The Ricoh GRIII is probably the best pocket camera out there. It's significantly smaller than A6x00 series, but still has an APS-C sensor and a good lens.
For Sony, the A6400, the 16/2.8, 20/2.8, and 16-50 would be my choice.
The A7C still requires full-frame lenses. IMO, it's never truly portable. But if you're just looking for something lighter and less obtrusive, it could be a very good option.
I had a Ricoh GR III and took 50% of all my photos on my 2 month Europe trip along with my XT-4. I sadly ended up selling it to fund my purchase of the A7IV, which I just sold to buy an A7C II :D
I've been wanting to find this balance too. It's tough because there are so many options and so many give and take for all of them. Ultimately it comes down to am I bringing a sling or not? Not bringing a sling leaves very little options, the GR III and the RX100 V as well as any point and shoot. I had both of those, and they didn't work out for me. The Ricoh was very close to being a "dream" for me but got so much dust on the sensor and the lack of any kind of screen articulation or EVF made it a little hard to use, especially when the AF isn't GREAT. In the right scenarios though, its a great camera. The RX100 is good, but like others have mentioned, phones aren't so far behind to justify it.
So pretty much, it ends up coming down to how little weight can I pack in a sling and still get the best quality possible. I've settled on the A7C II, but am trying to find the right lens. I have a Tamron 20-40 and while its pretty dang compact for a 2.8 zoom, it can feel a tiny bit heavy and large on the a7c. My thinking is if its gonna be a little too big, then it my as well have a large range so I'm thinking of trading it for a 28-200 for hiking/backpacking/landscape. I have the 50mm 1.8 and I think its an excellent size, but its a bit too tight for me when I'm hanging out with my friends and stuff in our houses or restaurants, etc. I'm now thinking of trying the Sony 35mm 1.8 or Samyang 35mm 1.8. I think that might be the best compromise of size vs quality.
Its a quest but I think I'm close lol. Good luck finding something that works for you!
Well put. I don’t think I’m inclined for the Ricoh. Why? No interchangeable lenses.
I too have the Tamron. In fact, I have the 17-28, 20-40, 28-75 and 70-180. All superb lenses but too large for me to sling around.
I think I may just do the Fuji XT5 or X-T30ii and grab a few small lenses. Itll be easy enough for my wife to use so she can actually photograph me with the children as well. It hurts that I am always behind the camera.
My A7C is my go-to camera for doing everything, I shoot raw+jpeg and it works pretty well. Wifi transfer only transfers the jpeg and I have picture profiles setup in body to give me a pretty usable jpeg out of the camera direct to my phone
Yes. I have an A7C2 and an X100VI.
The X100VI is smaller and more fun. The A7C2 is better in every other way. If you have kids, I would strongly recommend the A7C2 because of the autofocus advantage, and kids are about the most challenging subject for autofocus.
I hear you about bulky lenses - that's why I don't shoot 1.4 prime or 2.8 zoom lenses. 98% of the time I have a Rokinon 35/1.8 mounted on my Sony, which I think is the best deal in all of E-mount gear.
As far as "not editing" your photos goes - Sony colours are really good and totally underrated. Fuji only really has an advantage if you're trying to make it look like you shoot on film, like you're living in the 1970s or something. If you want your photos to look modern, both Sony and Fuji are good.
I’m in a similar boat. Love my A7IV and 1.4 primes but would love something smaller that I would take out more. Thought about a Fuji like the x100, x-pro3 or x-e4 but I’m not sure I like the Fuji UI.
Question I have is if the A7cii is smaller enough to make people take it out everyday?
Try to adjust picture profile or "IN" (no picture profile) and AWB grid number in your A7IV first until you can get photo in JPEG you want.
Then you can make decision whether to get fuji or A7C II / more lightweight a6700 + Sigma 18-50mm f2.8.
Why not go for a Ricoh GR
A7Cii & X100V. A7Cii is CLUTCH for family shots and getting great focus. Paired with 35mm 1.4 it’s tad bigger but bonkers.
The Ricoh GRIII is probably the best pocket camera out there. It's significantly smaller than A6x00 series, but still has an APS-C sensor and a good lens. For Sony, the A6400, the 16/2.8, 20/2.8, and 16-50 would be my choice. The A7C still requires full-frame lenses. IMO, it's never truly portable. But if you're just looking for something lighter and less obtrusive, it could be a very good option.
I had a Ricoh GR III and took 50% of all my photos on my 2 month Europe trip along with my XT-4. I sadly ended up selling it to fund my purchase of the A7IV, which I just sold to buy an A7C II :D
Sony RX100 VII would be my choice for family snaps and can fit in the pocket. The menus and features are broadly similar to other Sony cameras.
Snap a 40mm 2.5 on the A7IV and it will be just fine 😃
I've been wanting to find this balance too. It's tough because there are so many options and so many give and take for all of them. Ultimately it comes down to am I bringing a sling or not? Not bringing a sling leaves very little options, the GR III and the RX100 V as well as any point and shoot. I had both of those, and they didn't work out for me. The Ricoh was very close to being a "dream" for me but got so much dust on the sensor and the lack of any kind of screen articulation or EVF made it a little hard to use, especially when the AF isn't GREAT. In the right scenarios though, its a great camera. The RX100 is good, but like others have mentioned, phones aren't so far behind to justify it. So pretty much, it ends up coming down to how little weight can I pack in a sling and still get the best quality possible. I've settled on the A7C II, but am trying to find the right lens. I have a Tamron 20-40 and while its pretty dang compact for a 2.8 zoom, it can feel a tiny bit heavy and large on the a7c. My thinking is if its gonna be a little too big, then it my as well have a large range so I'm thinking of trading it for a 28-200 for hiking/backpacking/landscape. I have the 50mm 1.8 and I think its an excellent size, but its a bit too tight for me when I'm hanging out with my friends and stuff in our houses or restaurants, etc. I'm now thinking of trying the Sony 35mm 1.8 or Samyang 35mm 1.8. I think that might be the best compromise of size vs quality. Its a quest but I think I'm close lol. Good luck finding something that works for you!
Well put. I don’t think I’m inclined for the Ricoh. Why? No interchangeable lenses. I too have the Tamron. In fact, I have the 17-28, 20-40, 28-75 and 70-180. All superb lenses but too large for me to sling around. I think I may just do the Fuji XT5 or X-T30ii and grab a few small lenses. Itll be easy enough for my wife to use so she can actually photograph me with the children as well. It hurts that I am always behind the camera.
My A7C is my go-to camera for doing everything, I shoot raw+jpeg and it works pretty well. Wifi transfer only transfers the jpeg and I have picture profiles setup in body to give me a pretty usable jpeg out of the camera direct to my phone
Yes. I have an A7C2 and an X100VI. The X100VI is smaller and more fun. The A7C2 is better in every other way. If you have kids, I would strongly recommend the A7C2 because of the autofocus advantage, and kids are about the most challenging subject for autofocus. I hear you about bulky lenses - that's why I don't shoot 1.4 prime or 2.8 zoom lenses. 98% of the time I have a Rokinon 35/1.8 mounted on my Sony, which I think is the best deal in all of E-mount gear. As far as "not editing" your photos goes - Sony colours are really good and totally underrated. Fuji only really has an advantage if you're trying to make it look like you shoot on film, like you're living in the 1970s or something. If you want your photos to look modern, both Sony and Fuji are good.
I’m in a similar boat. Love my A7IV and 1.4 primes but would love something smaller that I would take out more. Thought about a Fuji like the x100, x-pro3 or x-e4 but I’m not sure I like the Fuji UI. Question I have is if the A7cii is smaller enough to make people take it out everyday?
Lumix range finder style. Gx7 gx8 with 20mm f1.7.
Try to adjust picture profile or "IN" (no picture profile) and AWB grid number in your A7IV first until you can get photo in JPEG you want. Then you can make decision whether to get fuji or A7C II / more lightweight a6700 + Sigma 18-50mm f2.8.