Thread: Travel camera: Nikon V1 or Canon G1X? What is the better option?

Hello,

How are you?

Technology has these things... Something is new and very expensive and some time later, that same thing is no longer the newest thing and as such, it is not the most expensive thing either...

This is true for both the Nikon V1 and the Canon G1X.

Both these cameras had some major price cuts recently and that made me look at them with a renewed interest...

I am currently looking into buying a new camera.

I currently have none.

My point to buying a camera is to mainly use it as a travel camera. I like travelling a lot either on my own country or abroad and I would like a camera to allow me to take some nice pictures but not get in the way of the travelling experience.

I already travelled with a backpack with 2 DSLR bodies and some lenses, just with one DSLR and a general purpose zoom, and with a M43 kit with a body and 4 lenses...

All of these, always ended up getting in the way.

I took some great shots, no doubt, but then I come home, see them all once, show a few to my family, edit and post process a handful and that's that...

I always got the feeling I could enjoy the trip more if I wasn't lugging a big and heavy photokit or just worrying too much about capturing the images... At the end of the day I am not a professional photographer and taking the shots is not the goal of my trip...

So, for my last trip to Mallorca in the summer, I just took my iPhone with me, no camera at all and it Was liberating... No great shots, but I brought memories in the form of pictures and enjoyed the trip alot...

But liking photography and technology in general, I miss a real camera. Something with proper controls, ergonomics and better IQ. But I don't want to go back to DSLRS that get too much in the way...

I will not be doing portrait photography, or sports, or landscapes...

Just general travel photography and use the camera in some family occasions and social gatherings...

So, for this, I have my eye on either the V1 or the G1X... The Nikon with the 10-30 and 30-110 is the same price as the G1X. The V1 with just the 10-30 is about 35% cheaper than the G1X.

I know they are very different cameras...

For one, the V1 is a system camera and the G1X is just a very advanced and "big" point and shoot.

The V1 has a smaller sensor with a 2.7 crop factor, but it can take faster lenses like the f1.8 18,5mm. But that is the only one. I don't own a nikon DSLR and I don't plan to, so if I go with the V1, it will be to use just native lenses.

With the 10-30 on the V1, the G1X has the better IQ due to it's larger sensor. It also offers a body with more direct controls. The V1 relies more on menu diving to adjust settings.

The G1X also offers more control over DOF than the V1 with the 10-30 lens.

The V1 has a 1.44 mDot EVF while the G1X has an OVF with 80% coverage, no information and very small.

The G1X has just contrast detect auto focus while the V1 offers hybrid AF. It is faster and can track moving subjects...

The V1 can cover more focal lengths, but it has the hassle of one having to switch lenses to get that extra FL... The G1X is always ready within it's lens 4X zoom.

The V1 can become more expensive if I star buying lenses.

The G1X is a bit bigger and heavier, but thanks to it's smaller profile with the lens retracted, it is easier to fit in a large coat pocket or a non camera bag.

I guess this pretty much sums the differences between the two...

But since they are such different cameras, I don't know which one to choose...

I also though about other systems, like the M43 again with an OMD or a Samsung NX camera or even a NEX-6... But those systems are more expensive, have bigger and heavier lenses and I would probably end up building another kit with great IQ and performance, but it would get in the way again...

So, for my purpose, which is the better option? The V1 or the G1X?

Cheers and thanks!

I never know how to answer for someone else. So I'll answer for myself. I'd buy the G1X. The V1 does some amazing things for it's size. The G1X just puts out amazing files. For me the bigger sensor wins. I also like NOT having choices, so the single attached lens is another point in it's favor.

They are both great cameras and once you learn them, they will make fine photos.

I'd choose the G1X as well. Only real reason to go V1 to me would be for fast action, and that doesn't sound like a priority.

Another vote for the G1X. V1 does seem like a nice camera, but the more direct controls (less time spent staring at the camera, more time spent looking around and enjoying your environment) combined with the fixed lens (less to think about) and the rotating screen (LOVE that for creative photography) makes me think the Canon is the better camera for you. To me personally, the difference in IQ isn't all that important, but I suppose there is a difference, in favour of the G1X (if you only use the kit lens on the V1).

I do not own either camera, but it sounds like

1) you have a gear buying habit like many of us do, and I'll bet if you buy the V1, you will be tempted to buy all sorts of other lenses, which will result in
2) you finding that everything is getting in your way again, just like with m43. Honestly, the V1 with a lens is not that much smaller than, for instance, the Oly EPM2 with a lens. Buy a few more lenses, and you might as well go back to m43.

Given the above, I'd vote for a G1X.

But my REAL vote is to spend more and get an RX100. A very light travel camera that never gets in the way, and can sit in a tiny belt pouch, and also provides great features like sweep-panorama (great for travel), good high ISO, movies, extended DR, etc. But the G1X will likely be easier to work with, but is MUCH bigger and heavier.

I have a V1 +10/30 and 18.5 and love it. But for what you want based on your post is the canon.

Neither. A Sony RX100.

Have you thought of the Fuji X10? It's very small -- it definitely won't get in the way -- has a faster zoom covering the same equivalent range, and produces files comparable to those from the 12MP m4/3 cameras, has a nice optical finder (I think so anyway), and is a lot cheaper than the RX100 or Canon now that the X20 has been announced. It's smaller than the Canon, and though I don't know how the image quality compares, camera to camera, I can say that the X10 produces very nice images.

Not exactly what you asked, but my two cents anyway.

Hello,
Thank you for participating.
I see the RX100 was mentioned a couple of times.
Why is it said to be better than the G1X?
Is it just a matter of size?

Cheers!

Originally Posted by gdourado

I see the RX100 was mentioned a couple of times.
!

because people like to vote for their camera rather than what you ask for.