My FAVORITE Camera is NOT What You Would Expect! 

This video is a bit outdated from 2020. If I was to buy this camera again in 2023, I would go for the Sony RX100 VII to get a 200mm zoom, built-in intervalometer, and microphone jack. But would definitely buy it used at MPB. Or the VI if you do not need the microphone jack/intervalometer.

I've always hated that part of photography that involves dealing with gears with its nuisance of handling weight, lenses, filters,, etc,, totally agree that it takes away a lot of its fun and enjoyment of the moment Another great video Mike and glad that you post more often now, Always good to watch your videos.

I have wanted one for quite some time, you really pushed the limits of it and the results were excellent. Great vid man.

I just grabbed a Panasonic ZS100 just to have with me at all times. I’m new to photography and had a small budget to start out but glad I picked it up.

A huge wake up for me! I hike 2 - 4 times a week, and always debate whether to carry my MFT or iPhone. Both are compromises. A high end P&S could be the solution. thanks Michael.

I absolutely do the same thing with my Sony RX100 VII! Easy to carry with a great zoom and works on a gorilla pod. Love it!

Thanks Michael for the great video. I got the v.VI, because of my injuries I can't carry anymore heavier than compact camera . This video inspires me a lot to go out and re-ignite my motivation to photograph nature. Thank you.

"Just to enjoy the experiences". Amen to this. I've been trying to put the camera down and just be in the moment more and more when in the mountains.

this is what its all about, honest photography. taking advantage of the moment. great video :)

True! It's not about the Gear, more about the vision!

I took that camera right there on a trip to India recently (last year) and the images came out great. It does the job so well and it's so inconspicuous and doesn't attract attention. I've had similar issues of carrying expensive photo gear in cities like SF and in places like India, everyone wants you to take a picture of them because they believe that you are some big shot photographer for a newspaper or something. Anyway great point to make, as photographers we get asked too often what gear we have rather than where do you go and what do you do to get the shots :)

Well done Michael! That was excellent, not only a small “amateur’s camera” but an old one! You really demonstrated how gear does not matter And showed some advanced techniques were also useable and valid for use with this equipment. Thanks Derek

I recently bought the v7. I often carry (used to) a gh5 camera every where - bright, broad harsh daylight - just because I'm a beginner. It gets annoying when I don't even use it (especially with a 2 year old trying to grab it). This point & shoot is much easier to have on me.

Stunning scenery you have there Michael. Visited back in the early 2000s and didn’t know the front from the back of a camera! Hope to get there again next year..

I am amazed at these fantastic results. I have missed so many shots because I left my heavy gear at home. This is such a helpful video. Many thanks.

For landscapes and cityscapes I almost exclusively use Lumix LX10/15 which I carry with me all the time.

Awesome video! So many times I’ve gone on long hikes with my Canon + additional lenses (which adds a lot of weight). I’m definitely going to look at purchasing a pocket camera now.

Great video! Very inspiring. A camera that fits in my pocket, that I can carry almost every day with me ... I'm sure it would make me enjoy even more photography. It's in my wishlist since long time ago. Thanks for sharing, mate!

I always have my Sony RX 10 with me(Same Sensor) and it takes great pictures especially when focus stacking.

Nice! The nifty point & shoot elevated to master status!

I own the sony rx100 iii totally agree amazed with this camera pop in your pocket and off I go on a hike. I am amazed with the quality of images from this camera. I don't do any videos so mk3 does me fine.

San Francisco and landscape KING!

I've been thinking about getting a new version of the RX100 for years now. This video really puts the benefits in perspective! Thanks for your opinions on have a lil' guy in your pocket for wandering around.

My sentiments with this camera range as well! Your pics are awesome - makes me want to go and take more with mine now :)

Great advice, if surprising coming from a pro. I also have a P&S that I carry sometimes, and of course I always have my cell with me. The problem with cells and many P&S cameras is the small sensor, which can severely limit us. Topaz's Gigapixel AI does remarkably well to upscale an image, even one from a small sensor, but there are other limitations, such as limited dynamic range and broad depth of field that no software can easily overcome. Thus, I strongly recommend anyone looking for a pocket P&S camera to consider sensor size. There are many options with a 1" sensor, such as the one Michael demonstrated. I would not go any smaller -- I already have a smaller one in my cell phone.

Hi Michael, i like your Videos since ages. What i do like even more is that, i have that quote since early 2014 into my DPR account, ""The best camera is the one that you have with you" - Chase Jarvis as Tagline inside the DPR Forums, ever. ;-) It's great, to see what is being possible with a 1" based 20 MP Sensor, but that was clear, with some TLC. I still love to shoot my 1" type 10 MP Sensor based Nikon 1 V1, which is my P&S go-to camera, because the body is robust, the battery long lasting, and even into 2023+, i can live with the 1.44 mil dot EVF, it's still fine, good enough, and exchangeable lenses. Keep it going, strong. 🙂

Have been having these exact thoughts myself recently, but wasn't quite sure where to jump in. Great video and beautiful shots Michael, thanks.

Very helpful, thanks a lot!

Love what you were able to capture with that camera. Thanks for an interesting video.

Thank you. Very inspiring.

I appreciate your focus on landscape photography with this camera, as most reviews are talking about vlogging. I walk with a cane and have chronic pain and am finding a 1.4 lb camera too painful. Thanks!

Keep going man I love your captures 👍🏽✨

Nice review of the tiny but mighty camera! Sad to hear that such a great city has the robbery problem you noticed in the video, I'm from Siberia and here is quite safe.

Have you ever shot Landscape Photography with a compact (point and shoot) camera? What are your thoughts?

Great video! Yes, I recently picked up a Canon G5X II (very similarly-styled to your Sony). It’s great just to throw it in a backpack or even in a side pocket of my cargo shorts! I often bring it in the car with me when I’m just running errands as I often see scenes while I’m driving and like to be able to pull over and capture them.

Finally not a review video. Excellent!!!

Yes, between the time I used film, and getting my first mirrorless camera in 2016, we raised our kids, and I used digital point and shoots - JPG only. I did manage to get a bunch of very nice and memorable images.

I mainly shoot landscapes. But, I have various cameras for various jobs. My Sony RX100 IV gets used for quick photos like family shots, holidays, and casual shots of places I travel to. My Sony RX10 (I forget the model) comes in handy for concerts, tours, etc. I recently purchased an a6600 and the 16-55mm and 70-350mm G lenses which will probably replace the RX10 and work with my full frame lenses. When I want to get the best shots possible I'll use the A7R3. It's fun to shake things up occasionally. Lately I've decided to use my prime lenses more instead of my zooms. Including using the primes with the a6600 as well as the A7R3. Looking forward to Fall.

Nice video Michael. I bought a second hand mkv RX100 last year for the very same reasons. Great little cameras.

This video once again proved that the camera doesn’t matter. Great video, it was very interesting and nice to see something different Michael.

Just did the same thing. My mom found a bunch of old pictures of her and the fam taken on a disposable camera and showed me. It was cool to her at a younger age and all the memories made and after that I decided that I had to take more pictures and capture memories as they can be precious especially now that I we can't go out as much with everything that is happening. After that I bought a Fujifilm xt30 and plan to take it with me almost everywhere and make sure to capture actual moments and not just iphone selfies.

I did the same with a Canon G5X ii. It's a little noisier than my 5D mkiii but surprisingly capable, I've used it so much and especially handy when out on the mountain bike. Under the right conditions an A2 print would be possible.

Haven't watched in a bit and the first thing I notice is how fit you look mate. Great shots too, cheers

I had the RX100 Mk 1 and was really happy with the image quality and convienence. I used it as a pocket camera alongside my DSLR to reduce the need to swap lenses. Sadly the camera failed a couple of months after the warranty expired and the estimated repair cost was close to that of a new replacement. Research online showed I was not alone in having this problem (the lens stopped retracting) but there was no acknowledgement of an issue from Sony. While the issue has probably been solved in later versions I decided not to take the risk and bought a second hand Lumix GX1 for a quater of the cost of a new RX100 and get similar quality with only a small increase in size.

Very good points you made here, thank you!

I'm normally a film shooter but wanted a compact with good spec for landscape as well as everything else and the RX100vi is amazingly capable, got a mini filter kit and can do anything I want with it

Great video, Michael! This and one from Sean Tucker (used a Ricoh) has significantly impacted on how I see what is “needed” for a photo trip. Loved it!

I have the mk 4 and I'm taking it hiking/wild camping on Saturday night for photos for my channel. I enjoyed your review of it. It's a great camera. My other is a Sony RX10 m3. I'll have a look at your other vids. Best wishes from the UK

I had one of these and sold it and then regretted the sale. It is great for 4k video producing really nice detail. May be time to get the vii now.

I have a Sony rx100 mk2 great little cameras. The one I can carry anywhere I go. Made a few little timelapse videos with it👍

That's why we all need a small micro 4/3 camera like the Panasonic GF9 or my old but great GM1 with the 12-32mm lens. Goes with me everywhere/work trips and perform as good as a APSC DSLR 💪

I have an old Nikon P7000 that I bought in 2012 and few years ago I bought a used P7800 in case my P7000 breaks down. Initially I used it when going to concerts or for social occasions, but then start taking it to hikes and day trips. Soon I realize the possibilities of the little camera, I got some ring adapters and I can use ND filters and CPL with them. Now my DSLR is reserved only for big photo dedicated trips. I've captured many of my fave photos with one of these 12 MP point and shoot, I've made small 8x10 and a couple 11x14 prints and they came out great. There is no reason at all to carry around a big camera equipment all the time.

Hi Michael This is the first time I've watched one of your video's and it was a very well thought out and informative video! I also have been considering a small compact camera that would be something in between my Pixel 3A cell phone and my Nikon Z50 and D7100. I have considered the GRiii, Canon, Lumix, and Sony. Fixed lens or zoom lens. Many choices to choose from because all of them have strengths and weaknesses. Again a great video! Best of luck in your photography journey! Duane

I have two cameras, but I mainly use my Ricoh GR III. It doesn't have a zoomlens, but the image quality and compactness are both great!

I usually say, if I am to chose only one camera from all my gear to do my entire job it would be that camera right there. I had the mark 4 too, but now I got the mark 7 :)

Just tested RX100 V few days ago in a short hiking. I was amazed with the image quality for such a tiny pocket camera. Tried few milkyway shots and the results were not as I expected, it's very2 good with like 90% perfect, just need a few tweaks in Lightroom and walla. Also made a stitch photo from 7 vertical shots...never been so happy with the result., everything is sharp. This is definitely my ultimate travel camera, small (easily to put it in my pocket along my hike), easy operation, and amazing image quality...just point, shoot, and keep walking!

It has its limitations, for sure, but I've absolutely loved using my RX100II for exactly the same reasons - it fits in a pocket and takes great images.

I have a Canon G9X II that lives in velcro pouch on my daypack shoulder strap, and the vast majority of my photos are taken with it. Even if I'm part way up rock face, I can pull it from the pouch and shoot with one hand. Desert mountain and canyon scenes can be super contrasty, so to get around dynamic range limitations I have it set to take three 2-stop bracketed raw photos every time I press the shutter release. Later, I can pick the best exposure, or have LR do an HDR merge on 2 or 3 of the shots. It works great.

Amazing shots Michael! Very glad to have attended the tutorial today. I am a very, very naive landscape photographer currently taking my photos with my iPhone 7+. I’d like to upgrade to a portable camera and though the SonyRX100IV would be ideal. However, I am a student and £896 are waaaaay above my budget. Would you please be so kind to recommend a portable camera more budget friendly whilst still keeping great shots? Thank you!

on point man! Great video!

I have a Canon G7X with a Mag Filter adapter. It allows me to use a polarizer and split ND filters. Very small and light, but gives great options.

I had the exact same thinking: I bought an RX100mk7 when I cannot/don't want carry my A7R3/4 and lenses. Light, discreet (street photo), fantastic range (24-200mm) good dynamic range but noisy above 800iso (fix in post processing) a very good tool for the job and like you it allow to take photo that I would had missed without it.

Great to see what you can do (if you know what you are doing) with a tiny and inexpensive camera. :)

Just got this little camera like yourself I don't like to hump my dslr around so I'm enjoying shooting with this Sony when I'm just on a walk about very impressive results so far San Francisco looking good the image's you shot are fantastic. Enjoyed the video

I always have my RX0 in my pocket no matter where I go. It’s so tiny and is smaller than the battery for my Leica. Even more convenient than traditional point and shoots

I have 5 picture prints in my office that I printed with a Canon Pixma Pro 10. Four of them were taken with the RX100 VII and one of them with an A7RIII, with a Zeiss 24-70 f4. The most impressive ones are the one taken with the RX100 VII. Every time I look at those pictures taken with the RX100 I always say..." I cant believe I took these with an RX100 and not the A7RIII". They are sharp with good colors. The only time I which I had the A7RIII its when is getting dark and I don't have a tripod or somewhere I can place the camera steady. Also one time I saw this beautiful rainbow that I was going to take a photograph and notice that the 24mm equivalent was not wide enough to cover the whole rainbow. With a wider lens I should be able to take cover it. The RX100 is a great camera no doubt about it, light and powerful.

I have a nice Nikon camera set up. But when I travel I have changed over to a small lightweight kit that all fits in a very small messenger bag. It consists of a compact Panasonic zs100 with a built in 25-250mm Leica zoom lens, an iPhone X and an Osmo Pocket. I also carry a tiny tripod and a mini pocket tripod. Thats it. My back has been feeling strained on past trips carrying all my DSLR gear and this is a great solution for me.

Really nice video Michael. And you are right. Sometimes is better use something smaller in specific locations

Really interesting video and point of view.

Man you sir are a true artist... And now I'm gonna go and rebuy a mark iv lol

I could definitely do with a little P&S to APS-C mirrorless for street shooting or vlogging. I would definitely NOT do either here with my FF Canon kit.

I have a Z50. It's tiny, and a dslr. I often just take it out with the kit lens.

Michael, your video from the M4 looks lossless when you've exported it. Have any helpful tips? Thanks! Love the video.

the Ricoh griii is probably one of the best point and shoots out there ..it is awesome

I've had a Nikon Coolpix S9900 for quite awhile (9/2015 from archive). If the Dollars Fairy stops here I'll get something better, but I like it for several things, among them zoom lens, 16 mp files, and articulating screen. It lives in the console of my car, which is maybe its best feature - it's always there!

For a second there I thought this was about the Sony RX10 IV…which I’m very interested in for travel, but this video is making me reconsider. With the iPhone 14 Pro + RX10 IV I wonder if RX100 is even a consideration?

I just come back from an hiking trip in the french Alps where I had to carry 20 kilos and sometimes more to be able to camp, cook and timelapse the landscape, hoping there will be light. I think there are 2 schools, the one that get used to carry heavy load, and the one that goes ultralight. I find both interesting but I was really happy to hike up with my A7RII and my Mavic 2 Pro to get the best quality I could get. However, for the everyday life where things such as good light sometimes just happen, having a P&S can be very good. But I think I would rather getting a good photophone that I know I won't forget at home and that I can instantly edit photos with (excepting when there is PS work)

Great video. I'd been thinking about grabbing a version of the RX100 for my hiking trips to the Adirondacks where every extra pound feels like 10 on the steep ascents. This convinced me to pull the trigger. My wife does not thank you. :).

So good Michael!! How do you exposure blend and focus stack for the same photo? Do you take multiple exposure per focus shot?

When I was growing up around 6-11yrs old I was into photography without realizing and my mom had this tiny pink p+s camera and my dad and I would record songs and stuff on it. My dad kept it and refused to throw it away hoping someday it'll become useful again, but my mom took the memory card for safe keeping knowing no one will use that camera again... HA but here I AM using it now! I use it for street photography usually when I'm not planning a huge shoot or I need something easy to quickly get my shots as an introvert who'd rather not be seen doing that lmfao. When I asked my dad if he still had it (which I thought my mom took it and sold it or something) I asked him what the name of it was. Turns out it's a Samsung intelligent LDC es15😳, yeah I know, it's O L D !!! But the little thing actually works really well and that just shows you don't need super high quality cams for photography, it's more a skill and don't forget editing! Ofc I wouldn't recommend using especially the Samsung es15 for high fashion shoots worth a chunk of money lmfao but for street photography or "retro" styled shoots I quite like this little guy!

They are a great little camera mine goes everywhere with me. 👍🏽✌🏻

do you have a tutorial for focus stacking and exposure blending?

i got a RX0ii which is 50% discount here in PH, because probably it didn't sell well here as people were comparing it to the gopros. Damn I love the stills on my travels. best of all its waterproof.

Loved the video. I have been using point and shoot cameras for a while for landscapes. I use a canon G16 (which also allows me to attach filters) and a Lumix T90. Both of these cameras give excellent images and I have several nice prints from them. The Lumix also does in camera focus stacking, 4k video and timelapse. Both are significantly lighter than my Canon DSLR and lenses. Thank you for sharing.

Nice video! Have you done a video showing how to focus stack?

Can you tell why the m4 not the m3? Was it just fast decision or did you prefer this model for a specific reason? I have the m3 and do not really understand why I should upgrade, but the new versions come always in mind again :-) Good video.

That little Sony looks like a pretty nice camera. At >$600, I'd say that's a high-end P&S. The two P&S's I own were under $200 each.

Thank you. I am going for a Europe trip with Canon G5X ii and leave my DSLR and bunch of lenses at home. Just expect to walk around with a tiny messenger bag.

I just got a Fujifilm X100V and will certainly be giving this a crack soon.

I read that some people are making 16 x 20“ prints or even 20 x 24“ prints with iPhones. From what they say as long as you stand back and view in the entire image the image still looks very good for exhibition purposes. I just purchased a Sony RX 100 V. What’s your opinion on making large prints with these two cameras? It would be interesting to see some kind of a test comparison between least two cameras in terms of if the quality is acceptable for exhibition purposes a 20 x 24”?

Love that camera ... I have two of them. I always carry one with me. Fits in my jeans pocket :-)

Would love a quick tutorial on focus stacking with an rx100 or similar. I just can’t seem to get the depth of field right with a single shot

How do you focus stack and exposure blend on the same image?

is there lens hoods and also a do u put filter on the element ?

What do you think about the ZV-1? About the same as the RX model except for the EV. Would that be a big point as a photographer to miss out?

@Michael Shainblum, have you upgraded to an RX100 VII since this video? Would love your thoughts.

Great video... I also have the D850... Amazing camera... Sometimes too heavy.... Gracias for the video...

I either take my best camera, or no camera. If the light goes off and I have no camera, then I am mentally prepared for that. It can make for a relaxing time to just enjoy the spectacle. Like normal people, ha.

I use my Samsung S10+ phone (always with me - I pick my phone according to the quality of the camera), Nikon P7000 (general photography with fairly bright and useful zoom range), and an Olympus TG-6 (for when the weather is pure crap or macros may be in store). Otherwise I have 2 DSLR systems (Pentax, Canon) with a slew of lenses. However, lugging the Canon with the 300-800mm (~30 lbs) is sometimes less than pleasant.

I don't like how on my v7 it buries my video files deep in the file system. I've formatted the card a few times with importing the video files. I also don't have an ND filter solution yet. Love the camera tho.