My Compact Camera Gear

The Compact Camera Gear I Use

I’ve owned a LOT of cameras. A WHOLE lot.

I’ve used point and shoots, camera-phones and of course DSLRs for my professional work. Each camera has different capabilities, strengths and weaknesses. Each with a different “personality” or flavor. Some are light and convenient, others are capable and heavy. At some point I realized that I had begun a search for the “best-for-my-needs” camera. What were my needs?

Here’s what I was looking for in my “go-to” camera:

• I LOVE my iPhone, so I was looking for something like it …
• Something that I could carry all the time
• Something that I would use often
• Something convenient and unobtrusive

• I loved my iPhone camera, but I wanted more …
• Something that had a bigger sensor
• Something that had a better lens
• Something that allowed me more control and capabilities

• On the other end of the spectrum, I LOVE my DSLR, so I was looking for something like it …
• Something that would allow me to use off camera flash (hot shoe)
• Something that had aperture priority, shutter speed priority and manual mode

• I loved what my capable DSLR could do, but I wanted less …
• Something smaller, more agile and lightweight.
• Something more convenient and accessible.

An overall factor was that I needed to find something that wasn’t crazy expensive. I didn’t want to just throw money at the problem.

I searched and searched and found that there are several cameras out there that fit the bill (I’ll get to the other options in just a bit). Here’s what I ended up choosing:

The Canon G16

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00EFILHB4/pocklens-20

A nice relatively inexpensive, sweet spot camera between lightweight-agile and heavyweight-capable

The price is right. It’s far from being the most expensive option out there. In fact, I’d say that the G16 is currently on the lower end of the cost spectrum for a camera of this capability. At about $400 at the time of this writing, it is, in my opinion, a great bang for the buck. You can spend more and you certainly can get more features and capabilities, but it’s of course incremental and you have to decide at some point where you draw the line (or at least I needed to). You can spend twice as much, but your photos won’t come out twice as good. You can of course spend less on the camera, but in my research, I found it nearly impossible to find a camera with the features that I consider essential in a lower priced camera. Looking at lower priced cameras, I felt that I would be giving up too much and wasn’t willing to do that.

The Canon G16 works for me.

As I mentioned, there are some other models that also fit the bill and in certain cases it’s almost a toss-up on which ones to choose. Take a look at these camera models as some examples of alternatives to the Canon G16.

Alternatives at the time of this writing:

• Nikon COOLPIX P7800: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00EZAYD4A/pocklens-20
• Fujifilm X30: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00MXS2VOA/pocklens-20
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B008MB6ZX0/pocklens-20

Things that make the G16 a capable camera:

• A Hot Shoe for an external flash
• A camera that can shoot in Aperture priority mode, Shutter Speed priority mode and of course Manual mode, and can adjust the exposure compensation. Typically, if the camera can do ONE of these things, it will likely be able to do all.

Features on the Canon G16 that I really like:

Has a 5x zoom: 28 – 140 mm equivalent! A relatively fast 1.8 – 2.8 which is good for dim lighting, and it’s image stabilized! (Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 = $300 for the lens alone)

• Shoots in RAW
• Has WiFi. A nice convenience to be able to upload images to my iPhone in the field and send pictures to Instagram right then and there.
• Has an “okay” viewfinder. For certain situations, it helps frame shots.
• Shoots 1080p video
• Has nice tactile buttons and knobs. I’ve always liked this. Things are not locked away in a buried / nested menu somewhere.
• Shoots pretty quickly in JPG mode (9fps!)
• Can use a remote trigger (wired and wireless)
• An internal ND filter
• Lots of cool in-camera gadgets like smile detection, wink detection, soft background focus, etc.

Gear I use: What I’d consider “the ESSENTIALS” first:

A Good Case: Lowepro LP36444-0WW Dashpoint 30 ($15) A good size for MY camera and the filter adapter.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B008OQV11Y/pocklens-20

Strap: Black Rapid RS-7 Camera Strap ($60)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002WR7VSS/pocklens-20

or the Black Rapid Cross Shot ($45)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00LFW69DE/pocklens-20

You could also get a Wrist Strap by Black Rapid

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B009TL1XS4/pocklens-20

A “GOOD” Tripod

• Reliable, made by a reputable company
• A good max height
• Either lightweight OR rock solid / steady. Hard to get both.

I use the Manfrotto RC2 (rapid connect) quick release plate system

My Lightweight Tripod: Slik Sprint Pro II Tripod ($95)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00M1XZW5C/pocklens-20

with RC2 Adapter ($40) I like this, but you can just use the stock plate system just fine

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000JLK5PU/pocklens-20

My Heavier (also steadier) Tripod

Induro Alloy 8M Tripod AT-213 65-Inch ($143)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002SXMRTY/pocklens-20

WITH a Manfrotto 322RC2 Joystick Ball Head ($179)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000JLK5PK/pocklens-20

Steady and Lighter but pricey? Induro Carbon Fiber CT-213 ($275)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002SXMRQC/pocklens-20

Joby GorillaPod ($47)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002FGTWOC/pocklens-20

Extra Batteries for the G16 (Wasabi brand) ($22)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B006ZNBILG/pocklens-20

An SD card (I have 2 x 16gb) ($30)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B007NDL56U/pocklens-20

Yongnuo YN560-TX Manual Control Flash Trigger ($48)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00KM1QZRY/pocklens-20

Yongnuo YN560 III Speedlight ($71)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00BXA7N6A/pocklens-20

Reflector 22” 5 in 1 ($10)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B004ATJDVY/pocklens-20

Really Good To Have Gear

This is MY setup for the G16

JJC RN-DC58D 58mm Filter Adapter ($17):

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00BMC1RMU/pocklens-20

• Can mount a polarizer, LED flash ring or ND filter!
• Protects the lens
• Somewhat of a lens hood
• Keep dust and dirt away (with a UV filter attached)
• Moves with the zoom lens
• Looks cool. Makes people wonder.

UV filter Sigma DG 58mm Multi-Coated UV Filter ($20)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00009R6K7/pocklens-20

Metal Step Up Ring Set of 7 (Fotodiox) ($15)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001G445Q4/pocklens-20

77MM Neutral Density Filter Set ($16)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B007SXJ26A/pocklens-20

77mm Circular Polarizer ($120)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000BZLAD/pocklens-20

Zeiss Pre-Moistened Lens Cleaning Wipes, 200 Count

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0030E4UIQ/pocklens-20

One Bag to Carry it All

Lowepro Passport Sling ($33) My current favorite bag.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0039NLS4C/pocklens-20

Totally Optional but cool for certain shots:

Neewer FC100 LED Macro Ring Flash ($25)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0050GSZCY/pocklens-20

A disclaimer: The above links to products are “affiliate” links. If you click on them and buy the product through Amazon, I’ll get a tiny bit (a few dollars) because you went through my link. You won’t pay a penny more than you would have if you bought it on your own. I own every single thing above (or a parallel product) and can vouch for them. I personally think they are fine products and can, in good conscience, recommend them. -Sonny