Mountain Project Logo

Best "mini-SLR"

Original Post
Josh Kornish · · Whitefish, MT · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 800

I'm sure this has been discussed quite a few times already...

I'm looking for a quality, well-rounded camera for climbing photography, macro-shots, as well as video capabilities. I'm pretty rough on my gear so I'd prefer for it to be decently strong and priced below $500.

A buddy recommended the Panasonic Lumix LX7

It looks like a pretty sweet rig, anyone have any other suggestions or advice?

Much appreciated!

Josh

J-Wright · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 0

Not a DSLR or even Micro 4/3, but I'd recommend a Canon S100+. They're probably up to 130 by now - I've owned a 95, 110, and 120. Best bang for the buck/gram I've found. Shoots in raw, HD video, and burst mode.

Martin le Roux · · Superior, CO · Joined Jul 2003 · Points: 401

Lots of choices out there. You could narrow things down by being more specific about what you want in a climbing camera. Small & light is obviously a key criterion. My list also included the following, yours may be different.

- Viewfinder (for shooting in bright light)
- Minimum focal length 24mm or less (for wide-angle shots)
- Large sensor, i.e. 4/3 or larger (for shooting in low light)

Josh Kornish · · Whitefish, MT · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 800

Thanks for the advice, fellas!

The S 130 looks like a great camera as well; I'll keep that one in mind.

Martin, Those criteria all important to me. I take also take a lot of product shots. What do you use? Any recommendations?

Brian C. · · Longmont, CO · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 1,100

I have the Canon S110 and it's great.

Travis Senor · · Cary, NC · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 60

I'd second the Canon S100. It has a lot of features for its size and lightweight. Also, if you're going with a pocket camera (like the S100), definitely look up the Canon Hack Development Kit. It'll let you override a lot of build in blocks or lock-outs on the camera to really open it up. What you can do, in terms of quality, is of course limited by the image sensor, but it definitely will make your camera go a lot further.

Martin le Roux · · Superior, CO · Joined Jul 2003 · Points: 401

Since you ask... I use a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5, which is a teeny-tiny interchangeable lens camera (micro 4/3). But it's more expensive than what you're looking for ($750ish), and it doesn't seem like you want interchangeable lenses.

gick09 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 20

I just bought a refurbished Fuji X20 for only $300 and it is just what I was looking for. It feels great in your hands, rugged, simple controls, viewfinder, fast lens (2.0-2.8 @ 28mm-112). Plus to turn it on you twist the lens instead of waiting for the finicky auto lens cap protract thing that so many cameras have now and that would probably be the first thing to get gunked with sand and grit if you are doing anything outdoors. I love it but have to say the only negatives I can see are that it is just a tad bit heavy and would only fit in large pockets - I normally have slung over my shoulder and neck or in my pack.

jaredj · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 165

Perhaps less fully featured than you want, but the Sony DSC RX100 packs a lot of punch in a small package and is well under your price point.

S. Neoh · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 35

If you want/need interchangeable lenses, then take a micro 4/3, for more than $500. I have one and think very highly of the format, esp when paired with prime lenses. If you rather have a fixed zoom lens, then maybe Canon S110 or S120. I have a S90 and it takes good JPEG when there is plenty of light. Step it up in price a bit and you have Sony RX100 II or RX100 III, with a much larger sensor. I have also heard good things about Fuji "mini DSLR".

Clint Helander · · Anchorage, AK · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 612

sony a6000 no questions
americancameracompany.com/i…

the extra $100 will be worth it, trust me

Josh Kornish · · Whitefish, MT · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 800

I really appreciate all the great info. I coughed up the extra cash and went for the Sony A6000 like Clint suggested.

I did a lot of research and it seems like the most well-rounded, mid-priced camera for climbing.

I'm going to see if I can design an "alpine" camera bag to shoot some more pitches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzTwXGO9Km4

Georgehh · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 0

I have an a6000 and been very happy with it. I have a lot of the lenses they make for it. Post up if you find a camera bag you like to climb with, that is one thing I have not yet found.

Josh Kornish · · Whitefish, MT · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 800

George, I'm going to make one myself and I'll post it up. If you have any ideas I'd love to hear them.

I'm going to design an 'alpine version' for a single lens. Probably something that can ride on a 'redundant chalk bag belt' or a shoulder sling attachment.

I picked one up that came with the standard 11mm-50mm which looks great for my macro shots at home. What lenses are you guys using in the field?

I wish a better smartphone was an option right now as they do have incredible cameras! I think Jimmy Chin shoots a lot of incredible photography on his Iphone

M Sprague · · New England · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 5,090

That A6000 looks great. I just picked up a Sony RX10 last week and am thinking maybe I should have gone with the A6000. The RX10 is a little big and heavy for bringing up on a climb. I was purposely looking for the simplicity of a bridge style camera though with a non interchangable lense, but with the relatively good optics of the 2.8 constant aperture Zeiss zoom. If I find I like using Sony (used to Nikon and Canon film cameras and then a cheap Canon digital) I might pick up an A6000 since I can use the lenses on their full frame cameras if I want to upgrade later. First I have to learn to fully use what I've got though!

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65

The big problems with pocket point-and-shoot cameras and cell phones* are that
1. the minimum (in terms of f-stop) aperture is typically no less than f3.5 and often only f5.6, so compensation for low light is slower shutter speed, meaning risk of motion blur, and/or higher ISO speed, meaning risk of digital noise. Also, anything more than f2.8 makes getting those close focus with blurred background shots extremely difficult.

2. all are notoriously slow to meter and, especially, focus. I do not know if this is the case with the quasi-DSLRs.

But since it is intended to be a climbing camera, trade-offs are necessary.

  • : funny that we still call them "phones" when that may now be the least used feature of the devices. In reality they are small form factor computing devices that happen to have telecommunication capability.
kmb · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 5
clint helander wrote:sony a6000 no questions americancameracompany.com/i… the extra $100 will be worth it, trust me
That is one sketchy looking website, have you actually ordered from them?
M Sprague · · New England · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 5,090
kmb wrote: That is one sketchy looking website, have you actually ordered from them?
Aren't almost all pretty sketchy? First thing that happens if you look for a good price is they sell you grey market goods (may be ok as long as you understand what you are getting), then they call you the next day and try to upsell you, telling you something like the battery that comes with it only lasts 2 hours so you need to buy a nice over priced one etc. I had one then call me the next day (after already charging my card) to say that they would then need a copy of my drivers license or passport to send it. Yeah right! I told them they are supposed to call the credit card company's merchant number if they want to confirm my order and identity and held fast through through their moaning emails (also let them know I called the bank myself in case anything funny went on) To my surprise I got the camera right away and they even sent the extra battery at no charge. Just have to be prepared for slick salesmanship and possible identity fraud attempts. Using those temporary one time credit card numbers the bank will give you for online shopping is probably a good idea so you don't end up buying gas in Brazil.
Eric and Lucie · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2004 · Points: 140

I have owned Canon S series since the S70 several years back. Now own the S110. Great little cameras, with lots of semi- and full-manual modes. And the lens opens to F2.0 in wide angle. I would caution to check the later models carefully (try one in a store if you can find it), as they have touch screen controls, which I cannot see operating with one hand while belaying...

S. Neoh · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 35

I too considered the a6000, and the less expensive a5100. The size of the body is great, sensor is very good, but the size of any fast E series lens form Sony is bulky and heavy; not so great for climbing. I happen to think micro 4/3 is a slightly better compromise if you need/want interchangeable lenses. Otherwise, get a good point and shoot. You may want to consider one with digital 4K video if video is key.

Brian · · North Kingstown, RI · Joined Sep 2001 · Points: 804

You may want to look at the Canon G16. I have an older model and it does everything my Nikon DSLR does in a compact body.

amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-…

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Climbing Photos & Videos
Post a Reply to "Best "mini-SLR" "

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.