, the body price is pretty good too.
For me personally, I'm all about the best image sensor I can get, especially at high ISO in low light. Work around everything else. I would go with a Sony NEX F3, a pancake prime from Sigma for low light, I think that runs 199, and maybe the Sony pancake zoom for a standard walk around lens, that is about 350 or so.
Final advice, always shoot in RAW format. If you don't know what that is or don't want to work with RAW, shoot in RAW+jpeg mode all these cameras can do it. Jpegs for now, RAW for archival purposes, just get a big fat memory card, they are cheap these days. Best of luck.