Help pls decide between sony rx100 or nex3

[disneypls]

Hi
I'm a beginner in taking photos but love trying to get good pics of my kids but they move too fast.
I've decided I want a hew camera for taking pics on family hols and of kids just being themselves. We have a few hols booked this year Egypt and next year wdw for Halloween.
I really want a camera that doesn't need to much programming I want to see something then take a photo quickly but also want to get good night shots and firework pics.
I've researched for days and these two seem the best in my budget.
Has anyone got any thoughts on which is best and should I need to buy any additional equipment.

Thanks guys
Angie

 

[photo_chick]

Getting consistently good results at night or with fast moving kids is more bout how well you know how to use your camera than it is the camera you use. So as far as additional equipment... knowledge. It's free, just look online, and will improve your results more than any camera purchase ever could.

As far as which camera, what kind of features do you want? Are you prepared to invest in an array of lenses like the NEX system requires?

 

[disneypls]

At this stage I won't buy more lenses but it's not to say I won't in the future. Should I rule the nex out for this reason.

Thanks

 

[havoc315]

Between the 2 cameras, the biggest question to ask yourself, do you want to invest in more lenses down the road, changes lenses for different shots?

Out of the box, for many types of shots, one can argue that the rx100 is the better camera. Its lens is better than the Nex kit lens. But the Nex has a greater upside, IF you are going to upgrade lenses. You'll never be able to do big telephoto with the rx100, for example. Out of the box, the rx100 will be better in low light with it's 1.8 lens. But if you upgrade to a 1.8 prime lens on the Nex, then it will do better (it has a larger sensor than the rx100).

So convenience of 1 very good lens?
Or the ability to change lenses as you go?

 

[SplashMo]

I would go with the RX100. It will be more responsive in capturing kids and is an excellent camera. It is also smaller. It does need a grip or some fake leather on the front to make it less slick.

 

[disneypls]

Thanks for replies would the rx100 be good for taking long distance pics at disney world, I am really a beginner. Also is it better to pay extra for newer model
Thanks

 

[havoc315]

Thanks for replies would the rx100 be good for taking long distance pics at disney world, I am really a beginner. Also is it better to pay extra for newer model
Thanks

Long distance pics? If you mean a wide angle shot taking in a nice vista, then yes, it's pretty good. If you mean being on the safari and zooming in on a distant animal, then no.

This may sound backwards, but cheaper cameras often have more telephoto zoom than expensive cameras. That's because camera price is largely determined by sensor sizes. Bigger sensors cost more money to produce. But small sensors -- while having lower image quality -- do have one nice advantage. It's really easy to add huge telephoto range to a small sensor.

So as a result, there are many compact point and shoot cameras that boast 25X zoom or higher. The equivalent of 500mm or more in dSLR terms.

In comparison, real dSLRs... even with ultra expensive lenses, rarely go above 200-300mm.

The range on the RX100 is 28mm to 100mm (when converted to full frame mm terms). The kit lens on the NEX3 gives a range of 27mm to 82mm.

On both cameras, you can add more zoom digitally, but that is really just a matter of cropping.

On the NEX3, if you want to take telephoto pictures, you can add 55-210 zoom lens, that would give you the reach equivalent of 315mm. It runs $350.

On the RX100, you're stuck within the confines of 28-100mm range. It is a very useful range for most every day photography. But it's not the camera/lens combo you would take on a wildlife safari.

 

[havoc315]

Thanks for replies would the rx100 be good for taking long distance pics at disney world, I am really a beginner. Also is it better to pay extra for newer model
Thanks

And personally, I wouldn't spend the extra money on the newer model. Unless you really want a tilting screen, hot shoe, and WiFi. The lens is the exact same. The camera performance and image quality will be 99% the same. (The newer model has very slightly better high ISO performance and it is enabled with an extra ISO stop).
In theory, the newer model could give you slightly better dark ride shots. Very very slight difference.

Here are some dark ride shots with the old model:


Great Movie Ride, Wizard of Oz by Havoc315, on Flickr


Big Ben from Peter Pan ride by Havoc315, on Flickr

 

[wiigirl]

I would go with the RX100. It will be more responsive in capturing kids and is an excellent camera. It is also smaller. It does need a grip or some fake leather on the front to make it less slick.

 

[photo_chick]

Thanks for replies would the rx100 be good for taking long distance pics at disney world, I am really a beginner. Also is it better to pay extra for newer model
Thanks

It's not going to be a good choice for taking shots of things far away. It's got limited zoom compared to many point and shoots. The NEX can do distance shots with the right telephoto lens.

If there is a specific feature you want that is on the newer models it can be worth it. Otherwise I tend to go for the cheaper older model.