Is the Sony RX100 right for me?

[jennilouwho]

A little background, I have an Associate's in Art, emphasis in photography, but I never really did much with it after college. I currently own a Nikon DS50 SLR and a Canon Elph. I mostly take pictures and videos of my kids and occasionally do outdoor portraits for friends. I was thinking it'd be nice to be able to do nice photos and videos all on one camera and not have to lug around the SLR anymore. I'd probably sell the Nikon and the lenses to put toward the cost of the Sony. So my question is, will I miss my Nikon based on what I use it for? Will the Sony take better pictures than the Elph? I don't mind the Elph if the lighting is good, but otherwise I haven't been impressed.
Any input would be appreciated.

 

[SplashMo]

The SONY RX100 easily beats the ELPH. Where the DSLR is nice is if you have an 85mm lens for portraits you can get back ground blur. However I am moving away form that. A new Nikon D5100 can be had for $550 with kit lens and $450 without. Just a random thought. I carry my RX100 everywhere and my DSLR almost nowhere. The DSLR is good for sports though.

Here is a review:

http://blog.mingthein.com/2012/08/06/the-sony-rx100-a-somewhat-comparative-review/

 

[havoc315]

The Rx100 will be vastly superior to the Elph.

It will be equal to a dSLR in some circumstances, it can potentially be better than a dSLR in limited circumstances. ( the lens is better than a dSLR kit lens.)

Though 95% of the time, I prefer my dSLR for portraits. You have much more control of background blur with a dSLR.
For portraits and sports, I go with the dSLR.
For landscapes, I sometimes prefer the rx100. For candids, I like both.
When I just want to go light, I carry the rx100.

How much would you really get for your used dSLR?
I'd probably keep it for portrait work, instead of ditching it entirely. And use the rx100 as your main camera.

 

[photo_chick]

A little background, I have an Associate's in Art, emphasis in photography, but I never really did much with it after college. I currently own a Nikon DS50 SLR and a Canon Elph. I mostly take pictures and videos of my kids and occasionally do outdoor portraits for friends. I was thinking it'd be nice to be able to do nice photos and videos all on one camera and not have to lug around the SLR anymore. I'd probably sell the Nikon and the lenses to put toward the cost of the Sony. So my question is, will I miss my Nikon based on what I use it for? Will the Sony take better pictures than the Elph? I don't mind the Elph if the lighting is good, but otherwise I haven't been impressed.
Any input would be appreciated.

It really depends on you. I would never shoot a portrait for someone else with a point and shoot because I want the things I get from my DSLR lenses. And while the RX100 is a high end model, it's still a point and shoot. You might also consider mirrorless models. They're a really good compromise between a p&s and a DSLR.

I was in a smilar place to you back in the late 90's. I had an associates in art, emphasis on photography. I got a digital point and shoot because I coudln't afford a DSLR back then. I shot on both film and digital at first, but within a few months was only shooting digital. But by the end of the year I was back shooting film and soon after I got a DSLR. But that's me, and not you. You may be very happy with just a point and shoot. I wasn't, but then I also went back to school to get a BFA in photography, so I'm far from a casual shooter.

 

[jennilouwho]

Thanks for the input everyone. What are some good mirrorless cameras right now?

 

[jennilouwho]

I did a search on the board, they still seem kind of bulky for what I want. I think maybe I will get the Sony, try it out for a bit, see how I like it before I do or do not get rid of the Nikon. Do you know where to order one that is willing to take them back if you don't like them? Or a place where you can try them out first?

 

[havoc315]

I did a search on the board, they still seem kind of bulky for what I want. I think maybe I will get the Sony, try it out for a bit, see how I like it before I do or do not get rid of the Nikon. Do you know where to order one that is willing to take them back if you don't like them? Or a place where you can try them out first?

Amazon has a good return policy. Some of the camera/lens rental outfits can also rent you a RX100, but you're probably better off just buying and taking 30 days to decide.

The mirrorless *can* be a good compromise. They give you dSLR quality in a smaller package, but you are correct -- still no where near as small as the RX100. I carry my RX100 *everywhere*, which I wouldn't do with a bigger camera.

 

[jennilouwho]

Thanks Havoc, I think I will just do that once the tax return arrives...

 

[jennilouwho]

Just to update.... I got it... I LOVE it!!!! Thanks again for the input!

 

[havoc315]

Glad to hear it! Post some pics !