Dan333SP

I know most of us use our phones for 99% of the picture-taking these days, and some phones really do have excellent cameras, but... Anyone here carry a pocket-sized camera while riding? I like stopping during longer rides for scenic shots at times, and when you're with a particularly great group it's nice to memorialize that with something better than a washed-out pixelated phone shot (iphone 5 here).

I've been looking at things like the Canon S120, which is very small, has a large sensor for its size, and opens up to f1.8 which is excellent for a compact camera. It's also relatively cheap. Any of you guys have any suggestions for something light and effective with some sort of zoom range? Bonus points if it has carbon on it somewhere

redfooj

the absolute best quality compact with a zoom range on it is the sony rx100. there are 3 iterations of it. if you like the canon's pricepoint, consider getting the 1st gen (or 2nd gen (used or old stock) ... as there are no real tangible benefits to the 3rd gen for the casual shooters.

i also like the ricoh gr very much - its more of a "photographers" camera - but it is fixed at 28mm (equivalent) field of view... which is roughly the same as iphone and honestly unless you are a "photographer" the iphone will be enough.

Fiery

I like this thread. I'm planning to buy a compact camera for the jersey pocket when I have some extra money. I will be following the recommendations here.

otg 

I use a Nikon coolpix, about half the size of my phone.

1nterceptor

I've been using a FUJIFILM XP50 for a few years now. I bring it on some club rides,
charity rides or when I'm just exploring. It's supposedly a bit shockproof(never tested
this feature) and waterproof. Usually keep it in my sweaty jersey pocket and seems
to work ok. Weather it's hot in the summer or freezing in the winter; I'm able to use
it. The pics and vids are passable and there is a 5X zoom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mQz...6zPoymgKaIoDLA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZvk...IoDLA&index=18

1nterceptor

Should have added that when my last cellphone conked out;
I switched to a Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom. It's a smartphone
with a big emphasis on the camera section; has a 10X zoom.
Unretouched(saturation, contrast, etc.) photo:

2015 FEB, NYC by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

karenashg

Just got a Ricoh GR, and am amazed at the quality of photos (and how much I can do with the RAW files in Lightroom). It's great for sweeping dramatic landscape shots on rides, and impressively portable for the kind of camera it is (still bigger than your iphone though)

doctor j

I like something with a view finder. Often on a bright day, it's difficult to see what's on the screen. Mine is an old Cannon A 720.

johnny99

Agree about the Sony RX100. Not dirt cheap, but this is the best pocket-sized zoom camera you can buy. It is a little heavy for a jersey pocket, but it easily fits into a seatpack or "bento" bag. The RX100-III has a viewfinder that is very useful in outdoors bright sunlight conditions. The RX100-II and III models both have WiFi, which is useful if you want to post your selfies to Facebook right away.

mtn.cyclist

I use a Fujifilm XP70. Small and easy to carry, 5x zoom, waterproof, shock resistant. Has wifi capability. Great battery life. Takes nice photos and video. I'm very pleased with it. Under $200.

Robert C

I frequently carry my Canon G12.

Elvo

RX100 MK II or MK III

yankeefan

I can't believe people are suggesting cameras without listing the weight. I thought this was a road biking forum.

bikemig 

I'll often carry a small canon powershot elph 130.

f4rrest

I've thought about stuffing my Canon 7d and L lens into a bottle cage.

Dan333SP

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I got a Canon SX260HS a year or so ago to bring to auto races for photos (20x lens), but its sensor and aperture don't allow for particularly good shots in low light or high contrast situations so it doesn't offer any advantages over my phone on rides, when I'd rarely need that sort of zoom range. That Sony would be pretty much ideal, I'll have to keep an eye on the used prices for the earlier models.

Machka 

1. I do not have a phone.

2. I do have a little Nikon Coolpix camera which I take with me on most of my rides.


You can see links to photos if you look in my signature line.


I also have my 'good' camera, but it rarely comes with me. I need a pannier to carry it.

a1penguin

A coworker carries a Canon G7X and he takes some stunning photos. But then it's a $600 camera. I have a Canon A3400IS, which was one of the smaller, affordable cameras on the market when I purchased it in 2011ish.

jbchybridrider 

The Canon S100, 110, 120 are brilliant little camera's. Photo quality and sensor is the same with all of them and the older one's can be bought cheap like my S110 I got on flebay. It sits in my rear pocket and don't notice it while riding at all.

These 2 photo's are shot in Raw at both end's of the zoom range and show the detail there capable of (look at the seating at full zoom) Pro photographers even carry these things so they always have a camera with them when they cant lug a dslr.

Dan333SP

Nice!! Question about your 110- Can you play with the depth of field and get nice soft focus background shots? I know the lens is much brighter than what's on my sx260 and that type of shooting is something I'd like to have fun with.

bbattle

Here's a thread I started in 2013 about cameras I got my wife a nice Panasonic Lumix and took her old Kodak Easyshare Z885. I can carry it in one of my jersey pockets. I've gotten better at just pointing and clicking while moving on the bike; I can frame the shot with software at home.

Nobody I ride with has a separate camera anymore; they all use cellphones.

chaadster

The original Lytro light field cameras may be a bit big for a jersey pocket, but they're fun to play with and cost half what they did a couple years ago.

edit: what am I talking about...folks stuff water bottles in their jerseys! If you can do that, then Lytro is a breeze.

jbchybridrider 

I'm sure you can but the most creative I've tried to be is a nice water motion shot. The biggest aperture is f2 smallest f8 at full zoom f5.9 and f8. Depends on subjects and composition. It's no dslr, my Sigma lens can do f2.8 at 300mm.

redfooj

cant do anything with DOF because of the real focal length of the canon elph lens (5.2mm - 26mm @ f5.9). unless its a miniature subject. thats the limitation of a tiny sensor.

they are nice cams - one of the first real 'pro backup' p&s - but the sony rx100 is in another class. larger sensor, brighter lens, better optics. for not that much increase in size or weight. (even then you wont get a great heads and shoulder portrait at most working distances...but its a decent compromise)

Panza

98% of the time I use my iPhone. 2% of the time I go on photo days and take a lightweight backpack with a full frame camera for 2~6 hours of riding. If quality is an absolute must ... I'd say Sony RX100 or Canon G7x in a baggie. I don't like Nikon's mirrorless because the sensor is so small so I don't get depth of field when I want it, even though theyre waterproof.