Canon vs. Nikon

[Machka]

Originally Posted by inkista

+1

dSLR quality, but smaller bodies and lenses. With micro four-thirds, a four lens setup is still manageable in a smallish camera bag.

Enough quality to produce something that could potentially be published in magazines?

I'm not just looking for a step up from point-and-shoots ... I'm looking for something that will produce really good quality photos.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by Machka

Enough quality to produce something that could potentially be published in magazines?

I'm not just looking for a step up from point-and-shoots ... I'm looking for something that will produce really good quality photos.

Absolutely.
The ones I mentioned all have similar sensor size and performance to the DSLR bodies you would be looking at.... Granted, there are compromises compared to certain other options ..Maybe not as good high ISO performance, small lens selection, etc etc...

[Machka]

Originally Posted by sk66

Absolutely.
The ones I mentioned all have similar sensor size and performance to the DSLR bodies you would be looking at.... Granted, there are compromises compared to certain other options ..Maybe not as good high ISO performance, small lens selection, etc etc...

So ... why would you go with the cameras you mentioned (Sony Nex-7 or Canon G1x or Fuji X-pro 1) rather than the ones I mentioned (Canon 60D, 7D, Nikon D300S, D7000)?

Is it just because they are a smaller physical size?

[sk66]

Yes. And because of your "priorities". Note I said there are compromises and "maybe" not as good.... but "maybe" just as good. Everything is a compromise and a larger/heavier kit for a few "benefits" is also a compromise.

[ceremus]

Have a look at this comparison of sensor sizes.



Most P&S systems use the two smallest sizes in the lower left corner, there. The difference between a P&S sensor, a Four Thirds, the new in-between G1X sensor, and a full APS-C is quite significant. I believe the new line of Fuji cameras as well as Sony's NEX line uses the full standard APS-C size.

For reference I've also included an image that compares a full format sensor to APS-C and smaller.

So basically yes, the mirrorless compacts can definitely compete with most available DSLR's so far as the image quality delivered by the sensor.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by Machka

Enough quality to produce something that could potentially be published in magazines?...

Let me put it this way. On a bunch of micro four-thirds boards, you can find a ton of folks who have given up D700s and 5D Mark IIs (full frame cameras) with pro glass for a micro four-thirds or other mirrorless system (now, you will also find people who tried mirrorless compacts, and decided they weren't fitting the bill, but neither group is in a clear majority). I personally know one professional printer who does art prints at gallery sizes from his Olympus micro four-thirds camera.

Now, granted, you have to know how to use the gear....

But here's a thread on the Fred Miranda board that has lots of images made with micro four-thirds cameras. And the NEX, Samsung NX use the same size sensors that are in the cameras you're currently looking at: APS-C (1.5x crop).

And I'd recommend reading what The Online Photographer has to say about micro four-thirds.

[Machka]

Now you've got me thinking about getting two cameras ... one to tuck into my handlebar bag when I'm cycling, and one for when I'm not cycling.

Is the Canon G1x a micro four-thirds camera? Or does Canon have one? And would lenses be interchangeable between it and the 60D or 7D? Or are they two completely different things.


And another question ... does the 60D not travel well? I'm still a bit puzzled why, when I asked about specific cameras, the recommendation has been to look at something with potentially a lesser quality.

[RichardTaylor]

The G1x is not an interchangeable lens, or micro 4/3, camera.

A lot of us have more then one camera.
My small camera is a Canon G11 P&S which is a fine camera for a lot of subjects and shooting conditions. But awful for others, mainly sport or action and hand held very low light shooting.

The 60D would travel well. I have been using a predecessor, the 40D, since 2007.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by Machka

Is the Canon G1x a micro four-thirds camera?

No. It's a fixed-lens compact with a slightly-larger-than-four-thirds sensor.

The Panasonic GX-1 is a micro four-thirds camera.

The Fuji X-Pro 1 is touted as being APS-C, but it's basically got a sensor just slightly larger than micro four-thirds as well. has an APS-C sensor.

Or does Canon have one? And would lenses be interchangeable between it and the 60D or 7D? Or are they two completely different things.

Canon does not have a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. And micro four-thirds is a separate mount system from Canon EOS. The only manufacturers that are making cameras in the micro four-thirds mount are Panasonic and Olympus.

And another question ... does the 60D not travel well? I'm still a bit puzzled why, when I asked about specific cameras, the recommendation has been to look at something with potentially a lesser quality.

Well, I'm making the recommendation, because the amount of the quality difference between APS-C and micro four-thirds may not be noticeable to you. People will go on and on about the numbers and the specs being clearly this or that, but in real-world usage, it's a different matter.

And yes, the 60D would travel well, but you have to understand that both the camera body and the lenses will be larger and heavier, and as a cyclist, like a backpacker, the emphasis on small size and weight may mean more than to an average traveler who doesn't mind hauling extra pounds of kit along with them. If you're counting ounces, then a smaller system is going to make a big difference.

Here. Try using this tool to see the size differences between the 60D and the Panasonic GX-1 (micro four-thirds camera).

[sk66]

The G1x is better than a 4/3 sensor...it's almost APS-C. It would be a great "general purpose camera" for the handlebar bag.

"Travels well" means different things to different people.... If it weighs under 12 pounds it travels well to me. It's just "bigger". I think you misunderstood me in that it's not "lesser quality"...it's "different compromises". Nothing is perfect.

I'm used to the top of the line professional gear...it's still not "perfect", it weighs a ton and is large and expensive, but it performs as well as anything...different compromises.