Quality vs. Convenience
It’s the greatest consumer issue of all time. At least, in the technology market.
I must admit, I love my gadgets. Not the stupid, useless gadgets, which have no purpose. I mean technology which serves a purpose. For some, it might be the latest power drill, or maybe the latest iron, which whizzes over the most wrinkled shirts in a jiffy (keep dreaming ladies)!
For me, it’s primarily a laptop and a camera.
Most of the regular readers are aware that I use a Canon 350d with two lenses. About 85% of the shots are taken through a Sigma 17-70mm, and the rest through a Sigma 70-300mm. They’re not as sharp as primes of course, but in a world dominated by digital compacts, it produces well above average images, and I love it.
Nevertheless, when I travel, along with clothes and all the other necessities, I’m lugging about an extra 2kg camera bag, full of extra batteries, a charger, etc. Admittedly, it’s a bit of a pain.
And then there’s video. dSLR’s (in general) do not take any video. So, not being one to do things by halves, I bought a Sony HDR-HC7 camcorder in August last year.
Like the 350d, the HC7 isn’t a ‘professional’ camcorder, but is extremely high quality for the keen enthusiast. In fact, HD (High Definition) is overkill in most cases, and SD (Standard Definition) is usually quite adequate.
However, like the dSLR, the camcorder requires extra batteries, a charger and tapes when you travel.
Just trying to keep track of everything is enough to make you weep sometimes.
Enter, convenience.
Wouldn’t it be great if there was a pocket-sized hybrid camera, with full manual controls, which took decent low-light shots, with a 17-300mm lens; along with HD video quality where the zoom worked while taking video? Wouldn’t that be so cool?
Indeed! But, the reality is, it doesn’t exist.
Mel and I are just back from a brief visit to Tasmania, and it has heightened my desire for convenience. All the ’stuff’ we took, was just downright annoying! Therefore, I’ve been scanning through the web looking for what’s available on the market.
I’ve found two possibilities, and one of them might cause me to place my treasured camera and camcorder on eBay, but I don’t know if any of them is ‘worthy’.
#1 Canon G9
Arguably, the best compact camera available. Full manual controls, RAW, excellent image quality in most situations, fairly good SD video, optical view finder, 6x optical zoom (35-210mm).
#2 Panasonic TZ5
Arguably, the best travel camera around. It falls short on some of the features available on the G9, with basically zero manual controls. However, it boasts a more compact size, 10x optical zoom (28-280mm), and HD video. The images probably aren’t just as good as the Canon, but it’s probably only noticeable in low-light, but I’m just guessing.
So, what do you think? Am I going mad, or do you see where I’m coming from? Should I continue to lug around a rucksack full of gear, or go for the convenient option?
If I should ’sell up’, which camera should I go for? You don’t have to suggest either of the two I’ve highlighted.
Problems, problems!!!!!! lol. Doubt if you going mad and I wouldn’t know much about this but for these kind of items, I would choose convenience. Get it /them before there would be other prorities in your life!!!
If you are set on going light…you could do much worse than a G9, based on reading online reviews.
A decent compact camera is capable of great results, in the right hands, and perfectly acceptable results, in most hands.
Hands-on is the only way to know if it is what you want…get to a shop, take time to try properly…maybe your own memory-card would fit…take some shots, and check them out on your mac!
This is the best advise I can give….
Try before you buy
Ruth - Thanks for the advice, mum
Glenn - I’m still giving it some thought, but it’s really tough to decide.
I’ve had my mits on a G9, and it’s a nice, solid camera in the hand, and well built. The controls are probably the best I’ve seen on any camera, but I didn’t take any shots with it to take home (that’s a good idea, which I’ll remember in the future), but searching for G9 shots on flickr throws up some fabulous results.
My only doubt might be with the speed difference. It’s fairly considerable, in comparison to a dSLR. However, it’s probably the best option available. ‘Perfect’ convenience just doesn’t exist.
I agree with Glenn…
“A decent compact camera is capable of great results, in the right hands, and perfectly acceptable results, in most hands.”
Therefore, with the travelling that you seem to be doing, go for a good quality compact.
There’ s nothing worse than going on a nice hike or just noticing something you want to snap when your out and wishing you had your ‘big’ camera to take a brilliant shot but having to make do with your ‘alright’ camera because it’s the one you have in your pocket…soooo….why not have both??
I say flash the cash and do a deal…
Taleen - Thanks for your expert thoughts
However, I would feel guilty to own both a dSLR and a decent compact. I have to admit, I’m becoming more and more of an advocate for simplicty. The clutter of lots of ’stuff’ annoys me, especially when I feel I’m not really using the stuff.