Sony RX100V

[123SA]

I need or maybe want a new camera for upcoming trip. I have little knowledge about photography.

I have an iphone6. This isn't an option for me -- we all have lifeproof/waterproof cases and I guess they interfere with the photos. I only have adequate photos from my phone. I am not willing to take it out of the case.

I currently have Sony HX-200V. I think I bought it in 2012. It drives me crazy. It takes way too much time between photos. I frequently miss the next shot during an event.

- I do buy the memory maker and stop at every photographer we see (1000 photos last trip)

- I have a 3 week trip, one at week at Universal, followed by two week at WDW. I would estimate I'll take at least 2000 photos during that time

Here is what I want to be able to do:

- At WDW, I like to take photos with characters - a horizontal photo, a vertical photo, a zoomed in photo. I found myself apologizing for the delay over and over again with the HX-200V

- As a non-rider, I like to take photos at the bottom of the Everest drop, the turn on Big Thunder, the Splash Mountain drop, the teacups, the Magic Carpets. With the the HX-200V, the zoom was great, but if I didn't get the photos the first time, it was too slow to snap the next. For example, at Everest if I snapped as they dropped out of the cave, it wouldn't be ready again by the time it go the bottom. ***Is the zoom on the RX100V enough for this type of photo***

- I'd like to be able to take decent family photos at night

- I'd love a camera that takes a photo on dark rides, but I think I understand enough about photography to know that it is something in the setting I need to learn, rather than blame the camera.

- I don't care a whole lot about videos -- I can use the cell phone if I want a short little video. I can also use the cell phone on water rides

- whatever camera I get, I want an exhaustive guide to using it. I found several books on using the RX100, so that is a plus


1. Would you recommend the RX100V for me? IF not, do you have a suggestion?
2. Does it have the zoom for the ride photos I'd like to take?
3. Do you have a link to some ride photos taken with the RX100V (or other camera in the series)? I haven't had any luck searching for some.

THanks for your help.

 

[havoc315]

I had the first generation RX100, it's an excellent camera that balances size and capability. The V version has many enhancements and improvements over the original.
The drawback for some, is that the zoom range is very limited. This is the price of carrying such a high quality camera.

It is one of the few P&S cameras that is truly capable of dark ride shots, if used properly:

Great Movie Ride, Wizard of Oz by Adam Brown, on Flickr

Tower of Terror lobby by Adam Brown, on Flickr

Tower of Terror library by Adam Brown, on Flickr

 

[123SA]

WOW! Although, I'm sure those photos are in large part a result of the photographer's ability.


So...the zoom...can I get the ride photos I want, or do I need a different camera for that? I'm not hung up of the size. I always have some bag with me, so pocket size is not a requirement.

 

[havoc315]

WOW! Although, I'm sure those photos are in large part a result of the photographer's ability.


So...the zoom...can I get the ride photos I want, or do I need a different camera for that? I'm not hung up of the size. I always have some bag with me, so pocket size is not a requirement.

It depends on what you are photographing. I would be completely fine on a Disney vacation with the zoom range offered by the RX100V. But it wouldn't really let me shoot Animal Kingdom safari, and it wouldn't be good for shooting stage shows.
It is an excellent range for landscapes, portraits, dark rides shots, "normal perspective" shots, family photos, etc. But it's not a sports/wildlife lens.

Any camera with a long sports/wildlife lens, will be less capable in dark rides. (You're trading aperture for lens length, and aperture is the priority for low light).