FA+
Shop
C'mon, I know you were all thinking it
13 years ago
You can go ahead and say it: the majority of my photos are mediocre at best...then again, I might be my own worst critic here. Still...
I'd admitted to myself long ago that, while I have the ability to select decent a scene/subject for a photograph (I assume so, anyway...just humor me), the biggest limitation in most of the photos I've taken is my "camera". I use that term loosely, because there is only so much an iPhone's camera is able to do (that is to say: barely anything). While the photos look great when viewed on the phone's screen, I can't help but notice their flaws when they're uploaded to my computer. The two that stand out the most are the lack of sharpness, and the color distortion on high-contrast edges (Valentine Mountain is not actually blue/pink/purple up top, as fitting as those colors might be considering its name).
My main excuse for not having a better camera is more simple than you might think: space. A DSLR would be a wonderful option for this area, but given that my airplane is usually full of mail, freight, passengers...or some combination thereof, that doesn't leave much space to carry a large camera and its various lenses (also large). The best solution was something that could fit into my pocket and be pulled out at a moment's notice.
More to the point: after days of researching my options, I've now got a vastly superior "pro" digital camera on its way. It offers most, if not all of the features/shooting options found on a DSLR as well as comparable picture quality, but fits in the palm of my hand (also into a pocket...). In the end, it's about time I got myself a legitimate digicam anyway. At the very least, it should be interesting to see how my newer photos will look in comparison.
I'd admitted to myself long ago that, while I have the ability to select decent a scene/subject for a photograph (I assume so, anyway...just humor me), the biggest limitation in most of the photos I've taken is my "camera". I use that term loosely, because there is only so much an iPhone's camera is able to do (that is to say: barely anything). While the photos look great when viewed on the phone's screen, I can't help but notice their flaws when they're uploaded to my computer. The two that stand out the most are the lack of sharpness, and the color distortion on high-contrast edges (Valentine Mountain is not actually blue/pink/purple up top, as fitting as those colors might be considering its name).
My main excuse for not having a better camera is more simple than you might think: space. A DSLR would be a wonderful option for this area, but given that my airplane is usually full of mail, freight, passengers...or some combination thereof, that doesn't leave much space to carry a large camera and its various lenses (also large). The best solution was something that could fit into my pocket and be pulled out at a moment's notice.
More to the point: after days of researching my options, I've now got a vastly superior "pro" digital camera on its way. It offers most, if not all of the features/shooting options found on a DSLR as well as comparable picture quality, but fits in the palm of my hand (also into a pocket...). In the end, it's about time I got myself a legitimate digicam anyway. At the very least, it should be interesting to see how my newer photos will look in comparison.
So what'd you get? Those new mirrorless cameras are much smaller than a DSLR but use the same sensors in many cases, so the quality is the same in a much smaller package. Doesn't have the flexibility of a DSLR but gains a lot in portability... only problem I'd see is that you'd need a huge mem card for all the large photos you'd be snapping during runs ;)
Anyway, I'd considered a mirrorless camera like the Sony Alpha NEX-5N, but then considered the fact that I'd then still be dropping thousands into extra lenses...which means I'd need a larger camera bag...which means I'm still going to need a decent bit of storage space where space is at a premium. All those lens options also means I'd be dropping a couple grand into my equipment. Were photography my profession, the cost wouldn't matter quite so much.
In the end, I decided to go with a Sony Cybershot DSC-RX10. Picture quality is comparable to a DSLR, I get just as many shooting options, and the camera still maintains a compact profile.
I wouldn't think you need a lens at all as long as it came with a good one stock? That DSC-RX10 is a great looking camera, and the lens has a smaller aperture size than even the stock lens on a Rebel DSLR. The specs on it look awesome, I'll have to keep an eye on that series. That should produce some truly spectacular photos for you!
As for the camera, I think I should be perfectly happy with it. Can't wait to see the increase in image quality.