Which camera for strolling, walking and wandering in the city?

[Stiga]

Thanks, Martin, yes that is definitely also an option. My iPhone does support 4g but the battery is at 84% now and drains pretty fast. Apple however only replaces a battery when it gets to 80% so I have been considering a new iPhone but would prefer another SE and the last gen is from 2022, so I'm waiting.


I hear you, John, but the thing is that these phones are getting terribly expensive and I don't use them in a way that I can justify spending so much on them. I mean all I use my iPhone for is texting and I take it with me when I go out. That's basically it. At home everything is done on the iPad (and the Mac). So that's why I always get the cheapest of iPhones, the SE.

But Martin's suggestion to look for something refurbished could be an option. My only concern would be the battery: will they sell it with a 100% battery or not?

In the UK, Backmarket guarantee an 87% battery life. The other reputable refurbishers guarantee 80% so don't go for one that does not reach these standards. Here us an example

 

[Levina de Ruijter]

In the UK, Backmarket guarantee an 87% battery life. The other reputable refurbishers guarantee 80% so don't go for one that does not reach these standards. Here us an example

They have a Dutch site too. You can get an iPhone with a new battery or a "standard battery" which they guarantee is 85%. But my iPhone is at 84% and it's the reason I'm thinking of replacing it. To replace it with a refurbished with a battery at 85% would make no sense.

I could of course buy refurbished with the 100% battery but then I'd be better off buying the iPhone 16e new, trade in my SE and pay less.

I might just do that. And then we'll see how the camera performs and if it will be enough. That would be nice because as fotoi already mentioned: it's the camera that I would have with me always as I never leave home without my phone. And I've been wanting to replace my phone for the last year or so anyway, as I seem to always be charging the thing now. So I could buy the iPhone 16e. If the camera is enough, I'm done. If not, I can still buy something else, like a Powershot V1 or a Fujifilm (which I read is great for street photography?).

 

[Terry McDaniel]

Have you considered a film camera? Lots of high quality pocket size film cameras out there.

Or something like this little thing? CoolPix S3200.

Some pictures from this camera, none are edited, straight off the SD card.

Kinda hard to use because it is so small, but it does give a good result at least part of the time!

 

[Levina de Ruijter]

Have you considered a film camera? Lots of high quality pocket size film cameras out there.

A film camera? Not really no as I hardly ever shoot video. But I'll check it out. Thanks!

Or something like this little thing? CoolPix S3200.

Nikon? Hmmm...

Nah, just kidding.

The thing is if I go this route then I think I would prefer to stay with Canon, get something like the V1 Lyn suggested. Or possibly a Fujifilm. Everywhere I turn I see people recommending Fujifilm for street photography. What's that about I wonder? Is it true? Is it that good for shooting in the city?

 

[Terry McDaniel]

I assume Fuji is a great camera, based on reviews. I tried a Fuji point and shoot once, didn’t care for it. Nothing particularly wrong with it, but didn’t have a decent eye level viewfinder.

 

[Levina de Ruijter]

I assume Fuji is a great camera, based on reviews. I tried a Fuji point and shoot once, didn’t care for it. Nothing particularly wrong with it, but didn’t have a decent eye level viewfinder.

Yeah, that's a thing all right. My old Canon Powershot doesn't have a viewfinder and that was always problematic. Having one camera without a viewfinder - my iPhone - is enough. Whatever camera I will end up with has got to have a viewfinder.

 

[Lyn]

Yeah, that's a thing all right. My old Canon Powershot doesn't have a viewfinder and that was always problematic. Having one camera without a viewfinder - my iPhone - is enough. Whatever camera I will end up with has got to have a viewfinder.

I was looking at the V1, but unfortunately it doesn't have a viewfinder. That is a pity. In bright sunlight the screen is not good.

 

[Levina de Ruijter]

I was looking at the V1, but unfortunately it doesn't have a viewfinder. That is a pity. In bright sunlight the screen is not good.

Yes, I saw that, so no V1 for me.

I will probably get a new iPhone. If the camera is okay I'm done. If not, I will buy something as small as possible, with good IQ. And a viewfinder.

 

[inphoto]

Then a Canon M50 with the 22mm pancake is small and fits in a jacket pocket.

 

[Markuswelder]

I hate phone cameras with a passion, I'm also quite anti cameras without viewfinders. From experience, not some weird irrational hatred. They just don't work for me, I shoot for pure enjoyment, that for of camera is just an exercise in frustration for me.
I'm also not keen on carrying things around in my pockets. That includes wallets, and phones. So a camera that fits into a pocket simply doesn't register on my radar.
I've nearly always got some type of bag/backpack on me, for dragging around wallet/phone etc. I take my lunch to work with me each day (my Wife looks after me very well there) so I've got a bag with me for that. So in goes a camera.
When we go shopping, hiking, mountain biking etc I've always got some sort of bag with me again. For a bottle of water, a warmer shirt or jacket, spare tube and a couple of hand tools for the bike, so in goes a camera again.
When we go on holidays, I always carry some sort of backpack for essentials. Passport, wallet, phone, umbrella or shower jacket etc, so in goes a camera again.
I used to like shoulder type bags, but injuries like a broken hip, and back trouble related to that caused by accidents, have stopped me using them. The weight on one shoulder just sets off back muscle pain. Took me quite a while to figure out what was causing it, as soon as I dumped the shoulder bags I was away. So backpacks have become the norm now.
So after waffling on about all that, I simply take my Panasonic S5 full frame camera with me. Nearly everywhere. With some sort of Ultrawide lens, as well as some type of standard-ish zoom or Prime.
At the moment overseas on holiday, it's my Sigma 28-70mm F2.8, it's light (470 GM's from memory), sharp, possesses an very handy zoom range, not expensive, and a pleasure to use. Plus my Lumix 18mm F1.8 It's a great setup. For just strolling around.
I generally just hold the camera in my hand as I'm wandering about as it has a nice ergonomic and comfortable grip, and don't even notice it.
Sunday we went for a hike up a mountain close by, about 800 metres of vertical elevation over about 2kms. It was freaking steep, but I just carried my camera the whole way. No straps or holders, I can just hook two fingers under the camera grip and it hangs there with little to no effort.
A couple of snaps from along the way

My model for the day

Sorry it got a bit long winded, but I find it an absolute pleasure to have a great camera with me that I thoroughly enjoy using, rather than something I'm fighting with, just so I can fit it in a pocket.

Edit -yeah, we did make it to the top see

Although we cheated and did the touristy thing, and caught the cable car the last 1/3 of the walk back down

 

[Markuswelder]

One downside of having an excellent camera with you all the time, is that you tend to get roped into taking shots of your family and friends once they catch on, and see a couple of your shots. I don't particularly mind, it makes great memories of your adventures and time spent together, but it does happen
Went to a relatives apartment for dinner the other night, I shot this while waiting for the meal. Much better than struggling with a phone I think
Of course, there was a family portrait session afterwards

 

[Levina de Ruijter]

Then a Canon M50 with the 22mm pancake is small and fits in a jacket pocket.

I thought Canon stopped making them?

I hate phone cameras with a passion, I'm also quite anti cameras without viewfinders. From experience, not some weird irrational hatred. They just don't work for me, I shoot for pure enjoyment, that for of camera is just an exercise in frustration for me.
I'm also not keen on carrying things around in my pockets. That includes wallets, and phones. So a camera that fits into a pocket simply doesn't register on my radar.

I don’t mind phone pics. My iPhone SE is just not up to the task. It’s fine for an occasional snapshot but the files fall apart quickly when you crop in a bit. The current generation iPhones are much better at it of course as fotoi’s pics show.

Your images look great with excellent IQ, that’s for sure.

I don’t mind bringing a bag, as long as it can be a small bag.

 

[Markuswelder]

I don’t mind bringing a bag, as long as it can be a small bag.

Yeah same. I even just take a kids school backpack with me a lot of the time. With a really small insert for the camera. I've bought a few of those Neoprene lens baggies to pop a spare lens or two in, just so they don't bump against each other and scratch up.
The trouble with a backpack is that if the Wife is with me, she starts eyeing it off, next thing you know I'm carrying extra bottles of water, umbrellas, light rain jackets, an extra jumper, her phone charger, and so on LoL LoL.
I was really really disappointed I had to ditch the messenger style shoulder bags as they're still my favourite bag, but it was giving me grief even carrying my m4/3 gear any distance. But with a backpack it makes no difference to carry full frame gear with me. So a bit of a bonus there I suppose

 

[pcs]

For casual photos the phone is best. Just don't expect the IQ from your main set. With smaller and compact camera's I'd always compare (not favourable) to my real camera, trying for a better compact with viewfinder-> bigger, looses it's purpose. Even with a compact it's still something more to take with you and (for most people nowadays) your phone is already in your pocket, my smartphone is a bit bulky but still fits in my jeans/pants so even without coat or bag it's there.

I must confess I don't take pictures while strolling, just something like this

And this year I take a lot of pictures of plants and insects I encounter(just for determination, after use discarded) and I can say I'm not happy with the functionality of a phone camera(even though I've got a newish high spec Samsung(my brain does not work in the Apple universe), real camera for me if possible!

 

[inphoto]

I thought Canon stopped making them?

Get a used one, the last generation M series cameras are a lot better than the early ones. The M50 has a viewfinder small but ok They are cheap too.
The closest in size for Canon are the R50/100 and they're significantly bigger both camera bodies and lenses.