Compact Cameras for Photo Walks
Are you enjoying photo walks? You take your camera, wander around, and snap a photo when something catches your eye. For now, just snap away without thinking. If you get a good shot, think a little about the composition and snap again. If it gets interesting, think thoroughly and snap. The result is a photo that makes the viewer smile.
You can also decide on a theme before you head out. Yes, today I'm going with Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue." I'm going on a photo walk in search of blue. The blue of the sky, the blue of the water, the blue of a sign. It is said that there are about 78 shades of blue in traditional Japanese colors alone. I wonder how many I can get today. It's fun to head out with that kind of game-like feeling.
My three-stage equipment
Now, there are three patterns of cameras that I take with me on my walks.
First is the pattern where photography is the main focus. For example, the plum blossoms at a nearby temple are in full bloom, so I'll go for a walk while also taking photos. In this case, I will bring out my full-frame camera. That said, lightness is still important. My answer for balancing image quality and lightness is the Canon EOS 5D Mark II with the EF 40mm F2.8 STM pancake lens. It weighs just over 1kg. It's not light, but it's not heavy either. Moreover, if you stop it down a little, it shows a rendering that rivals high-end lenses.
When I want to enjoy both walking and photography, I go with the Canon EOS Kiss M attached with the EF-M15-45mm lens. This is my equipment for when it's not quite enough to bring out the full-frame, but I still want to enjoy photography properly. Surprisingly, this combination is also well-suited for street snapshots. It weighs about 545g, which is about half that of the full-frame.
Finally, when I'm bringing a camera just in case but want to focus mainly on the walk, it's time for the SONY RX100M3. It falls into the category of what's called a high-end compact digital camera. The sensor is smaller than APS-C, but larger than a smartphone. Despite being a compact camera, it has a built-in viewfinder and flash. I believe it is the perfected form of the RX100 series.
Of course, it has continued to evolve since then, and the current model is the M7. The M7 has significantly improved AF accuracy, and the sensor has also evolved.
However, am I the only one who feels the romance in the M3's bright f/1.8 aperture lens? Plus, it weighs about 289g. It's practically as light as air.
EDC, the best partner
That's why I always carry the RX100M3 when I go out. I take it with me not only when I'm walking, but also when I go to meetings or when I go to feed the local cats. EDC... Every Day Carry. It's my best partner.
Today, I'm walking while clutching this RX100M3, searching for blue. While listening to "Kind of Blue." Now, I wonder how many shades of blue I will encounter.
When a camera is large, photography becomes a "job." But with a compact camera, you can take photos while you're out for a walk.
Photography is not about the equipment, butdetermined by how often you take it out.
If you have a compact camera sleeping at home, I hope you'll put it in your pocket and go for a walk. It should make your walks even more enjoyable.