Everyday Carry Cameras 2024
By: James Wilder
Updated: 10-25-2024
Everyday Carry cameras for car photography. The Ricoh GR3 has the greatest potential.
Today, the every day carry (EDC) camera is typically a smartphone. But it will always be a phone "with a camera".
Why Choose an Everyday Carry Camera?
The number one goal of a camera is to take photographs. It is camera-first design. Not so for smartphones.
Here are some good reasons to use a compact camera rather than a smartphone?
- Camera-first design - its single purpose in life is to facilitate the process of making a photo.
- A larger image sensor (so far) - more light, better photo.
- A display that pivots for low or high shots.
- Electronic viewfinder - because sometimes you just can't see the dang screen in sunlight.
- Manual controls - because the camera doesn't always know what I want.
- Everyday carry potential - A compact camera is grab and go. More opportunities, more shots.
My EDC Camera Criteria (Wishes)
My focus is car photography and shooting stills, not video. With that in mind, here are a few specific requirements for my everyday carry camera.
- Pocketable is a wish (The Ricoh GR3 is the only camera that fulfills this wish).
- An articulating display to make low shots much easier.
- Fixed lens - No need for multiple lenses for daily carry.
- Zoom capability - I want different focal lengths for more diverse shots.
- Crop capability - If no zoom, then be able to easily select crop modes.
- Electronic viewfinder.
So, what are the choices for compact digital cameras with these features?
OMG! You would think this is an easy question. It's not. Camera industry marketing is a shameful mess. We face a big confusing wall when it comes to understanding what is available today. Apparently, camera companies gave up on retail stores and even their own websites (they're horrible).
So, keep reading for my curated list of advanced compact cameras.
My Top Camera List
- Ricoh GR III (Best form factor)
- Fujifilm X100VI
- Sony RX100V (might be discontinued)
- Sony a7c2 (most powerful, full frame, heavy)
* Leica D-Lux 8 (coming soon to list)
Each camera has its pros and cons.
Continue reading for details on these cameras, and a few more.
Ricoh GR III
This camera has the perfect form factor for a daily carry. And, it has an APS-C image sensor!
Ricoh GR III
Image Stabilization: Yes
Sensor: APS-C
Lens: 18.3mm (28mm equiv)
Aperture: F2.8~F16
Weight: 257g (0.57 lb / 9.07 oz)
Released: March 2019
List price: $899
Notes
*Has built-in ND filter!
*No articulating display.
*No electronic viewfinder but there is a non-electronic viewfinder attachment available.
*Hard to find in-stock.
There is another version of the Ricoh GR III. The Ricoh GRIIIx was released Sept 2021. The key difference between the GRIII and the GRIIIx is the focal length. The GR IIIx focal length is 26.1mm (40mm equiv). This focal length is close to the 35mm focal length of the Fujifilm X100VI.
Ricoh GR III
us.ricoh-imaging.com/product/gr-iii/
Ricoh GR IIIx
us.ricoh-imaging.com/product/griiix/
Fujifilm X100VI
The X100VI is the sixth-generation model of the X100 Series.
Fujifilm X100VI
Image Stabilization: YES
Sensor: APS-C (40.2MP)
Lens: 23mm (35mm) f2.0 max Fixed.
Lcd Monitor 3.0 inch, Articulating
Weight: 521g with battery and SD memory card.
List price: $1599
Released: February 2024
*So popular it's hard to find in-stock.
*No zoom but has a WIDE / TELE / OFF option.
*Has built-in ND filter!
fujifilm-x.com/global/products/cameras/x100v/
Sony RX100Va
The Sony RX100 line has a lot of fans. It has been around for many years and it is up to version VII. This camera is a favorite for travel photography.
Sony RX100Va
Model: DSC-RX100M5A
Released: 2018*
Image Stabilization: Yes (stills)
1.0-type sensor
Lens: Fixed, zoom 24-70mm (35mm equiv)
Pop up viewfinder!
Articulating display* (tilt down/up)
Weight: 299g with Battery and Memory.
List Price $999
Sony RX100 Series has several (too many) versions. The ones that are still being sold are RX100III, RX100VA, RX100VI and RX100VII. I don't include these because the RX100VI and RX100VII have a 200mm zoom.
The Articulating Display tilts for high or low shots. Does not flip out for selfie/vlogging.
*As of mid 2024 this camera has been out-of-stock on sony.com months and is on backorder on adorama.com. It is uncertain if it will be officially discontinued by Sony.
*The original RX100V was released in 2016.
www.sony.com/electronics/cyber-shot-compact-cameras/...
Sony a7c Mark 2
The Sony a7c Mark 2 is a full frame sensor camera in a Sony APS-C sized camera body (a6000 series). According to Sony, it's the world's smallest and lightest full-frame camera. But in no way is it pocketable or light when you attach a full frame lens.
Sony a7c Mark 2
Image Stabilization: Yes
Articulating display (side)
Lens: Interchangeable
Sensor: Full Frame
Weight: 514g / 1 lb 2.0 oz (body without battery)
Released: 2023
List Price: $2199
Sony a7c Mark 2
electronics.sony.com/imaging/interchangeable-lens-ca...
General Notes
Sony - I have excluded Sony ZV1, Sony ZV-E10 as they are positioned as video creation cameras for vloggers and social media content creators.
Canon - It appears Canon has quit selling the G5 X Mark II compact as it is no longer listed for sale on their website. Loud and clear to me, they are out of the compact market.
Ricoh - The Ricoh GR II was launched in 2015, and the GR III in 2019. No rumors on an updated GR camera. They don't chase trends, so they don't need to release anything, but it has been a while.
Finally
With every camera there's a compromise.
The perfect camera is the one I would design myself. And that's not happening.
Useful Camera Links for Research
Useful camera/product links for your own research.
See Compact Camera Rumors for the latest on new compact cameras of interest.
Sony Compact Cameras
electronics.sony.com/imaging/c/compact-cameras
Canon Compact Cameras
shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/point-and...
Fujifilm Compact Cameras
fujifilm-x.com/global/products/cameras/
Ricoh
us.ricoh-imaging.com/shop