The Canon G12 has the same sensor as the P7100... so not sure how they would help.

Eric said:
@NSXType-R - I mean the Cannon G1X.

The Fuji X10 doesn't have much better IQ than the Nikon P7100.
The Fuji X100 & the Canon G1X have really nice IQ with the edge to the Fuji IMHO.

The problem I have with the Panasonic GF5 or GF5X is no viewfinder (or rangefinder). If I hold the camera out far enough away from my body to see the back (without glasses) I am tremendously unstable. For me I want a camera I can old tight to my body...I have enough trouble getting decent without having to hold the camera at arms length as well.

Did you think about a Canon G12? Or mounting an optional viewfinder?

@NSXType-R - I mean the Cannon G1X.

The Fuji X10 doesn't have much better IQ than the Nikon P7100.
The Fuji X100 & the Canon G1X have really nice IQ with the edge to the Fuji IMHO.

The problem I have with the Panasonic GF5 or GF5X is no viewfinder (or rangefinder). If I hold the camera out far enough away from my body to see the back (without glasses) I am tremendously unstable. For me I want a camera I can old tight to my body...I have enough trouble getting decent without having to hold the camera at arms length as well.

The Panasonic GF5X looks interesting....especially if one uses the 17mm f/1.7 on it...almost small enough to fit in a pocket...or purse, for sure.

For a compact system (including lens), Nikon V1 offers VF and fast AF. For $765 USD you can get a 10mm 2.8 (27 mm eq.) and a telephoto zoom. Lets wait for the comming 18.5 1.8 (50 mm eq):

http://nikonrumors.com/2012/08/29/for-photokina-new-nikon-1-18-5mm-f1-8-mirrorless-lens.aspx/)

Here two reviews:

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2012/05/16/the-nikon-v1-the-perfect-street-camera-by-gary-perlmutter/

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2012/01/24/traveling-light-in-myanmar-with-a-nikon-v1-by-colin-steel/

Eric said:
I keep thinking I want the X-pro 1 as well, then I start looking at the size with a lens and it may have passed the "too big" threshold. The other problem with the X-pro 1 is that it is getting expensive enough to warrant a higher degree of care when out and about. I don't need another camera that is incompatible with a high level of physical activity. I almost bought the G1X, but the rangefinder receives poor reviews. The problem with the Fuji X10 is the small sensor. Maybe the G1X is the way to go, but I'd sure like that Fuji rangefinder.

The X-pro1 is not small, nor compact, nor light. I wouldn't get hung up on the sensor size too much - it is the way it uses it that matters. (Oh there is too many side thoughts on that one ;)

You might take a look at the Pany GF5. It is a good little camera. We never talk about the "small n cheap" m4/3rds - those could be an option depending on what you want. You are not going to find a good viewfinder though. Those died with the film days and are not coming back into small systems.

Eric said:
I keep thinking I want the X-pro 1 as well, then I start looking at the size with a lens and it may have passed the "too big" threshold. The other problem with the X-pro 1 is that it is getting expensive enough to warrant a higher degree of care when out and about. I don't need another camera that is incompatible with a high level of physical activity. I almost bought the G1X, but the rangefinder receives poor reviews. The problem with the Fuji X10 is the small sensor. Maybe the G1X is the way to go, but I'd sure like that Fuji rangefinder.

You mean G1X the Canon or GX1 the Panasonic? :D

I keep thinking I want the X-pro 1 as well, then I start looking at the size with a lens and it may have passed the "too big" threshold. The other problem with the X-pro 1 is that it is getting expensive enough to warrant a higher degree of care when out and about. I don't need another camera that is incompatible with a high level of physical activity. I almost bought the G1X, but the rangefinder receives poor reviews. The problem with the Fuji X10 is the small sensor. Maybe the G1X is the way to go, but I'd sure like that Fuji rangefinder.

Eric said:
What I would like is a Fuji X100 with a zoom lens. ... What I want doesn't seem to be available.

It does, kind of - Fuji X10. I love the Canon G1X if you wanted an all-in-one travel camera. IQ is great. For the Price though, I probably would do a GF5 with the new 14-42 and a prime for the same price.

I gave up on decent viewfinders in the advanced compact systems years ago. I took my X100 to a FB game and there was no way a screen would work - you needed a viewfinder. Kind of why I lean to the X-pro 1 as well.

Take a serious look at the Olympus OM-D E-M5 - if you are doing street shooting, it probably is the best all-round performer with really fast AF. Fuji Xpro 1 (and probably the announced X-E1) has the best high iso and best IQ for sure but the MF still stinks and the AF is not as good. The Sony Nex-7 has the highest resolution (24mp) and people love it but the lens lineup is small. If you already have a m4/3rd set-up I would think the Oly would be a no-brainer.

I keep an eye on these as I love doing street photography and honestly my D300/D800 are just too big, to noticeable, to many MP (D800). I love my X100 but the AF is spotty (much better than what the reviews say-though) but I do prefer 50mm and 85mm-ish over the wide angles.

From mostly research and not much or zero hand holding time here are the basics I have found out of different models for street shooting:

Olympus OM-D E-M5:

Pros: Right now best all around performer - in-body stabilizer superior than anything out there - really fast AF - vast lens choices and accessories. Weather sealed, robust body. Good IQ to 1600, 3200 usable, 6400 nice B&W look to it. Tilt Screen is a huge plus.

Cons: No "real" continuous AF once the shutter is pressed and held the original AF point is locked. m4/3rd "look" - Love it/Like it/Hate it they have a distinct look. Flash system not up to Nikon or Canon.

Fuji X-pro1:

Pros: Best view finder design - IQ is amazing-Not enough can be said about the image quality- Low light equal to a D700 - Look and feel is really nice. If you like rangefinders you will like the X-pro1. Great glass - Fuji glass has always been top notch. JPEGs better than as Raw on other systems. Slow to fruition but they seem to be building it up quickly. DX format = better bokeh than m4/3. Fuji "look" is really good.

Cons: AF - can't be denied it is slow and hunts in low light. Daylight/daytime shooting (anything above 1/60th at iso 200) it is just as fast as others. MF - stinks. Lenses and adapters are limited but building fast. I haven't heard many enjoying utilizing "other" glass (leica,zeiss, etc.) as there is not a MF focus confirmation.

Fuji X100

Pros: Best view finder - IQ is amazing- Low light equal to a D700 - Look and feel is really nice. Fuji "look" is really good. AF has vastly improved with new firmware, probably 3x faster than when it was first released. Leaf shutter-you can high-speed sync flash faster than a DSLR. I can sync my SB900 at 1/1000+. I have been playing with this, and it is amazing.

Cons: Single focal length, MF stinks - AF is OK (just as good or slightly better than compacts). You either like it, or hate it - there really isn't an in-between.

Panasonic DMC-Gx1 & GF5:

Cheapest of the bunch - but still a good system. The Oly has overshadowed this one but it is still a great performer. The GF5 is a really small but good little camera with a 12mp sensor. If you really want to be discrete or want something smaller - it performs better than the equivalent Olys at that size. I have played with these in the store for longer than I should have, and they are really good cameras. Fast AF, good exposure, great IQ (I think a bit better than Oly). For the price, I think it is a hell of a deal - especially if you have existing lenses.

Sony Nex-7

If you want a DSLR in a really small body and 24mp to crop anything, this is it. Many really like adding other glass as it has a great "focus peek" feature. Draw back of it's size is that it doesn't provide in-body image stabilization. It is really pricey and so are the high end lenses. It seems to be a great system. If they had more fast lenses and they were less than $700 than I would be more interested. The MP are more than I want so I really haven't looked at is closer.

Sony Nex-5 - don't know much but it seems to be capable and close to the Nex-7 but with 16mp.

Nikon J1/J2/V1: I have played with these are they are a definite option. Only real drawback I have found is the resolution and if you work in low light, there are better options. It really is a good system for some.

Camera's coming out soon or others to keep an eye on:
Olympus E-PL5, Canon EOS M, Nikon J2, Samsung SMART CAMERA EX2F (Compact that seems really capable and could be an interesting street photog option. Worth a look if you want something really small.), Samsung NX210 is interesting as well. Spoke to someone who is using it and the NX20 and they sound like a really good performing system.

43rumors and Sansmirror are great resource sites along with stevehuffphoto. Steve's site predominantly have street type shooters and always have reviews focused on that type of shooting & is one of my favorites.

Hi Eric, take a look at the fuji x-e1, my understanding is it uses the x-pro1 lens system but is a smaller and cheaper body, still my personal favorite if I had to buy today.

I have been looking at compacts as well. I have a Nikon P7000 and it doesn't have the IQ I want and the viewfinder isn't that great.
The Canon G1X looks quite good, but again the viewfinder doesn't get rave reviews.
I'd snap up the Fuji X100, but it only has a fixed 35mm(eq) lens.
The Nikon P7700 doesn't have a viewfinder (which I want) and I don't know if the IQ will be that much better than my P7000.
Everything else starts to get to big.
What I would like is a Fuji X100 with a zoom lens. ... What I want doesn't seem to be available.

I would take a look at the sony rx100, my friend bought one and IQ seems excellent, overall seems to be favorably received (I personally like the idea of the $600+ price, nothing else to buy, no system to buy into). My friend bought it for the size, it is pretty small and very pocketable.

I've had the same interest in looking for a smaller camera, d800 with one of the 2.8 zooms just isn't ideal for a lot of casual situations

The new Fuji X-E1 as noted might be a nice choice, just not sure about investing in a new system right now considering how fast things seem to be changing

Just saw pics of the rumored sony rx-1 over on the sonyalpha rumor site, $2800 for a fixed zeiss 35mm f2 full frame point and shoot, wow, that is something!

AF on mirrorless cameras has not yet been perfected. For a street shooter my suggestion would be to look at a D3200 or D5100. If one buys the D3200 new, sells the kit lens, purchases a 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor G, this is about $1000 total. You are on the street with what thousands of us shot with for years except you have about four f/stops more speed......

Once Fuji gets the AF on the X Pro 1 working as well as on a DSLR, this will be the place to go, but at a cost of upwards of two large.

starralazn said:
I'd say the newly released XE-1
http://photorumors.com/2012/09/05/breaking-fujifilm-x-e1-full-press-release/#more-30394
price points to around 600 but you would have to buy a lens... and the one to get is the 35mm 1.4 which is 600... and also its viewfinder focusing, which actually should be pretty nice manual focusing.
the other option for fujifilm would be the x10 compact, same viewfinder thing but it seems to handle well. af is another problem.

NEX is nice, the only problem is the lenses are crap(16mm 24mm equiv pancake) and or too large or expensive (24mm 36mm equiv zeiss) and the one that handles like a dream (imo at least), NEX-7, is about a Grand...
oh and i've heard good things about the rx100, manual focusing even, on a compact

panasonic / oly seem nice on paper.. but i haven't really tried them out, too busy having fun with my d800 ;)

Perhaps to add to that, if u want a mirrorless why not the black OMD-E5 kit? Its a bit over budget( 1099US on amazon) but its still image quality is almost on par with current crop DSLR's and it has the 5 way image stabilization along with a nice detailed EVF and decent MF capability. For a advanced PnS perhaps a Lumix LX-7 or a olympus XZ-1. Both have EVF attachments but cant MF from what I have tried. Both have lenses faster than f/2 and have small sizes which fit in a pocket very well.

I'd say the newly released XE-1
http://photorumors.com/2012/09/05/breaking-fujifilm-x-e1-full-press-release/#more-30394
price points to around 600 but you would have to buy a lens... and the one to get is the 35mm 1.4 which is 600... and also its viewfinder focusing, which actually should be pretty nice manual focusing.
the other option for fujifilm would be the x10 compact, same viewfinder thing but it seems to handle well. af is another problem.

NEX is nice, the only problem is the lenses are crap(16mm 24mm equiv pancake) and or too large or expensive (24mm 36mm equiv zeiss) and the one that handles like a dream (imo at least), NEX-7, is about a Grand...
oh and i've heard good things about the rx100, manual focusing even, on a compact

panasonic / oly seem nice on paper.. but i haven't really tried them out, too busy having fun with my d800 ;)

Hey guys,

Haven't been here in quite some time. I see a lot of new faces and some old timers too.

Anyway I have been out of the loop in regards to the latest and greatest cameras of now.

I used to have Panasonic GF 1. I liked it quite a bit but I couldn't get over the lack of a viewfinder and the super slow AF system.

I like the Fuji camera. I think it was X1 or something like that. But the price tag of a nice cool $1k made me rethink it.

I would be quite happy with the Canon G series camera, even if it lacks the viewfinder.

So can anybody give me a quick rundown of which cameras to consider?

micro 4/3- Sony NEX ( it really has a dx sensor though), Olympus Pen, Panasonic G series, Nikon?

I do street photography. I would like to have a reasonably fast AF system, though I would be in MF mode anyway. but for quick snapshots it would be nice to have an adequate AF system.

It would be nice to have a hotshoe and optical viewfinder.

Price?

Sub $1000

Daze me.